Skywalking Through Neverland: A Star Wars / Disney Podcast

Convention season is now in full swing. Next up - Comic Con Revolution (CCR)! Programming director David Nieves joins us to discuss what goes into putting on a pop culture convention. What were our first convention experiences? San Diego Comic Con was first for some, while others were relegated to a single banquet room at the local Sheraton Hotel (looking at you Richard). If you ever dreamed of working at a con, David gives tips on how you can make that happen.    David tells us about a NEW feature for this year's CCR. Attendees will have an opportunity to experience a special pop up with Trapped Escape Room. In The Henchmen's Heist, you and your crew are aspiring villains! You join Madame Graffiti's band of art thieves. The mission? To steal as many pieces of art as possible from the world-famous Lumina Museum at their annual Spectrum Gala.    Along with the many superstars and escape room, we will also be there with TWO of our Trivia party game shows. Sunday May 18th we will host our Pop Culture Trivia

Star Wars Celebration Japan gave us Loth Kittens, Shadow Lords, Grogu and Gosling, and so much more. We are still processing all the big announcements and surprises, so we brought on a special guest. Our good friend B.J. Priester (Hyperspace Theories/Fangirl Blog) shares his experiences at the Main Stage, the merchandise store, and he helps us break down and analyze all the Star Wars reveals. What were you most excited about?  Topics discussed: MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Why wasn't there a Lucasfilm Showcase panel? Footage described in detail STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER Is this the DEADPOOL of Star Wars with director Shawn Levy?? AHSOKA Season 2 Lothballs! (Loth Kittens) Baylan Scoll recasting Thrawn vs. Admiral Ackbar Updates to SMUGGLER'S RUN: Mandalorian and Grogu version Let's flip this switch! They are testing this version right now in Disneyland!! ANDOR Season 2 It's here! LFL 20th Anniversary Animation Panel - MAUL: SHADOW LORD Footage discussed in detail Highlights Merchandise

  We break down and review the first 3 ANDOR Season 2 episodes, with a special focus on the "Dinner Party from Hell!" with Dedra Meero, Syril Karn, and his mom the emotionally abusive Eedy. Actors Denise Gough (Dedra) and Kyle Soller (Syril) coined "Dinner Party from Hell" at Star Wars Celebration Japan, and there is no better description. This truly relatable "meet the in-laws" dinner speaks to the entire series, as ANDOR is full of relatable moments juxtaposed with galaxy-altering events. Mon Mothma consoles her daughter while Luthen Rael ruthlessly protects information vital to the upstart Rebels. B2 plays tag with kids while Cassian inadvertently finds a new base for the burgeoning Rebellion.   Episodes we break down:   E1: One Year Later E2: Sagrona Teema E3: Harvest   Today in Star Wars History 4/21/1980   The Empire Strikes Back Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by John Williams, was released. Before the film's release the album had already sold three million copies. The soundtrack spends

Bryce Eller, the man behind all the Darth Vader TV appearances and the official Vader meet and greets at local department stores, gives us exclusive stories of his time on many TV variety shows and live meet and greet engagements.  As a companion piece to my article, Star Wars x 1970's Variety TV, I talk with Bryce to fill in details you won't find anywhere else. Bryce appeared on Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, Donny and Marie, The Wacko Saturday Preview and Other Good Stuff Special, and Kaptain Kool and the Kongs Present ABC All-Star Saturday!  We also go into voicing Darth Vader for these shows, perfecting the Vader walk, and the time he was hit on at a wrap party by a woman who wanted to turn Darth Vader to the deep dark side.  Bryce made his Skywalking debut on the two part episodes - 236 and 237. But little did we know then, there were even more stories to tell. 

