The Death Star Human Resources Department Newsletter: March 27, 2026
Opening Day in the Coruscant Phaseball League
Hello there
Welcome back to the Death Star Human Resources Department Newsletter. It’s a fun one today. I say that every week, but they’re all fun ones. The Death Star HR Podcast returns. We’re oh so close to Darth Maul: Shadow Lord. We’re not close, but we’re not exactly far away from The Mandalorian and Grogu. But we are far away from Finn returning, even if all the headlines suggest otherwise.
Just a heads up for next week. There may or may not be a Death Star HR. My goal is always to do one every week, but I have some family obligations so we’ll see. Most likely if there is one next week it will be a short one.
As always, thanks for reading Death Star HR. If you’re reading this and you’re not a subscriber, I’d love it if you entered your email below and smashed that subscribe button. There’s also an official Death Star HR Instagram and an official Death Star HR YouTube page as well and I’d love it if you subscribed there as well.
This Is Where The Fun Begins
If you’re a baseball fan, yesterday was a high holy day. Better known as Opening Day. Yes, the capitalization is intentional. My beloved Detroit Tigers opened the season out in San Diego with a resounding 8 - 2 win over the Padres. Clearly this means the Motor City Kitties are going 162 - 0 and winning the World Series. I should probably just go ahead and book an October flight to Detroit for the championship parade. I’m not aware of anyone on my Tigers who’s a well known Star Wars fan. Last thing I could find was a 2019 article for Star Wars Day at Comerica Park talking to Blaine Hardy (that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time) about his love of Star Wars.
It’s not the Tigers, but Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce is a huge Star Wars fan.
Also, 29 of the 30 Major League Baseball teams are doing a Star Wars night. For whatever reason, the only team not doing a Star Wars night is our neighbor to the north, the Toronto Blue Jays. I can’t believe Cody Ponce wasn’t able to get the club to do one.
I checked a few promotions to see what each team is doing. My Tigers are one of the four teams doing their Star Wars night on May the 4th. As of right now they don’t have the promotion listed on their website. My (current) hometown Texas Rangers are doing their Star Wars Day on May 31st and are giving away a Grogu bobblehead. That might be worth firing up the old landspeeder and heading over to Arlington. As much as I love Grogu, I truly dislike the Rangers ballpark. So we’ll see.
Just down I-45, the Houston Astros are doing a Carlos Correa Mandalorian & Grogu Bobblehead. But it will cost you an extra $49.50 in addition to your ticket. That sounds like a fun bobblehead but certainly not worth driving to Houston for. If I have some time, I’m going to a review of all the MLB Star Wars night promo items I can find.
Yakkin’ About Andor
The Death Star Human Resources Department Podcast is back once again. This time, friend of Death Star HR Shane Elliott and I talk about the heroes and villains of Andor. If you’re not familiar with Feats ‘N Faults, you should be. Shane has his ranking system where all your favorite characters get points, or negative points depending on if they, well, commit a feat or a fault.
Also as an added bonus, we’re doing a giveaway! That’s right. Make sure you’re subscribed to both Death Star HR and Feats ‘N Faults, and leave a comment. One lucky person will win a Star Wars Black Series ISB Tactical Agent! The real star of Andor if you ask me.
So make sure you like and subscribe to the Death Star HR Pod and make sure you check out the F’NF rankings for Andor.
The First Step Into a Larger World
Normally I’d save something like this for a This Day In Star Wars History, but it’s such a monumental occasional it seems like it warrants its own entry. On March 22, 1976, Star Wars began filming. History was made on Tatooine, or as it’s known in our galaxy, the Sahara Desert of Tunisia.
The first scene shot was Luke (then named) Starkiller and Uncle Owen buying the droids from the Jawas. As we close in on the 50th anniversary of Star Wars being released next year, it’s funny how the first scene filmed features C-3PO and R2-D2, the only characters to appear in Episodes I - IX. The whole article is worth the read, especially for the behind the scenes photos. I think, and hope, we’ll get a lot more articles like this throughout the year.
The (Unlikely) Return of FN-2187
Over the last week or so, the Star Wars internet has been abuzz with the possible return of John Boyega to the Star Wars universe.
