Page 48 - Star Wars Insider #182

GALAXY’S EDGE

“There’s a lot happening globally, from 01
developing the technology and the special effects
to the scenic work and the media development.
I have just returned from a trip to Europe where
we are busy developing some of the tech for the
experiences. It’s literally a 24/7, 365 days of the
year global undertaking. It takes a world, I guess,
to make a galaxy!”
For Trowbridge, one of the most exciting
things about Galaxy’s Edge is the collaboration
of talent that has come together to develop and
execute the project. “It’s the creative powers
of Walt Disney Imagineering combined with

the creative powers of Lucasfilm allied with
technology providers and construction and
fabrication expertise. It is a truly collaborative
effort between Imagineering and Lucasfi lm. We
share a story team, we share a design team, and
we share a production team for some aspects of
the production.”
Among those contributing to Galaxy’s Edge

are Lucasfilm’s Story Group and Industrial Light
& Magic, both of which bring a wealth of Star
Wars story and design experience to the project.
“We really do have the participation of the most
amazing team,” Trowbridge adds. “I won’t say
that makes me completely stress free, but when
you have that level of talent and expertise, it “What we want to do in Galaxy’s
makes you feel like there is no better group to
go into this kind of project with.” Edge is offer an invitation for you
to have your story. Not a story that
Welcome to Batuu
Construction work at the two sites began in April we’re going to hand to you.”
2016 and, as incredible teaser footage released in
March 2018 showed, the project is on schedule to
meet its 2019 launch date. “Site construction is 01 A Resistance X-wing spotlight—the smugglers, bounty hunters, and
well under way, both in California and Florida,” starfighter arrives at rogue adventurers looking to crew up for some
Batuu (concept

Trowbridge confirms. “I was going to say it’s like painting). adventure. Basically, all the interesting people!
building a small city, but actually, it’s not like; it For those folks who are looking to avoid the

02 A chance to pilot the
is building a small city. It’s the largest single land ever-expanding watch of the First Order, Batuu
Millennium Falcon will
expansion we’ve ever done at a Disney resort, be a big highlight of is a great place to be, and for guests it becomes
and we have done some big projects, so that’s the new themed land. the stepping-off point for a new Star Wars story.”
saying something! We have a lot of work to do Precisely what shape that story will take
03 Even the restaurants
between now and 2019, but we’re on track and will be immersively is determined by each individual visitor. As
we will get it done. We’re also happy and excited themed—expect Trowbridge explains, Galaxy’s Edge is not simply
blue milk!
to show the world our progress along the way.” a linear narrative that moves guests from Point A
The name of the planet being created on two 04 The streets and to Point B. It is much more personal than that.
alleyways of Batuu will
opposite sides of the U.S. is Batuu, a trading port “What we want to do in Galaxy’s Edge is
allow visitors to lose
on the Outer Rim, known to some travelers as themselves in the Star offer an invitation for you to have your story,”
“Galaxy’s Edge.” Trowbridge describes it as “a Wars universe. he says. “Not a story that we’re going to hand
one-time stop over on the old trading routes to you, but an invitation to engage and to live
05 Scott Trowbridge
from the sublight-speed days,” and teases that, (right) observes the out a story at whatever level you might want to.
“while many of us are discovering it for the fi rst construction of Galaxy’s Not everybody may want to lean forward and do
Edge with Lucasfilm’s
time, it’s well known to some of our favorite Star Doug Chiang (opposite this, and that’s totally fine. You can still have a

Wars characters.” page). lot of fun exploring Batuu as an observer. But, for
He continues: “Its prominence as a trading those who do want to engage, we’ll give you the
port has faded with the advent of faster-than- tools and options to go deeper into a story, to go
light travel, and that’s made it a really interesting deeper with the characters, and to have a more
location for those who don’t want to be in the robust experience in the Star Wars world.”
48 / STAR WARS INSIDER

13/06/2018 13:24
SWI182_046-051_FEAT_Galaxy_sEdge-LFLapproved.indd 48
SWI182_046-051_FEAT_Galaxy_sEdge-LFLapproved.indd 48 13/06/2018 13:24