Star Wars Celebration Orlando officially began this morning with a tribute to the Saga’s 40th anniversary. Warwick Davis played host to a panel that featured surprise appearances from the Maker, George Lucas, along with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, Star Wars Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, and franchise stars Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams and Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford.
And of course, no one could forget the stars who were not there, Kenny Baker (R2D2) and the princess, Carrie Fisher. Billie Lourd, Fisher’s daughter, was there to honor her mother, as was legendary composer John Williams, who conducted the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra while they played “Leia’s Theme.”
You can see photos from the panel above, as well as Lucasfilm’s touching video tribute to Carrie Fisher below.