Disney’s new ‘Star Wars’ series is a high-flying adventure about the joys of becoming a Resistance pilot.
Following the success of Star Wars Rebels, Disney and Lucasfilm will be rolling out a brand new show, titled Star Wars Resistance. Created by the very same animation director, also from the popular Clone Wars series, Dave Filoni (though he’s not the showrunner this time, as per his clarification in a new IGN interview). The director has a highly successful habit of focusing on an unheard-of Star Wars character for his animated series, such as Ezra in Rebels, and he has continued that tradition on this latest project.
The anime-inspired show follows wide-eyed young pilot Kazuda Xiono (voiced by Christopher Sean), who is recruited by the Resistance to spy on the First Order. Resistance will be premiering this October, but we just got our first look at the series with this exciting new trailer:
“Can you imagine what it’s like to be an ace pilot?”
Clearly Kazuda Xiono will be the star of the show, and it’s already obvious that his infectious enthusiasm and wonder in regards to the thrilling life of being a Resistance pilot will be felt throughout the series. Oscar Isaac has reprised his role as Poe Dameron, in vocal form, with the hotshot pilot introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens being one of the few familiar faces found in the trailer. The animated Poe appears to be a mentor of sorts to the excitable Kazuda, maintaining his confident demeanor from the Star Wars sequel trilogies even in cartoon form.
The humorous and action-packed first look reveals just enough without telling us every detail about its new cast of characters. In the middle of all the quips and the mid-air races comes a glimpse of another movie character, Captain Phasma, looking no less formidable in the brightly-hued style of Resistance. It appears they’ve made good on their announcement that Gwendoline Christie would be reprising her role, though we aren’t yet afforded the pleasure of hearing her speak. Captain Phasma is known to steal the show, so Resistance viewers are definitely in for a treat. It’s unlikely that Disney will want to spring her on audiences so soon in the show’s release so we’ll probably have to wait until a few episodes in.
Another Star Wars regular appearing in Resistance will be none other than General Leia Organa. Variety reports that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice actor Rachel Butera will be taking on the iconic role. It’s unclear how or when she’ll appear in the new adventure but she’s another gem they’ll likely want to hold out for later. Here’s hoping for at least a nod towards Leia in the upcoming premiere, though.
The start of Kazuda’s journey in Star Wars Resistance will be his (likely) nerve-wracking top-secret mission, taking place well before the events of The Force Awakens. His mission is simple, as Poe puts it: “blend in, find out who’s loyal to the good guys… and who isn’t.” He must board the aircraft Colossus and go undercover if he wants to impress Poe and the rest of the Resistance. The varied array of humans, aliens, and droids he encounters along the way may prove to be a friend, competitor, or (even more likely) foe for the budding pilot. It’s his job to figure out exactly who is who, though the timeline in which he must do so is not yet divulged.
The stakes appear to be high despite the lighthearted vibe of the trailer, as the fledgling Kazuda may, in fact, be in something way above his pay grade. He’s got to do his job while making sure his new band of companions remain in the dark about why he’s really there. Luckily, BB-8 appears to be a constant companion of Kazuda throughout the new trailer — though, of course, everyone knows BB-8’s heart truly belongs to Poe.
Star Wars Resistance is set to have a one-hour premiere on October 7th first on the Disney Channel and then also air on Disney XD. The series will later become available on Disney’s new streaming service alongside the live-action series from Jon Favreau.
Related Topics: Star Wars, Trailers
