'Star Wars Rebels' May Set Up Episode 7 Characters & Plot

Disney's upcoming animated 'Star Wars Rebels' will explore a canon period between trilogies previously untouched by any scripted work, though most 'Star Wars' fans can scarcely look past the untapped future of J.J. Abrams' 'Episode 7.' Well, good news! 'Rebels' may yet contain our first look at the new trilogy, and we might not even realize it.

Though this should come as something of a no-brainer since Disney's taking over the franchise, a new report from Entertainment Weekly suggests that production teams on 'Star Wars Rebels' and 'Episode 7' have worked closely with one another to provide key links between either series. We'd previously heard some rumors as to direct links between 'Rebels' and the new trilogy, though producer (and film spinoff writer) Simon Kinberg stepped up to offer some official, if vague confirmation:

It’s a very integrated process, there’s real communication between all the filmmakers because we’re all part of a larger timeline. There is absolutely communication and integration between the different stories. We are very aware of what they’re doing in VII, and we also have to click into place with Episode IV...There are characters, vehicles, imagery that are introduced in the show before we’ve ever seen them in the movies, possibly including VII.

Premiering with an hour "movie" installment on October 3, ‘Star Wars Rebels’ features a cast that includes the Luke Skywalker-esque Ezra Bridger (Noah Taylor), cowboy Jedi Kanan (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Twi'lek pilot Hera (Vanessa Marshall), spunky Mandalorian explosives expert Sabine (Tiya Sircar), cat-like astromech droid Chopper, and the brutish and brilliant Zeb (Steve Blum). 'The Butler' star David Oyelowo will play the recurring villain Agent Kallus, while 'Harry Potter' baddie Jason Isaacs voices the Jedi-hunting Inquisitor.

Picking up where the canceled ‘Clone Wars‘ left off, 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.

You can also check out out our full report from the 'Star Wars Rebels' panel at Comic-Con 2014, but what do you think? Will 'Star Wars Rebels' really set up any major plot points or characters for 'Episode 7'? How would you like to see the series interact over their respective time periods? Watch the latest trailer below, and give us your thoughts on the 'Star Wars' future' in the comments!