It's STAR WARS DAY! We are back in the studio for May the Fourth with tons of STAR WARS news, opinion and conversation. Marvel’s AVENGERS ENDGAME is poised to become the all-time US box office champ, and will eventually claim the crown from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Do we care?  Jimmy Mac was there for the big Avengers opening weekend and he saw both the film and THE RISE OF SKYWALKER teaser trailer in IMAX. Mark Hamill came under heat on social media this week for posting a fan-made mashup photo of himself, Harrison, Carrie and Billy Dee in the cockpit of The Falcon. We give you our opinions of the fallout and feature audio highlights of a recent interview where Mark discusses his personal process of dealing with how Luke Skywalker has been portrayed in the Sequel Trilogy. Plus, we have John Boyega interview highlights about Episode IX at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, and we review “The Filoni Factor and The Ranch”, the latest episode of Sheldon Norton’s RFR documentary, WHEN THE GALAXY LISTENS.

We interrupt regular programming to mourn the loss of a truly legitimate Star Wars icon. The man behind the mask of the legendary Chewbacca, the great Peter Mayhew has passed away. We reflect on Peter's career, his relationship with the fanbase, and his love of Chewie. We share memories of times we shared with the man both on the airwaves, and off, and remember him for his contributions to the Star Wars galaxy. Plus, highlights of Peter's many appearances on our show over the years which will be sure to invoke fond thoughts of Peter's personality and life.  The regular weekly RFR will launch over the weekend. But for now, take a moment with us to celebrate Peter Mayhew, a Star Wars legend. 

Following day one of Star Wars Celebration Chicago, we got together with a couple hundred of our friends at Reggie's Music Joint in the South Loop for a sold out show. This live podcast event brought together Star Wars fans from everywhere to join us for an evening of music, laughs, family and friends. Relive this epic evening filled with many familiar names and voices from our entire podcasting career, plus the original Sandtrooper from Star Wars: A New Hope Anthony Forrest and more. And of course, we couldn't have a bash of this size without Puppet Lando!

Our Star Wars Celebration coverage continues with this breakdown of The Mandalorian panel featuring Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and the cast of the upcoming streaming series. Paul Bateman is back! We talk about everything that happened at the panel along with all the reveals, teases, clues and more. Plus, more Episode IX as we get the Bateman Breakdown of The Rise of Skywalker teaser trailer. 

On day three of STAR WARS CELEBRATION CHICAGO, RFR Patreon members gathered on Chicago’s South Side at Alulu Brewery for an exclusive live episode of Rebel Force Radio. Rancho Obi-Wan’s legendary Stephen J. Sansweet stops by to talk about the history of Star Wars Celebration and the challenges he faced as a member of the Lucasfilm planning committee in charge of the first-ever event back in 1999. It’s always a “celebration” of laugh and song when Steve joins us. Worlds collide! Puppet Lando shared the same space with the real Lando, Billy Dee Williams for a whirlwind photo-op. We provide a play-by-play recount of what was our most insane moment at Star Wars Celebration. Then, Puppet Lando himself joins us to read through the amazing Star Wars-inspired menu provided by Alulu Brewery. We review some hot new STAR WARS headlines including news that J.J. Abrams met with George Lucas while developing the script for THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. Plus, we react to the return of Emperor Palpatine in Episode IX and how it may affect the legacy of THE LAST JEDI. Bob Iger says that Star Wars films will be placed on a hiatus and we try to decipher what that really means. Star Wars artist/entrepreneur Kevin Liell joins us along with audience feedback about THE RISE OF SKYWALKER trailer. The blue milk was spiked by Greedo and flowing all night long at Alulu. Join us for the party!    More Star Wars Celebration Chicago coverage is coming from us soon including RFR LIVE in CHICAGO from REGGIE’S.

RFR was at the Star Wars: Episode IX panel at Star Wars Celebration Chicago where we saw the first footage from THE RISE OF SKYWALKER in the teaser trailer. We talk about some of the surprises revealed during the panel and break down the trailer shot-by-shot. 

Not only will we be getting more STAR WARS at Disney Parks in 2019, we’ll be getting booze! For the first time ever, alcoholic beverages will be made available at Disneyland...And they will be Star Wars-inspired! We look at the adult beverage menu for STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE and consider how they tie-in to the Star Wars universe. Spoiler Alert! We review recently leaked EPISODE IX poster art and rumored details about characters, planets, and aliens in THE MANDALORIAN. We have highlights from Samuel L. Jackson’s new 60 Minutes interview where he talks about Mace Windu and his purple lightsaber. Adam Goldberg’s “Schooled” paid tribute to THE PHANTOM MENACE. We review the new ABC comedy episode “Darth Mellor” in STAR WARS IN POP CULTURE. Plus, Conan O’Brien recently had a few hilarious things to say about the taxation of trade routes in EPISODE I, and more.

The Jedi Yogi, our friend John Marcoux returns to RFR to provide us with his take on the famous Mortis Trilogy. John references his massive knowledge bank of mythology and history and applies it to his review of one of the most revered story arcs from STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. We continue our review of the amazing Haslab Jabba’s Sail Barge collectible and look back at the crazy Jabba Glob toy from the late-90s. Mark Hamill stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live this week for a fun interview and despite Mark being there to promote History Channel’s “Knightfall”, the discussion inevitably turns to STAR WARS. We pick apart everything Mark says in a quest for clues about STAR WARS EPISODE IX. In video game news, STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II “The Chosen One” update recently went live and CLONE WARS actor Matt Lanter returned to the role of Anakin Skywalker to provide his voice for the game. We listen to Matt recreate an infamous Hayden Christensen line from ATTACK OF THE CLONES.  Plus, in the wake of St. Patrick’s Day, we continue to fill in the list of actors from Ireland seen in STAR WARS films and more stuff.  

Oscar Isaac is hitting the talk show circuit promoting his new Netflix film, but everyone wants to hear him talk about STAR WARS EPISODE IX. We review the talking points Oscar has been throwing out there in interviews and analyze what he’s saying about the film, most notably, the end of the Skywalker Saga. We’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Star Wars style as Jason quizzes us on Irish actors in the saga. The fallout from the Jedi Coup d’etat debate continues on the RFR Voice Mail Hotline, and we have audio from Dave Filoni and the REVENGE OF THE SITH audiobook to present as evidence. Plus, new info about the opening of  STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE from Bob Iger, Star Wars Resistance Season One winds down, Saw Guerrera, and Shorty Robe Luke.

Mark Hamill is again expressing opinion, perhaps some of his strongest ever, about the use of his character Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. We review his comments and offer opinions of our own. Jason is back to sit on the judge’s bench and Billy Mac returns for the conclusion of our Mace vs Palpatine coup d’etat debate. Plus, we reveal the new Star Wars product reveals from Toy Fair 2019, including Hasbro’s upcoming controversial reproduction of the original vintage action figure line from the 70s and 80s, Oscar Isaac talks about Episode IX, and Mr. Iger once again calls the RFR voicemail hotline.