Source: Star Wars Official Website | Posted By: Dan Geer
Last month it was revealed that Dave Filoni, supervising director of Cartoon Network’s recently canceled Star Wars: The Clone Wars, would still be involved in creating a new Star Wars animated series for Disney/Lucasfilm set in an era previously unexplored in TV or film. Today, an official announcement has been made via StarWars.com regarding the series, including the title, what era of the Star Wars universe it will take place in, who will be involved in the creative process, and more! Hit the jump for the official press release containing all of the juicy details, as well as an early behind-the-scenes video!
Official Press Release (via Star Wars.com):
New Animated Series Star Wars Rebels Coming Fall 2014
May 20, 2013
Production has begun on Star Wars Rebels, an exciting, all-new animated television series based on one of the greatest entertainment franchises of all time. Scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.
Leading the development of the series is a creative team of exceptional talent. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels and will write the premiere episode. He is joined by Dave Filoni as executive producer, who served as supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles.
Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “The entire team at Lucasfilm has provided extraordinary creativity and innovation for over three decades, and we’re thrilled to be bringing the expansive and imaginative world of Star Wars to Disney XD’s viewers.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm. “I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars.”
The action-filled series is set between the events of Episode III and IV — an era spanning almost two decades never-before explored on-screen. Star Wars Rebels takes place in a time where the Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape. Details about the show are a closely guarded secret at this point.
Star Wars Rebels will be produced by Lucasfilm Animation, featuring many of the key talents that made Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Fans attending Star Wars Celebration Europe will be the first to get an exclusive look at the new series. Casting will be announced at a later date. More information about this developing project will be found on StarWars.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/starwarsrebels.
Star Wars Rebels: The Rebellion Begins:
I think it is safe to say that, even though Star Wars: The Clone Wars has been canceled, Star Wars fans all over the world are probably having a hard time wiping huge grins off of their faces right now. Not only are Clone Wars veterans Dave Filoni, Joel Aron and Kilian Plunkett heavily involved, but also Simon Kinberg, who is currently consulting on Star Wars: Episode VII and writing one of the Star Wars spinoff films currently in development. Between the wealth of proven talent here, along with the fact that the series takes place between Episodes III and IV of the film series and focuses on the Rebellion, it is doubtful that fans wouldn’t be extremely excited for this.
But of course, this raises all sorts of new questions. Is this in fact replacing the long in-development (and too expensive) Star Wars live-action series Star Wars Underworld, which also takes place between Episodes III and IV? If so, will Star Wars Rebels draw from the 50 completed scripts from the live-action series, or will the stories be completely developed from scratch, leaving open the possibility of the live-action series seeing the light of day?
Based on the title, my guess is that Star Wars Rebels will be totally different, since it appears to be focusing on the Rebellion, rather than the bounty hunters and crime rings of Star Wars Underworld. Not only that, but Underworld was originally intended to be more adult, and Rebels is an animated series intended for Disney audiences.
Whatever the case, is it fall 2014 yet?
