We’re getting more ‘Rebels’-era content and I’m not mad about it
By Meg Dowell
Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming service is giving us another live-action Star Wars show to look forward to. And the era they chose to run with is perfect.
No, we’re not getting more Phenoix Squadron action (yet?) anytime soon. But Disney’s forthcoming digital streaming service – Disney+ – is offering Star Wars fans yet another surprise gift: a spy thriller (!) LIVE-ACTION (!!!) series featuring Cassian Andor.
This series will obviously take place before the movie that introduced us to the character, since he (spoilers) does not survive to the end. (Unless the alternate ending is your headcanon). Which means we get to learn more about the early years of what will eventually become the Rebel Alliance.
We definitely need more. And we’re getting it. So that’s cool.
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The series will reportedly take place “during the formative years of the Rebellion and prior to the events of Rogue One,” according to StarWars.com.
Why do we need more stories told from this era? Because considering the era between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope spans two decades, we don’t have a lot. Yet.
The Rebellion is a lot bigger than it honestly seems when Luke joins in – we’re learning more and more about that as we dive into Saw Garrera’s involvement and with the introduction of Enfys Nest in Solo. How do all the small pieces, spread all across an oppressed galaxy, fit together (in canon)?
The show is a “spy thriller” – their words, not mine – so it’s going to involve Cassian going on a bunch of dangerous missions, gathering intel, maybe infiltrating some imperial outposts … and the tone is likely going to be much darker and more intense than Rebels.
Not that Rebels wasn’t/isn’t great. I’m just personally ready for more content geared a little more toward my age demographic.
And this is an era worth exploring on a deeper, darker level. The Empire has taken over, the entire galaxy is seemingly helpless and powerless against it. Except one very small group of rebels, who eventually grows to be powerful enough to defeat them, like, twice over – and then some.
To me, seeing how it all came together is exciting as learning what Anakin Skywalker endured to become Darth Vader. A daring comparison, I know. More Star Wars is more Star Wars, and that’s good enough for me.
I was skeptical of Disney’s streaming service when they first announced it. I hopped on the “rawr, another digital service we have to pay for to watch stuff” bandwagon and wallowed in my bitterness for a hot minute.
And then, well, Star Wars things started happening. Like Dave Filoni and company bringing back The Clone Wars and Jon Favreau’s Mandalorian project.
It’s not just a streaming service for Star Wars fans, but #CloneWarsSaved and two live-action series are more than enough for me. Count me in.
Also … more Diego Luna? Yes please.
Are you ready for another live-action Star Wars series?