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Live-action superhero movies may dominate the box office, but there's something to be said about adapting a beloved hero into an animated television series. A 22-episode season (remember those?) allows for a greater variety of stories to be told week to week (instead of waiting years on end to get a sequel). And while Marvel has (somewhat) perfected the idea of a cinematic universe, an animated series can dive into the wilder, often stranger mythos of these characters without getting bogged down in questions like, "Will this alienate a wider audience?"

With that in mind, it's no wonder why there have been so many acclaimed DC and Marvel cartoons over the years. Some might say these animated adaptations are the definitive source for these characters, perfectly translating them into another medium without losing what made them special in the first place. With an equal representation from each of the big...

The perfect podcast exists for Star Wars Rebels fans, and it already has a full season's worth of episodes. Since its debut in 2014, Rebels has gone to become one of the franchise's most beloved stories that features some of the all-time best episodes of Star Wars television.

Rebels can now be fully relived and celebrated in all its glory with the iHeart Radio rewatch podcast Pod of Rebellion, which recently finished going through all the Rebels season 1 episodes. Hosted by Jon Lee Brody, the podcast features Rebels voice actors Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), and Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger).

They rewatch and break down each Rebels episode, with Marshall, Sircar, and Gray providing equally fascinating, hilarious, and emotional insights from their time working on the animated series. These breakdowns include behind-the-scenes stories, thought-provoking questions from Brody, and deeper discussions about the themes of each episode.

Brody begins...

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Spider-Man is the most famous "nerd" superhero, so it's extra funny that Peter Parker has also had so many girlfriends. But there's one woman who always comes back: Mary Jane Watson. Mj's been part of Spider-Man's world since her first on-panel appearance in "The Amazing Spider-Man" #42, by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. It took a while for her and Peter to truly get together, but Mj's the girl Peter Parker eventually married, no matter what Marvel Comics editorial has been saying since the controversial arc "One More Day."

Mary Jane is so famous as the Spider-Man love interest that a lot of adaptations skip right to her, like the 1994 "Spider-Man" cartoon produced by John Semper, Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley's "Ultimate Spider-Man" comic reboot, and the Sam Raimi "Spider-Man" films, for instance. But to use...

Some days, it feels like every name in Hollywood has been a superhero at some point, and TV stars have been getting in on that action for decades. From Superman's radio serials that turned into TV shows, all the way toward the massive "event miniseries" that pop up on HBO Max and Disney+ in the modern streaming era. A fan-favorite name will get the opportunity to play an iconic DC or Marvel character down the line if they just keep grinding, and sometimes those casting choices make all the sense in the world. For example, "NCIS" star Mark Harmon playing Superman is one of those moments that sounds fascinating in your head, and worked out to perfection in the world of DC animation.

Reading this, you might not remember the "NCIS" star playing the Man of Steel in any comic book project, but he did voice Superman back in "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.

Angel Studios’ The King of Kings offers a new animated portrayal of Jesus’ life, framed through the storytelling of Charles Dickens to his son. This approach, combined with a notable voice cast, presents a version of the story that resonates with both children and adults. This article delves into the film’s narrative, its connection to Dickens’ work, the ensemble cast, and its broader impact.

What Is the Movie About?

The King of Kings is an animated film that tells the story of Jesus Christ through the perspective of Charles Dickens narrating to his son, Walter. As the tale unfolds, Walter imagines himself witnessing the events of Jesus’ life, from his birth to resurrection. This framing device offers a unique lens through which audiences can engage with the biblical narrative.

Who Stars in the Movie?

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Angel Studios has...

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Murderbot is a sci-fi action dark comedy series created by Paul and Chris Weitz. Based on The Murderbot Diaries book series by Martha Wells, the Apple TV+ series follows a Murderbot, a biological security cyborg who hacks its Governor module and acquires its freedom. It is soon purchased by a group of misfit scientists, who take it on a dangerous assignment. Murderbot stars Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tamara Podemski, and Tattiawna Jones. So, if you loved the hilarious dark comedy, eccentric characters, and an entertaining story in Murderbot, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Avenue 5 (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – HBO

Avenue 5 is a sci-fi dark comedy series created by Armando Iannucci. The HBO series is set on the premises of the interplanetary cruise ship,...

