Currently, Disneyland and Walt Disney World are working on large Star Wars expansions to their parks. Opening in 2019, the new park additions will be called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disney is trying to create an amazing, immersive experience with the new Star Wars outpost they have named Batuu.
What do we know of Batuu?
There have already been some glimpses of the outpost in the new ending of the Star Tours ride. The last section lands the Starspeeder 1000 safely in a CGI version of the upcoming expansion area.
We have learned that the look of it is being based on markets and bazaars from Marrakesh and Istanbul.
There will be exclusive and special merchandise within the Batuu area. Specialty themed foods, encounters, and even a Toydarian toy shop. At the Toydarian shop guests can purchase amazing items that will look special and “hand-made.”
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Now fans can get more than the Star Tours scene and concept pieces to shape their visions of Batuu with a new novel coming this July! Even more exciting it’s going to be another Grand Admiral Thrawn novel written by Timothy Zahn.
The Thrawn books
For those that aren’t familiar, Timothy Zahn wrote the Thrawn Trilogy back in the 1990’s. These books launched a whole new resurgence in Star Wars storytelling.
Recently, Mr. Zahn put out a new Star Wars book called Thrawn and this new one will be follow-up book entitled Thrawn: Alliances.
In the new book Thrawn and Darth Vader will need to team up for a special mission. StarWars.com released an excerpt of the new book here.
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This is where we learn that they are going to do some kind of back story for Batuu as it is the location the unlikely duo are being assigned to investigate.
“The disturbance is located at the edge of your Unknown Regions,” the Emperor said. “It appears to be centered on a planet named Batuu.” Again, he sensed a reaction to the name. This time, the reaction came from both of them. “I believe you have heard of it?”
Will Galaxy’s Edge be the Batuu of the past?
No, this story will have taken place a long time before the Batuu of Galaxy’s Edge. The Emperor is alive as is Vader. This was the time of the Empire and not of the First Order. We know this because one of the attractions of Galaxy’s Edge will be a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. But,we might get a bit about the history of Batuu and it would be really fun if they would incorporate visible reminders of the new Thrawn story at Galaxy’s Edge!
Admittedly, I’m geeking out a bit because I loved the Thrawn Trilogy books and read each one a few times, ane I even wrote the author a fan letter. I can’t wait to read the new book and learn more about Batuu, Thrawn and Vader.
Thrawn: Alliances will release on July 24, 2018, but you can pre-order the upcoming book here:
If you need to catch up on the first Thrawn book you can find it here:
Source: Starwars.com
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