STAR WARS Rebels new animated series!

I doubt very much the look if Rebels is in anyway being influenced by or is a derivative of Disney. I loved the CW aesthetic, although it would behoove everyone to keep in mind many fans hated it at first as well, but I welcome a new look and new characterizations.

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My biggest question:

Is this going to be considered canon?

You better believe it!
 
I will probably watch this show, but I will say this: they'd better be careful what they do with OT characters or it could hurt the show in my eyes. If this is going to be canon you have to be extra careful since this will be set in stone. The wrong sorts of things could distort or ruin characters that everyone knows and loves.

Consider me cautiously optimistic.
 
Well, based in what we know so far, that is rxacy what they are doing, exploring a new era in the timeline focused on entirely new characters.
 
No offense to anyone but I don't think its fair to blame Disney for things they do not like. This was the same feeling I had when people used to rag on Lucas. Why are people or companies that do their job well and become very successful automatically deemed an evil empire?

I admit, I have no insights to the inner workings of the Disney/LFL working relationship. But if you buy LFL (not just the Star Wars) then you are also getting the experts that know Star Wars as well. The smart thing to do is listen to them about creativity and stories. From what I am reading, the biggest involvement just seems to be production/release schedules and how to market their product.

Even if they were micromanaging, I think the continued success of Disney's direct productions like Frozen or their Pixar and Marvel divisions should make people happy that Disney is involved. Since 1977, their have only been 6 Star Wars movies. That's insane! Hell, we wouldn't even have the whole EU debate if LFL kept producing movies (or even TV shows) that kept the stories of the Star Wars galaxy going rather than a bunch of authors that write SW books as if they were Trek technobabble.

As far as the look of the show, I think it is still a continuation of the TCW look just the next level of refinement. Even the CGI in TCW refined over the seasons.

I actually go back and forth on whether the folks at LFL or the folks at Disney are the "right" people to safeguard Star Wars. I think both have made missteps in the past with this or that franchise, and LFL's obsessive focus on Jedi has left me bored with the subject. I gather the Clone Wars cartoon ended up being decent after all, but I'm just...bored with Jedi. I understand that Rebels is going to involve running from the Empire and killing off various Jedi and such, but it'd also be nice to see REGULAR people fighting against the Empire, instead of yet more superpowered space monks...even those that are putting away the robes and strapping on a blaster.

I doubt very much the look if Rebels is in anyway being influenced by or is a derivative of Disney. I loved the CW aesthetic, although it would behoove everyone to keep in mind many fans hated it at first as well, but I welcome a new look and new characterizations.

I thought the look of the second CW cartoon was WAY better than the first one, but I loathe Tartakofsky's visual style in general. That said, I wasn't a huge fan of the second CW style as much either, simply because it seemed very...I dunno...bobble-heady. Just not my thing, really, although I gather the stories improved considerably.

As for the look of this one, it looks like a generic cartoon to me. Nothing particularly off-putting (other than the look of the Sith Inquisitor, but that has more to do with the concept of the character than the design), nothing particularly eye-catching. It's just a cartoon, which, I suppose, is as it should be. I'd rather the look be more "middle of the road" than visually exaggerated in some way, and the stories be way carry the show.

I will probably watch this show, but I will say this: they'd better be careful what they do with OT characters or it could hurt the show in my eyes. If this is going to be canon you have to be extra careful since this will be set in stone. The wrong sorts of things could distort or ruin characters that everyone knows and loves.

Consider me cautiously optimistic.

I doubt they'll use OT characters much, but if they do, I expect they'll be careful to do so in a way that doesn't step on continuity, seeing as how they're going through quite an effort to harmonize continuity as it is.
 
I actually go back and forth on whether the folks at LFL or the folks at Disney are the "right" people to safeguard Star Wars. I think both have made missteps in the past with this or that franchise, and LFL's obsessive focus on Jedi has left me bored with the subject. I gather the Clone Wars cartoon ended up being decent after all, but I'm just...bored with Jedi. I understand that Rebels is going to involve running from the Empire and killing off various Jedi and such, but it'd also be nice to see REGULAR people fighting against the Empire, instead of yet more superpowered space monks...even those that are putting away the robes and strapping on a blaster.

Agreed!

