Some big news has been come out today, as Lucasfilm has just announced that a brand new animated “Star Wars” series is coming this fall called “Star Wars Resistance”!

Here are all the details on the new series in a press release sent to us from Lucasfilm:
[blockquote cite=]

‘STAR WARS RESISTANCE,’ A HIGH-FLYING ANIME-INSPIRED SERIES THAT EXPLORES AN UNCHARTED TIMEFRAME PRIOR TO THE EVENTS OF ‘THE FORCE AWAKENS,’ ORDERED BY DISNEY CHANNELS

Production has begun on “Star Wars Resistance,” an exciting new animated adventure series about 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. It will premiere this fall on Disney Channel in the U.S. and thereafter, on Disney XD and around the world.

Featuring the high-flying adventure that audiences of all ages have come to expect from Star Wars, “Star Wars Resistance” will feature the beloved droid BB-8 alongside ace pilots, colorful new characters and appearances by fan favorites including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively.

The series was created by renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”); executive-produced by Athena Portillo (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”), Justin Ridge (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”) and Brandon Auman (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”); and art-directed by Amy Beth Christenson (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”).

“The idea for ‘Star Wars Resistance’ came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots” said Filoni. “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, senior vice president, Programming and general manager, Disney XD, said, “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.”

The voice cast also includes: Christopher Sean (“Days of Our Lives”), Suzie McGrath (“East Enders”), Scott Lawrence (“Legion”), Myrna Velasco (“Elena of Avalor”), Josh Brener (“Silicon Valley”), Donald Faison (“Scrubs”), Bobby Moynihan (“DuckTales”), Jim Rash (“Community”) and Rachel Butera (“Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time”).

 [/blockquote]

I think most of us were hoping that the next animated series would be set in the sequel trilogy era, and now that we know for sure that it is, I couldn’t be more excited! It’s also great to already know that we will be seeing some familiar characters in the series such as Poe, BB-8, and Phasma, and voiced by Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie no less. But probably best of all is that it is already premiering this fall, which is a real quick turnaround from when “Star Wars Rebels” ended.

I thought that after “Solo: A Star Wars Story” comes out there would be a bit of a quiet period for “Star Wars” until 2019, but now that “Star Wars Resistance” has been announced for this fall, I’m definitely glad that will not be the case!