‘Star Wars Rebels': First Look at Ezra, A New Play on Luke Skywalker

'Star Wars' animated TV follow-up 'Star Wars Rebels' won't premiere until the fall, but after we met our Han Solo-esque "Cowboy Jedi" Kanan, the new series wants to introduce us to its Luke Skywalker, as well. Meet young Lothal con artist Ezra, our introductory link to the world of 'Star Wars Rebels'!

Via TVGuide, it turns out that our initial introduction to Kanan (as voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr.) only brought the Han Solo in the blaster-wielding Jedi, as the role of Ezra (Nickelodeon star Taylor Gray) puts something of an Obi-Wan dynamic to the relationship. Supervising director Dave Filoni reveals in the video above that Ezra has been forced to fend for himself on the Outer Rim planet of Lothal, unaware that a few of his gifts owe to using the Force, at least until Kanan takes him on to the crew of the Ghost as a padawan of sorts.

"With Ezra we see how a kid is reacting to this imperial rule," Filoni told the magazine of Ezra's propensity for rebellion. "That becomes a big question: What is imperial rule like? We've seen it in the movies with a big rebellion that ends up blowing up the Death Star, but do we just assume that when the Empire took over in 'Revenge of the Sith' it was seen as a bad thing? I would challenge that. It wasn't this terrible thing that came in and was cruel to everyone all at once. It was slow to build its power base and spread out, and then we get to see the rebel alliance it affects, and the repercussions of that tyranny."

Meanwhile, here’s everything we know from the official ‘Star Wars Rebels’ logline:

‘Star Wars Rebels’ continues the epic tradition of the legendary ‘Star Wars’ saga with all-new exciting, action-packed adventures. It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people.

But there are a select few who are brave enough to stand up against the endless Stormtroopers and TIE fighters of the Empire: the clever and motley crew of the starship “Ghost.” Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, have thrilling adventures, and become heroes.

We’ve already met the crew’s feisty droid “Chopper,” and learned a few details from the LEGO packaging, but no full voice cast has been made official. That said, we previously heard ‘The Butler’ star David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall and Steven Jay Blum were at least on the short list. Picking up where the now-canceled ‘Clone Wars‘ left off, ‘Star Wars Rebels’ will also feature screenwriter and producer Simon Kinberg (‘X-Men: First Class,’ ‘Elysium‘), who’s writing the first episode, on the creative side.

Check out some additional photos of 'Star Wars Rebels' character Ezra below, and tell us in the comments who you'd like to see join the crew of the Ghost! While we wait for the hourlong premiere this fall, stay tuned for two new teasers this coming Monday, February 17!