Rebels debut moves up. For fans who are verified Disney XD users, the show will now premiere earlier than previously announced, to this coming Friday, September 26. It’ll air October 3 on the Disney Channel for everyone else. (We’ll have a discussion entry up Friday, I guess!)
Anthony Daniels on Threepio’s past, present and future
Entertainment Weekly has a nice interview with Anthony Daniels yesterday. They touch on Rebels, of course, but he also talks about the Episode VII Threepio suit:
I will tell you that the team then got together and built a new suit. They made an entirely new look-a-like with changes that you will never notice [on screen] that made my life a lot easier. I can get it on and off very quickly.
He ‘s also asked about Threepio’s growth, George’s involvement, and some other stuff. However, on a personal note, I really like this:
My favorite line is — interesting you ask least favorite — my favorite line is, [in character as C-3PO] “We’re doomed.” It’s a phrase that encapsulates his whole philosophy. It’s his life. He always feels on the edge of disaster. That’s where the humor comes from because he is a humorous character, but mostly it comes by default. He doesn’t tell jokes. He’s just wrong about everything most of the time and lives on this precipice of fear, which gives a sort of tension. You and I hide that. You hid magnificently that you were terrified of talking to me. As humans, adults, we sort of do. He doesn’t have that guile. And in fact, now that I come to think of it, he is pretty much without guile. He says it as it is and that can occasionally be quite funny because he can be inappropriate without meaning to be.
That’s Threepio, yes. But it’s also, in so many ways, us, the fandom. He’s ‘our’ avatar, in a lot of ways. Particularly in times like these.
Rebels video: These are the droids you’re looking for!
Chopper, Artoo and Threepio take the spotlight in the latest Star Wars Rebels promo video, ‘Droids’. From earlier trailers, we already knew that R2-D2 and C-3PO would be making an appearance in Rebels, but this seems to hint at a larger role in an episode arc. Star Wars Underworld guesses that these scenes are from the second episode, ‘Droids in Distress.’
Today in Episode VII: Will stuff from the sequel trilogy make it into Rebels? Probably, duh.
Entertainment Weekly is acting like they’ve never heard the term ‘Lucasfilm Story Group’ before in an article today where they ‘exclusively’ inform us that things from Episode VII may very well show up in Rebels.
“There are characters, vehicles, imagery that are introduced in the show before we’ve ever seen them in the movies, possibly including VII,” Simon Kinberg tells them.
Of course, he told /Film back at SDCC that “We haven’t really talked about that,” so take it as you will. Playing coy is the name of the game here, I suppose. But consider that season 2 of Rebels is likely to premiere next October, just as we’re likely to see some serious marketing ramp up for Episode VII, and it seems pretty likely that the two are going to tie together with something more significant than some ships and speeders. On that hand, it does seem a bit early to unleash the certain point of viewing, so they really want you to watch Rebels.
In other news/rumors…
→ There’s now a video from the Greenham Common set, and someone thinks they’ve spotted a different kind of X-wing. Maybe this one can really be a Headhunter, for the truthers.
→ On that note, could Daisy Ridley’s character name indeed be [redacted]? Well, as always: Maybe?
→ Where in the galaxy is Luke Skywalker? Round, umm, let’s say 5.
→ Mark Ruffalo wants in. Aww, Mark Ruffalo.
→ Are we really taking random message board posters seriously now? Because now there’s one who claims to know all about Adam Driver’s role. Okay!
Out this week: A New Dawn
Chances are you don’t need this reminder, given that Del Rey Fancorps members woke up at least 8 emails in their inbox about the release of A New Dawn. It is, of course, the first of the new canon novels, a prequel to Rebels and our first new Star Wars novel since Honor Among Thieves back in March.
In addition the emails, there are the reviews. We have James’, of course, but you can also catch opinions from the usual suspects: Tosche Station (who also did a Go/No-Go) Jedi News (twice,) EU Cantina, Roqoo Depot, Lightsaber Rattling and Making Star Wars (twice.)
We’re also just about a month away from the official premiere of Rebels itself, on October 3rd. The next novel, James Luceno’s Tarkin, is due out on November 4.
Rebels video: Not What You Think
It’s Ezra’s short. Since today is a holiday here in the U.S., we’re not planning on doing much else today, but you can check out our most recent Tumblr themes: Humor, concept art and behind-the-scenes.
Simon Kinberg: Stepping into Star Wars is “daunting”
Bryan at Big Shiny Robot interviews Simon Kinberg about Rebels. He talks about getting to make Star Wars (“like getting a chance to write fan fiction at the highest possible level”) and where the concept of Ezra’s slingshot comes from. There’s also a preview of next week’s Rebels short.
Rebels opinion: The problem with pink armor
The problem with pink armor. Tracy Gardner on Rebels, Disney and gender riles. I’m hoping we see Sabine repaint her armor every couple episodes or at least every season (think of the marketing potential!) but I do find somewhat disturbing that she and Hera look like they’ll very easily fall into the ‘love interest’ and ‘mom’ roles in regards to Ezra.
Rebels Video: Zeb in ‘Entanglement’
New Rebels short, ‘Entanglement,’ featuring Zeb. It’ll be on Disney XD tonight, but you can watch it now.
Rebels: Video preview of Zeb’s short
The Hollywood Reporter debuts ‘an exclusive preview’ of the Rebels character short for Zeb. Seriously, a preview for a short? Ugh.