Lucasfilm Reveals Details About New Animated Star Wars Series

John F. Trent |

May 1, 2018

Lucasfilm released new details about their upcoming animated Star Wars series, Star Wars: Resistance. In the same vein as the latest Star Wars animated series, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: Resistance will focus on the time period leading up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The new series will follow the story of Kazuda Xiono. Xiono is a young pilot recruited by the Resistance to spy on the First Order in a top-secret mission. While the series will focus on Xiono it will highlight a number of the new Star Wars characters including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma who will be voiced by their live-action actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie. The show will also feature BB-8 and a number of other ace pilots, and “colorful new characters.”

This new series comes from the mind of Lucasfilm Animated veteran Dave Filoni. Filoni’s credits include Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.

“The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots” said Filoni. “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.”

Senior Vice President of Programming and General Manager of Disney XD Marc Buhaj praised the project:

“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.”

The series will be executive produced by 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). Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) will serve as the art director.

The voice cast will include Gwendoline Christie and Oscar Isacc. It will also star Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Suzie McGrath (East Enders), Scott Lawrence (Legion), Myrna Velascao (Elena of Avalor), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Bobby Moynihan (DuckTales), Jim Rash (Community), and Rachel Butera (Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time).

The series is expected to debut on Disney XD sometime this Fall.