ANDOR Season 2 is just around the corner! But where did we leave off with Cassian and friends in Season 1? After all, it was 3 years ago. What really happened between ISB agent Dedra Meero and Imperial wanna-be Syril Karn? How was Maarva Andor weaponized?    If you don't remember, we are here to remind and prepare you for this new season that premieres on Disney+ on April 22nd. There is lots to go over especially how ANDOR crosses over with STAR WARS REBELS. We also look back at our roundtable interviews with Production Designer Luke Hull and Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson to see how their creations will add to the storytelling of ANDOR Season 2.    Today in Star Wars History 4/15/1963   Happy 63rd Birthday to Tom Kane! Tom Kane voiced hundreds of animated characters in dozens of series. To Star Wars fans he is Yoda and Admiral Yularen in The Clone Wars and did the opening newsreel narration for each episode. He also voiced Admiral Ackbar in The Last Jedi and Star Tours.    Unfortunately Tom Kane

What would Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics look like if it crashed into John Carter, Warlord of Mars? This comic is your answer. On this episode we break down Issue 53: THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN from August 1981. This issue inserts Princess Leia into repurposed Carmine Infantino artwork from the cancelled JOHN CARTER, WARLORD OF MARS series, and boy, can you tell! Not only does it have narration in first person, it also has some scenes intended only for an over-18 audience. Make sure those little ones are nowhere near this comic!   Today in Star Wars History - April 9, 1984   Return Of The Jedi wins a 'Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects' at the 56th Academy Awards. Cheech and Chong present awards to Richard Edlund, Phil Tippet, Ken Ralston, and Dennis Muren.      #53 "THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN"   Release Date: August 18, 1981 Writer: Chris Claremont Artwork: Walt Simonson, Walt Simonson Coloring: Glynis Wein Cover Art:  Walt Simonson   Princess Leia Organa investigates Imperial act

Season of the Force is upon us once again. NEW food, NEW merchandise, and most importantly - NEW Death Star popcorn buckets!! Join Richard and Sarah behind the scenes of opening day, where we interviewed an Imagineer, specialty chefs, the merchandise team, and Star Wars: The High Republic authors. We learned about the new nighttime projection show "Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Story" and saw Luke Skywalker walk amongst us muggles on Batuu. Most importantly, we shared the experience with all of our friends, which is what Disneyland is all about. Oh, and someone was the Rebel Spy. Can you guess who??   This episode contains interviews from the following:   Matt Martin from the Lucasfilm Story group and Michael Serna, Executive Creative Director with Disney Live Entertainment.    Chef Adolfo Salazar, Disneyland Resort Chef   Nataly Guzman, Season of the Force Merchandise Spokesperson   Megan Roth, Senior Manager - Event Production   Star Wars: The High Republic authors Claudia Gray   Alyssa Won

Here's a little Ewok Talk to brighten your day! What fandom events are you looking forward to in the near future? There's that convention in Japan, and then there's the 3rd Annual Forest Moon Festival! This 3-day free event, held May 30th-June 1st, supports the community on the Redwood Coast of California -  the Endor filming location for Return of the Jedi. Coordinators Cassandre Hesseltine, Anibal Polanco, and Tracy Boyd give us the highlights from past festivals and what to look forward to this year. Click here for more information on the Forest Moon Festival.   Today in Star Wars History 3/24/2005   Cartoon Network airs "Chapter 24" from Season Three of the Genndy Tartakovsky Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series.   General Grievous has penetrated Chancellor Palpatine's private quarters in an attempt to kidnap him. Shaak Ti leads Jedi and clones to escort the Chancellor to safety. Meanwhile, on the planet Nelvaan, Anakin Skywalker continues to prepare for his final Jedi test. On a cave wall he witnesse

This week we have a discussion with Maria Sandoval - Head Hair Designer of the MandoVerse! She is an Emmy-nominated hair designer who worked on The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, AND Picard. She also worked on the upcoming live action Lilo and Stitch as well as The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film. How did the practicality of Fennec Shand's hair change her look? What color IS Luke's hair in Return of the Jedi, and how do you recreate that? So many questions answered. Maria gives us so many exclusive behind-the-scenes stories! Follow Maria on instagram.   Heading to Star Wars Celebration Japan? You can meet Maria Sandoval at the Not So Virtual Cantina: Special Edition on April 17th. Many thanks to Spencer Jawitz (Star Wars Celebration Japan Facebook Group) for facilitating this discussion, and the Japan event.   Today in Star Wars History 3/18/2017   Disney XD airs the episode "Twin Suns" from Star Wars Rebels Season Three.    Maul has tracked Obi-Wan's presence to the remote world of Ta

https://youtu.be/1txZxDE2U7M   If Adventure has a name it would be this episode of Skywalking through Neverland! We celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Disneyland attraction INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE: Temple of the Forbidden Eye with Justin Smith, THE Indiana Jones aficionado. He rode the attraction with Sallah actor John Rhys-Davies, met up with Disneyland Imagineers, and had an amazing day. Then we go over the past, present, and future of each Indiana Jones attraction/show at Disney Parks across the globe, including the upcoming Temple of the Feathered Serpent at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Lots to talk about and celebrate!   Today in Star Wars History 3/11/1979   The daily Star Wars newspaper comic strip debuts. The series was written and drawn by Russ Manning. It was first distributed by the Los Angeles Times and debuted in 214 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. We did breakdowns of several storyline which can be found here.     SPONSORS   Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywa

