Rebels • New Series Announcement • May 20 2013

[Bandersnatch]

Production has begun on Star Wars Rebels,



an all-new animated series set between the events of Episode III and IV, and executive produced by Simon Kinberg, Dave Filoni and Greg Weisman.

[DoubleSith]

BOOM



Sounds great!

[Bandersnatch]

I literally squealed out loud at work and almost peed when I saw this on Facebook a few minutes ago.

[The_Somnambulist]

I love all the references to McQuarrie's work in the exclusive video preview. And this Joel Aron's mentioning of trying to replicate the "journalistic feeling" of lighting and color in A New Hope is quite deft and really cool.

[BlackCriminalGangster2050]

This is fucking awesome, if they can pull off what they're talking about in the video, it could be the best of all possible worlds for all (semi-reasonable) fans... Too bad Ralph McQ couldn't have lived to see this! E_CHU_TA!'s list of all available players in the other thread is teeming with potential.

[DoubleSith]

Given how quickly this was greenlighted, I'm thinking TCW's "cancellation" was just to empower Disney to get rid of any lingering distribution issues with WB in order to own the new series in its entirety.

Given its place in the timeline, it also gives them space to resolve any lingering TCW plotlines if they want. Ahsoka vs Vader, anyone? The return of Maul?

[royalguard96]

By far the best Star Wars news since the Disney acquisition! Very, very excited for this! There's almost no way this can not work. So happy Filoni and Plunkett are back.

[VT-16]

About time the Rebel vs Empire dynamic got utilized again.

[Alexrd]

First, I want to say that I'm relieved that they aren't focusing everything on the sequel era. Second, I assume the 3D releases of Episodes II and III will happen near the series premiere in order to make a good starting point for the new series. Third, I wish that Lucas had a creative consultant role on this series. If they are ready to release it in a year, I assume they were already making it as they were finishing TCW, which makes me wonder if Lucas was still at Lucasfilm at the time and had some input in it.

P.S: I don't like to see so many executive producers. I'd rather just have Filoni as a Supervising Director.

[Mike_Droideka]

Sounds unbelievably good.

[sithwitch.com]

I guess this is where all the assets, stories and whatever was already filmed for the LAS could end up.

[Mike_Droideka]

Just thinking about the title Star Wars: Rebels. Seems a little lackluster.
I think Star Wars: Rebellion rolls off the tongue and just sounds right to me.

[The_Somnambulist]

Yeah, not a huge fan of the title. I mean, is there supposed to be a colon in there? I'd prefer one.

Star Wars: Rebellion was the title of a LucasArts PC game released in 1998.

[CoGro]

I think it works as "Rebels" if they focus on the characters.

"Rebellion" signifies more of a unified front and full scale conflict. The "rebellion" doesn't really happen until shortly before ANH.

I don't really care about the title either way.

[Mike_Droideka]

As long as it works, I guess it doesn't matter.

[Bandersnatch]

"Star Wars Rebels" does strike me as a more character-driven title, whether those characters are Organa, Mothma, or other folks who help form the Rebel Alliance, including characters we have yet to have heard about. The plot possibilities and intricacies are almost limitless.

[Alexrd]

It would be really nice to see Sam Witwer eventually voicing Starkiller in a cameo.

[Mike_Droideka]

Don't leave out Kota.

[E_CHU_TA!]

E_CHU_TA!'s list of all available players in the other thread is teeming with potential.

BTW, I forgot to include Mandalorians and Aurra Sing.

Listing of characters who are alive during the Dark Times:

- Anakin / Darth Vader
- Obi-wan (Ben) Kenobi
- Yoda
- Emperor Palpatine
- Admiral Tarkin and the rest of the Imperial military leadership
- Bail Organa
- Mon Mothma
- Admiral Akbar
- Jan Dodonna and the rest of the Rebel Alliance military leadership
- Ahsoka Tano
- Lux Bonteri
- Asajj Ventress
- Boba Fett
- Cad Bane (presumably)
- Bossk, IG-88, Zuckess, Denagr, 4-LOM, Embo, Sugi, and other miscellaneous Bounty Hunters
- Stormtroopers
- the remaining Clone Troopers (presumably)
- StarKiller and the rest of the Force Unleashed crew
- Darth Maul (presumably)
- Luke Skywalker
- Leia Organa
- Han Solo
- Jabba and company
- Quinlan Vos
- Grand Admiral Thrawn
- R2-D2 & C-3PO
- Mother Talzin (ghost or otherwise)
- Chewbacca
- Lando Calrissian
- Jar Jar Binks and Boss Nass (presumably)
- Mandalorians, Bo Katan (presumably), and new Death Watch (possibly)
- Aurra Sing

"Star Wars Rebels" does strike me as a more character-driven title, whether those characters are Organa, Mothma, or other folks who help form the Rebel Alliance, including characters we have yet to have heard about. The plot possibilities and intricacies are almost limitless.

