Posts

582: From Concept to Reality: So You Think You Know Star Wars

Take a behind-the-scenes look at So You Think You Know Star Wars ! This week, we’re turning the microphones around: Mike Celestino ( Laughing Place) interviews us about our author process! What does it take to approve a book idea? How do you write trivia for a varying audience? What is the process like? With more than 400 multiple-choice questions, bonus facts, and illustrations by Cryssy Cheung, the book celebrates 50 years of Star Wars. So You Think You Know Star Wars is available November 17 from Chronicle Books. PODCAST SPONSORS Skywalking Through Neverland is an official Laughing Place Partner Podcast - check out laughingplace.com for Disney news and opinions. 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. 👉 Sponsor: SpiritJersey now has their own Star Wars & Disney license! Shop at spiritjersey.com ...

581: From The Wolf Man to Teen Wolf: A Howling HALLOWEEN Special

It’s the year of the werewolf on our Halloween episode! We’re celebrating the 85th anniversary of Universal’s 1941 classic The Wolf Man by exploring how werewolf movies have transformed over eight decades. We start with Lon Chaney Jr. as the doomed Larry Talbot in The Wolf Man . We discuss the film’s eerie atmosphere, its memorable cast, and Larry’s behavior toward love-interest Gwen—which does not hold up in 2026! Then we each choose films that take the werewolf legend in new directions, for better or worse. Richard’s selections range from the early Universal film Werewolf of London (1935) to the groundbreaking transformation effects and dark humor of An American Werewolf in London (1981). Sarah chooses the high school comedy Teen Wolf (1986) and a surprise pick that really bucks werewolf tradition - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009). Along the way, we share the historical significance, favorite moments, and a few surprising Star Wars connections. The Halloween celebrat...

580: Star Wars Horror for Halloween! Author Kiersten White on "Hiding From The Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel"

Star Wars gets spooky for the Halloween season! Author Kiersten White joins us to talk about the first middle-grade Star Wars horror novel, Hiding from the Dark: A Star Wars Horror Novel ! Kiersten explains how she approached writing suspense for younger readers, while still making the novel compelling for all ages. What makes Darth Vader so terrifying through the eyes of 12-year-old Bia? Kiersten shares the real-world inspirations behind the story’s fears, from darkness to confined spaces. We also explore planetary ecosystems, unusual Star Wars names, and her own Jedi namesake! Hiding From The Dark summary Bia must flee her home on Coruscant and search for her mother while pursued by Imperial forces. But the greatest threat is a mysterious figure in black whose relentless pursuit turns her journey into a nightmare. What does Bia possess that the Empire wants so desperately—and can she escape the darkness closing in? We also celebrate Carrie Fisher on what would have been her 70...

579: Luke Skywalker - PARIAH! Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic #62

Luke Skywalker has gone from hero of the Rebellion to suspected murderer! Hey Hey, Skywalkers! We return to Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics with 1982’s issue #62, “Pariah!”—a pivotal chapter in the beloved Shira Brie storyline. Richard revisits this dramatic issue from his childhood and learns he wasn’t the only kid who had to look up “pariah.” Sarah shares her first-time reactions and artistic observations, and our Skywalkers weigh in on Walt Simonson’s striking red, black, and white cover. We also reveal our favorite panels, favorite dialogue, and the issue’s most non- Star Wars moment. Skywalking Force member Ben Avechuco joins us as the Hulk in “The Incredible Hulk and the Twins of Evil,” a vintage Marvel/Hostess crossover advertisement! DM us if you’d like to voice a character in a future show. Issue #62: “PARIAH!” After trusting the Force and shooting down Shira Brie’s TIE fighter, Luke is shunned by his fellow Rebels and begins questioning everything Ben Kenobi and Y...

578: Lucas Museum Deep Dive with Tom Spina

Tom Spina takes us behind the scenes of the “Star Wars in Motion” exhibit at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles! Usually, our conversations with Tom revolve around monsters, creatures, and whether they wear pants. This time, we’re exploring how Tom Spina Designs created the hyper-real, life-sized figures that bring some of our favorite Star Wars characters to life inside the museum. After our initial visit, we had plenty of questions. How were those remarkably lifelike faces sculpted? What goes into the approval process? And how do you create a figure to display an iconic movie costume? We explore the work behind characters including farmboy Luke, Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Darth Maul, Zam Wesell, and Anakin Skywalker at different stages of his life. Plus, there’s a new addition to look for on your next visit: young Anakin is now seated in the Naboo starfighter in the library building , making him the museum’s third Anakin mannequin ! Which cha...

577: Go Skywalking through Tunisia with us! Details & Itinerary revealed with Galaxy Tours

Want to visit Tatooine with us? Galaxy Tours founder Davin Anderson joins Richard and Sarah to reveal the itinerary for Skywalking Through Tunisia , March 1–6, 2027. We’ll explore 12 Star Wars filming locations and three Raiders of the Lost Ark sites together. Davin shares why he started Galaxy Tours, what makes this group trip special, and what to expect from the accommodations and filming locations. We also cover practical questions about packing and taking photos. Richard and Sarah will co-host the journey, bringing trivia, fun facts, and games along the way. The tour is emotional and incredible. We will watch A New Hope at the Lars Homestead; ride ATV’s and pretend you’re on a landspeeder or a podracer in the location where Lucasfilm shot A New Hope and The Phantom Menace; come upon Luke’s iconic domed homestead at sunset. The tour is all-inclusive of food, accommodations, and tour guides, and is $3,995 per person. Skywalkers can save 10% when they book by October 4,...

576: Star Wars Stories from Rebel Scum Con, Part 3

This episode features three more incredible interviews recorded at Rebel Scum Con III -  Star Wars artist Danny Haas, stunt performer Matt Leonard (Zeb Orellios, The Mandalorian and Grogu ) and actor Charlie Bushnell (Riley Lawson, Maul: Shadow Lord / Luke, Percy Jackson and the Olympians )! 🎨 Licensed Disney and Lucasfilm artist Danny Haas shares some great insight into how an artist becomes officially licensed by Disney and Lucasfilm. He also takes us inside his creative process. We adore Danny’s Star Wars art, so he explains how Ahsoka became one of his signature subjects and why Luke Skywalker remains his favorite character. Growing up near Walt Disney World also played a major role in Danny’s artistic journey.  💥 Matt Leonard takes us behind the scenes of physically portraying Zeb Orrelios in The Mandalorian Season 3—even though he didn’t initially know he was playing Zeb! He recalls working with Jon Favreau, performing a huge stunt with Lateef Crowder for The ...