These 'Star Wars' Fans Hope the New Holiday Special Will Be Better Than the Last One
Get ready to celebrate Wookie Life Day with a new Star Wars Holiday Special this November.
On Thursday, Disney+ announced that a new Star Wars-themed holiday special will hit the streaming service on November 17. The upcoming animated program—dubbed the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special—is set to arrive just in time for Wookie Life Day, which originated from the franchise's original holiday special, 1978's much-mocked Star Wars Holiday Special.
The new animated special is set after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Rey prepares to leave her friends to get ready for Kashyyyk's holiday, but "thanks to a mishap at a mysterious Jedi Temple, Rey will find herself thrown through time, meeting characters from elsewhere (and elsewhen) in the Skywalker Saga, including Yoda, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi," THR added. Other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films will be featured in the special as well—in LEGO form, of course.
Fans are hopeful that this Star Wars holiday special will be much better than its predecessor, which included original songs (one sung by Carrie Fisher), bits from comedian Harvey Korman, and an animated segment called "The Faithful Wookie." It was slammed by fans and critics, but George Lucas maintains that it is part of the Star Wars universe, situated between episodes IV and V.
Over on Twitter, folks were mixed in their reactions to the upcoming holiday special. "Can't be much worse than the Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978...I hope," one fan posted. "I'm okay with this," another added. "Lego animated stuff is more often funny than not. And what are they gonna do....ruin the star wars holiday special?"
Let’s hope this holiday special is at least good
— Chriso7 (@ChrisChiasson5) August 13, 2020
I can't believe we're getting a new Star Wars holiday special. I would say this is an incredibly stupid idea but considering the fact that I've actually suffered through watching the original anything they do with this new one will probably be an improvement over the old one. https://t.co/EW4OO3OHkl
— Jiminy Jonkers (@ToonBoy94) August 13, 2020
Can’t be much worse than the Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978🤷🏼♂️
— PK (@Manak1nskywalkr) August 13, 2020
... I hope.
Oh my goodness, right from the mouses mouth. I’m still hyped though. I can’t help but be happy about A Lego Star Wars Holiday Special.
— Dookie (@G0climbarock) August 13, 2020
I'm ok with this.
— Fonzy Lopez ⚡🍔 (@Grizzlegoist) August 13, 2020
Lego animated stuff is more often funny than not. And what are they gonna do....ruin the star wars holiday special?
One fan said they would only watch this special if it was a "shot for shot remake of the original." (Personally, we can't imagine why that would interest anyone, but hey! To each their own!)
Literally only watching if this is a shot for shot remake of the original holiday special.
— Mitch Larson (@mitchlarson58) August 13, 2020
Another wrote that they're hopeful the LEGO special will pay homage to the kitschy 1978 one; they also said they'd be "severely disappointed" if it doesn't.
If this doesn’t involve anything from the original holiday special I will be severely disappointed
— Jack (@The_General_418) August 13, 2020
Other fans are not excited about this news, and were not afraid to make their feelings known. "Because the other Star Wars Holiday Special went so well!" one person chided on Twitter.
"Please tell me this is a joke... right? You guys remember the last time Star Wars did a holiday special right??" another fan tweeted. "Finally! Something that will suck harder than the original Star Wars Holiday Special!" a third wrote.
Oh... oh no... please tell me this is a joke... right? You guys remember the last time Star Wars did a holiday special right??
— Feenixfire90 Gaming (@Feenixfire90G) August 13, 2020
Because the last Star Wars Holiday Special went so well!
— Neil Nimmo (@Nimmo1492) August 13, 2020
Finally! Something that will suck harder than the original Star Wars Holiday Special!
— Bob Madia (@BobMadia1) August 13, 2020
The Star Wars Holiday Special is coming on Disney+? Finally! Someone has the guts to replay something so surreal yet important to the history of the Star Wars franchise. It's been over 40 . . . what?
— Jeff Harris (@nemalki) August 13, 2020
It's a new LEGO special?
Awww. Cowards. pic.twitter.com/QnQTQXVZaF
Here's how Harrison Ford reacted when I told him the Star Wars Holiday Special had some redeeming qualities pic.twitter.com/O16wYIo401
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) August 13, 2020
Reading the synopsis for The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special: pic.twitter.com/ZjDJSwlTeH
— The Booty Call of Cthulhu Eternal (@primegundam) August 13, 2020
Despite the bad reputation of the 1978 special, some fanatics are just genuinely excited for more Star Wars content. "I'm not ashamed to admit it...I'm unnaturally excited for the upcoming Lego Star Wars Holiday Special," one person wrote.
"Super excited for this! If anyone should be doing a Star Wars Holiday Special, it's Lego!" a second chimed in. "The more Star Wars the better! & this seems like it could be a lot of fun!" another tweeted.
OMG, they’re releasing it ON the 42nd ANNIVERSARY of the OG Star Wars Holiday Special!!! https://t.co/tcdmWHJar0
— 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐋. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 (@rlshafferwrites) August 13, 2020
I’m not ashamed to admit it...
— I Am The Senate🦋 (@jaiyana_16) August 13, 2020
I’m unnaturally excited for the upcoming Lego Star Wars Holiday Special pic.twitter.com/luH73uxqso
I'm ok with this.
— Fonzy Lopez ⚡🍔 (@Grizzlegoist) August 13, 2020
Lego animated stuff is more often funny than not. And what are they gonna do....ruin the star wars holiday special?
Us in November with new Mandalorian episodes and a Lego Star Wars Holiday Special. pic.twitter.com/S3qIu8rhOf
— Blast Points Podcast (@blast_points) August 13, 2020
Super excited for this!!! If anyone should be doing a Star Wars Holiday Special, it's LEGO! Always entertaining, fun, and has a sense of humor when parodying Star Wars. Can't wait to see what they come up!! #StarWars https://t.co/lAOjv0B7Cu
— Chris Chappell (@CmunkyBizzness) August 13, 2020
I am actually pretty excited for LEGO Star Wars The Holiday Special releasing on Disney+ later this year
— Ajay (@SWBFExpress) August 13, 2020
the more Star Wars the better! & this seems like it could be a lot of fun! pic.twitter.com/SJ2W70mPQ3
One brazen fan has even asked for Disney+ to add the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special to its library. Whether or not this holiday wish will be granted remains to be seen.
Petition for @disneyplus to give us an official release of the original Star Wars Holiday Special 🙏🙏🙏
— saiditallbefore🏳️🌈 (@saiditallbefore) August 13, 2020
This writer grew up watching the 1978 version during the holidays, so I'll admit it: I'll be tuning in this November for the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, when it premieres on Disney+ on November 17.
