Star Wars Celebration: A Homecoming for the Franchise’s 50th Anniversary

The iconic Star Wars Celebration is set to make its long-awaited return to Los Angeles, marking the 50th anniversary of the beloved franchise. This announcement, which took place during the celebration in Tokyo, confirms that the celebration will return to the city that previously hosted the event in 2007.

Details of the Upcoming Celebration

Sources close to Lucasfilm have indicated that the Los Angeles Convention Center will serve as the venue for the 17th Star Wars Celebration. This location holds a special significance as it was previously the site of the fourth edition of the event, celebrating Star Wars’ 30th anniversary.

News: Star Wars Celebration is coming home to celebrate the sci-fi franchise’s 50th anniversary. The 2027 edition will be held in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/1hoaXouF2K

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) April 20, 2025

Highlights from the Recent Tokyo Celebration

The 2025 edition of Star Wars Celebration, held in Tokyo, marked the event’s return to Asia for the first time since 2008, attracting over 105,000 fans. This year, a remarkable 55% of attendees hailed from the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the franchise’s global reach. However, some attendees expressed disappointment in comparison to previous years, noting a smaller scale in terms of vendors and interactive experiences.

One attendee, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced concern about the limited number of merchandise vendors and the reduced number of panels. Despite these issues, he shared a memorable moment singing “Happy Birthday”to Hayden Christensen, the acclaimed actor behind Anakin Skywalker.

Fan Encounters and Cosplay Passion

Christensen’s presence at the event drew fans into long lines, some waiting over two hours for a photo opportunity. Despite the steep price of approximately $208 for a photo with Christensen, fans expressed unwavering enthusiasm about attending the event. Sam Dungey, who traveled from England with his fiancée Alisha, recounted his thrilling interaction with Christensen, demonstrating the enduring emotional impact the Star Wars franchise has had on its audience.

Cosplay was also a significant highlight, with passionate fans showcasing elaborate costumes, including one local who dedicated two months to building a cardboard AT-ST Walker. This dedication exemplifies the creativity and commitment within the Star Wars community.

This just might be THE cosplay of #StarWarsCelebration Japan. pic.twitter.com/pbIwxFw16v

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) April 19, 2025

Exciting Announcements and Future Projects

The Tokyo event was replete with over 26 hours of franchise programming and more than 100 hours of fan panels and podcasts. Highlights included a surprise appearance by Ryan Gosling, who, alongside director Shawn Levy, unveiled the title and release date for their upcoming project, Star Wars: Starfighter. Additionally, exclusive previews of new content like The Mandalorian film were revealed, generating excitement among participants.

Animation enthusiasts also received great news as Lucasfilm announced that the highly anticipated Darth Maul animated series, titled Maul: Shadow Lord, is set for a 2026 release. The forthcoming expansion of the acclaimed Star Wars: Visions project will introduce new storytelling avenues for creative animators.

A Cultural Connection

This year’s celebration in Japan was particularly meaningful, as the country’s cinematic history—especially the influence of Akira Kurosawa—has been foundational to the development of Star Wars. George Lucas drew inspiration from Kurosawa’s storytelling techniques and visuals, evident in iconic elements such as the samurai motifs that permeate the franchise.

Reflecting on this connection, Carol Choi, executive vice president of APAC integrated marketing at Disney, remarked, “The storytelling and cultural elements drawn from Japan continue to resonate within Star Wars and offer a bridge between cultures.” She emphasized how elements like the Jedi, inspired by samurai, and the philosophical influences reflected in the series, exemplify the deep-rooted connection that has flourished over nearly five decades.