The highlights from my visit to Star Wars Celebration 2022

Star Wars Celebration 2022 took place over the last week, and it was every bit as amazing and glorious as anyone would have imagined. After being delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendees were finally able to get together again at a convention celebrating their favorite fandom.

I attended the previous two Star Wars Celebration events in Orlando and Chicago and was anxiously awaiting to get back with my fellow fans. It was a wonderful time filled with memorable moments including panels, autographs, photo opportunities, and a sneak peek into what lies ahead for the Star Wars universe. Not to mention the amazing cosplay fans poured their hearts and souls into.

Star Wars Celebration 2022 was one for the books. On that note, here are all the major highlights from the convention that I was able to be a part of, including the Mando+ panel with The Mandalorian creators Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau!

Star Wars Celebration 2022: Mando+ Panel

I was a bit bummed when I did not get into Thursday’s Lucasfilms Studio Showcase panel which included the first look at season 3 of The Mandalorian, a surprise visit from Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, and the cast of Andor. Anyone that attended this panel was given a wristband to attend a watch party with the cast and crew later that night to watch the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Missing that wasn’t fun, but Saturday’s Mando+ panel more than made up for it. The description simply stated that Filoni and Favreau would be there to talk about The Mandalorian Season 3, but we didn’t know any more than that.

The panel quickly turned into an exciting reveal, not just for The Mandalorian but also Ahsoka and others. If you were hoping to get some epic Star Wars content, this was the panel to be at, and I couldn’t be happier that I was there.

We got to watch the same sneak peek of The Mandalorian season 3 with extended content, learning more about Din Djarin’s journey to his home of Mandalore. It was epic.

When Filoni and Favreau joined the stage, there were more than two chairs up there; in fact, there was a long table filled with chairs all the way down, so fans knew we were in for a treat. The one and only Pedro Pascal soon took the stage to roaring applause and a standing ovation. I mean, he’s the Mandalorian!

Given that Pascal has been quite busy filming HBO’s The Last of Us, he needed someone to step into the Mando suit in his absence. I was excited to see that Pascal brought out Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder to join them on the stage, because they have been more instrumental than ever during the filming of Season 3.

One of my favorite parts of the panel was when Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon), Emily Swallow (The Armorer), and Carl Weathers (Greef Karga) came out to join the others. Esposito was an absolute delight, and I had the opportunity to meet him for autographs. He was jubilant and excited on stage as he jokingly talked about “squashing” the Baby Yoda, aka Grogu.

The attention then shifted to The Book of Boba Fett as Temuera Morrison took the stage and performed his epic Maori Haka dance as the crowd went wild. I wish I could explain the excitement of seeing all these guys on stage together. Watching the shows is one thing, but getting to see everyone come together and talk about their progress is next level.

Rosario Dawson updates fans on Ahsoka

The best part of the panel came when they switched over to talking about Ahsoka. While the Thursday panel did not get a surprise appearance by Rosario Dawson, this panel did. Yes, that’s right, Dawson came out and got to embrace the love that everyone had for her and her character Ahsoka Tano.

She was filled with praise for Filoni and Favreau, and for the fans who have given her so much love since she appeared on The Mandalorian season 2. She shared that they are currently only three weeks into filming, and have much left to go, but things are off to a great start. Dawson also introduced the infamous droid known as Chopper from Star Wars: Rebels. He rolled around the stage as all of the fans cheered in excitement.

Filoni then revealed that they had very early footage of Ahsoka prepared just for the panel. If anyone reading this is an Ahsoka Tano or Rebels fan, then I dare say you must brace yourselves for the epic times that lie ahead.

Rebels characters make the leap to live-action in Ahsoka footage

In the footage, we get a quick shot of Ahsoka entering the cockpit of the ship with Hera and Sabine Wren. Yes, it’s official: characters from Rebels are indeed joining Ahsoka, and it will be absolutely AMAZING. I was hoping to see a shot of Ezra Bridger, a very popular fan-favorite character from Rebels, or to find out whether or not there is any truth behind the rumors that Mena Massoud will be playing the live-action version of him. We didn’t get that, but that’s okay, because Star Wars Celebration 2022 gave us more than I was expecting with the footage, and confirmed that Natasha Liu is playing the role of Sabine Wren. Liu was the last surprise for the panel; she came out on stage to a lot of applause and love.

The final moments of the panel included a group picture with one final surprise as Filoni and Favreau brought out Grogu. I mean, there’s no Mandalorian panel without the Child, is there?

Overall, Star Wars Celebration 2022 was a resounding success and a wonderful return to the world of conventions. We had the best surprises, reveals, sneak peeks, and appearances from across the Star Wars galaxy, and we got to experience it with fellow fans.

Not to mention that the Obi-Wan Kenobi premiere coincided with Star Wars Celebration 2022, allowing fans to indulge in that excitement together. It was one for the ages, and I can’t wait to do it all again (hopefully) in London next year!

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime, and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels