When Disney purchased Lucasfilm, we knew there was the potential for far more than just a new trilogy of films set in a galaxy far, far away. Aside from spin-off films, many have hoped for various television series set in the Star Wars universe. One popular pick has been something set between the events of Episode III and Episode IV, which is what Disney is now delivering in the form of Star Wars Rebels, an animated series which will air on Disney XD next year.
This series is set “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.” The show will launch in Fall 2014 with a one-hour special on Disney before moving to to Disney XD. Production has already begun.
We knew that Disney was going to pursue a new direction for animated Star Wars programming after it was announced that The Clone Wars would not be continued past its fifth season on Cartoon Network. This seems as logical a direction as any, considering fans have so adamantly voiced their desire for something set in this period. Still, I think I would have rather this been a live-action show on ABC, especially since the potential to reprise Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan is still alive. I’m not sure if McGregor would be willing to go to TV, but a series shown through Obi’s eyes as he waits for Luke to grow up is almost too great to ask for.
As much as this is not the show I personally want to see during that time period, I really can’t complain about anything that will potentially bring in a new generation of Star Wars fans. While I don’t expect this show to be anything revolutionary in terms of becoming a dominant children’s show on TV (it’s only airing on Disney XD) it certainly can expose kids to Star Wars, and I am very excited, if only for that reason.
What do you think of Star Wars Rebels? Is it a show you’re interested to watch? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