Give me more bounty hunters, smugglers, cantina owners, and pilots! Jedi are cool, but I feel like we saw enough lightsabers in the PT to last us a lifetime.
 
My biggest question:

Is this going to be considered canon?

In the announcement Kathleen Kennedy made a month or so ago saying that the new films are going to welcomed into Georges saga, the six films he made.

"There is no attempt being made to carry characters [from the standalone films] in and out of the saga episodes," she says. "Consequently, from the creative standpoint, it’s a roadmap that George made pretty clear... The canon that he created was the Star Wars saga. Right now, Episode Seven falls within that canon. The spinoff movies -- or we may come up with some other way to call those films -- they exist within that vast universe that he created."

I take from that it's the two trilogies (and new episodes) only that are canon

J
 
In the announcement Kathleen Kennedy made a month or so ago saying that the new films are going to welcomed into Georges saga, the six films he made.

"There is no attempt being made to carry characters [from the standalone films] in and out of the saga episodes," she says. "Consequently, from the creative standpoint, it’s a roadmap that George made pretty clear... The canon that he created was the Star Wars saga. Right now, Episode Seven falls within that canon. The spinoff movies -- or we may come up with some other way to call those films -- they exist within that vast universe that he created."

I take from that it's the two trilogies (and new episodes) only that are canon

J

You're reading to much into it. She just answering questions about the movies and how they will relate/mesh. She is not trying to indicate what is canon and what is not canon.
 
I'm getting the distinct impression that while I'll probably enjoy this new series I'll also be a bit disappointed at the same time since I'm having my doubts about how much they will be focusing on the development of the Rebellion. I really hope I'm wrong though because there's some really good story ideas that they could really get into like different rebel factions and how they became the Rebel Alliance, how various prominent (albeit secondary) character we meet in the original trilogy get involved like Mon Mothma, Dodonna, Gen. Rieken, etc. as well as when, where, and how the Rebels get all of their ships, weapons, and uniforms.

One story line that I think would be interesting to see one that involves the heroes and an honest Imperial officer/agent or official that work together for a common cause like against some criminal organization or even better yet, a radical faction of the Rebellion that's on the very fringes of the organization or not even officially associated with the Rebellion that acts like a true terrorist organization. A story like this would do a lot to help flesh out the Rebellion as an organization and on the Imperial side show that they aren't just cookie cutter villains and that some of them actually have a sense of honor and try to do real good but don't necessarily agree with the Rebels or the Rebellion.
 
I will probably watch this show, but I will say this: they'd better be careful what they do with OT characters or it could hurt the show in my eyes. If this is going to be canon you have to be extra careful since this will be set in stone. The wrong sorts of things could distort or ruin characters that everyone knows and loves.

Consider me cautiously optimistic.

It does not appear OT characters are the main focus but I would imagine as the show goes on, that we might cross paths with a few. IMHO, Dave and company have done great with stating true to characters and story in TCW. I really felt that CW enhanced the prequels. It helped fill in the characters and motivations that I felt were lacking in the movies. For instance, you see how other factors helped Anakin head over to the dark side. It's also interesting to view a lot of the making of TCW video blogs. You get a real sense of how much work goes into staying true to the canon. I remember they were always aware that Grievous did not meet Anakin until the beginning of ROTS. So they had to ensure that they did not meet face to face on the show.
 
Star Wars Rebels: Central Rebel Core Includes Six Characters
http://www.jedinews.co.uk/news/news.aspx?newsID=15494


I'm getting the distinct impression that while I'll probably enjoy this new series I'll also be a bit disappointed at the same time since I'm having my doubts about how much they will be focusing on the development of the Rebellion. I really hope I'm wrong though because there's some really good story ideas that they could really get into like different rebel factions and how they became the Rebel Alliance, how various prominent (albeit secondary) character we meet in the original trilogy get involved like Mon Mothma, Dodonna, Gen. Rieken, etc. as well as when, where, and how the Rebels get all of their ships, weapons, and uniforms.

I think the show will ultimately turn into that. But I think we are going to see at first how it starts from a grass roots movement. From the little bits out there, it seems like it going to be objections to the TIE facility on a planet. I would expect things would grow from there. Maybe dealing with other groups who oppose the Empire on their planet as well. After all, by the time of ANH, it is an "Alliance" which suggests that many different functional groups banded together. Also, since this show takes place 6 years prior to ANH and the first major victory for the Alliance was the stolen plans. The rebel movement has to exist as smaller independent groups.