Who else LOVED the Netflix DAREDEVIL series?? We did, and we are so excited that DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN - Marvel Television's continuation of those first 3 seasons - is now airing on Disney+!! We've been waiting years for Disney to pick up where Netflix left off and now it's here. We'll give you some comic history of Daredevil and a brief summary of what you should know going in. We also break down the first two episodes and take a special look at imagery, sound design, and character journeys. Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox) reprise their respective roles and we were both blown away. FYI, there will be spoilers.   DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN begins several years after the events of Netflix's DAREDEVIL, and a year after Matt Murdock has stopped being the vigilante "Daredevil". Now, Murdock continues his fight for justice as a lawyer while former crime boss Wilson Fisk has been elected mayor of New York City, putting the pair on a collision course. This first season c

Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics is back! We break down Issue 52: TO TAKE THE TARKIN from July 1981 with our good friend Spencer Jawitz (Virtual Cantina Network). In this issue, our heroes infiltrate the Empire's new battle station, The Tarkin. Will history repeat itself where they destroy the massive station or will Darth Vader stop them this time - that is if he survives the plot from within the Empire's ranks to kill him? We share our thoughts on the storytelling, artwork, and when to "Hurl a Berl". But most of all, we learn some great new Star Wars expletives on the level of "Dank Farrik!" That's some Hockaleg, right there.   Today in Star Wars History -February 25, 1986   Return Of The Jedi was released on VHS and Betamax for $79.99. This is the first time a film is released worldwide on home video to help reduce piracy.     #52 "TO TAKE THE TARKIN"   Release Date: July 21, 1981 Writer: David Michelinie Artwork: Walt Simonson, Tom Palmer Coloring: Don Warfield Cover Art:  Walt Simonson   Luk

Richard and Sarah review and break down CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. And since this is the 35th entry in the MCU, we'll tell you some of the surprising Marvel films and TV shows you should brush up on before watching. This is what we wish we would have known going in. Please note that there will be minor plot spoilers, but overall they will help you enjoy the film even more.   We love behind-the-scenes nuggets, so this breakdown will include sound bytes from Kevin Feige (Executive Producer/Marvel Studios President), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Executive Producer), and Harrison Ford (President Thaddeus Ross).   Today in Star Wars History 2/12/1978   The first Expanded Universe novel, Splinter Of The Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster, is published by Del Rey. Splinter Of The Mind's Eye is written to be filmed as a low-budget sequel to Star Wars. That is why it's set on the misty planet of Mimban. Mimban is seen onscreen in Solo: A Star Wars Story. We broke down and did a review of Splinter Of The Mind's

Richard and Sarah break down the new Disney+ animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and compare it to the classic Spider-Man comic from 1963! It's astounding how close showrunner Jeff Trammell and his team have stayed true to the classic comic, with art by Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr. This episode includes some behind-the-scenes quotes and fun facts which will give you even more enjoyment for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. We also go over some fun MCU Easter Eggs, puzzle together where it fits in the current MCU, and share our first introductions to Spider-Man. Richard and I have vastly different stories.   Be sure to check out our Spider-Man review.   Today in Star Wars History 2/4/2024   The 51st Saturn Awards, which honors the best in science fiction, fantasy, horror are presented, and Star Wars winners include:    'Best Music in a Film' - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – John Williams 'Best Animated Television Series or Special' - The Bad Batch 'Best New Genre

