Rebels Recon

In the first installment of Rebels Recon, StarWars.com takes you inside Star Wars Rebels’ debut episode, “Spark of Rebellion,” with cast and crew interviews, coverage of the premiere’s L.A. screening, and an exclusive clip from next week’s episode. At the premiere, Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez spoke with the cast about the experience thus far. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive and wonderful,” Tiya Sircar, voice of Sabine said. Jaime King, actress and longtime fan, says her child was introduced to Star Wars “since he came out of the womb.” Dave Filoni, the show’s executive producer, revealed that he showed “Spark of Rebellion” to George Lucas last week – and he loved it. In the StarWars.com offices in San Francisco, the show’s creators discuss its development and what they like most about the era of Star Wars Rebels. For Joel Aron, CG supervisor, it’s being chronologically close to A New Hope. Kilian Plunkett, art director, loves working with the Empire.

In Rebels Recon #1.02, StarWars.com takes a deep dive into the Star Wars Rebels episode “Droids in Distress,” talks with the show’s creators, and gives you a first look at next week’s episode, “Fighter Flight.” Lucasfilm’s Andi Guiterrez catches up with executive producer Dave Filoni and the Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo to discuss the inclusion of a Star Tours-type vehicle and droid in “Droids in Distress,” and speaks with Kilian Plunkett on designing R2-D2 and C-3PO to fit with Star Wars Rebels’ animation style. “The Artoo that’s in Rebels is a little bit of a hybrid of all sorts of things,” Plunkett says. And C-3PO has one major upgrade that differentiates him from the model seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Pat Presley, concept designer, says that bringing back classic Star Wars vehicles and imagery has been his favorite part of working on the show. Tracked down in the hallways of Lucasfilm, Hidalgo answers a question submitted through Twitter: Are stormtroopers actually clone troopers? The answer: No – clone troopers age rapidly, and have been phased out. Stormtroopers are recruits who are “loyal to the Empire.”

Rebels Recon #1.03 features an in-depth look at the Star Wars Rebels episode "Fighter Flight," with a recap, cast and crew interviews, and answers to your Twitter questions -- plus an exclusive preview of next week's installment of Star Wars Rebels, "Rise of the Old Masters!" In "Fighter Flight," Hera sends the ever-bickering Ezra and Zeb on a quality-time supply run -- which includes bringing back an impossible-to-find meiloorun fruit -- and the two have a run-in with some stormtroopers. As a result, Zeb finds himself in the cockpit of a TIE fighter. At New York Comic Con 2014, Vanessa Marshall (voice of Hera), talked about what her character brings to the Ghost crew, which is on display in this episode. "I think what makes Hera so cool," Marshall says, "is that she helps these characters discover things they didn't really know they had inside to get this job done." The plot of "Fighter Flight" comes from a surprising source: Star Wars toys. "The whole idea for "Fighter Flight," executive producer Dave Filoni tells Lucasfilm's Andi Gutierrez, "was based around having a TIE fighter toy as a kid and putting heroes in it instead of villains...I played out that scenario a hundred times as a child." And the dynamic between Zeb and Ezra that's explored in the episode is key to defining their relationship. "It's fun. I think of it as the whole big brother, little brother thing," says Taylor Gray, who plays Ezra. Steve Blum, the voice of Zeb, explains that their friendship is growing -- and that he's fascinated by Ezra. The episode also offers a new, close-up look at TIE fighters, which Blum was especially excited to see -- and Filoni reveals the design inspiration behind Star Wars Rebels' TIEs. Finally, the Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo addresses a new fan question: why does C-3PO have a silver leg in "Fighter Flight," when last we saw him in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, he was completely gold?

In Rebels Recon #1.04, StarWars.com delves into the Star Wars Rebels episode “Rise of the Old Masters,” with a synopsis, cast and crew interviews, and much more. “Rise of the Old Masters” finds the Ghost crew on a mission to rescue Jedi Master Luminara Unduli from an Imperial prison. But instead of Luminara, they find the Inquisitor waiting. Kanan and the Inquisitor engage in an intense lightsaber duel, and the rebels barely escape the Imperial trap. This episode features the first lightsaber duel of Star Wars Rebels, and the Jedi weapons seen in “Rise of the Old Masters” are special for many reasons. The blades were designed to closely match the look of a lightsaber from one specific scene in A New Hope, CG supervisor Joel Aron reveals to StarWars.com’s Andi Gutierrez. “The shot that I referenced a lot was inside the cantina,” Aron says, referencing the moment when Obi-Wan Kenobi stands with his lightsaber after an altercation. Aron meticulously recreated the look of the laser sword in CG, using motion blur and other techniques employed in the original effect. The Inquisitor’s lightsaber features two blades, and when in disc mode, can spin at a furious speed, making it an intimidating weapon. Executive producer Dave Filoni calls it a “cheat mode” lightsaber – it can do things to make up for the Inquisitor’s lack of ability. For this week’s Twitter question, @mrzehr asks, “How is the Inquisitor not a Sith?” Pablo Hidalgo of the Lucasfilm Story Group explains that not all dark side users are Sith, and not all light side users are Jedi. “There are multiple schools of skill out there,” he says.

