The Star Wars saga has captured the imaginations of fans all over the world for decades now, and the movies have provided some of the most iconic heroes in pop culture history. Now, Disney has found the perfect way to bring some of those iconic big screen heroes to the small screen. Along with Lucasfilm, Disney is launching an initiative called Star Wars Forces of Destiny that will expand on the stories of some of the biggest characters of that galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Forces of Destiny will be an original series of animated shorts that gives viewers a closer look at some of the best and brightest of the Star Wars saga so far, and they'll culminate in a special airing on the Disney Channel. Shorts will focus on characters from all of the eras of the saga, ranging from the faces we know well from the original and prequel trilogies to those we're still only getting to know. We'll see Princess Leia and Rey and even Jyn Erso in animated glory!
Luckily for us, Star Wars Forces of Destiny has managed to land many of the actresses who have brought these characters to life. Although Carrie Fisher is sadly not available to play Leia once again, Daisy Ridley and Felicity Jones are on board as Rey and Jyn. Lupita Nyong'o will even reprise her role as Maz Kanata from The Force Awakens to serve as narrator and guide of the animated shorts.
Given that Star Wars has grown to include TV shows as well as movies in recent years, it wouldn't be right if The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels were left out of the Forces of Destiny fun. Ashley Eckstein will play Ahsoka Tano yet again, reprising the character she originated on The Clone Wars and carried on in Star Wars Rebels. Tiya Sircar will lend her voice to the project as well, so we'll get to see Star Wars Rebels' Sabine causing what will probably be some pretty artistic trouble for the Empire.
We don't have too many details available just yet, but a first look (courtesy of Disney) at the production process for Star Wars Forces of Destiny indicates that Ashley Eckstein and Tiya Sircar won't be the only Star Wars TV actors to contribute to the shorts. Vanessa Marshall of Star Wars Rebels and Matt Lanter of The Clone Wars were evidently recording for the project as well, meaning that we'll probably get to see Hera Syndulla and pre-Darth Vader Anakin Skywalker in Forces of Destiny.
Considering the way Forces of Destiny seems to awesomely be putting the spotlight on some of the most epic female characters of Star Wars lore, we can bet that the animated shorts and eventual Disney Channel special will give a look at the deeper layers of some of the characters who haven't been explored quite as much in the movies or series. If the shorts are anything like the Star Wars projects fans have come to know and love in the past, they'll be as enjoyable for adults as for kids. After all, The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels have proved that animation doesn't mean subject matter meant just for children, and I'm pretty excited for what Forces of Destiny has in store. Check out the first look for yourself!
Don't start stocking up on the blue milk or gathering stormtrooper helmets for your celebratory Ewok dance party, though. We still have a while to wait before Star Wars Forces of Destiny hits the web. The first shorts will debut on Disney YouTube this summer, with the Disney Channel TV special airing later in the year.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest in Star Wars movie and TV news, and don't forget to check out our midseason TV premiere guide and our summer TV premiere schedule.