Just because The Rebel Alliance is name checked in the title, it doesn't mean that the series will deal primarily with it. During it's run, The Clone Wars took many opportunities to stray away from its title conflict.

[Alexrd]

BTW, I forgot to include Mandalorians and Aurra Sing.

And Qui-Gon Jinn.

[DoubleSith]

From EP Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, Spectacular Spider-Man, young Justice):

So if you've been following me on Twitter - and/or you've been following whatever your preferable source of geek news - you probably already know that I have a new job. I'll be one of three Executive Producers on the new animated television series from Lucasfilm and Disney: STAR WARS REBELS. (I'm typing this from my room at the Skywalker Inn on the Skywalker Ranch! NOW, HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!)

My partners and fellow Executive Producers on the project are two incredibly talented guys, Dave Filoni and Simon Kinberg. I didn't know either of them before we got started (except by reputation), but I've already got a mad creative-crush on them both. We're building something truly special here, and I'm very excited to be a part of it. We're all challenging each other to make this show better and better.

Expect great characters, stunning action, humor, arcing and a little romance, i.e. all the things that most of you have enjoyed in my previous series and in the very best of the Star Wars franchise. Expect that. Go ahead. I don't think you'll be disappointed! And if I'm wrong, I'll eat my lightsaber. (I'm getting a lightsaber tomorrow!! YES!)

Ask Greg

[E_CHU_TA!]

And Qui-Gon Jinn.

MTV listed Kyle Katarn and Biggs Darklighter on their wish list for Rebels. I guess I should mention potential cameos by Jan Ors and the rest of the Dark Forces / Jedi Knight characters, Tank, Fixer, and Camie. In addition to Dash Rendar and the other Shadows of the Empire cast, I'm sure there's plenty of EU characters that could make an appearance. Oh, and I forgot Greedo and the Young Jedi which debuted this past season on Clone Wars. (Some Younglings had to have survived Order 66, right?). This list is getting massive. Does the creative team even need to cerate original characters for the show?

[Mike_Droideka]

^No, but they will anyway.

[sithwitch.com]

Qui Gon will finally be a Jinn! Well, I guess he was a spirit in Clone Wars on Mortis. I think Mortis will be important in the Sequels, actually. It is a great way to work in Witwer and all the "dead" folk: Hayden, Ewan, Jackson, Oz ...

And for that matter ... what about Padme? McCallom once said the LAS would explain how Leia knew her mother as "sad and beautiful." Will she appear as a ghost in Rebels or the ST? Or ...did she fake her death?

And let's not forget Wicket and his friends. Do we know when the Empire first arrived on Endor? Yub Yub!

According to various sources online there are more than two dozen Jedi survivors of the purge, not including the younglings. That is like a jedi every other episode for Vader to squash. Or will this still be the Boba show? Quinlan Vos? Antilles? The tie fighter does suggest Biggs as seen in the comics.

I am so glad this new series is set before the OT. I was bumming that we would never get to see all the cool Alderaan assets no doubt in the back room. Maybe the one-off movies will also feature this planet a bit more than the inhumane teasing we got in Ep 3 and CW.

[sithwitch.com]

http://www.examiner.com/article/an-inte ... ars-rebels

[The_Somnambulist]

According to this Bleeding Cool article, the new series will focus on teenage protagonists. The article suggests that Disney is targeting a younger demographic with this move. But this is nothing strange, new or unusual, especially given yesterday's leaked Episode VII casting information.

Also, I read in this IGN article, linking to the above article, that Mark Hamill "will provide some V.O. for the Rebels."

[E_CHU_TA!]

I wonder if this confirms Boba as a reoccurring character. He's still in his teens, right?

[Bandersnatch]

Yup. And I wonder how old Mon Mothma is around this time period?

[Alexrd]

He's still in his teens, right?

It depends. It's a twenty year period between Episodes III and IV.

[VT-16]

Yup. And I wonder how old Mon Mothma is around this time period?

Mothma was already an adult and a Senator in TCW.

[E_CHU_TA!]

Upon reflection, I agree it does depend on the timing of the series. If it starts at the end of ROTS, then Boba is still in his teens. If it's the middle of the Dark Times, he'll be in his early twenties.

I'm going to assume that all or some of the Young Jedi will appear on the show. They're about the right age.

With teenage protagonists, this all has a vague Macross / Robotech feel. Maybe I'm making an assumption based on Filoni being a fan of the original series.

[Alexrd]

Filoni revealed on the latest RebelForce Radio podcast that they won't be using TCW style on Rebels. I'm kind of disappointed...

