Home Entertainment Meet the con-artist and smart muscle of STAR WARS REBELS

Meet the con-artist and smart muscle of STAR WARS REBELS

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Zeb Star Wars Rebels

What Star Wars: The Clone Wars did right when it started several years ago, was to create a universe filled with great characters. From Anakin Skywalker being a dangerous maverick, through to his padawan Ah’Soka growing and maturing during the course of the show, the galaxy that was far, far away was filled with memorable characters.

Star Wars Rebels is the successor to that show, and already it has a cast that feels even more diverse and memorable. Kanan, the “cowboy” Jedi won’t be alone in his fight against the empire, as two new characters were revealed today. Say hello to the savvy Ezra and the bucket helmet-busting Zeb

In Star Wars Rebels, fans will see the rise of the Rebellion through Ezra: a 14-year-old con artist who learns to fight for a greater good. Growing up on his own in the age of the Empire, Ezra has had to rely on his wit and cunning to get by. Ezra is Force-sensitive, though he is unaware that he is tapping into this mystical energy field. Ezra knows he has some strange abilities, but they’re “instinctive and reactionary.” It is only through his relationship with Kanan, a Jedi Survivor and crew member of the Ghost, that Ezra will learn the true nature of his power. Together, they will forge new paths and destinies – and a rebellion will rise.

Star Wars fans will instantly pick up on a few certain details with the muscle of the show, Zeb. Namely, that his designs are heavily influenced by Raplph mcQuarries original vision for Chewbacca. Steve “Best Goku voice ever” Blum lends his vocals to the rough and tough rebel.

Every team needs a tough guy. Introducing Zeb, the (smart) muscle of the Ghost crew from Lucasfilm’s upcoming animated series Star Wars Rebels. He is revealed for the first time in this video, featuring concept art, clay sculpts, and final renderings of the character, in addition to creator interviews.

Zeb is a well-trained honor guard and is highly educated, according to executive producer Dave Filoni, which juxtaposes his brutish, alien appearance. He’s voiced by Steve Blum, who says, “He’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder, hates Chopper…and is starting to build a relationship with Ezra, begrudgingly.”

Zeb’s favorite pastime: beating up Stormtroopers, or “bucket heads,” as he’s heard calling them. He’s an agile fighter, using his hands, feet, and acrobatics. But there is more to Zeb than pounding Imperials. “It’s just going to be exciting to develop him and his bizarre new species,” says Filoni, “and to explain to the audience where he came from.”

And just as a reminder, the guy who leads this ragtag group of renegades, Kanan. A Jedi with a blaster and a bad past who will eventually help mentor Ezra.

Not every guardian of peace and justice was lost to the tragedy of Order 66. Introducing Kanan, a survivor of the Emperor’s Jedi purge and one of the main characters of Star Wars Rebels.

Kanan, voiced by Freddie Prinze, Jr., is a less traditional Force-wielder than fans are used to seeing. He carries a blaster, is a little sarcastic, and keeps his past a secret. “I like to call Kanan ‘the cowboy Jedi,’” says executive producer Dave Filoni. As shown in this video, his Jedi robes are long gone, replaced with armor and a holster, though a samurai-like ponytail hints at his Jedi Knight origins.

In Star Wars Rebels, set between Episode III and IV, Kanan has been underground for years, evading the Empire. If the Imperials become aware of his existence “he’s going to get killed,” says art director Kilian Plunkett. He still has his lightsaber, but no longer uses it for fear of revealing his true identity — and has ultimately forsaken the ways of the Jedi Order.

Rebels arrives later this year on the Disney XD channel.

Last Updated: February 19, 2014

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