A new Ezra Bridger Legacy Lightsaber hilt will be available on shopDisney, and possibly in Disney Parks, on May 26.

Ezra Bridger Legacy Lightsaber Hilt

The hilt resembles Ezra Bridger’s second lightsaber. His first was a prototype of his own creation that merged a lightsaber and a blaster, but it was destroyed in a duel with Darth Vader. He then created a more traditional lightsaber hilt, with a black grip and silver accents. While his first lightsaber lit up blue, his second was green.

Judging by the preview image from shopDisney, Ezra’s legacy lightsaber hilt will come in a gray case with a green version of the Starbird symbol created by Ezra’s friend Sabine Wren.

Ezra Bridger

Ezra Bridger is the main protagonist of “Star Wars Rebels.” Ezra was born on the day the Galactic Empire was officially formed. During the series, he’s a teenager training as a Jedi under Kanan Jarrus and fighting against the Galactic Empire.

In addition to “Star Wars Rebels,” Ezra also features in the “Star Wars Forces of Destiny” episode “A Disarming Lesson,” the novel “Star Wars: Ezra’s Gamble,” and several “Star Wars” video games.

Ezra left his lightsaber with Sabine at the end of “Star Wars Rebels,” when he disappeared into hyperspace with Grand Admiral Thrawn. Sabine and Ahsoka Tano vowed to find Ezra and departed together in the final scene of “Star Wars Rebels.”

Ahsoka Series

The upcoming “Ahsoka” series will act as a follow-up to “Rebels,” with Eman Esfandi portraying the live-action version of Ezra, who was originally voiced by Taylor Gray.

“Ahsoka” stars Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. Ashley Eckstein originated the voice role in the animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” in 2008. Dawson took over the live-action version of the character in “The Mandalorian,” during which Ahsoka was searching for Thrawn.

The first “Ahsoka” trailer revealed Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla and Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, both characters who originally appeared in “Star Wars Rebels.”

Sabine was originally voiced by Tiya Sircar in “Star Wars Rebels” and “Forces of Destiny.” Hera was voiced by Vanessa Marshall in “Rebels,” “Forces of Destiny,” an episode of “The Bad Batch,” and the video game Star Wars: Squadrons.

Hera Syndulla was the captain of the “Star Wars Rebels” team. Her droid, Chopper, will also appear in “Ahsoka,” and possibly her young son, Jacen, who only appeared briefly in the final moments of “Star Wars Rebels.”

Hayden Christensen is also set to reprise his role as Darth Vader in “Ahsoka.” When he was part of the Jedi Order and still going by Anakin Skywalker, Vader trained Ahsoka. They last encountered each other in “Star Wars Rebels.”

Another main character from “Star Wars Rebels” made his live-action debut in “The Mandalorian,” although he may not appear in “Ahsoka.”

Star Wars Future

Lucasfilm also announced three new standalone “Star Wars” films and the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey. They released the first teaser trailer for “Ahsoka” starring Rosario Dawson as the titular Ahsoka Tano, who first appeared in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and then made her live-action debut in “The Mandalorian.” They also released “The Acolyte” footage exclusively at Star Wars Celebration. “The Acolyte” stars Amandla Stenberg as the titular acolyte and Lee Jung-jae as a Jedi master. Footage from “Rogue One” prequel “Andor” season 2, starring Gabriel Luna, also premiered.

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Legendary singer Tina Turner has passed away at age 83 after a long illness, The Guardian reports.

A representative said in a statement on Wednesday, “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”

Tina Turner

Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, rose to prominence as part of a double act with her husband at the time, Ike Turner. Ike was abusive and she eventually managed to leave him and pursue a successful solo career.

Tina Turner has several connections to Disney. She sang “Easy as Life” with Angélique Kidjo for the original “Aida” concept album released in 1999.

Turner performed “Great Spirits” for “Brother Bear” (2003) and a pop version of “He Lives in You” for the compilation album “The Lion King Collection.” “Cruella” (2021) featured Turner’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”

Angela Bassett portrayed Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” a 1993 film by Touchstone Pictures, a now-defunct production label owned by Disney. The biographical film was based on Turner’s 1986 autobiography, “I, Tina: My Life Story,” and named after her hit song.

Turner also performed at the grand opening of Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris).

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As demolition continues in Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone at Universal Studios Florida, a glimpse over the construction walls reveals most of Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster is still standing.

Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone

The red track and blue supports of the coaster tower over piles of dirt and construction vehicles.

Construction appears to be happening very close to the coaster. Universal Orlando Resort announced no specific plans for the land and closed attractions, but it’s possible the family coaster could remain and be re-themed.

The patchwork tin roof that covers the coaster’s loading area is also still visible, but themed signs have been removed from the roof.

This photo shows the signs reading “Woody’s” and “Nuthouse Loading Dock.”

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone closed at Universal Studios Florida in January 2023. Animal Actors On Location! and E.T. Adventure, both opening day attractions, are here to stay (for now, at least). SpongeBob StorePants and KidZone Pizza Company will remain as well, but the rest of the area is permanently closed.

The land became KidZone in 1998-1999 with the additions of Curious George Goes to Town and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster. The land also included Fievel’s Playland.

Shrek’s Swamp Meet and DreamWorks Destination exited for only a few years, having replaced The Barney Shop and A Day in the Park With Barney. Shrek and other DreamWorks characters now have meet-and-greets in the park’s Hollywood area.

DreamWorks characters adorn the KidZone construction walls, suggesting it could become a mostly DreamWorks-themed land.

Construction Near E.T. Adventure

Though E.T. Adventure remains open, construction is happening close to the attraction. The E.T. Adventure pre-show was suspended for a month due to construction but has returned.

Construction walls block part of the E.T. Adventure entrance area and pre-show room. The entrance has been re-routed through the exit.

Back in March, we spotted the construction walls around the attraction’s exit. At the beginning of April, the construction walls came down, and we noticed that the small “forest” at the exit was removed and replaced with a paved stroller parking area.

The “E.T.” movie posters in the queue were recently replaced after 30th-anniversary posters hung there for over ten years.

E.T.’s Toy Closet is currently closed during construction and merchandise has moved to kiosks outside Animal Actors On Location!

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