Check out all the concept art and imagery shown during the panel and the complete liveblog below!
Here they are! The creators are now on stage and ready to talk Rebels.
Filoni says, “This is a deep dive today.”
Loud applause for the amazing trailer that debuted yesterday.
How did these new characters come about?
Beck says they asked themselves what kind of people were they interested in seeing?
Like-minded people that would band together to help you.
How did they introduce these new faces? It was a lot of weight for the first few episodes to carry.
It was unbelievable how many times Filoni was asked not to kill Ahsoka or Rex.
Carrie Beck had to first pitch the characters to Filoni.
The panel is discussing the Clone Wars tie-in. Filoni wanted to honor the Clone Wars fans.
They didn’t want the show to just be about Ahsoka, but knew her story had to be included.
Beck’s original idea for the Rebels crew was based on The A-Team.
Filoni says, “I’m obsessed with a pilot-oriented show…. A show where nobody uses the force in it.” (Crowd applauds)
Filoni always wondered what happened to kids who used the force when the Empire took over. It was a great opportunity to tell the story of a kid like Luke that was lost in the galaxy and comes into his own.
New never before seen clips are coming! Very rough, but we deserve it.
Clip features the return of Hondo Ohnaka and Azmorigan from Rebels season 1! Also mention of Lando Calrissian.
Hondo is wrinkly and old but still has his same sense of humor. What has he been through in the last couple decades?
“The Empire is bad for the pirating business.” -Gilroy
Dave Filoni was approached by a cosplay Hondo at Celebration. He asked him when he gets to return to the show! (In Hondo’s voice)
Another clip! Hera is in a b-wing. We are introduced to a small Mon Calamari pilot.
In the clip it seems like the b-wing is new to the crew. They have not seen one before.
The little Mon Calamari has a name: Quarrie. (Named after legendary Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie)
Loud applause for the return of Captain Rex in the trailer!
“Every good story has tension in Star Wars.” -Dave Filoni
What was the team’s reaction to Rex’s return?
It started with a drawing on a whiteboard in Filoni’s office. Everyone was very excited to get Clone Wars fans more invested in Rebels.
Filoni drew a picture of Captain Rex fishing. This is what Filoni’s grandfather would be doing in his retirement days.
Another clip is shown featuring Captain Rex!
There were a few clones in that clip. Filoni says, “Wolffe is back.”
Beck says, “The clones are veterans of the war… what does it mean to have survived that?”
This was not Lothal in the clip. We’re going to other planets!
Episode count confirmed for season two: 22.
The beauty of more episodes is exploring back stories. For example, Zeb’s back story and Sabine’s Mandalorian past.
“Nobody I know who dyes their hair keeps it that way forever.” -Filoni on Sabine’s new look. Her armor will be completely different.
Applause for James Earl Jones!
Filoni is discussing how they could add Vader and still give people something new.
Every scene with Vader was taken extremely seriously.
Time for Q&A from the audience!
“Nobody I know who dyes their hair keeps it that way forever.” -Filoni on Sabine’s new look. Her armor will be completely different!
In Rebels, the same kind of physical paint brushes used by Ralph McQuarrie were recreated in digital brushes to make it distinctively Star Wars.
A young audience member asks whether Han and Chewbacca will make an appearance…
“Anything is possible but we have to be careful not to make it like some kind of talk show.” -Filoni
Beck chimes in that they have to be conscious of what these characters actually would be doing at this time.
Filoni says he will continue to publish Pantone guides for the Rebels costumes to encourage cosplay and interest in the artwork.
Beck talks a bit about character development and what was driving them in creating the Rebels crew. They wanted to create every day characters in the Star Wars galaxy.
Ahsoka’s new look! Dave has been trying to get Ahsoka into a Samurai-inspired look for a while now.
Her lightsabers were designed to look more like traditional Japanese swords. The hilts are curved.
The white lightsaber represents her standing, which is in question. She left the Jedi Order so it’s not a blue lightsaber. Her saber crystal is in tune to where she is right now.
Shouldn’t Ahsoka have heard of Darth Vader?
Filoni compares it to WWII and how not everyone knew high-ranking officials. Also, Filoni jokes that Vader tended to kill people right after they met him…
No air dates have been nailed down yet for Season two.
Beck says it is likely you will see something in the summer!
Season two trailer is being shown again!
That’s it – thanks for reading!
Another clip! Hera is in a b-wing. We are introduced to a small Mon Calamari.
Welcome to the Rebels panel!