Disney & Lucasfilm 'Star Wars Rebels' Debut of Animated Series Scheduled for 2014? [VIDEO]
In fall 2014, Star Wars Rebels will premiere as a one-hour special on the Disney Channel before moving to its permanent home on Disney XD.
Sources at Lucasfilm confirmed that the new animated series will be taking place in the 19-year gap between the film series' Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope.
"The Empire is fortifying its hold on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion is taking shape, but plot details are in the vault," according to Deadline.
In March, Disney announced that it would be ending Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which aired for five seasons on Cartoon Network. They also told press that they were interested in pursuing another Star Wars project for television.
Lucasfilm president Kathy Kennedy expressed her enthusiasm for the new project Monday morning: "I couldn't be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe. I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars."
Simon Kinberg, writer of screenplays such as Sherlock Holmes and X-Men: The Last Stand, will be an executive producer on the new series and is set to write the first episode. Other producers include Dave Filoni, who served as supervising director for The Clone Wars, and Greg Weisman, who produced the animated series Young Justice.
The new Star Wars film, Episode VII, is set for a 2015 release date. Star Trek director J.J. Abrams will direct the film.
Star Wars Rebels is set to premiere its one-hour special at Star Wars Celebration Europe, an annual event held in Messe Essen, Germany. The event lasts from July 26-28.
Watch an exclusive video about the new animated series here:
