Those of us who have avidly followed the small-screen adventures set in the Galaxy far, far away (from The Clone Wars debut back in 2008 through to the incredible series finale of Rebels earlier this year), have been eagerly awaiting further news on Lucasfilm’s next animated outing, Star Wars Resistance. Beyond the few facts revealed in April’s Press Release – primarily that the show will adopt an anime-inspired aesthetic and detail the early days of the resistance – news has been painfully slow. It’s this starvation of info why this recent development is actually worth reporting on – it’s certainly not something that’s going to get us any more giddy than we already are, or even win over any readers that aren’t already on board, but it’s a crumb at least (though hardly a salacious one)….

Most well known for playing the memorably deranged Dalmatian-loving Dean Pelton in Community (though we wager he’d rather be remembered for that little Oscar he scored for Best Screenplay in 2011!), writer/actor Jim Rash was one of the newcomers already announced for Resistance’s voicecast, but he’s now revealed who he will be playing on the eagerly-awaited show: a “creature” named Flix who “runs the equipment check out area” in the Resistance base (we’re presuming the latter part, as we doubt Phasma would put up with any Rash-style shenanigans!). Flix will be paired with SNL alum Bobby Moynihan’s character, with their dynamic compared to that of The Odd Couple’s Felix Ungar (see what they did there?) and Oscar Madison. You can watch Rash undoubtedly irking his Lucasfilm overlords by saying way too much to interviewers Entertainment Tonight by visiting the source here.

For those unfamiliar with Star Wars Resistance, read on for the original details revealed in the official Press Release:

StarWars.com is thrilled to announce that production has begun on Star Wars Resistance, an exciting new animated adventure series about Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order. It will premiere this fall on Disney Channel in the U.S. and thereafter, on Disney XD and around the world.

Featuring the high-flying adventure that audiences of all ages have come to expect from Star Wars, Star Wars Resistance — set in the time prior to Star Wars: The Force Awakens — will feature the beloved droid BB-8 alongside ace pilots, colorful new characters and appearances by fan favorites including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively.

The series was created by renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels); executive-produced by Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Justin Ridge (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); and art-directed by Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels).

“The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots” said Filoni. “My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me. There’s a long history of high-speed racing in Star Wars, and I think we’ve captured that sense of excitement in an anime-inspired style, which is something the entire team has been wanting to do for a long time.”

Marc Buhaj, senior vice president, Programming and general manager, Disney XD, said, “Our colleagues at Lucasfilm have created a compelling narrative for an untold moment in the Star Wars galaxy, and we are excited to partner with them again on this new original series. Star Wars Resistance will bring viewers across generations an engaging story with heart, humor and both new and familiar characters.”

In addition to Isaac and Christie, the voice cast includes actors Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Suzie McGrath (East Enders), Scott Lawrence (Legion), Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Bobby Moynihan (DuckTales), Jim Rash (Community), and Rachel Butera (Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time).

STAR WARS RESISTANCE premieres later this year, more details to follow….

 


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