Star Wars TV series feeds fans’ fervour

Published Dec 19, 2014

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WHILE the teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has fans poring over the 99 seconds on slow-mo repeat, the bottom line is the film only opens this time next year. And, the standalone films come out after that.

So those who do not want to spend the next year wading through spoilers online have to find their Star Wars fix elsewhere. Thanks, then, Disney for Star Wars: Rebels.

Inspired by Ralph MacQuarrie’s unused concept artwork for the original Star Wars trilogy (films 4-6) this Star Wars: Rebels TV series is set five years before the action of Star Wars: A New Hope.

Showing us the seeds of the rebel alliance that Luke and Leia will one day fight for, it is CGI animated entertain-ment for the whole family, not just the kids. While the style takes its cue from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, it pays homage to original films. Six episodes in, the series is also working hard at characterisation, which was a big failing on the part of films 1-3.

Already the first six episodes have received better feedback and they bode well for the JJ Abrams film.

Eventually the first Rebels TV series should have 16 episodes and a second series has already been commissioned.

The next unaired Rebels episode (7) is Path of the Jedi, which will feature Frank Oz as the voice of Yoda at the beginning of next month. At this point in Star Wars canon, Yoda is already hiding out on Dagobah.

The little green wonder is also the mainstay of the non-canonical Star Wars: The New Yoda Chronicles entitled Clash of the Skywalkers which aired on Disney XD last week.

Another non-canonical story courtesy of Disney is the Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars crossover which premiered on the small screen at the end of August. It tells the story of Star Wars: A New Hope in the style of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, with Phineas and Ferb interacting with Star Wars characters. Even if just to catch Phineas and Ferb fighting each other for the first time ever on screen, this should be fun. – Theresa Smith

 

WIN! WIN! WIN!

 

CHRISTMAS is for sharing and what better way to spread the festive cheer than by giving the gift of magic with Disney.

Tonight has teamed up with Disney to bring our readers their latest and greatest titles.

This week you can win a hamper containing a copy of the dvd movie, Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion; a dvd copy of Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars; a Star Wars: Rebels lightsaber keyring and a Star Wars: Rebels notepad.Not only will you receive these Disney goodies, but you can nominate a friend to receive the exact same gift, should you win.

Simply answer one question: Whose concept artwork for Star Wars: A New Hope inspired the look of Star Wars: Rebels?

Send the name of the city you live in (eg: Joburg), the word “DISNEY” plus your name, surname and answer to 34445.

Lines close Monday at 10pm. Only winners will be contacted. smses cost R1.50 each.

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