Disney Plus releases ‘Rise of Skywalker’

Disney Plus honored its first May 4— i.e., May the 4th Be With You day — by releasing plenty of “Star Wars”-themed programming, most notably the release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and the complete Skywalker saga. But wait, there’s more, including the series finale of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and the series premiere of “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.” The latter is an eight-episode documentary series in which executive producer Jon Favreau takes viewers behind the scenes of “The Mandalorian.” Each episode explores a different facet of the first live-action “Star Wars” television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau. Topics include the filmmaking process, the legacy of George Lucas’ Star Wars, how the cast brought the characters to life, the series’ groundbreaking technology, the artistry behind the show’s practical models, effects and creatures, plus the creative influences, the iconic score, and connections to Star Wars characters and props from across the galaxy. As for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” the animated series will conclude its seven-season run with the recently released finale. It explores the events leading up to “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” has begun streaming two months ahead of schedule; its release means that for the first time ever, fans will be able to stream the complete Skywalker saga all in one place. During the pandemic, Disney has diverted several of its titles to its streaming service early for housebound viewers. It also sent “Frozen 2” and “Onward” to Disney Plus early, and plans to premiere “Artemis Fowl” on the streaming platform on May 29in place of a theatrical release. Disney Plus has accrued about 50 million subscribers since launching late last year. Details: All “Star Wars” content available on Disney Plus; “The Rise of Skywalker” also available for rent and purchase on several platforms; rated PG-13; 2 hours, 21 minutes.