For Star Wars fans, the real news of the last couple of weeks hasn't been the Panama Papers, *Batman v Superman'*s box office struggles, or anything about the US election—instead, it's been the second season finale of Star Wars: Rebels, which left viewers wondering if Ahsoka was dead and if Ezra broke bad. Well, that and the release of a certain trailer. (You did see that a certain trailer was released, right...?) Given both of those things, perhaps the first offering from the latest round-up of all things Star Wars might be of interest.

Expect Star Wars: Rebels to Cross Over with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story... Somehow

Source: Internet speculation following Lucasfilm teases

Probability of Accuracy: The Force is strong with this one.

The Real Deal: In a video follow-up to the second season finale of Star Wars: Rebels, Star Wars story guru Pablo Hidalgo teases, "Over the course of the next season, we're going to start seeing more and more recognizable elements; we're going to see more of the Rebellion that we recognize in Episode IV and in Rogue One taking shape in Rebels." Here, watch for yourself:

https://youtu.be/P-bJu__WXmY?t=9m57s

Hidalgo also promises, "Something big is gonna happen that I think people really, really want, and that I know I've wanted for a while." It's something that he'll talk about more at July's Star Wars Celebration, which suggests it's something very big indeed. But what? (The announcement of the Death Star project, perhaps?)

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Rogue One spoilers, there has been speculation about whether or not Forest Whitaker's character is a bounty hunter and whether Diego Luna's character will be a Rebel pretending to be an Imperial Commander... something that doesn't seem to be immediately backed up by the trailer, although it might put Felicity Jones' last scene into a whole new context.

Star Wars: The Young One

Source: British tabloid The Sun

Probability of Accuracy: Well, it's The Sun, so there's always the possibility that it's not going to jibe with reality.

The Real Deal: Surprising casting news for Rian Johnson's Star Wars chapter comes in a new report suggesting that comedian Adrian Edmondson has a role in the movie. If you're thinking to yourself, "who's Adrian Edmondson?" then perhaps this will help:

Or perhaps this:

An anonymous source in the piece is quoted as saying, "Ade is one of the most-loved comedy stars in the UK but even he would admit Star Wars is a surprise move for him. ... His character is top secret, like everything else to do with the film and its plot. But given his old comedy characters, it would make sense for them to give him an eccentric part." Maybe something with a little hyper violence, for old times' sake?

Yoda Might Appear in Star Wars: Episode VIII

Source: Internet speculation, based upon travel plans

Probability of Accuracy: Consider this one uncomfirmed, but definitely not impossible.

The Real Deal: Rumor site Making Star Wars notes that Yoda voice actor Frank Oz is apparently in the United Kingdom right now for work-related reasons, and is visiting Pinewood Studios. You know, where they're shooting Star Wars: Episode VIII. The report has few details beyond the fact that Oz is there, so it's possible something else is going on. Nonetheless, if Frank Oz is involved with Episode VIII, which we know involves Luke Skywalker who has seen Yoda as a ghost previously, don't be too surprised if the little green dude shows up in 2017.

Luke Skywalker Has Not Lost His Voice

Source: Lucasfilm itself

Probability of Accuracy: Pretty high. See above.

The Real Deal: Following a campaign last year that raised over $10,000,000, Lucasfilm has launched a four-week Star Wars: Force for Change fundraising campaign that culminates on May 4, aka Star Wars Day. This time around, Lucasfilm will match all fan contributions to the four charities participating, up to $1 million, and those giving more than $10 will be eligible to win a trip to Skellig Michael, better known by some as "that big cliff where Rey found Luke in The Force Awakens." But the real news is that Mark Hamill is clearly enjoying joking about his appearance in J.J. Abrams' film quite a bit, as the launch video reveals:

Admiral Ackbar's Voice Actor Dies

Source: News reports

Probability of Accuracy: Sadly, 100 percent true.

The Real Deal: News broke last week that Erik Bauersfeld, the distinctive voice of *Return of the Jedi'*s Admiral Ackbar, died at age 93. The voice actor and radio producer passed away at home, according to his manager Derek Maki. In addition to his work on ROTJ and The Force Awakens as the Rebel leader, he also voiced Bib Fortuna in Jedi. In his honor:

https://youtu.be/_H3gpL7BhAk