We're almost at the end of another year. Whether your year has shot past at lightspeed or slowed to a carbonite-frozen crawl, there are plenty of Star Wars releases to brighten your horizons in 2022.
After a somewhat stale reaction to the franchise's cinematic releases in 2018 and 2019, Lucasfilm has dialled back on the big screen and instead focused on releasing series and expanding the Star Wars universe.
For fans who want to see the many worlds and characters of the setting, this can only be good news. The Mandalorian has already paved the way for the success of this format and proven that the popularity of Star Wars can easily transfer to the smaller screen.
So what's coming in 2022? Let's take a look...
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Everyone's favourite Jedi guardian figure, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is a beloved character for good reason. Whether you first met him when he was played by Alec Guinness as a wise old mentor or by Ewan McGregor as a somewhat brash Jedi Padawan, he's a character that's lived in the hearts of every Star Wars fan.
We're big fans of Obi-Wan and his saber skills, especially with Ewan McGregor returning to reprise the role. It is set during the period in which Kenobi looks out for the young Skywalker on Tatooine, pursued by Jedi hunters and even his old apprentice turned nemesis: Darth Vader. For fans of the prequels, you'll be delighted to know Haden Christensen returns to reprise the role.
Star Wars: Andor
Cassian Andor was a great addition to Rogue One, a film that surprised many of us with its realistic portrayal of the rebellion's efforts against the empire. Played by Diego Luna, Cassian is a great protagonist and one we're excited to follow.
The series will explore the origins of the rebellion five years before Rogue One. It has already wrapped filming in 2021 and is set for a release in mid-to-late 2022.
The Book of Boba Fett
How many of us Star Wars fans grew up loving Boba Fett? *Raises own hand*.
The bounty hunter, despite doing relatively little in the main films, is somehow one of the most popular side characters in history. Perhaps it's the mandalorian armour, the oddly-shaped starship, the arsenal of weapons or even just the mystique he once wielded, but Boba Fett remains a figure we love to watch.
In The Mandalorian, we were given a chance to see Boba again. Delightfully, Disney cast the original actor, Temuera Morrison, to play his most famed character. Morrison, a New Zealand native of Maori descent, has full command of his character and really shows us that he owns the role.
In The Book of Boba Fett, we'll be treated to a full length series about Fett's efforts to rule the Tatooine underworld following his usurping of Jabba the Hutt.
The series starts on December 29th 2021, but we've included it here because let's face it, many of us will be watching in 2022 and for big fans, we'll be watching again and again for years to come!
Star Wars: Hunters
We're a little hesitant about this one, but it's sure to be exciting for some people. Mobile games have a shaky history in our opinion, with some falling too close to the 'pay to win' microtransaction model that plagues the genre.
This one, however, does look interesting - mainly as it's a chance to pit 4 player teams against one another in the Star Wars universe. A cast of characters includes the epic Jedi and Sith, but also more hilarious options like two Jawas sharing a trench-coat.
Set to release on mobile and the Nintendo Switch in 2022, our verdict is out until we get our hands on it.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Okay, okay - now this game is one we're excited for. The LEGO game franchise has delivered hit after hit with its unrivalled combination of light-hearted fun and enjoyable co-op action. Suitable for older gamers with a sense of humour or younger ones who can't yet grasp complicated control schemes and gameplay mechanics, LEGO games are just an all around fun experience.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga looks to be the definitive version of the LEGO take on Star Wars, encompassing every movie of the main Star Wars saga as it follows the Skywalker family's destiny. Play as Luke, Anakin, Rey and more as you take on all of the whacky missions LEGO throws at you.
Releasing in Spring 2022, this is one for the gamers to bookmark.
Star Wars Eclipse
Be still my beating heart. The writer (me) of this article is a bit of a gaming fanatic. I adored Jedi Fallen Order and the classic KOTOR games, so I've been somewhat disappointed by a lack of big budget gaming titles set in the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars Eclipse was teased at the end of 2021, set in the High Republic era. While we know (as of writing this in December 2021) very little about it, the developer is Quantic Dream who are renowned for narrative games such as Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human.
Based on the fact it was only just teased via a cinematic trailer with no gameplay details, I doubt it's going to release in 2022 by any means... but I can hope.
Which 2022 release are you most hyped for? Obi-Wan Kenobi is a solid pick, and one we're extremely excited to see. Wield a saber worthy of Kenobi when you grasp Saberzone's Skyglider saber.