http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/26/star-wars-resistance-disney-tv-show-dave-filoni-rebels-animeSTAR WARS RESISTANCE: DISNEY ORDERS ANIME-INSPIRED TV SHOW FROM REBELS CREATOR DAVE FILONIGet ready for more Poe and BB-8.
BY LAURA PRUDOM
Disney has found its next animated Star Wars TV show - an anime-inspired adventure series called Star Wars Resistance. Created by Star Wars Rebels showrunner Dave Filoni, the new project will focus on 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.
While no specific premiere date has been set yet, Disney has announced that Star Wars Resistance will premiere this fall on Disney Channel in the US before debuting thereafter on Disney XD and around the world.
Much as Rebels weaved in familiar characters from across the Star Wars galaxy, Disney promises that Resistance 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 will take place in the time period before the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with a voice cast including 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).
While the period immediately before The Force Awakens hasn't been featured in any of the franchise's TV properties yet, the ongoing Star Wars: Poe Dameron comics have been exploring the hotshot pilot's backstory prior to the events of the film (and even shedding light on specific moments from TFA), which means we theoretically could see certain storylines and characters intersect between mediums as Poe and BB-8 cross paths with Kazuda.
"The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots," said Filoni in a statement. "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."
Marc Buhaj, senior vice president of programming and general manager of 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."
Filoni's fellow Star Wars Rebels and Clone Wars alums Athena Portillo and Justin Ridge will also executive produce the series alongside Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Brandon Auman, with art direction by Amy Beth Christenson.
For a look back at Star Wars Rebels, check out why the series was crucial to Star Wars canon, what its time-travel elements mean for the franchise, and how the Rebels finale may have set the stage for other animated shows."