The fourth and final season of Star Wars Rebels is just over a month away, but the end could be coming much sooner than we anticipated. A new report suggests that Disney XD will be doubling up on episodes, which means that the 16 episode season could be over after only eight weeks.
Via ComicBook.com, Jedi-Bibliothek is reporting the fourth season premiere will be a two-part episode called “Heroes of Mandalore” on October 16. The episode’s title suggests that it will focus on Sabine’s mission to free Mandalore from the Empire as well as the long awaited return of Bo-Katan Kryze, a character introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The third and fourth episodes will be another two-parter: “In the Name of the Rebellion.” Those episodes will drop on October 23, and we believe that they will explore the widening divide between Saw Gerrera‘s Separatist forces and the larger Rebel Alliance, which may set the stage for their friction in Rogue One.
Finally, the fifth and sixth episodes will premiere on October 30. The fifth episode is titled “The Occupation,” and it could deal with the series-long arc on Ezra’s homeworld, Lothal. The sixth episode has a more enigmatic title: “Flight of the Defender.” Maybe it’s referring to the TIE defender, but wouldn’t be interesting if that ship somehow fell into the hands of the Rebellion?
It’s unclear if Disney XD plans to continue airing back-to-back episodes beyond October, but if so, that could mean the series will wrap up by the time The Last Jedi hits theaters. Although over three decades separate the time period of Rebels and the new trilogy, we wouldn’t be shocked at all if certain elements from The Last Jedi come into play. This seems like a good opportunity to send Ezra and Kanan to Ahch-To, the site of the first Jedi Temple, which is where Luke Skywalker has been spending the last few years. But that’s just a guess.
We also can’t help but wonder why Disney XD would burn through the final season of Rebels so quickly. After all, there’s a new Star Wars movie coming in May 2018 starring Han Solo, which isn’t that far removed from the time frame of Rebels. We wouldn’t put it past Disney and Lucasfilm to have a new Star Wars animated series dropping in early 2018. If so, it means they’ve been playing it very close to the vest. If it happens, we may get a new Star Wars show set in either the classic trilogy era or during the modern trilogy. Either way, we’re excited.
Star Wars Rebels has been given an unusual time slot by Disney XD, too. The season premiere will drop on Monday, October 16 at 12:30a.m., with repeat broadcasts at 3:00a.m., 7:30a.m., 5:30p.m., and at 9:00p.m. That will continue through the rest of the season.
What do you think will happen this season on Rebels? Share your thoughts below!
Images: Disney XD
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