Princess Leia Set to Appear on Star Wars Rebels January 20th
Disney’s animated series Star Wars Rebels is welcoming one of the franchise’s most famous later this month – Princess Leia!
TV Insider reports:
The iconic character—who was introduced in the very first scene of the first Star Wars movie back in 1977 (aka A New Hope)—will be featured in the January 20 episode of the Disney XD series, which is set prior to that film, just as the Galactic Empire is beginning its ruthless oppression. The teenage princess is sent to Lothal—the base planet for the series’ main characters, a group of rebel fighters—on a secret mission to bring ships for the rebel fleet. Unfortunately an Imperial lockdown throws that plan into chaos.
The character will be voiced by actor Julie Dolan who tweeted (from the appropriately named account @JustCallMeLeia) “Proud to announce that I voice the role of “Princess Leia” set to guest star on Star Wars Rebels Wed. Jan 20th!” She also voices Leia in Disney Infinity’s The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Uprising, and Disney parks’ Star Tours. Check her out exuding that classic Carrie Fisher/Leia sass in this first preview clip.
“We thought we had an opportunity to show her learning to be a leader, experimenting with the personality that becomes the stronger more resolute character you see in A New Hope,” executive producer Dave Filoni told TV Line. “One of the complex challenges of depicting Leia in Rebels is that we have to remind the audience that at this point she is part of the Empire. She doesn’t believe in the Empire, but she is acting the part, almost a double agent.”
I’m completely behind on Rebels, which takes place 14 years after Revenge of the Sith and five years before A New Hope, because I didn’t have Disney XD when it premiered. But I’ve heard awesome things and can’t wait to get caught up. Sadly, TV Line also reported this will be Leia’s only Rebels appearance this season but fingers crossed for down the road.