Disney and Lucasfilm have announced that Star Wars Resistance is on the way. The new anime-inspired television series will look to fill the void left by the recently ended Star Wars Rebels. Production has already begun on Star Wars Resistance, with the new animated adventure series set to premiere this fall on Disney Channel in the United States.
Star Wars Resistance will focus on the era before Star Wars: The Force Awakens, providing us with a look at the First Order's rise to power in the 30 years between the destruction of the Death Star in Return of the Jedi and the start of the new trilogy. The series will follow a young pilot by the name Kazudo Xiono who is recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order. Described as a "high-flying adventure," it sounds like Resistance - which will target audiences of all ages - will have a particular emphasis on space battles and good ol' fashion dogfighting.
Series creator and renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni talked a bit about the show's inspiration, revealing the idea "came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots.”
"My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me," he continued, adding a bit of context for the show's anime-inspired style. "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."
Star Wars Resistance will feature a mix of new characters and returning fan-favorites. In addition to "ace pilots" and "colorful new characters," fans can expect appearances by Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by the actual movie actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively. The beloved droid BB-8 also seems to be a major character in the show based on the initial art. In addition to Isaac and Christie, the voice cast includes actors 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).
Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Justin Ridge (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) are on board as executive producers with art-directed by Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels).
Star Wars Resistance will debut this fall on Disney Channel in the U.S. and thereafter, on Disney XD and around the world.