EPISODE IX: THE RETURN OF MAZ!

Disappointingly, our favourite 'smuggler queen', barkeep and First Order fighter in Maz Kanata, so well voiced and quirkily played by Lupita Nyong'o, had very little to do in The Rise of Skywalker other than impart certain bits of plot information, though it's likely one scene of her with Leia linked to Luke's lightsaber (originally shot for The Force Awakens and re-jigged in a new way) might make its way to a future IX home entertainment release.

Interestingly, Maz was this time realized as a practical animatronic creation on set by Neal Scanlan and his dedicated creatures team, with some CGI added subtleties added later.

The Maz puppet at Pinewood Studios with R2-D2.

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487978/star-wars-took-a-different-approach-to-maz-kanata-for-rise-of-skywalker-but-worked-hard-to-make-it-seamless

https://www.movier.net/maz-kanata-was-an-animatronic-in-the-rise-of-skywalker-304802

EPISODE IX: THE JOY OF MAZ!

Fascinated with the advances in special effects technology bringing diverse aliens to believable life in a saga she'd loved since childhood, Lupita Nyong'o was more than keen to sign on to the resurrected Star Wars sequels to play/inhabit the secretive but Resistance loyal ally and charismatic barkeep of her former place on Takodana: Maz Kanata, a worthy continuance of the quirky and maverick characters the likes of Yoda from the Classic Trilogy.

With her 'place' sneak-attack destroyed by the First Order in The Force Awakens, and having some 'union difficulties' to sort out with a jet pack and a handy blaster during The Last Jedi, it'll be interesting to see what Maz gets up to next for 2019's eagerly awaited The Rise of Skywalker.

Various clips, BTS and EPISODE IX:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCcnO8piIj4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM58kkZpTNw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mAkdScDvgM

EPISODE VII: THE EYES HAVE IT!

A worthy continuance from the pioneering make-up work of Stuart Freeborn, albeit in digital and CGI form via a long conceptual process, quirky bartender with the inquisitive eyes and the knowing stare Maz Kanata made an immediate popular impact with her critical appearance in The Force Awakens. She also returns for a small but hopefully weighthy appearance with The Last Jedi.

Lupita Nyong'o reprising her role as Maz for EPISODE VIII. Image: Rian Johnson.

BEHIND THE SCENES: MAZ TAKES SHAPE!

Clay maquette at Pinewood for the developing character of Maz Kanata.

Very much the Yoda-esque figure of the new sequel saga, Maz Kanata would be a welcome addition to the STAR WARS universe, with acclaimed and versatile actress Lupita Nyong'o imbuing the CGI figure of the wily space bar host with the gift of powerful wisdom and experience of the galaxy and its peoples, and with a big appreciation for a certain wookiee!

Maz will be back for some crucial revelations during the spectacular events of EPISODE VIII.

Lupita filming her scenes at the bar on Takodana.

 
STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends birthday wishes out to Lupita on this day. 

2015 was a great year indeed for the actress.

EPISODE VII: WHAT HAPPENED TO MAZ?

At the Resistance base on D'Qar, our heroes gather to watch the final piece revealed of the star map indicating the whereabouts of the self-exiled Luke Skywalker, in a scene filmed at Pinewood Studios. Note the crowd inclusion of Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, whose scenes at the location were ultimately cut/digitally removed from the film, including the intriguing and epic moment from the second trailer for THE FORCE AWAKENS where she passes Luke's Lightsaber over to sister Leia.

Arrived on D'Qar, Maz confers with Leia in a deleted scene.

Lupita go through a scene with J.J. (holding Luke's lightsaber) during Pinewood filming.

Leia is given the lightsaber by Maz, as seen in the second trailer for TFA.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Maz Kanata - From Puppet to Mo-Cap - IGN

Very well done fan composition: Path of a Lightsaber - YouTube

UPDATE: Michael Kogge's Young Readers adaptation of THE FORCE AWAKENS gives us a pleasing goodbye-for-now type scene involving Maz with Finn on Takodana, after the battle- no longer seeing the eyes of a man who wants to run, she tells Finn that he now bears the eyes of a hero.

EPISODE VII: "SOLO!"

He thought he and his new friends in Rey, Finn and BB-8 could slip in relatively unnoticed at Maz Kanata's place on Takodana, but the intergalactic bartender, fighter of evils and all-round spiritual alien is soon aware of that scoundrel Han Solo's presence, in this fun moment from THE FORCE AWAKENS!

Maz was originally conceived as being a space pirate, a line in the script deliberately referencing this and picked up by Lupita Nyong'o, but when the character evolved in the film's editing process, the idea was dropped. There was also an idea that she had Force-like magical powers, a scene of her showing that ability filmed but removed from the finished movie.

We're looking forward to finding out more about this great new character, her links to the Rebellion, and more of what she knows in general about the Force and the Jedi, possibly Yoda, for EPISODE VIII.

'THE FORCE AWAKENS' CAPTURES THE GLOBE - PART ONE

John and Daisy with Artoo in Tokyo, December 10th, 2015. Image: Christopher Jue /Getty Images for Disney.

THE FORCE AWAKENS publicity machine has never been stronger as our stars make their way across the globe in promotion. Here's some great images recently made available by DISNEY from their surely amazing visits to Japan, Mexico, Seoul and Australia.

Adam Diver and some old friends. Image: Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney.

J.J. and the cast. Image: Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney.

A panel at Seoul- December 9th, 2015. Image: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for Disney.

With the enthused fans in Seoul. Image: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty for Disney.

Harrison Ford with compere Jay Laga'aia at the Australia fan launch - December 10th. Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney. 

Harrison says "Hi!" Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney.

An impressive shot near the Sydney Opera House. Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney.

Harrison meets the dedicated fans. Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney.

Lupita Nyong'o does some photo mingling at Mexico City- 8th December. Image: Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Disney.

Oscar Isaac and Kathleen Kennedy at the Mexico City launch.  Image: Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Disney.

Posing for the press. Image: Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Disney.

​ "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Japan Premiere red carpet in Tokyo - YouTube
Exclusive Chinese trailer for Star Wars The Force Awakens with Lu Han intro - YouTube

Harrison Ford Surprises Fans at 'Star Wars' Screening

More to come States-side and from the European Premiere launching UK...