An all-new Star Wars animated series is heading to Disney XD and there's no way we'd miss out on the show's panel! It was a crowded stage as executive producers Dave Filoni and Simon Kinberg as well as voice actors Freddie Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, and Taylor Gray spoke about the upcoming show from Lucasfilm Animation.
- Opens with a clip of Inquisitor taking on two heroes (Kanan and Ezera). Shows what makes his lightsaber unique (he can hold it forward and it rapidly spins. Think Grievous but no need for the rotating hands) and it ends on a comedic note about the weapon ("can yours do that?!"). Filoni says the lightsaber design was made for The Force Unleashed but wasn't used.
- Kinberg says they love the tone and essence of original movies and wanted to make a show that has that feeling in it. Really exists to be the origin on the Rebel Alliance.
- Prinze Jr. says he grew up with this franchise and joked he can't help but use his hand whenever his character uses the force or a lightsaber while recording.
- When asked about lightsaber fights, Filoni pointed out this is a time when Jedi are hiding, so when it does happen, it'll be pivotal and more meaningful. "They're held back so when we do them it's a pivotal point for the character's development."
- Another clip is shown of a chase scene (involves Stormtroopers and Zeb piloting a TIE Fighter) and it quickly transforms from exciting to comedic and fun.
- Kinberg says there's a mandate to have fun and have a sense of adventure but it has to feel organic for the characters.
- Filoni stated this differs from The Clone Wars because it focuses on one core group instead of regularly shifting between a large number of characters.
- Prinze Jr. says his character's tricky because he's a cocky Jedi. Aims to make sure the levity really lands.
- Marshall says the jokes flow well between all of them.
- Sircar says each actor has begun to embody their character at work. For example, Blum's making everyone laugh and Gray's jokingly getting picked on.
- Panel is asked about improv and they said there isn't too much, but if there's an opportunity and it's good they'll go for it.
- Filoni says he obviously loves the Clone Wars, but the chance to work in this era -- Stormtroopers,TIE Fighters,etc -- was exciting. "There's just something about what you grew up with. Whatever your contact point is with Star Wars, that sticks with you."
- Kinberg says it's "pretty surreal" to write new dialogue for these characters (e.g. Obi-Wan Kenobi).
- "The fun of Rebels is being able to return to the original films" says Kinberg.
- Dynamic between Hera and Sabine is a younger sister/older sister relationship and they stick up for each other.
- Marshall says each character brings something unique to the Rebel Alliance.
- Filoni says Star Wars has always had strong female characters and they want to keep that alive.
- Clip of Hera and Sabine investigating an abandoned base and has a horror/suspense vibe as creatures lurk in the dark and eventually leap after the duo.
- "The great thing about Star Wars is you can tell basically any kind of story." Filoni says they want to have plenty of comedy, but they want to balance the threat of danger and tension, too.
- Separatists are gone and Jedi are labeled traitors. A majority of people in the galaxy believe this to be true and the Empire has completely unquestioned control of the Galaxy.
- Prinze Jr. says the show will reveal why people would want to stand up and fight the Empire.
- Blum adds there's really nothing left to lose for the heroes and that helps bring them together and bond.
- Prinze Jr. says he feels a lot of pressure because he was born and raised with Star Wars. Joked he said "may the force be with you" as many times as he said "hey" in the fifth grade. Describes his character as incredibly disciplined but there's an adolescent dark side -- a certain part of him stopped growing and that will be something he struggles with. Says we'll definitely learn his patience has limitations. Adds there's a fine line because you want to portray a Jedi perfectly. "You can't mess up a Jedi, so I worked really, really hard on it and put a lot of pressure on myself."
- "Everything is so new to him and he looks up to Kanan more than anyone" Gray stated about his character, Ezera. He has so much faith in Kanan that he believes everything will turn out okay, even when things aren't looking optimistic.
- Fan asks how much we can see of Kenobi and other original characters. Panel jokes they can't really say but it's "more than you see in the trailer."
- Droid beeps are given actual dialogue in the script. Prinze Jr. says it's something the writers have a lot of fun with.
- "New group needs to stand on its own -- this isn't just an extension of The Clone Wars."
- Intention is for the next generation and everyone to fall in love with these characters just like we fell in love with the other great Star Wars characters.
- Says show is more contained than The Clone Wars. Explains we'll get to know these characters and locations well. Filoni says the buildup works with the flow of the story.
- Question: will any of these characters crossover in the movie? Kinberg: I love these characters and it would be a treat to see them in live-action, too.
- Fioni says they'll do their best to create a bunch of new types of Stormtroopers.
- "I don't like to think it's prequels, Clone Wars, original trilogy. It's just Star Wars and with Star Wars you can do anything." -Filoni.
- Question: what's it like working with Greg Weisman? Filoni: we couldn't haven't done this without Greg. He brings an amazing level of vision. We had an idea of what we wanted this to be and Greg really focused it.
- When asked what his favorite season of The Clone Wars is, Filoni says he tends to favor the last one. Says he really loves the episode where Ahsoka meets Chewbacca and her finale.
- Panel concludes with a new trailer. Opens with plenty of action -- space battles to shootouts -- then shows locations and Ezera's training. Shows even more action, the Inquisitor and... R2-D2 and C-3PO! Then returns to a ton of action with occasional bits of banter.
Star Wars:Rebels will begin this October on Disney XD.