'Star Wars' Heroines Continue to Busk in the Spotlight in Disney's 'Forces of Destiny' Series

#Disney's new #animation series, Star Wars: Forces Of Destiny, got off to a flying start In July with its first episode, "Sands of Jakku". Shown exclusively on YouTube, it features The Force Awakens heroine Rey and the lovable droid BB-8 in a new adventure involving a nightwatcher worm in the Jakku Sands. Comprising eight shorts - each no longer than three minutes, it has now been confirmed that a second season will be coming to Disney XD in October.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny is designed to introduce the #StarWarsUniverse to a younger audience by highlighting its female heroes. Besides #Rey from The Force Awakens, also featured will be #PrincessLeia from the original Star Wars trilogy, Senator Padmé Amidala from the prequels, Rogue One’s #JynErso, and three fan favorites from #StarWarsRebels - Twi’lek pilot Hera Syndulla, Mandalorian warrior #SabineWren, and former Jedi Padawan #AhsokaTano (who first appeared in The Clone Wars).

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement:

"Star Wars #ForcesofDestiny' is for anyone who has been inspired by Leia's heroism, Rey's courage, or Ahsoka's tenacity. We're thrilled that so many of the original actors are reprising their roles in these shorts which capture the small moments and everyday decisions that shape who these characters are. It is a fun new way for people to experience 'Star Wars'."

Talents Behind The Characters

As Kennedy mentioned, one of the series' highlights is that some of the original film actresses reprised the roles they played on the big screen. This includes #DaisyRidley voicing desert scavenger #Rey, #FelicityJones as rogue rebel Jyn Erso, and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o who, as Force-sensitive sage Maz Kanata from The Force Awakens, does the series' narration.

Padmé Amidala, however, is not voiced by Natalie Portman but by Catherine Taber who played the character in The Clone Wars. Likewise, Princess Leia is not voiced by Carrie Fisher (for obvious reasons) but by actress Shelby Young.

As for the Star Wars Rebels heroines, they will be voiced by the original voice talents, namely Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, and Vanessa Marshall as Hera.

'Forces of Destiny' Season One Episodes

Besides the short duration of each episode, the new series is unique as it uses the traditional style of 2D animation, as compared to The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels which used 3D animation.

In Season One, Princess Leia is featured in three episodes - "Ewok Escape", "Bounty of Trouble" and "Beasts of Echo Base", the latter inspired by a deleted scene from The Empire Strikes Back. Set before the Battle of Hoth, the story tells of how Princess Leia and R2-D2 rescue Chewbacca from a ferocious Wampa who’s trapped inside the Rebel ice base.

In the other episodes, Rey and BB-8 are featured in two ("Sands of Jakku" and "BB-8 Bandits"); Ahsoka Tano also in two ("The Padawan Path" and "The Imposter Inside"); and Jyn Erso in one ("The Stranger"). Senator Padme appears in "The Imposter Inside" alongside Ahsoka, while Sabine gets a look-in in "Bounty of Trouble" with Princess Leia.

Fans may argue that some of the featured heroines who appear in adventures with each other are separated by different timelines, but according to the producers, it’s all official canon.

The Forces of Destiny series is written by Jennifer Muro (DC’s Justice League Action) and directed by Brad Rau (Star Wars Rebels). Star Wars Rebels' executive producer Dave Filoni helped create the new storylines.

'Forces of Destiny' Season Two Coming In October

And here's more good news. In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Muro revealed that there will be more Forces of Destiny episodes coming in October as a part of a special on Disney XD.

Fans of Star Wars Rebels and Rogue One can look forward to a episode which sees explosives expert Sabine and disgruntled droid Chopper inhabit the Yavin 4 Rebel base featured in Rogue One and A New Hope. Star Wars Rebels fan favorite Hera Syndulla will also be featured in the new season.

In addition, narrator Lupita Nyong’o and series actors such as Daisy Ridley and Felicity Jones will return for the second season, which means we will get to see more adventures involving Rey and Jyn Erso.

Muro tells the Hollywood Reporter why she's thrilled with their participation:

“It was thrilling that they wanted to be involved, and Lupita [Nyong’o] as well. It was so nice to have them with the TV actors and the voice actors — it brings the worlds together in a way I didn't expect. It gives it more legitimacy, but beyond it being legitimate, it's just wonderful for people who weren't paying attention to go, ‘Oh, that's surprising that [the movie cast] is doing that,’ and it brings more attention to what we're trying to accomplish. It was nice to have them in the mix.”

Star Wars: Forces Of Destiny is available on Disney YouTube. A two-part TV special featuring eight additional shorts will be telecast on Disney XD in October 2017.

(Sources: comicbook.com, ew.com, starwars.com)