The TL;DR version of it is Boyega was appearing on a panel at MEGACON in Orlando, FL when he was asked a question about if he’d return to the Star Wars universe. Per Screen Rant:
While speaking during a panel that was moderated by ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley, Boyega, who is best known for portraying Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (The Rise of Skywalker, The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi), was asked about the possibility of reprising his role in future projects. One enthusiastic fan reportedly shouted, “Get Dave [Filoni] on the phone.” And the actor’s response immediately grabbed the audience’s attention.
The star stated, “I actually have, actually,” implying that discussions with the President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, Filoni, may have already taken place. The brief but significant comment likely has Star Wars fans in a frenzy as they eagerly await the potential return of Finn in future projects.
Sounds exciting!
And a little surprising given that Boyega has been pretty vocal about what feels are issues with how his character was handled in the Sequel Trilogy and what he felt were negative experiences as a Black actor in the Star Wars universe. Similar experiences that were echoed by Kelly Marie Tran in her experience playing Rose Tico.
Boyega has been very open about his experience with Star Wars, citing both positive and negative things surrounding his time with the franchise. While he has expressed gratitude for the opportunities Star Wars provided, he has also openly discussed frustrations with how his character was handled across the sequel trilogy. In past interviews, the actor noted that Finn’s arc did not evolve as much as it should have and how he got shoved to the side in The Force Awakens.
I think that might be a bit of a typo on the part of Screen Rant, as Finn had a good arc in The Force Awakens but really it was The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker that really felt like they couldn’t decide what to do with Finn.
"[W]hat I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side," Boyega told GQ back in 2020. "It's not good. I'll say it straight up."
Subsequent years have seen Boyega distance himself from Star Wars further, most notably in a 2022 interview with SiriusXM where he said that "at this point I'm cool off it, I'm good off it." He continued: "Versatility is my path and Finn is at a good confirmation point where you can just enjoy him in other things: the games, the animation. I feel like [Episodes] 7 to 9 was good for me."
Even if those interview are several years old at this point, that doesn’t exactly sound like a man who’s really looking to get back to the galaxy far, far away.
And it turns out, maybe those comments about talking to Dave Filoni needed a little extra context. Turns out, he was just joking.
Our own Tyler Bradshaw was in attendance at the John Boyega panel during the convention. The topic of Star Wars was raised repeatedly throughout the panel, he said, with the actor saying multiple times how he hasn’t been in contact with anyone at Lucasfilm since the leadership changed in January. Someone even asked about the Daisy Ridley-led New Jedi Order-era movie, to which he replied, “Is that still happening? I hope we hear something soon.”
Tyler was also next to someone who said into the mic “Get Dave [Filoni] on the phone”, to which Boyega replied, “I actually already have,” and immediately laughed it off. ScreenRant reported on that last quip (and even Variety picked it up), but the context throughout the panel seems to have been a much different one than what the single quote paints. Boyega, after all, likes to have fun with these things, and it sounds like he was being quite jokey — a change of pace for him, given his comments over the past few years.
Funny enough, as I’m typing this on Tuesday evening, Rebel Scum Con just announced that Boyega will be there signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. Doesn’t sound like someone who’s that upset with Star Wars. Unless he just needs the money.
It would not surprise me that if/when the Rey New Jedi Order movie happens, we get an appearance from Finn. Will we ever actually get the Rey New Jedi Order movie? Who can say. But if we do, I’ll put down a couple Republic credits that we get some kind of appearance from Finn.
March Mando Madness
When you read this, half of the Sweet Sixteen have finished. It’s been a fairly meh NCAA tournament this year. The usual suspects of NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment have conspired to ruin what used to be one of the most fun three weeks of sports. But, that is a conversation for another day. Today’s conversation is a TV spot for The Mandalorian and Grogu that’s been airing during the games.
It’s a little bit of new footage. The clip of Pedro saying “monsters” is new. There’s a new clip of Mando and Grogu in the AT-AT. Like the rest of the trailers and what seems to be the Disney strategy, it’s mostly old footage with just enough new shots they can justify calling this a new trailer. But I want to focus on here is the creature that appears at the 9 second mark. Is that a Loth-wolf???
I’ve thought for a while now we might see Loth-wolves in some form in Ahsoka season 2. We’ve already had Loth-cats. Wasn’t thinking we’d get them in The Mandalorian and Grogu but I’m here for it.
