New LEGO Star Wars Disney+ Animation Pokes Fun at Original Holiday Special

By Tom Drew Updated:
Lego versions of Finn, Rey, Poe, Rose and Chewbacca, Rey, Poe and Finn from Episode XI

The Star Wars Holiday Special has lived in infamy amongst Star Wars fans, from being considered an embarrassment to the Star Wars brand to now being somewhat of a so-bad-it's-good cult classic in retrospect.

Despite this, the Holiday Specia l and Life Day have now thrived in the modern Star Wars franchise, surprising many when Life Day was mentioned briefly in The Mandalorian .

LEGO has previously made animated specials and television series using the Star Wars license, as well as several successful video games including the upcoming LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga . A new animated series or special has not been released for quite some time now, with the most recent LEGO Star Wars: All-Stars completing its short run in 2018.

Now, a new animated LEGO special has been revealed, which follows Rey and BB-8 after the events of The Rise of Skywalker ...

NEWS

According to a new report from USA Today , a new Star Wars animated special titled The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special will be launching on Disney+ on November 17, 2020. As the name suggests, the special will be paying homage to the original Holiday Special by following Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron and BB-8 celebrating Life Day after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker .

Lego versions of Rey, Finn, Poe, Rose & Chewbacca
Image via USA Today

The special will see Rey and BB-8 setting off to learn more about the Force, only to be blown away through time and space upon the discovery of a Jedi Temple. Fan-favorite characters will encounter Rey on her journey into the past, including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and more. Rey will reportedly re-visit iconic moments from the franchise's past whilst trying to get back to Chewbacca's Life Day celebrations on Kashyyyk.

Some images from the upcoming special have also been released. The below image shows a mashup of various Star Wars characters from different eras facing off, including Mace Windu, several versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Greedo, Han Solo, The First Order, and the upper half of Darth Maul.

Multiple Lego Jedi fight off against Sith and the First Order
Image via USA Today

Executive producer Josh Rimes noted that the special will center around the relationship between Rey and Luke Skywalker, saying “ It becomes a much different take on a teacher and apprentice with the more seasoned Rey and a younger Luke. "

Update: An official logo for The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special has now been released:

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special Logo
Image via StarWars.com

WHAT THIS MEANS

While this will likely remain non-canon, it will be interesting to see a fun take on where the characters of the Sequel Trilogy have ended up after The Rise of Skywalker . Lucasfilm's increasing usage and acknowledgement of The Star Wars Holiday Special shows that they are willing to poke fun at and re-purpose their past. This hopefully means that more of this attitude will continue going forward.

The exploration of Luke and Rey's relationship as teacher and student should also prove interesting, being a subversion of the one previously seen in The Last Jedi . This should be a humorous take on a new dynamic between the two characters.

The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special launches on Disney+ on November 17, 2020.

- About The Author: Tom Drew
Tom Drew is the Executive Editor at The Direct. Tom writes for The Direct's Marvel, Star Wars, and DC branches while specializing in all things movies, from blockbuster to indie darlings.