May the 4th is now widely called “Star Wars Day” as a play on the “May the force be with you” phrase made popular in the films. What better way to celebrate the day of fandom than by unleashing an official trailer for the new animated series STAR WARS REBELS. With Disney now in control of Lucasfilm, this new series has enough familiar elements to draw in long time fans of the movies, while design-wise appealing to a younger generation. If you never watched THE CLONE WARS series, you missed out on what many found to be a surprising and effective continuation of the Lucasfilm universe. REBELS is said to take place betwen Episode III (the final prequel) and Episode IV (the orignal 1977 film). It’s also been revealed that Obi-Wan Kenobi will appear in the series, though there’s been no confirmation on whether or not James Arnold Taylor (who voiced Kenobi in THE CLONE WARS) will be providing the voice… though it would certainly make sense. The voice cast for REBELS includes Freddie Prinze Jr., Tiya Sircar, Billy Dee Williams, Steve Blum, David Oyelowo, Taylor Gray, and Vanessa Marshall. THE CLONE WARS show runner Dave Filoni is supervising director for the new show. Check out the new trailer and plot synopsis below.
Starring a small band of heroes — Sabine, Kanan, Hera, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper — Star Wars Rebels is set in a time where the Empire rules through fear and shrouds the galaxy in darkness. This trailer offers many new glimpses at sequences from the show, including the starship Ghost chased by TIE Fighters; young Ezra watching as a Star Destroyer looms overhead; Stormtroopers marching; a zero-g fight between our heroes and Imperials; and Kanan, a secret Jedi, assembling his lightsaber and preparing for battle. It ends, however, with an Imperial officer reporting to the Inquisitor — the Empire’s Jedi hunter, seen and heard here for the first time.
Star Wars Rebels continues the epic tradition of the legendary Star Wars saga with all-new exciting, action-packed adventures. It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people. The clever and motley crew of the starship Ghost is amongst a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
