Animated epic series Star Wars Rebels has certainly proved its worth in the expanding newly-reorganized canon of the Star Wars mythology. Yet, more than anything, its characters have carved out a place in the hearts of long-time fans old and young, alike. In fact, behind-the-scenes discussions have apparently taken place, pointing to the potential ability for the show to crossover with the live-action films!
In a recent interview with Slash Film, Star Wars Rebels co-creator/producer, Simon Kinberg states explains that some talks have already occurred regarding the potential possibility.
Absolutely there’s been conversation about it. That this story could be a story that crosses over into other films, whether it’s A New Hope or other movies. And that movies could potentially even enter into our timeline and our moment. It’s a big galaxy. So, you know, things are happening all over the place that don’t necessarily have to react to each other, the way we react to news around the world.
Acknowledging the crossover discussions, Kinberg is clearly careful with words. He mentions that the galaxy of the Star Wars universe has plenty of elbow room, noting that not every group’s arc necessarily needs to touch. However, as we have seen with Rebels, the show’s primary characters Ezra, Kanan, Hera, Sabine, Zeb and droid, C1-10P (Chopper) were revealed to be unwittingly operating as a small cell to a larger movement that would become the Rebellion again the Empire. Thus, the convergence that could facilitate a crossover of some kind has already been established on the show.
Solidifying that idea, it has been well-known that Disney’s plans in the overhaul of the Star Wars mythos involve relegating the previous Expanded Universe novels and comics to the non-canonical classification of “Legends,” while fortifying the cross-medium connectivity of newer materials across the broader brand. Rebels is just about the prototypical product of the newly-aligned Disney/Lucasfilm. Clearly, as Kinberg’s words have already indicated to some extent, it’s one project that seems made to be utilized in that same cross-medium sense.
To that point, the interview shifts a question to the other major creative force on Rebels,Dave Filoni, regarding the even more speculation-filled possibility that some of the characters on the show might manifest in a live-action capacity onto the big screen. Filoni's response is enthusiastic when he states:
I’ve talked to the creators of the other films going on and, you know, I’ve always made it clear if you want somebody, just let me know. They can jump over there. I don’t care. I’m all for it. Because I think it makes the experience for fans so much stronger. And what a moment it would be to see some of these animated characters up there live on the screen. It would be great for me too.
With the increasing popularity of Rebels, the apparent close quarters of the time period between the show and next year’s spinoff film, Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One would be difficult to ignore; especially considering Disney’s connectivity approach. Much like Rebels, Rogue One will follow members of the Rebel Alliance, taking place in an intermediary period between the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope. It’s a crossover that’s almost begging to take place; especially given how magnificently the show has filled the gap in this crucial transitional time period.
In the meantime, we can count on the sequel trilogy kickoff, Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens clearing some critical paths regarding Disney’s approach to cross-medium properties when it hits “home” on December 18.