For our 501st episode we've invited 501st Legion founder Albin Johnson. We talk about the origins of "The World's Definitive Imperial Star Wars Costuming Organization." Albin discusses the charities that the 501st has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for, as well as the impactful Make-A-Wish Endowment. We also get into the debate of cosplayers vs costumers! Then there was the time he was kidnapped… you'll hear all about it and much more in this 501st episode.    Learn more and donate to the 501st Make-a-Wish Endowment.   Check out the 501st Legion documentary, Star Wars: Star Warriors Documentary.   Today in Star Wars History 1/27/1983   Lucasfilm officially announces that the title for the third Star Wars film has changed from Revenge Of The Jedi to Return Of The Jedi.    SPONSORS   Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

We did it - our 500th episode!!! To celebrate this milestone we do what we do best - talk about Star Wars. We are so excited to take on one of our biggest discussions ever - comparing and contrasting all seven of the live action Star Wars Disney+ series. We go over the final confrontations, how each show progresses the world of Star Wars, how each series ended but left an opening for another season, and lots more. We look forward to seeing how your ranking compares to ours. Today in Star Wars History Cartoon Network airs the episode "Witches of the Mist" from Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Secrets Revealed Season Three. Written by Katie Lucas.  FORTUNE COOKIE: "The path to evil may bring great power, but not loyalty." In this episode, Ventress and Savage Opress attack Dooku but he gets away. Opress returns to Mother Talzin who tells him to find his long-lost and exiled brother who will teach him how to become a powerful warrior. With his mission set, Opress leaves. Talzin then turns to her crystal orb where a fra

We break down issue 51: Resurrection of Evil from June 1981! There is a new super weapon being constructed called the Tarkin. Our heroes are sent to bring down this technological terror, and at the same time there is a plot within the Empire to kill Darth Vader!   In the past, Marvel has tied-in Kenner action figures and playsets. Is that what they are doing here with the Scout Walker vehicle? Or was it because they wanted to feature the cool 2-legged walker seen in The Empire Strikes Back for 2 seconds.   Today in Star Wars History   Disney+ streams the episode, "Chapter 3: The Streets of Mos Espa" from The Book of Boba Fett which Guest stars Danny Trejo as the Rancor Keeper. (Does Danny Trejo make an appearance in this episode's Marvel comic?)   In "The Streets of Mos Espa" the Hutt Twins come to Boba Fett's palace and offer their apologies for sending Black Krrsantan to kill him.   This Book of Boba Fett  episode also features the BEST Behind the scenes Easter Egg ever! During the speeder chase w

It's our annual year-end wrap-up spectacular - part 2!! In this half we look back on 2024 and discuss fandom surprises, what is the appropriate hashtag for 2024, and if we could go back in time what we would tell our 10-year-old selves about this past year. The conversation continues with our special guests James Floyd from Star Warsologies (which can be found here on the Skywalking Network), and pop culturists Kevin & Angela Vincent! Check out Part 1 of the discussion.   SPONSORS   Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.   SUPPORT THE SHOW   Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.   CONTACT US   Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod   Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skywalkingthroughneverland   Send emails to share@skywalkin

It's our annual year-end wrap-up spectacular - part 1!! We take a look back at 2024 - the highs and lows, what may or may not have met our expectations, our personal fandom highlights, and so much more. And we invited some friends to join us - James Floyd from Star Warsologies (which can be found here on the Skywalking Network), and Kevin & Angela Vincent - theme park entertainers who we met at D23! From WICKED to SKELETON CREW, Harrison Ford to a published Star Wars Book - we cover it all. Stay tuned in just a few days for Part 2!   SPONSORS   Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.   SUPPORT THE SHOW   Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.   CONTACT US   Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod   Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkywalkingPod   Facebook: https://www.facebook.co

Aye, matey - 'tis time for a discussion with Skeleton Crew pirate Vane!! Actor Marti Matulis is Vane in The Mandalorian & Skeleton Crew, he is in this year's new Christmas movie Red One as the vulture-like Slap-Fight Judge, and he is in many Star Trek films and TV series. We discuss the artistry of creature makeup, how he emotes under the mask, and acting in general. Matulis is a 20+ year veteran in the business and we loved picking his brain. Follow him on instagram and YouTube channel.   Today in Star Wars History - 12/23/1977   A special Star Wars holiday ad is placed in local newspapers to promote the ongoing release that reads, "Happy Holidays and may the Force be with you throughout the new year."         SPONSORS   Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.   SUPPORT THE SHOW   Find out how you can become a part of the S