IT’S HAPPENING!
Star Wars is back, you guys! This trailer represents the first part of a roll-out that we can assume leads to the launch of J.J. Abrams’ new trilogy. The above trailer isn’t for the films, of course, but for a new animated series that promises to bridge the gap between Episode III and Episode IV. From the official description:
The official Star Wars Rebels teaser trailer from Lucasfilm gives viewers their first look at the upcoming animated series’ visual style, which is heavily influenced by the work of original Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie. Star Wars Rebels takes place between Star Wars: Episode III and IV, a time period previously unexplored on-screen, as the Empire cements its power and a rebellion begins to form. The highly anticipated show, executive produced by Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, and Greg Weisman, is coming Fall 2014 to Disney XD.
A couple things of note here. First off Greg Weisman is a name with which you should be familiar by now, but if you’re not, allow us to remind you that Weisman first popped into the animation world as the creative mind behind Disney’s Gargoyles and has moved on to more recent shows such as Ultimate Spider-Man and Young Justice. In other words, he is perfectly skilled to handle this new series.
The other interesting bit of info gleaned from the official description is the confirmation of the time period of the show. As mentioned, this is a stretch of time previously unexplored on-screen; Howeverm it has been fairly well fleshed out in ancillary material such as the novels and comics. We combed through some of the previously established events in this time period to highlight some of the things we hope the creators of Rebels keep in mind when bridging the mythology.
- Han Solo, now in a military academy, saves Chewbacca, now a slave, and is subsequently drummed out of the Imperial Navy. Chewbacca pledges a life-debt to Han Solo and remains his partner for the next three decades.
- Â Lando Calrissian wins the Millennium Falcon in a game of sabacc.
- Meant to eventually overthrow the Emperor, Darth Vader sends a secret apprentice, Starkiller, to hunt down and eradicate the last of the Jedi.
- The Galactic Civil War begins.
- Â Han Solo wins the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian during a sabacc tournament on Cloud City.
- A group of Moffs, led by Trachta, plot to overthrow Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. The plot fails, and almost all of the conspirators are met with unspeakable deaths.
Of course, they may jettison all the non-movie mythology for something that falls in line with whatever J.J. has planned for the sequels, but we’ll sleep better tonight knowing we got our two cents out into the ether. Do you have something you hope we see in Star Wars: Rebels? Are you excited for the show? Let us know in the comments!
I have to say ,this seems really cool . Maybe it has been explored before ,but never on screen .
you had me until it said “coming to DisneyXD” – its guaranteed this tv series will FAIL being on a premium cable / satellite channel vs a standard channel (nobody is going to schill out more $ a month to see this cartoon, they are either going to legally download it? Or torrent this fucker!)
I think it would be cool if Grand Admiral Thrawn was in the series. But not so sure it would work.
They probably still podrace on Tattooine… Maybe 9 year old Luke Skywalker gets in on the action…
Also, want to point out that Ashoka from Clone Wars is still out there, as Filoni is involved I can’t imagine she wouldn’t make an appearance
Oh, also, oddly enough… there’s actually not too much set in this era. Stuff immediately after III (like the fantastic Dark Times comics) and just before IV, but not smack in the middle where this happens. Most of the entries in the Wookieepedia timeline are just events referenced in later books. It’s almost bizarre how little there is in this period.
Having seen how Dave Filoni kept dropping the Republic Commandos in Clone Wars, I’m really looking forward to seeing Starkiller make an appearance. I hope that we see plenty of adult Boba too. Cad Bane was had a very spagetti western feel to him, so Boba as a silent lone gun-slinger could be awesome.
Current reports suggest that it’ll follow a specific freighter crew of teenaged “rebels.” So, not so much galaxy-spanning content this time around… Cryix, consider it a zero-sum on your expectations. All focus will be on original characters.
Also, before anybody’s underwear is +1 brick over the teen focus, remember that Luke and Leia were 19 in Episode IV. With Kinberg’s professional involvement, Weisman’s serious concern for long-term continuity, and Filoni’s understanding of Star Wars lore and ability to avoid crushing canon*, I have a feeling this could actually be very true to the spirit of Star Wars and a crowd-pleaser.
*Re: Clone Wars canon issues: Most were pushed by Lucas.
“The Short Happy Life of Roons Sewell”
I would love to see some Black Sun / Prince Xizor history thrown in.
The absolute last thing i would want is to see Teen Han rescue chewie or any of that. That territory was well worn in the books and isnt nearly as compelling as it sounds. Han Solo adventures = Yes, Han Solo Trilogy = No
Events i would be very interested in seeing:
Organization of the rebellion by mon mothma, bail organa, and garm bel iblis if they can use book characters
rebel raids on imperial facilities to gather up equipment. Season 1 should focus on them trying to capture a capital ship like a nebulon-b or a dreadnaught or something.
The defection of Incom to the rebellion with xwing prototypes
The rescue of Akbar from imperial slavery
bothan spy missions which obliquely hint at the death star’s construction