“This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi order and the Republic have fallen, with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi: Trust in the force. Do not return to the temple. That time has passed, and our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged… Our trust, our faith, our friendships. But we must persevere, and in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you… Always.”
Star Wars Rebels is an American animated television series produced by Lucasfilm and Lucasfilm Animation with the assistance of Disney. Set 14 years after Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and 5 years before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Rebels takes place during an era when the Galactic Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights while a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking form. The visual style of Star Wars Rebels is inspired by the original Star Wars trilogy concept art by Ralph McQuarrie.
It premiered as a 44 minute movie, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion, on October 3, 2014 on Disney Channels worldwide prior to the premiere of the series. Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, and Greg Weisman have all been announced as executive producers of season 1. Kinberg has stated that the first season would contain 16 episodes and that the series will feature new characters along with ones from the original trilogy. Weisman left the show after season 1.
Cast and characters
Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Kanan Jarrus:
A renegade Jedi survivor of Order 66. He keeps his lightsaber under lock and key and brandishes a blaster instead to avoid the attention of the Empire. He is the leader of the crew of the Ghost under the call sign “Specter 1” and is eager to fight against the Empire. He is sarcastic but also distraught over the destruction of his culture and former way of life.
Taylor Gray as Ezra Bridger:
A charismatic 14-year-old con artist, thief, and pickpocket living on the Outer Rim world of Lothal as the Empire strip mines the resources of his homeworld for Sienar’s TIE fighter production. Unbeknownst to him, he is able to use the Force, and has used it to get out of certain predicaments. Stealing to survive, he has no real loyalty to anyone.
Steven Blum as Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios:
A seasoned and intelligent Lasat enforcer who serves as the muscle of the Ghost crew. His physical appearance is based on Ralph McQuarrie’s original conceptual artwork for Chewbacca.
Tiya Sircar as Sabine Wren:
A Mandalorian with expert knowledge of weapons, combat, and explosives. She is also a graffiti artist who tags Imperial facilities with anti-Imperial propaganda after an attack, decorates her quarters on the Ghost, and frequently modifies her armor with conflicting color schemes though her signature colors appear to be purple and magenta; even her hair has purple and orange highlights. Fixated on color, she wears clothing covered in flecks of paint. Executive Producer Dave Filoni revealed in an interview that her design was based on an idea he had for The Clone Wars.
Vanessa Marshall as Hera Syndulla:
The Twi’lek who owns and pilots the Ghost. She is the mother-figure of the crew, and brings them all together.
Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor:
An unnamed Pau’an who wields a double-bladed lightsaber and is tasked by Darth Vader to hunt down the remaining Jedi left in the galaxy.[14] His unique lightsaber design was based on an unused concept from The Force Unleashed video game.
David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus:
A high ranking agent of the Imperial Security Bureau who serves under the Inquisitor.
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi:
A Jedi Master who currently resides on the Tatooine system. His hologram is first seen in a holocron when he announces the fall of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Council after Order 66.
Keith Szarabajka as Cikatro Vizago:
A Devaronian and chief scoundrel of the Lothal underground. The crew of the Ghost occasionally runs errands and smuggles goods for Vizago in exchange for credits and intel.
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO:
A protocol droid that helped the Republic forces during the Clone Wars. Following its fall, C-3PO is now under the ownership of the crew of the Tantive IV.
Also appearing: R2-D2, an astromech droid and best friend to C-3PO. He served the Republic during the Clone Wars under the ownership of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker; C1-10PR (“Chopper”), Hera’s astromech, crafted from spare parts, he is very irritable and seems to not care about his owners. His physical appearance is heavily modeled on the original Ralph McQuarrie conceptual artwork for R2-D2.