We have two pieces of great news to share on the Star Wars animated series front. One, Star Wars Rebels, the series that is set between Star Wars Episodes III and IV, has been renewed for a second season, even before its first regular episode airs. That means yes, Star Wars fans, you may invest your time and energy into this series, without fear that it will be yanked out from under you.
The one-hour kickoff episode for the series, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion, premiered one week ago on Disney XD, and was a fun and entertaining setup for the series. If you missed it, check your listings, as it’s certain to air again and again. Or, wait until the just-announced broadcast on ABC on October 26.
Which brings us to the second piece of great news. For the ABC broadcast, a new scene will be added to the special, which will be special indeed, as it will feature a cameo by everyone’s favorite Sith lord, Darth Vader, and yes, they have enlisted the legendary James Earl Jones to reprise his voice work in the role.
Behold the deets:
ABC TO AIR STAR WARS REBELS: SPARK OF REBELLION WITH A NEW SCENE FEATURING DARTH VADER
The critically-acclaimed epic adventure Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will air on ABC on Sunday, October 26 (7:00 p.m. ET/PT). Executive producer Dave Filoni states, “We wanted to do something special for the ABC broadcast. We’ve added a scene which gives audiences insight into the Inquisitor and includes a cameo by Darth Vader voiced by the distinguished actor James Earl Jones.”
The television movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion delivered 6.5-million viewers in its premieres on Disney Channel and Disney XD around the world including the U.S. and 16 markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa and Canada. The Star Wars Rebels weekly series on Disney XD (Mondays 9:00 p.m. ET/PT), has been renewed for a second season.
Set between the events of Star Wars Episodes III and IV, the Star Wars Rebels story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost – cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and grumpy old astromech droid Chopper – will face threatening new villains, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.
The voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus and Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor.
Star Wars Rebels is created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Sherlock Holmes), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg as well as Greg Weisman (Gargoyles).
Thanks to StarWars.com for the info. Thanks, too, for the new featurette series “Rebels Recon,” the first excellent installment of which is below. Included is what George Lucas thinks of the series, and a clip of another cameo, coming up in the first regular episode, which airs Monday.
Featurette: Star Wars Rebels – Rebels Recon #1: Inside “Spark of Rebellion”
Star Wars Rebels, featuring the voices of Freddie Prinze, Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, and Taylor Gray, premieres Monday, October 13 at 9/8c on Disney XD.
Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion, ABC edition, featuring the voices of Freddie Prinze, Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, and Taylor Gray, with a voice cameo by James Earl Jones, premieres Sunday, October 26 at 7/6c on ABC.