One Minute of Maul
We are less than two weeks away from the first two episodes of Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. And Disney just keeps throwing little teasers to us to keep everyone excited. This week, IGN got a little one minute exclusive clip.
How can you not be excited? I said this last week. The Duel of the Fates theme hits and then you see Maul ignite his lightsaber? Come on!
April 6th can’t get here fast enough.
This Day in Star Wars History
Pretty good number of births on March 27th in the Star Wars universe.
English actor Julian Glover was born in 1935. Glover played General Veers in Empire Strikes Back. Veers was the smart Imperial at the Battle of Hoth. As opposed to Admiral Ozzel, who was the dumb one. Glover also appeared in For Your Eyes Only, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and 31 episodes of Game of Thrones.
Another English actor, Michael York, was born in 1942. York appeared in two episodes of The Clone Wars, voicing insane scientist Dr. Nuvo Vindi. York is also the stepfather of Rick McCallum, producer for the Prequels. I think people my age would probably best know York as Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers movies.
Special effects guy Grant McCune was born in 1943. McCune got his start being one of the co-designers of the shark in Jaws, although he was uncredited for it. This lead to work at ILM where he was the chief modelmaker on A New Hope and appeared in an uncredited role as a Death Star gunner.
Author Kevin J. Anderson was born in 1962. Anderson wrote four Expanded Universe novels, the Jedi Academy Trilogy along with Darksaber. The Jedi Academy Trilogy introduced Kyp Durron and Admiral Daala and I’m pretty sure it was the next Expanded Universe trilogy after the Thrawn books. Anderson also wrote the stories for quite a few comic books and wrote the Young Jedi Knights books with his wife, Rebecca Moesta.
Peter Diamond passed away in 2004. Diamond was the stunt coordinator for the Original Trilogy. Diamond also played various characters as needed, including the Tusken Raider that attacks Luke, a Death Star gunner, a Snowtrooper, and switching sides as a Rebel Commando.
In 2009, C-3PO himself, Anthony Daniels visited Star Wars: The Exhibition in Madrid, Spain. The exhibition was a traveling show across Europe featuring costumes, props, concept art, and the like.
From the Depths of Wookieepedia
Pop quiz. Is the Void of Aogros a minor Norwegian Black Metal band that had one decent song but broke-up after the drummer set himself on fire trying to burn down a church, or is it and object in Wild Space? The former would be more interesting, but it’s actually the latter.
The Void of Aogros was an astronomical object located in Wild Space. It was located in grid square H-18 on the Standard Galactic Grid.
The Void of Aogros actually originated in the Expanded Universe as a section of Wild Space that was empty, as the name would suggest, but for five stars that may or may not have been created by Celestials. If you don’t know the name the Celestials, you at least know them from Rebels as The Father, The Daughter, and The Son. You should get to know them because there’s about a 99% chance they’re back in some form for Ahsoka season 2.
News From the HoloNet
C-3PO Head From ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ Nets Whopping $1M at Propstore Auction
Sure a 3PO head would be cool. But you could have had a Shorty Klown head from Killer Klowns From Outer Space for a mere $82K.
Everything you need to know about Star Wars Zero Company
I don’t know if it’s actually EVERYTHING you need to know. But there’s quite a bit of info.
AHSOKA Season 2 Rumor Casts Doubt on Abeloth’s Star Wars Debut
If you don’t know what any of this means, congratulations you are probably a relatively normal person.
I understand why Disney is changing Galaxy’s Edge into a more generic Star Wars land. But I really do think you’re going to lose some of the experience of feeling like you’re on an Outer Rim planet outpost.
That’s it for this week. If you like what I’m doing, please subscribe. I’ll catch you next week, and may the Force be with you.
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I've kind of hit a point where I discount Screenrant articles as graffiti. They seem to do very little reporting of their own, and when they do, the headlines are usually just for 'stirring up the comment section' and SEO-focused junk.
I went to a Yankees game two years ago. I'm actually not a big Star Wars guy (or a Yankees guy!) but it was Star Wars Day. And I found it very curious that all their references and associations were EXCLUSIVELY towards the original trilogy. Nothing from the shows, nothing from the prequels, nothing from VII-IX. It was like a bunch of references from 1987. If I were a Star Wars fan, I would have been so pissed. All the Yankees were given vaguely SW-themed names (Juan Soto became Juan Solo) and the opposing Tigers were simply all Stormtroopers. LAME.