In Rebels Recon #1.05, StarWars.com looks at the making of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Breaking Ranks," with an in-depth breakdown of the creation of an episode, interviews with the cast and creators, and more! "Breaking Ranks" finds Ezra on an undercover mission at the Imperial Academy on Lothal, seeking to uncover an Imperial decoder. While there, he befriends two fellow cadets who help him on his mission; in turn, the decoder is essential for Hera and Kanan, who need it to disrupt an Imperial shipment. At the Art and Science of Lucasfilm panel in partnership with the San Francisco Film Society Education, the Star Wars Rebels team spoke with local students about creating an episode from start to finish. Line producer Athena Portillo detailed the process, showing the evolution of "Breaking Ranks" from rough animatics to layout to post production. In discussing "Breaking Ranks," Lucasfilm's Andi Gutierrez asks Taylor Gray, voice of Ezra, if adult stormtroopers could complete the training in the Imperial Academy. "No...I'm going to say they can't do half the things that they think they can," he jokes. Executive producer Dave Filoni adds that clone troopers are more effective soldiers than stormtroopers; clones are bred for combat, while stormtroopers have to serve. He also reveals that the training grounds were based on the Kamino facilities seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as the bounty-hunter gauntlet from the episode "The Box." Regarding the design of Star Wars Rebels' stormtroopers, Filoni says that the goal was to make them look familiar to what we've seen in the films. While there was talk of having them appear closer to Ralph McQuarrie's stormtrooper designs, it was decided that McQuarrie's conceptual versions were too different from the troopers' classic look. For this week's Twitter question, @mike_audette asks a question regarding the Inquisitor's use of Luminara's remains to draw Kanan into a trap in "Rise of the Old Masters": "How the heck can the Inquisitor do that with Luminara?! Are there more dead Jedi like that?!?" Pablo Hidalgo of the Story Group fills in some of the backstory regarding Luminara, as well as what made Kanan think she was really still alive...

In Rebels Recon #1.06, StarWars.com talks with the creators of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Out of Darkness," looks at the character-design process, and shows a special preview of “Empire Day.” "Out of Darkness" finds Sabine growing frustrated with Hera and Kanan’s secrecy. The Mandalorian demands to accompany Kanan on a rendezvous with a mysterious contact, but the two find that their meeting place is infested with deadly fyrnocks. They escape, and Sabine learns to have faith in Hera’s leadership. At the Art and Science of Lucasfilm panel in partnership with the San Francisco Film Society Education, the Star Wars Rebels team spoke with local students. Art director Kilian Plunkett showed the design process for Chopper and Kanan; it begins with 2-D illustrations, and both characters went through significant evolutions. Chopper originally had a very Artoo-like dome, and Kanan did not always have his trademark ponytail and goatee. Sculpted maquettes finalize the process, showing how the character looks in three dimensions. In “Out of Darkness,” Hera and Sabine take center stage. Pablo Hidalgo tells Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez that Hera is “the true believer of the show. She has the absolute unquestioning faith in the cause of what they’re fighting for.” Dave Filoni, executive producer, thinks she’s interesting because she’s a mother figure, but also has a pilot’s swagger and toughness. Sabine has her own strengths. “I think Sabine’s really good at thinking on her feet,” says co-creator and associate producer Carrie Beck. “While other people may get caught up in the moment…she’s able to dive in head first and figure her way out of a situation.” Hidalgo asserts that she’s also highly educated, and that will be explored. For this week's Twitter question, @a_targaryen asks about what the Empire has in store for the kyber crystals it’s after. Hidalgo says that as kyber crystals are used to focus energy to create a lightsaber blade, giant kyber crystals could be used to create a very dangerous weapon…

