Danielle Solzman
The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, written by Amy Ratcliffe with a forward by Scott Trowbridge, is a must-own for any Star Wars fan.
In terms of the book itself, Ratcliffe intros each section and then leaves us to admire the artwork. It’s truly amazing to see how the park evolved over time. Even though the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hasn’t opened yet, we get a sneak peek at what to expect when it does. Here’s what we get:
- Full-color concept artwork
- Sketches
- Blueprints
- Photographs
This book is a fun way that allows Walt Disney Imagineering to take fans along for the ride. How cool of an opportunity is that? In taking us throughout Galaxy’s Edge, Ratcliffe also gets comments from some of the people that helped bring it together.
But the thing to remember about Galaxy’s Edge is that it’s all about creating a story. We’re going to a Star Wars planet in the Outer Rim, Batuu. Batuu is a planet that hasn’t been seen during the films. It’s set at some point during The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. The key action takes place in a spaceport called the Black Spire Outpost. If you’ve been to either Disney park, you’ll learn the importance of the Black Spire. Anyway, we’ll see numerous Star Wars characters throughout the land. Rey, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, and even a new character, Resistance spy Vi Moradi. You can’t have a First Order TIE echelon without having a Resistance base nearby. But more than this, guests at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World become actively involved in the story that’s being told.
You can visit a catina, shop at the marketplace, build a droid, or construct your own lightsaber, there are two key attractions. One is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. This ride enables fans to take control of the ship when Chewie leaves it with Hondo Ohnaka. The other is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance–you’ll find yourself right in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac all make cameos during the rides. They’ve certainly come a long way from Star Tours!
If you have Disney+, the Galaxy’s Edge special is a complementary companion to the book. Not officially, that is. I mean it in a sense of reading the book and then seeing the sights on screen. Having not been to the park, the book and special are the next best things! For more on Vi Moradi’s story, check out Delilah Dawson’s novel, Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire.
Whether you have or haven’t made the trip, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge takes Star Wars fans through the park’s evolution. ‘Til the Spire!
