Star Wars Celebration VI: Panel Highlights!

Orlando FL is the theme park capital of the United States and we’re just starting to get a ton of incredible conventions in our humble city as well. Due perhaps to the success of Disney’s Hollywood studios, Orlando is lucky enough to once again be the home of the biggest Star Wars convention in the entire galaxy, Star Wars Celebration VI.  Here are some of the panel highlights for the big con taking place between August 23rd – August 26th 2012.  It should also be noted that we’ll be doing our best to provide coverage of the event, and are really keeping our fingers crossed that there will be a lot of Twi’Leks with nice lekkus combing the convention hall.

Thursday

Inside The Clone Wars Tech: –11:30 am- The Clone Wars VFX Supervisor Joel Aron and Supervising Director Dave Filoni take you inside the hit television series. Catch a glimpse how the magic is made, and be ready for a great Q&A session. (Source)

Star Wars 1313: -1:00 pm-   This upcoming game from LucasArts takes the Star Wars universe into uncharted territory – straight down into the depths of Coruscant. Hear from the game developers about the exciting new features and gameplay, and about the team effort between LucasArts and Industrial Light & Magic that is making it happen.

It’s a Trap – Puppetmasters Rose and Quinn – 2:30- Performers and puppeteers Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar) and Mike Quinn (Nien Numb) reminisce about what went on behind the scenes of Return of the Jedi, and talk about their careers in making magic.

Friday

Vocal Stars of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – 10:30 – An incredible cast with incredible talent, stars of The Clone Wars take to the stage together to talk about their experiences on the show. Dee Bradley Baker (Captain Rex and the clones), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), Tom Kane (Yoda), and Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker).

Super Secret Star Wars Panel with Todd, Seth, and Matt -12:00- Join Todd Grimes, Seth Green & Matt Senreich as they hijack (we mean provide) an exclusive first look at their top secret animated Star Wars project.

The Clone Wars Season Five Premiere Red Carpet -4:00- Come early for the evening’s festivities and watch the stars of the award-winning television show on the red carpet, just outside the Digital Theater.

Mark Hamill – 7:30 – Don’t miss Mark Hamill on the Celebration Stage. The actor who portrayed Luke Skywalker, and the talented voice actor behind iconic characters, Hamill will share Star Wars memories and take questions from the audience.

Saturday

Celebration VI Costume Masquerade -3:00- Costuming is an art form, and quite possibly no group takes that art form higher than Star Wars fans. Be sure to catch one of two costume pageants scheduled for the Celebration Stage, to see the finest cosplayers in the galaxy.

From World War to Star Wars – 6:30 – With Cole Horton, Chris Reiff, Chris Trevas. It’s well known that myth inspired the story of Star Wars, but it was the Second World War that often influenced the look, tone, and sound of the Saga. From World War to Star Wars explores the interesting and unexpected ways that “a long time ago” influenced George Lucas’ “galaxy far, far away.” Join blogger & historian Cole Horton and Star Wars illustrators Chris Reiff & Chris Trevas as they give fans a rare look into the rise of two Empires, the Millennium Falcon’s World War II roots, and how relics from the war were used to build the galaxy we love.

Celebration VI Exclusive! Star Wars: Smuggler’s Gambit -6:00- Written especially for Celebration VI, Smuggler’s Gambit by Kyle Newman will be performed live by the best voices in the business at this world premiere. In the spirit of the classic Star Wars NPR radio dramas, Gambit finds everyone’s favorite smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca face to face with their shady past, after realizing their decision to help the Rebellion has led to deadly consequences across the galaxy. Set between Episodes IV and V and created just for Celebration, this live performance stars voice actors Dave Collins, Tom Kane, Ashley Eckstein, Matt Lanter, Dee Bradley Baker, Matthew Wood, Clare Grant and Boba Fett himself, Daniel Logan. Written by Kyle Newman and FJ DeSanto, directed by Newman, and featuring sounds by Jimmy Mac. (Source)

SUNDAY

Sam Witwer: The Maul Within -1:30- Television and movie actor Sam Witwer made an indelible impression on Star Wars fans this season as the voice of the resurrected Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Witwer is also well-known as The Apprentice in LucasArts’ hit games The Force Unleashed and The Force Unleashed II.