In Rebels Recon #1.07, StarWars.com talks with the creators of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Empire Day," examines the animation process, and shows a special preview of “Gathering Forces.” "Empire Day" finds Ezra troubled during Jedi training. He is unable to let go of a deep anger reinforced by the holiday – which is also his birthday. The Ghost crew bombs a TIE prototype at an Imperial parade, and a long lost friend named Tseebo may know what happened to his parents. But the Inquisitor and the Empire are closing in… At the Art and Science of Lucasfilm panel in partnership with the San Francisco Film Society Education, Keith Kellogg, animation supervisor, discussed the process of bringing characters to full animated life. First, they create a full skeleton and create real joints. Animators pull on these joints to move the characters; this is tested by manipulating different body parts, facial features, walking, and running. In this week’s deep dive, Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez talks to executive producer Dave Filoni about how the average citizen feels about Empire Day. “One thing I know,” he says, “is that at the end of the Clone Wars, the Empire was a celebrated thing. But over time, it becomes clear that the Empire is representing fear.” Pablo Hidalgo of the Story Group adds that many in attendance at the Lothal parade were there because they had to be. As for the parade, it was an interesting look into life under the Empire, and one that was carefully considered. “It was a challenging scene to do,” Filoni says. “…I don’t think our rebel crew would’ve wanted to actually hurt any of the bystanders there. But they are trying to just display that the Empire doesn’t have as much control as they would like everyone to believe.”

In Rebels Recon #1.08, StarWars.com interviews the cast and creators of Star Wars Rebels about the episode "Gathering Forces," features highlights from a fan Q&A, and shows a special preview of “Path of the Jedi.” Picking up where “Empire Day” leaves off, “Gathering Forces” finds the Ghost crew pursued by the Inquisitor. During the chase, Ezra grows angry with his old family friend Tseebo, who may have answers as to the fate of Ezra’s parents. Later, Ezra does confront his fear and connects with the Force; but during a confrontation with the Inquisitor, he unknowingly embraces the power of the dark side. At the Art and Science of Lucasfilm panel in partnership with the San Francisco Film Society Education, executive producer Dave Filoni discussed why his team created the Star Wars Rebels series. “We all kind of felt pretty strongly that in George [Lucas]’ absence,” he says, “as we were moving on with the company and he wasn’t, that we shouldn’t make that story anymore about Clone Wars without him…We thought we’d tell the story about rebels.” It also allows them to put some humor into the series, with the heroes a little more fun and on the run from the villains. In this week’s deep dive, Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez talks to associate producer Carrie Beck about creating villains, particularly the Inquisitor. “It’s important to understand,” she says, “what their ideology is.” Filoni says that the voice provided by Jason Isaacs for the Inquisitor is essential. “Jason does such a fantastic job at being this guy,” he says, “and bringing a calmness to his evil, an intellectual aspect to his evil, that we haven’t really had before.” The Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo explains that there is a parallel between the Inquisitor in Rebels and the villains of the old Star Wars role playing games. “Gathering Forces” delves more into Ezra’s backstory, but voice actor Taylor Gray says he’s been kept in the dark. “I’m lucky to get anything that’s even in the episode,” he reveals. Filoni explains that there is an overall outline for their characters, they’re “open to opportunities that come along the way.” For this week's Twitter question, @jonmauer_power asks about why Kanan seems overpowered by the Inquisitor…

In Rebels Recon #1.09, StarWars.com interviews the cast and creators of Star Wars Rebels about the episode "Path of the Jedi," takes a behind-the-scenes look at the show's editing process, and shows a special preview of “Idiot's Array.” In "Path of the Jedi” Ezra and Kanan embark on a quest to find a hidden Jedi Temple and undergo an essential rite in Jedi training, one that will test their resolve and convictions. Together, master and padawan move forward in their journey thanks to insight from a distant Jedi Master. Upon the completion of the harrowing trial, Ezra receives a small Kyber crystal and is able to construct his own lightsaber. Star Wars Rebels editors Alex McDonnell and Joe Elwood give an inside look at their work on the show. "It's an editor's job to be the spokesperson for the audience," says McDonnell of their role in the production process, and discusses the emotions that editors can create by using varying angles and pace. Elwood adds that when looking at an episode as a whole, the biggest part of their job is to connect the story points and "make sure everything makes sense." In this week’s deep dive, Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez talks to associate producer Carrie Beck and the Lucasfilm Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo about Jedi Temples and their function as a center of the Force. “We've seen a couple in Clone Wars,” he says, “so we know that there are other Temples scattered throughout the galaxy.” When discussing Ezra's trial within the Temple, Beck emphasizes that "the Temple environment is responsive to who you are," and adds that this reflects Luke's trial on Dagobah. “Path of the Jedi" marks the symbolic return of Jedi Master Yoda, voiced by the character's original voice actor Frank Oz, which executive producer Dave Filoni calls "a great thrill." For this week's Twitter question, @ericgeller asks about the Imperial Army...

