The Vision Behind Batuu: Doug Chiang on Galaxy’s Edge and Rise of the Resistance

A Timeless Galaxy, Created in Collaboration

Doug Chiang, Vice President and Executive Creative Director at Lucasfilm, has spent decades shaping the look and feel of the Star Wars galaxy. From the prequels to the sequels, and now to immersive Disney Parks experiences, his fingerprints are all over a galaxy far, far away.

In our exclusive video interview, Doug takes us behind the scenes of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Rise of the Resistance, offering insight into the story behind the story. He dives into the early concepts that led to the creation of Batuu, a new planet introduced specifically for the Disney Parks experience.

“We’re trying to anchor something that’s very grounded in the Star Wars universe yet add something new to it,” Chiang explains.

That delicate balance between innovation and tradition shaped Batuu’s design. The goal? Create a place that feels like Star Wars without replicating what we’ve already seen. The result is a fully immersive environment where guests don’t just witness the story—they live it.

Rise of the Resistance: Star Wars at Cinematic Scale

Doug Chiang also played a crucial role in the development of Rise of the Resistance.  One of the most ambitious and immersive attractions Disney has ever created. Working closely with Walt Disney Imagineering, Chiang helped bring the epic Star Wars conflict to life with cinematic realism.

“You have the spectacle and scope of cinema, but you have the grounding of a real-life experience of a theme park,” he says.

From BB-8’s mission briefing to the encounter with Kylo Ren, every scene was crafted to feel authentic—because it is. Doug’s team ensured continuity in every detail, connecting Galaxy’s Edge not just to Star Wars canon, but to the emotional core of the saga.

Watch the Full Interview

Doug Chiang’s vision has shaped the look of Star Wars for more than 20 years, and now he’s helped shape how fans experience it in real life. In our interview, he shares the inspiration, design process, and passion behind these groundbreaking projects.