Disney has commissioned a new Star Wars animation series, with production that has started at Lucasfilm Animation on Star Wars Resistance that will roll out Disney XD (DStv 304) worldwide.
Star Wars Resistance will be set as a prequel series before the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The anime-inspired Star Wars Resistance will follow 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.
Disney will first show Star Wars Resistance in the Disney Channel in America, and thereafter on Disney XD around the world.
Star Wars Resistance will feature the droid BB-8 alongside ace pilots, colourful new characters and appearances by characters including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively.
Star Wars Resistance was created by the renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels and is executive-produced by Athena Portillo, Justin Ridge and Brandon Auman.
"The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots," says Dave Filoni in a statement.
"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, the senior vice president, programming and general manager at Disney XD, says "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."
