With the end of Star Wars: Rebels earlier this year, we knew it was only a matter of time before Lucasfilm/Disney announced a new animated series. In addition, we knew, based on his comments, Dave Filoni (executive producer of both Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels) was working on something new in the Star Wars universe as well. Now we know, via a press release from Lucasfilm, that Star Wars Resistance is the next animated series from Filoni and co, and that it will debut this Fall on the Disney Channel, before transitioning over to Disney XD.
Joining Filoni will be Clone Wars and Rebels executive producers Athena Portillo and Justin Ridge, as well as art-director for both series Amy Beth Christenson and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles executive producer Brandon Auman. The series, which will take place in the time before Star Wars: The Force Awakens, will focus on a new character named Kazuda Xiono, a pilot recruited by the Resistance to spy on the First Order.
Filoni had this to say about the series:
“The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots. My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me. There’s a long history of high-speed racing in Star Wars, and I think we’ve captured that sense of excitement in an anime-inspired style, which is something the entire team has been wanting to do for a long time.”
The series is described as ‘anime-inspired,’ and the single piece of promotional art released appears to be hand-drawn, or at least animated in a style to resemble hand-drawn animation, instead of the smoother, computer-generated style of the two previous Star Wars television series. The Genndy Tartakovsky-helmed Star Wars: Clone Wars series of shorts – not to be confused with the Filoni series, which added a The in the middle – was similarly inspired.
We don’t have too many more details about the series at this juncture, aside from some of the voice cast, which includes two actors reprising their roles from the most recent Star Wars films, Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) and Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma). Donald Faison (Scrubs), Jim Rash (Community), and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) are three of the names mentioned in the press release.
Read the full press release below, and look forward to the inevitable coverage of the series right here this autumn.
STAR WARS RESISTANCE, ANIME-INSPIRED SERIES, SET FOR FALL DEBUT
ALL-NEW ANIMATED SERIES WILL FOCUS ON THE ERA BEFORE STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.
This fall, welcome to the Resistance!
StarWars.com is thrilled to announce that production has begun on Star Wars Resistance, an exciting new animated adventure series about Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order. It will premiere this fall on Disney Channel in the U.S. and thereafter, on Disney XD and around the world.
Featuring the high-flying adventure that audiences of all ages have come to expect from Star Wars, Star Wars Resistance — set in the time prior to Star Wars: The Force Awakens — will feature the beloved droid BB-8 alongside ace pilots, colorful new characters and appearances by fan favorites including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively.
The series was created by renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels); executive-produced by Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Justin Ridge (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); and art-directed by Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels).
“The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots” said Filoni. “My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me. There’s a long history of high-speed racing in Star Wars, and I think we’ve captured that sense of excitement in an anime-inspired style, which is something the entire team has been wanting to do for a long time.”
Continued belowMarc Buhaj, senior vice president, Programming and general manager, Disney XD, said, “Our colleagues at Lucasfilm have created a compelling narrative for an untold moment in the Star Wars galaxy, and we are excited to partner with them again on this new original series. Star Wars Resistance will bring viewers across generations an engaging story with heart, humor and both new and familiar characters.”
In addition to Isaac and Christie, the voice cast includes actors Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Suzie McGrath (East Enders), Scott Lawrence (Legion), Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Bobby Moynihan (DuckTales), Jim Rash (Community), and Rachel Butera (Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time).
Follow @StarWars for the latest on #StarWarsResistance and check out StarWars.com for more exciting news on the series.
