‘Star Wars Rebels’ First Look: Meet Zeb, The Rebels’ Answer to Chewbacca
The first teasers for Disney's forthcoming 'Star Wars Rebels' gave us official footage from the new animated series, though it proved somewhat lacking in actual characters. We've met several crew members of "The Ghost," including answers to Han Solo, Obi-Wan, Luke Skywalker and even R2, so get ready to meet the brutish but intelligent Zeb, a new twist on Chewbacca!
IGN gave us our first look at the latest 'Star Wars Rebels' character, as voiced by prolific actor Steve Blum, and with designs based on the original Ralph McQuarrie concept art for Chewbacca. Far more than any roaring brute, however, Zeb is painted as equally intelligent and witty to his impressive strength and gruff demeanor, despite a penchant for beating up Stormtroopers. Zeb is also observed to have an antagonistic relationship with cantankerous droid Chopper, while reluctantly forming a bond with the youthful Ezra.
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 “cowboy Jedi” Kanan (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and the Luke Skywalker-esque Ezra Bridger (Noah Taylor), along with the crew’s feisty droid Chopper, but no full voice cast has been made official. That said, we previously heard ‘The Butler’ star David Oyelowo and Vanessa Marshall 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.
‘Star Wars Rebels’ will premiere with an hourlong special this fall on The Disney Channel before the series properly continues on Disney XD, so take a look at the latest character reveal above, and stay tuned for the latest! Are you intrigued to see a new take on the 'Star Wars' universe?