[Bandersnatch]

I don't think that surprises or disappoints me at all. They already said Rebels is going to be very much inspired by Ralph McQuarrie, so I'm even more excited now about the visual style of the show.

Yup. And I wonder how old Mon Mothma is around this time period?

Mothma was already an adult and a Senator in TCW.

How adult was she? Early 20's? She could still be in this. I kinda hope she is, because to this day it still bugs me that she just shows up for one speech in ROTJ and is never introduced or heard from again. And her one scene in ROTS ended up on the cutting room floor.

[The_Somnambulist]

I loved the Clone Wars' marionette-inspired character model style but that scoop about a different style rubs me the right way.

All this talk of looking to original McQuarrie illustrations for inspiration reminds me of a related and really cool comic book project that was announced a few months ago - a mini-series based on the early drafts for The Star Wars. But I don't mean to get off topic with that.

Anyways, the series is headed for potentially very dark territory if we know that all the remaining Jedi in the galaxy are wiped out by Vader and his commanded forces and there might be, as E_CHU_TA! suggested, young Jedi in the mix.

[VT-16]

How adult was she? Early 20's? She could still be in this.

She will probably appear at some point. It wouldn't make sense to talk of the early Rebellion without her or Bail Organa appearing at some point.
Not to mention the Onderonian rebels, Ackbar, basically anyone who wasn't killed on-screen in TCW.

[E_CHU_TA!]

Has anyone seen Paperman, "A CGI Short from Disney that Looks and Feels Like Classic Handmade Animation?" It won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Film:

[flash width=560 height=315]http://www.youtube.com/v//1QAI4B_2Mfc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1[/flash]

Behind the scenes video:

[flash width=560 height=315]http://www.youtube.com/v//-36xCSOFNOA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1[/flash]

Here's a sizzle reel of Macquarie SW art to get you day dreaming:

[flash width=560 height=315]http://www.youtube.com/v//T4U1xKCP-I8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1[/flash]

[Cryostar]

I saw and loved paperman. Great little story and amazing art.

[Alexrd]

Will Tarkin return?

[Bandersnatch]

Wouldn't surprise me.

[Mike_Droideka]

He has to be in it!

[DoubleSith]

More info in a month's time at NYCC:

What happens when the Galactic Empire takes over a planet? What if Imperials took interest in your world, and garrisoned Stormtroopers and TIE fighters to maintain order? Star Wars Rebels, the thrilling, all-new animated television series from Lucasfilm for Disney XD will ask those questions -- and so will this panel hosted by Lucasfilm's resident Star Wars expert, Pablo Hidalgo.

Details on the show are closely guarded, but fans at NYCC will get a first look at new art from the series, and learn new information about the formidable forces of the Galactic Empire. Star Wars Rebels is set between Episodes III and IV, and it is a dark time in the galaxy. In the spirit of the original trilogy, the Empire is once again the preeminent villain of the saga, and Star Wars Rebels puts the awesome might of Imperial forces in the spotlight.

The series is still a year away, so don't miss this chance to get an early look at its development.

StarWars.com

[DoubleSith]

This was expected, but Greg Wieisman sorta confirmed season long story arcs for Rebels, unlike TCW's anthology approach.

https://twitter.com/Greg_Weisman/status/381873127115874304

[Alexrd]

This was expected, but Greg Wieisman sorta confirmed season long story arcs for Rebels, unlike TCW's anthology approach.

https://twitter.com/Greg_Weisman/status/381873127115874304

Filoni did say at CVI that Rebels would have a continuous storyline.

[DoubleSith]

While most eyes have been on the casting of Star Wars: Episode VII, another franchise player set in the galaxy far, far away has been quietly operating under the radar.
Star Wars: Rebels is the CGI animated series being made by Lucasfilm Animation which will air on Disney XD.

THR/HeatVision has learned that David Oyelowo, Freddie Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Taylor Gray and Steven Jay Blum are in the process of being cast as the voice leads for the series, which will make its debut in fall 2014.

THR

[DoubleSith]

We're getting a 15 second Star Wars Rebels teaser next Monday during the premiere episode Mighty Med from 8:30-9:00pm ET on Disney XD. No actual footage, though.

Official Star Wars Twitter account

[DoubleSith]

Teaser just aired, nothing to get excited about. Just a take on the opening shot of ANH. Star Destroyer. Logo. That's it.

Youtube

[BlackCriminalGangster2050]

After seeing that teaser, I felt like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" upon realizing that his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring sucks. Hopefully more interesting stuff will come out of NYCC this week.

[Mike_Droideka]

They showed us stuff we've seen already.

The Star Wars Rebels logo
Star Destroyer
TIE Fighter

And we know it's coming in 2014.

[Bandersnatch]

We had not yet seen how this animation style is going to look in motion, so that was cool. I wonder if that is exactly how it will look when it is completed.

[VT-16]

M E H