Before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was even released, fans picked up on a Star Wars Rebels easter egg in one of the film’s TV spots, and now that the Gareth Edwards-helmed prequel is playing in theatres, eagle-eyed viewers have spotted even more awesome nods to the Disney XD animated series.
In addition to the brief appearance of The Ghost in said TV spot, another couple of references are made during the scene in which Mon Mothma is told about Rogue One’s secret mission. First, we hear a “General Syndulla” being called over the intercom. Rebels fans immediately copped that this must be a reference to either Hera or her father Cham, and in an interview with EW, producer Dave Filoni confirms that it is indeed the former.
I can clarify that’s absolutely Hera being paged, not her dad. The movie gives that away, but I would rather have all the [references] be right. Hera will eventually become a general in the Rebel Alliance.
The final easter egg is far more obvious, as the team’s grouchy droid Chopper can be seen rolling away to the left in one particular shot (see above). Filoni was actually on set the day this little cameo was filmed.
Everybody working on set knew Chopper, and referred to him the way you would about a dog. They all liked him, they think he’s funny, but they know he’s grumpy.
The plan seems to be for Rebels to eventually catch up with Rogue One, and for viewers to see the battle of Scariff from the points of view of Hera, Ezra and the others – but as the events of the series currently take place quite a few years before the movie, it remains to be seen if we ever even get to that point on the show.
Star Wars Rebels season 3 will continue January 7th, 2017 on Disney XD.
