Star Wars Rebels to come in 2014

Hot off the Press courtesy from starwars.com Dave Filoni the Director and one of the creative genius' from the Clone Wars animated series over the last 6 years is involved in bringing a brand new animated series to screens the world over.

There undoubtedly will be numerous questions with this announcement, such as who will the characters be, what shape will the time frame be and how will these blend in with the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy?

I'm sure that in time and possibly the not too distant future some of these questions will be answered, most likely at Celebration Europe where Kathleen Kennedy (CEO of Lucasfilm) will be in attendance.

The statement from the Starwars.com website can be seen below:

New Animated Series Star Wars Rebels Coming Fall 2014

May 20, 2013

Production has begun on Star Wars Rebels, an exciting, all-new animated television series based on one of the greatest entertainment franchises of all time. Scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel, it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.
Leading the development of the series is a creative team of exceptional talent. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels and will write the premiere episode. He is joined by Dave Filoni as executive producer, who served as supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles.
Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, "The entire team at Lucasfilm has provided extraordinary creativity and innovation for over three decades, and we're thrilled to be bringing the expansive and imaginative world of Star Wars to Disney XD's viewers."
"I couldn't be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe," said Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm. "I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars."
The action-filled series is set between the events of Episode III and IV -- an era spanning almost two decades never-before explored on-screen. Star Wars Rebels takes place in a time where the Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape. Details about the show are a closely guarded secret at this point.

Star Wars Rebels will be produced by Lucasfilm Animation, featuring many of the key talents that made Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Fans attending Star Wars Celebration Europe will be the first to get an exclusive look at the new series. Casting will be announced at a later date. More information about this developing project will be found on StarWars.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/starwarsrebels.

There is also a you tube clip of this impromptu discussion

75025 Jedi Defender-class Cruiser

Pictures from Eurobricks showing the new Old Republic set to be released this winter.

This will be one of the winter exclusive sets, possibly a Toys R Us exclusive here in Oz although you never can tell.

This set strangely comes with a Sith Holocron, perhaps this is the point as they are hunting the Jedi to get it back.

I like the way the front of the ship opens up, gives a nice bridge feel to the ship.

The engines look quite big which is nice it gives the appearance of a certain level of size to the ship, perhaps they could've doubled the blue translucent engine as indication of both speed and size, the one looks a little too small in its housing.

The minifigures that accompany this set are:

One being the Sith Warrior, Jedi Consular (white - Murilan) and the Jedi Zabrek.  Funnily enough they have not been given names just their game character class, an unusual step but possibly one that will allow lots of play-ability going forward.  having two of each Sith and Jedi in the one set is nice again, perhaps a republic trooper or two could've been added and that would've filled this set out nicely. 

Overall:

This is the 5th Old Republic set in the last 12-18 months which would be safe to assume that there has been a good take up of this product as a sub theme in the Star Wars Universe.  Perhaps going forward we can get a few smugglers and a couple of mercenaries. 

Clone Wars on ABC3 in Australia starting the 4th of May.

According to 'The Age' in Melbourne  Season 5 (the last of them after Disney announced they would no longer continue with the animated series sometime ago mentioned below) follows the paths of numerous characters that people have come to love...  Who will fall is the mantra of this season and one can only wait to see how the last of this series plays out... and who may be left standing at the end.

Lego Set 75024 HH-87 Starhopper

I came across this on the internet at Eurobricks:

This set has been rumored and some preliminary images have been around for sometime, however this is the first time that images of sufficient detail have surfaced.

On first inspection I like the set, it gives you another Cad Bane (you can never have too many of those!), Obi-Wan Kenobi as Rako Hardeen from the Bounty Hunter Arc, and a Nikto Guard, no its not a weequay, look closely at the face and it appears to be a Nikto from this Arc when they land on Nal Hutta. 

Image sourced from wookiepedia.com

The one disappointing aspect of this set is that there will be no Moralo Eval the charming individual who's plan it is to assassinate the Chancelor.

Image sourced starwars.com

On the whole I am looking forward to this set very much as it brings a little more of the bounty hunter feel to the series, too often Lego has focused on the Republic vs the Separatists and missed some of the side characters from this television series, a shame that this is starting to be addressed after the series has been cancelled.