One story line that I think would be interesting to see one that involves the heroes and an honest Imperial officer/agent or official that work together for a common cause like against some criminal organization or even better yet, a radical faction of the Rebellion that's on the very fringes of the organization or not even officially associated with the Rebellion that acts like a true terrorist organization. A story like this would do a lot to help flesh out the Rebellion as an organization and on the Imperial side show that they aren't just cookie cutter villains and that some of them actually have a sense of honor and try to do real good but don't necessarily agree with the Rebels or the Rebellion.

EXACTLY!!! I got to believe that these people who join the academy and become part of the imperial forces are not at core evil people. "Like slaughtering unarmed beings? Join the Empire!" These people must honestly believe (through heavy propaganda) that they are doing the right thing to protect and serve. It's most likely only a very few people, if any know the Emperor and Vader are Sith. At some point a member has to start to see what they are really doing. Do you leave? Or are you so brainwashed that you embrace what the Empire really is?
 
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Star Wars Rebels: Central Rebel Core Includes Six Characters
Jedi News - Latest: <i>Star Wars Rebels</i>: Central Rebel Core Includes Six Characters




I think the show will ultimately turn into that. But I think we are going to see at first how it starts from a grass roots movement. From the little bits out there, it seems like it going to be objections to the TIE facility on a planet. I would expect things would grow from there. Maybe dealing with other groups who oppose the Empire on their planet as well. After all, by the time of ANH, it is an "Alliance" which suggests that many different functional groups banded together. Also, since this show takes place 4 years prior to ANH and the first major victory for the Alliance was the stolen plans. The rebel movement has to exist as smaller independent groups.



EXACTLY!!! I got to believe that these people who join the academy and become part of the imperial forces are not at core evil people. "Like slaughtering unarmed beings? Join the Empire!" These people must honestly believe (through heavy propaganda) that they are doing the right thing to protect and serve. It's most likely only a very few people, if any know the Emperor and Vader are Sith. At some point a member has to start to see what they are really doing. Do you leave? Or are you so brainwashed that you embrace what the Empire really is?

Well, depending on whether EU backstories for OT characters survive, Han and Biggs certainly left...
 
......Cowboy Jedi? Really? That's...not particularly encouraging. I mean, maybe it'll work, but it strikes me as kinda "forced." Oh well. At least we know he dies in the end.
well, Star Wars has been likened to a "space western" so I think I'm going to like him... he's kind of this character in this Ralph McQuarrie illustration. He's a cross between Han Luke and Obi WAn... for me that is what the Prequels sorely lacked was a Han Solo type and this guy is going to be cool!
AotS-TSW.jpgio78_p4_3_bg.jpg
 
Well, depending on whether EU backstories for OT characters survive, Han and Biggs certainly left...

IIRC wasn't Gen. Riekan's (sp?) backstory was that he used to be a serving, and fairly senior at that, Imperial officer before defecting to the Rebellion.

I really do hope that this show is more than just about the adventures of the "Cowboy Jedi" and his grumpy, cobbled together droid.
 
well, Star Wars has been likened to a "space western" so I think I'm going to like him... he's kind of this character in this Ralph McQuarrie illustration. He's a cross between Han Luke and Obi WAn... for me that is what the Prequels sorely lacked was a Han Solo type and this guy is going to be cool!
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Agreed. Any forensic review of the development of the original STAR WARS can see hints of the old west in GL's influences. Tatooine is a frontier town with a splash of DUNE. I think this instinct is spot on in keeping with nt the OT, but specifically with STAR WARS before ANH.

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I actually go back and forth on whether the folks at LFL or the folks at Disney are the "right" people to safeguard Star Wars. I think both have made missteps in the past with this or that franchise, and LFL's obsessive focus on Jedi has left me bored with the subject. I gather the Clone Wars cartoon ended up being decent after all, but I'm just...bored with Jedi. I understand that Rebels is going to involve running from the Empire and killing off various Jedi and such, but it'd also be nice to see REGULAR people fighting against the Empire, instead of yet more superpowered space monks...even those that are putting away the robes and strapping on a blaster.
.