In Rebels Recon #1.10, StarWars.com goes behind the scenes of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Idiot's Array" for the inside scoop on Lando Calrissian's return and much more. "Idiot's Array" finds Zeb in a high-stakes game of sabacc with a mysterious smuggler. His name: Lando Calrissian. Zeb bets -- and loses -- Chopper, but Lando agrees to return the droid and pay the Ghost crew for passage past Lothal's Imperial blockade. The slippery Calrissian seemingly double crosses the team, turning Hera over to the gangster Azmorigan in exchange for a puffer pig; but when Hera escapes, the smooth-talking scoundrel says it was all part of his plan. Ultimately, Lando returns Chopper, and the crew realizes the the astromech is an essential part of the team. This week, the Recon team completes their visit with the Star Wars Rebels editorial department, learning how sounds and visuals come together for a final episode."The editorial department is kind of the gatekeeper for the entire show," says editor Joe Elwood. "We touch every aspect." Every single aspect of the show comes through editorial, and Elwood illustrates how various elements -- from rough animation to sound to final animation -- are layered and combined to bring a scene to life. Episodes go through different phases, including story, layout, animation, and lighting, before all work is done. In this week's deep dive, Lucasfilm's Andi Gutierrez speaks with the Star Wars Rebels team about bringing back a certain ol' smoothie. "I think you have to remember that the Lando that you see in "Idiot's Array" is very much a smuggler and a schemer," associate producer Carrie Beck says. The Story Group's Pablo Hidalgo agrees, saying that this younger Lando "has a lot of irons in the fire." And when it came to the voice of the character, there was really only one option. "Lando's so charismatic and his personality is so defined by his voice," Hidalgo says, "that you couldn't not have Billy Dee [Williams] in it." In "Idiot's Array," Lando wins Chopper in a game of sabacc -- which is finally established canonically. Executive producer Dave Filoni turned to Hidalgo, who defined the rules and supplied original cards to concept artist Amy Beth Christenson. For this week's fan question, Jacob Lockett asks about where Kanan got his lightsaber crystal…

In Rebels Recon #1.11, StarWars.com goes behind the scenes of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Visions of Hope” – and features a preview of next week’s installment, “Call to Action.” "Visions of Hope” finds Ezra growing stronger with the Force. His lightsaber skills have improved, and during a training session, sees a vision through the Force. In it, he sees Gall Trayvis, who says he knew Ezra’s parents. Ezra interprets his vision literally, and as a result, leads his friends into a trap. They manage to escape, and Ezra learns to be more cautious. This week, the Recon team talks Lucasfilm’s Joel Aron and Chris Voy about lighting in Star Wars Rebels. "Lighting is something that needs to be thought of…from the very beginning to the very end of it," says CG supervisor Joel Aron. "Because we as humans react to shapes." Chris Voy, lighting concept artist, says that they look at storyboards to uncover places where lighting and color can play up emotional moments. “There’s no accidental lighting,” Aron adds. In this week's deep dive, Lucasfilm's Andi Gutierrez speaks with the Star Wars Rebels team about Gall Trayvis -- senator turned Imperial. "When the idea of the character came together,” the Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo says, “that dynamic was in place.” Executive producer Dave Filoni says that it worked from a character perspective, too, as Ezra would be looking for a parental figure. He also kept the cast in the dark about Trayvis’ true nature, as voice actress Vanessa Marshall reveals that she had no clue that the senator would lay a trap for the team. For this week's fan question, Brian asks is “Idiot’s Array” takes place before or after Lando lost the Millennium Falcon to Han…

