NYCC 2013: Star Wars Rebels Panel

Daniel Kendi ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Editor

Lucas Animation’s highly anticipated new Star Wars television show, Star Wars Rebels had a panel at this year’s New York Comic Con where they showed off the show’s Imperial forces. Lucasfilm’s Pablo Hidalgo was present at the panel and started the presentation off with messages from the show’s producers Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg, and Greg Weisman. The three producers couldn’t be at the convention because they were busy at work on the television show.

Hidalgo recapped to the audience what was revealed about Rebels at Star Wars Celebration Europe, and explained that the show was still in development. No actual footage of the show would be shown at the panel and Rebels will not premiere for at least a year. He did confirm though, that the pilot will premiere on Disney Channel while the rest of the episodes will air on the show’s regular channel, Disney XD.

Hidalgo showed off some concept art of the show and gave the first look at a new planet. This planet, called Lothal was originally created by Star Wars artist Ralph McQuarrie and will finally be used on the show. Hidalgo then said that this presentation would highlight the villains of the show, the Galactic Empire.

He showed off designs of stormtroopers and other imperial forces for the show. Some great imperial propaganda posters were also shown. Hidalgo explained that Lothal is an outer rim territory that the Empire is taking over and using for resources. These posters would be used to inspire followers of the Empire to join its ranks. The heroes of the show are the crew of The Ghost, a group of people on Lothal who despise the newly formed Empire and rise up against it.

One of the most interesting things shown at the panel was the imperial vehicle designs. Filoni and his team are basing many of the vehicles in the show off not only the films and concept art, but also original Kenner Star Wars toys. Toys like the Imperial Troop Transport, which wasn’t even in the films, are now being utilized in the show.

The panel ended with a sneak peek at the show’s villain, the Empire’s Inquisitor. The Inquisitor was tasked by Darth Vader to hunt down the remaining Jedi in the galaxy. Overall this was a great sneak peak at the upcoming Star Wars show, which looks very promising.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX1uCXVg9ug]