Your blame is misplaced, Dan. That wasn't LucasFilm, that was George Lucas who made that choice. BIG difference in this new era and one worth remembering.
 
well, Star Wars has been likened to a "space western" so I think I'm going to like him... he's kind of this character in this Ralph McQuarrie illustration. He's a cross between Han Luke and Obi WAn... for me that is what the Prequels sorely lacked was a Han Solo type and this guy is going to be cool!
View attachment 285533View attachment 285534

Yeah, that's fair. Although I'd argue that Star Wars really lost its "space western" feel once you get outside of Tatooine. I do agree that Jedi have been treated in a very sterile way in the films, so maybe this will be a refreshing change of pace.

IIRC wasn't Gen. Riekan's (sp?) backstory was that he used to be a serving, and fairly senior at that, Imperial officer before defecting to the Rebellion.

I really do hope that this show is more than just about the adventures of the "Cowboy Jedi" and his grumpy, cobbled together droid.

He may have been, yeah. It's been a while since I looked. And I agree. I hope it's more than just the Cowboy Jedi. I can see starting with a core crew in season 1, and gradually expanding. Kind of like the spiritual successor to Firefly, maybe.

Agreed. Any forensic review of the development of the original STAR WARS can see hints of the old west in GL's influences. Tatooine is a frontier town with a splash of DUNE. I think this instinct is spot on in keeping with nt the OT, but specifically with STAR WARS before ANH.

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Your blame is misplaced, Dan. That wasn't LucasFilm, that was George Lucas who made that choice. BIG difference in this new era and one worth remembering.

I'm talking less about the films and more about the other material (TV shows, books, computer games, comics, etc.) that were produced, albeit under license. The direction was basically all Jedi, all the time, or so it seemed. That may have come from Lucas, I suppose. I've never been entirely clear on it.


My main thing is this: Star Wars -- at one point far in the past now -- was originally about normal people. Leia was normal, Luke was mostly normal, Han and Chewie were normal. Wedge and the rest of Rogue Squadron were normal. No force powers, no lightsabres, just grit and determination. Normal folks, fighting a rebellion against a tyrannical government. THAT is what I want to see. I don't mind some jedi mixed in -- particularly if they get killed off over time -- but I'd really like to see more emphasis on the normals than the force-users.
 
That's what I've dreamed about , The Rebels being a group of Partizans, just like those stories you read about Spying on the Germans, ofcours this is series for a young audience, but what if they'd make a series for age 18 and up, with the real suspense a commando-spy series in Star Wars Style would have , leaving The Jedi out of it, A Story about the Bothan spies for instance, or about the Wookies and Trandosian battles, with that OT feel, I'd watch it over and over again.
 
My main thing is this: Star Wars -- at one point far in the past now -- was originally about normal people. Leia was normal, Luke was mostly normal, Han and Chewie were normal. Wedge and the rest of Rogue Squadron were normal. No force powers, no lightsabres, just grit and determination. Normal folks, fighting a rebellion against a tyrannical government. THAT is what I want to see. I don't mind some jedi mixed in -- particularly if they get killed off over time -- but I'd really like to see more emphasis on the normals than the force-users.

I, like you and many others are tired of the strong Jedi presence and very little else in the hero role since 1999. However, the one thing about the saga is that the core story is about the rise, fall, and redemption of Anakin… a Jedi. It's a jedi story even if it's not wall-to-wall jedi. Don't get me wrong. I fully understand what you are saying and agree with your wants and wishes. I also believe that a story can exist in the SW universe without Jedi being present. I'd like to think that non-force users who were brave and had the will power, could defeat a Sith, his apprentice and an empire in a battle of good and evil.

But like I have said before, I am often impressed with what comes from LFL, I even feel the prequel story was very good, but it suffered from directorial issues which hampered its presentation. I don't dismiss a movie or series just because it does not line up with my ideas.

My hope is that Kanan is a very weak Jedi much like Luke in ESB. After all, there is a 14 year gap from the point the series begins and ROTS. How old is this character suppose to be? 29-34? If so then at the time of order 66 and most likely around the same time he went into hiding, he was 14-20? A padawan or a very new jedi along with the fact his skills have decreased during this 14 years. I am happy to see that Kanan feels the need to have a blaster by his side which I hope supports my thoughts.
 
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