In Rebels Recon #1.12, StarWars.com goes behind the scenes of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Call to Action,” with creator interviews and much more! In "Call to Action,” the notorious Grand Moff Tarkin comes to Lothal, planning to deal with the Ghost crew personally. Meanwhile, Kanan plans a different kind of attack against the Empire: to take control of a communications tower and broadcast an anti-Imperial, pro-rebel message. They’re ultimately successful, but the Inquisitor and Tarkin take Kanan captive in the resulting battle. This week, the Recon team wraps up their look at lighting in Star Wars Rebels. In this episode, Tarkin’s arrival at Imperial HQ was lit to match the Emperor’s landing and descent on the Death Star in Return of the Jedi. “Very hard, top-down lighting,” CG supervisor Joel Aron points out. The lighting at the end of the episode, with the sun rising, was meant to convey a sense of optimism. “We wanted to represent the fact that the message…does in fact get out,” lighting concept artist Chris Voy says. In this week's deep dive, Lucasfilm's Andi Gutierrez speaks with the Star Wars Rebels team about the return of Grand Moff Tarkin. For Freddie Prinze, Jr., the voice of Kanan, it’s a special event. "You gotta undertand,” he says. “When you’re a kid and this is all you know, it means a lot to you.” Stephen Stanton, who voiced Tarkin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, returns to the role for Star Wars Rebels. “I was absolutely just bowled over,” he says of being asked to come back. It’s a particularly fun role for Stanton, as Tarkin is hugely powerful at this point, and everyone – heroes and villains – fear him. “There’s something that’s so terrifying about a severe British man,” Lucasfilm’s Pablo Hidalgo confirms. For this week's fan question, Mr. Charbits asks whether Agent Kallus knew that Senator Gall Trayvis was working for the Imperials…

In Rebels Recon #1.13, StarWars.com goes behind the scenes of the Star Wars Rebels episode "Rebel Resolve,” with creator interviews and much more! In "Rebel Resolve,” the Ghost crew struggles to find intel on where the Empire is holding Kanan. Ezra makes a risky deal with Vizago, and learns that the Empire is using courier droids to relay information from the ground to orbiting ships. In a desperate mission, Chopper goes undercover as an Imperial droid and discovers where Grand Moff Tarkin plans to take their friend: Mustafar. This week, Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez talks with the Star Wars Rebels cast and crew about the new story developments in “Rebel Resolve,” including Vizago learning that Kanan is a Jedi. “I wouldn’t trust Vizago,” the Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo says. “But what exactly he’s going to do with [that info], I don’t know.” Series executive producer Dave Filoni agrees that disclosing that information was a risky move on Ezra’s part. “There is a price on the head of a Jedi, certainly Kanan’s,” Filoni says, “and now he knows Ezra is a Jedi, as well. So, you just don’t want people to know that.” In speaking with Vanessa Marshall, voice of Hera, Gutierrez asks if the Twi’lek made the right choice in putting the mission before her friend. “I think Hera made the right choice because it’s better to save many lives as opposed to one. When it’s time to make the big decision, like she did, you have to keep on track. It was hard, though.” And what will become of the Imperial courier droid that Chopper…disposed of? It’s not dead, Filoni says, but unfortunately, its battery will probably run out. For this week's fan question, David Daut asks why Jedi are treated as fairy tales, and SW Rebels FanPage asks if Cham Syndulla is related to Hera…

In Rebels Recon #1.14, StarWars.com takes a deep dive into the thrilling season finale of Star Wars Rebels, “Fire Across the Galaxy.” In "Fire Across the Galaxy,” the Lothal rebels make a desperate attempt to rescue Kanan from the Empire. They succeed, and Kanan faces the Inquisitor one last time. Ultimately, new allies -- including Ahsoka Tano -- emerge. But so do new enemies… And the biggest new enemy of the Ghost crew is an iconic Sith Lord: Darth Vader. How do you translate his real-world gravitas to animation, asks Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez? “You don’t mess with it too much,” says concept artist Kilian Plunkett. “We try to constantly frame from below,” adds executive producer Dave Filoni. “The only person who would look down on him is the Emperor.” Vader’s former Padawan also returns in this episode -- a major moment for the series. “I got a call from Dave Filoni,” says voice actress Ashley Eckstein. “It was beyond exciting, to say the least. And then to find out that she was a rebel leader was so cool.” The Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo confirms that Fulcrum was Ahsoka from the beginning, and Filoni notes that her new design is meant to look like “ancient Jedi armor.” When she ignites her lightsabers – white-bladed! -- for the first time in Season Two, it promises to be a “great moment.” For this week's fan question, TheNerfHerder asks is stormtrooper armor is air tight, and JacobLockett wonders if Tarkin should be overseeing the Death Star’s construction… Have a question you want answered? Tweet your questions to @starwars with #RebelsRecon, and we'll pick one to answer online! Finally, in a special feature, the Rebels cast and crew discuss their favorite moments from Season One, from Kanan’s reveal to an ol’ smoothie appearing. And what is everyone looking forward to in Season Two…? “Season Two starts,” says Freddie Prinze, Jr., “literally right where you want it to. And it’s just perfect.” Get a sneak peek with never-before-seen concept art, unveiled exclusively in this episode of Rebels Recon!