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Good Morning Youtinians.  We have made it through the first month of the new year. February is filled with new comics and a start to a new book trilogy. There’s so much we are excited about in the Star Wars galaxy that’s coming up this month and beyond!

— JG Carse, Emmi Conner, and Doc B

Star Wars February Publishing Releases

• After a short break in Star Wars novel publishing, February brings us some great new releases! Here are the three we’re most excited about here at Youtini:

  • Legacy of Vader #1 by Charles Soule and Luke Ross: This is the first issue of Charles Soule and Luke Ross’ brand new ongoing comic series.

    • After a slew of Darth Vader comics in the Star Wars Canon, Charles Soule brings a story centered on Supreme Leader Kylo Ren.

    • We don’t know much about this first issue yet. Still, we know that it will take Kylo Ren to a significant place in Vader’s past: Fortress Vader on the fire-torn planet of Mustafar.

    • This first issue will hit comic store shelves on February 5th!

  • The Bad Batch: Ghost Agents #1 by Michael Morec and Ruairi Coleman: We’ve got another first issue on the list for February. This one is the first issue of a 5-part miniseries from Dark Horse.

    • As part of the Hyperspace Stories initiative, we’re getting a new Bad Batch story set during the Clone Wars.

    • In classic fashion for the Bad Batch, they are on a new mission to root out a Separatist ghost agent tucked away in the farthest reaches of the galaxy far, far away.

    • You can be on the lookout for this issue on February 12th!

  • Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed: Lastly, we’ve got one new novel coming out next month, and it is the first entry in the new Reign of the Empire trilogy!

    • The Mask of Fear focuses on three critical figures during the first year of the Empire’s reign over the galaxy: Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa.

    • This book is sure to be a heavy hitter in the genre of political fiction, and we can’t wait to see the beginnings of the Rebellion take shape in the ashes of the Republic.

    • After a long wait, this novel will finally hit bookstore and library shelves on February 25th!

  We're all fine here now — how are you? These are just a few Star Wars reads we can’t wait to check out next month. Be on the lookout for the Canon Book Club’s podcast episode on The Mask of Fear on March 25th!

  Rey’s Movie Gets a New Writer

  

  Image Credit:

  More exciting news has emerged regarding Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s upcoming Star Wars film that focuses on Rey, fifteen years after the galaxy-changing events of The Rise of Skywalker.

  In October last year, we heard the news that Peaky Blinders, Maria, and A Thousand Blows writer Steven Knight had left the project and needed to be replaced. Now, exciting waves through the Force have confirmed that George Nolfi has joined the project.

  • Nolfi is a screenwriter of considerable talent. His credits include none other than The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean’s 12.

  • Nolfi is also a director. He made his directorial debut in the feature film Adjustment Team, derived from short stories by Philip K. Dick, and starred Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.

  • Nolfi states: “The thing that I think a director has to have in order to make a movie really work, and to certainly make a film that feels personal, is that you have to have a sense of the feeling that you want to create in people, the tone which you want to tell the story, and the basic themes you want to come out. You can’t compromise on those because you are then not making the movie that you are going to be good at telling.”

We are so excited about this development and cannot wait to hear more about the progress and production of this film. Nolfi is the perfect addition, and let’s hope that he brings some of the awesomeness from Danny Ocean, Rusty Ryan, Jason Bourne, Nicky Parsons, Pamela Landy, and Ward Abbot to the Star Wars characters and machinations that he will pen!

While we wait to see this version of the Jedi Order in the generations after the Empire's fall, check out our chat about the Legends New Jedi Order series here.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? The prospect of a film exploring the rebirth of the Jedi Order is VERY exciting and the possibilities for story-telling boggle the mind! What aspect of his writing do you hope Nolfi brings to the new Rey movie?

More Star Wars Celebration Guests Announced

For the next 11 weeks, many, many, friends are anxiously planning and deciding what to buy, wear and see at Star Wars Celebration Japan. As Youitni works to keep you up-to-date with goings on, the latest news includes the addition of two more AMAZING guests from the Star Wars stable, adding to an already WICKED list of stars!

Ahmed Best: Most famously, Best is the actor (and motion capture pioneer) behind the voice and body of Jar Jar Binks, who burst onto our screens in The Phantom Menace.

• More recently, he lent the Gungan's voice to a Dark version of the character, Darth Jar Jar, in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.

• Best also dazzled us with the speeder and lightsaber skills as Kelleran Beq, the Jedi responsible for rescuing Grogu from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during Order 66.

• Check out the Star Wars Archives episode about his work here.

• Best will be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for photos and autographs as well as to celebrate his amazing work with fans.

John Kroll is also confirmed and is a special surprise for all Youtinians who celebrate and appreciate the production side of Star Wars.

• Knoll is famous for his input into co-creating Adobe Photoshop. He is also the Executive Creative Director and Senior VFX Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

• His considerable talents appear in the Prequel Trilogy, Rogue One, The Mandalorian, Skeleton Crew, and more.

• His work has earned recognition with a BAFTA and an Academy Award.

• Knoll is also available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to discuss all things VFX and more.

We’re all fine here now — how are you? The Guest List was already packed full of inspiring and gifted Star Wars personalities whose attendance help make the Celebration a next-level event. Be sure to book your opportunity to meet and greet your favorites and create lifelong memories! 

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

• Alex Segura and Jethro Morales bring the Battle of Jakku maxiseries to a close with Last Stand #4. One final action-packed issue sees the New Republic settle the score with the Empire once and for all! You can read our review here.

• Join The Canon Book Club as Emmi, Hannah, and JG dive into Hunters: Battle for the Arena by Mark Oshiro! Explore game mechanics, lovable characters, and Star Wars publishing potential!

• Dispatch’s very own Karl wrote the next piece in our series from members of the Youtini staff. Karl shares his personal Star Wars journey and how the books have helped the saga live forever for him.

🚀 Ready for Dispatch

• The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Ryan Gosling (Barbie, La La Land) is in negotiations to star in the upcoming Star Wars film from Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy.

• Writer Marc Guggenheim reveals that Ahmed Best’s Jedi Master Kelleran Beq (Jedi Temple Challenge, The Mandalorian) is returning to the franchise! The Jedi Master will appear in the Jedi Knights comic series.

• After the conclusion of The Battle of Jakku, Marvel will launch into the New Republic Era with writer Alex Segura and artist Phil Noto with a new Star Wars mainline series!

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