‘Star Wars’ Celebration Will Be Live Streamed For Fans Around the World

So much for “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.” Star Wars has officially joined the 21st century with the news that this year’s Star Wars Celebration will be live streamed to fans around the world. If you won’t be present to witness the world premiere of the next Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer or watch a panel featuring your favorite actors from the saga, you’ll be able to do so from the comfort of your own home.

Although our own Mike Sampson will be of the ground providing all of the expert analysis you could possibly want, this year’s Celebration is taking a massive step forward for fan conventions of all kinds. These events used to be totally exclusive, requiring fans to buy badges and travel in order to participate. A live steam like this goes beyond Star Wars fans. Could something like Comic Con be next? We are possibly entering a brave new world when it comes to fandom.

You’ll be able to watch the live steam yourself on StarWars.com (where it will be powered by Verizon! Verizon! Verizon! as the press release constantly reminds us) and it will get started on April 16 at 10:00 A.M. PST with the hotly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens panel. Although it’s being described as a discussion between director J.J. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy, everyone knows that this will also include the world premiere of the new trailer. The big question now is whether or not the stream will cut out before the trailer and accompanying footage screens or if everyone will be able to share in the excitement.

UPDATE: The official Star Wars Twitter account has confirmed that, yes, even the special footage show will be a part of the live stream.

For all of the details, including some of the panels that will be streamed, check out the official press release below:

For the first time ever, highlights and more than 30 hours of exclusive video content from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim will be officially live streamed to a worldwide community of fans on StarWars.com, all powered by Verizon.

Launching with a live stream of the highly-anticipated kickoff panel featuring Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy, the StarWars.com Celebration live stream powered by Verizon will continue providing coverage throughout the four-day event from a specially-designed Star Wars Cantina set located in the middle of the action on the convention floor.

Verizon and StarWars.com will deliver 30-plus hours of live streamed content following Thursday’s Celebration kickoff, featuring over a dozen panels and events, including discussions with actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Ian McDiarmid, and several other performers associated with the Star Wars saga. Additionally, StarWars.com and Verizon will be live streaming the Star Wars Fan Film Awards; the Smuggler’s Bounty radio drama; EA’s new Battlefront videogame; and several other exclusive Celebration events that might otherwise be missed by members from Star Wars’ global fan community.

Between the live, on-stage events, StarWars.com will feature live interviews with celebrity guests within the Star Wars Cantina set specially built to capture the mood and atmosphere of the infamous Mos Eisley watering hole from A New Hope. These segments will have a fun, variety show flavor to them that brings a bit of the Star Wars Celebration vibe to those enjoying the event from afar.

Exclusive clips from throughout Star Wars Celebration event will also be available on demand from Verizon, allowing fans to celebrate Star Wars long after the live streams are over.

The live streaming begins at 10:00 a.m. PST, Thursday, April 16, on StarWars.com with the Celebration kickoff panel and continues with 30-plus hours of coverage through the closing ceremony on Sunday, April 19, beginning at 3:30 p.m. PST.

Star Wars Celebration runs from April 16 though April 23.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18.