While it looked like Andor was going to give it a run for its money after a strong start to Season 2, a small dip has seen Star Wars Rebels retake the crown as the highest-rated Star Wars project ever. The show follows the members of the Ghost crew as they battle the Empire and work to strengthen the Rebellion. Rebels may have gone off the air in 2018, but the team of Spectres has reunited seven years later for a new project that’s sure to please all Rebels fans. Collider is thrilled to partner with iHeart to exclusively preview the newest episode of Pod of Rebellion, the Star Wars Rebels rewatch podcast. The new episode brings on Rebels veteran Steve Blum, who is famed for his role as Zeb Orrelios in the series, but he also voices dozens of other characters.

This latest episode of Pod of Rebellion is perfect for Star Wars Rebels fans.

It's been over 10 years since the premiere of the Star Wars Rebels animated series, which general audiences first saw on October 3, 2014. To celebrate a decade of nonstop love for the show, three of its voice actors have launched a rewatch podcast, Pod of Rebellion, from iHeart Radio. The podcast's first episode premiered earlier this week.

Featuring Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger), and moderated by actor Jon Lee Brody, the podcast recaps and deep dives into one episode at a time each week. The former castmates discuss behind-the-scenes stories, favorite moments, and more while answering Brody's guiding questions along the way.

The first episode, covering the first installment of "Spark of Rebellion," included a few stories about the show's cast first meeting one another and the very early days of the project. This will be Gray's first time seeing most of the completed episodes.

March 5th is Rebels Remembered Day, and this year was no disappointment as members of the Star Wars Rebels cast released a special announcement.

Starting on March 11, Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), and Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger) will launch Pod of Rebellion, a Star Wars Rebels rewatch podcast. Their fourth host will be filmmaker and writer Jon Lee Brody. According to their Apple Podcast description, "Together they will rewatch and break down every episode of Star Wars Rebels and also have visitors from various people in the Star Wars universe and fandom."

Marshall has confirmed on her Bluesky that they have special guests planned for the podcast. Personally, I would love to see the return of Rebels Recon hosts Andi Gutierrez and Pablo Hidalgo. Rebels Recon was the aftershow following each episode of Rebels. Gutierrez would interview the cast and crew, breaking down the episodes, so it...

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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is an animated superhero action-adventure and teen comedy-drama series created by Jeff Trammell. Based on Marvel Comics, the Disney+ series is set in an alternate universe, and it follows Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, as he begins working for Norman Osborn, who later becomes his mentor instead of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s voice cast includes Hudson Thames, Kari Wahlgren, Grace Song, Eugene Byrd, Zeno Robinson, and Colman Domingo. So, if you loved the interesting stories, impressive animation, and complex characters in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Ultimate Spider-Man (Disney+) Credit – Disney Xd

Ultimate Spider-Man is an animated superhero action-adventure comedy-drama series developed by Marvel Animation. Based on the Marvel Comics character by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the Disney Xd series follows Peter Parker,...

Star Wars Rebels launched an exciting new chapter in the Star Wars saga, pushing forward the franchise's animated storytelling. Starting five years before Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Rebels told the story of the Spectres, a small group of rebels who would go on to become part of the larger Rebel Alliance. Taking place so close to the original Star Wars trilogy, the series was able to revisit several familiar characters from the early movies, as well as continuing the stories of several characters last seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Additionally, Rebels brought plenty of new faces -- with new voices -- into the galaxy far, far away.

At the heart of Rebels was a family of new heroes, voiced by newcomers to the Star Wars galaxy. Jedi survivor Kanan Jarrus was voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr., previously known for his work in the live-action Scooby Doo movies.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Solar Opposites season 5 brings the beloved alien family back to Earth for more outrageous hijinks. The new season explores Terry and Korvo adjusting to married life and Yumyulack's dark secret. Thomas Middleditch and Sean Giambrone discuss the evolution of their characters, their ongoing passion for the show and their hopes to join The Wall storyline in the future.

Hulu's beloved alien family are coming back to Earth for more outrageous hijinks in Solar Opposites season 5. The titular family of Shlorpian refugees were last seen in the season 4 finale, having travelled to a new alien planet in the hopes of reverting to their original form after transforming into humans. There was also a Solar Opposites Valentine's Day special released between seasons 4 and 5, in which the family initially looked to remove love from the Earth, though ended with Dan Stevens' Korvo and Thomas Middleditch's Terry finally getting married.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Terry and Korvo's marriage changes the dynamic of Solar Opposites season 5, with showrunners Mike McMahan and Josh Bycel and supervising producer Sydney Ryan getting to open up their storytelling. Season 5 also expands to The Backyard, setting up an epic return to The Wall in season 6 with new communities and genres explored. Iconic sci-fi actor Stephen Lang joins the show, embracing the oddball comedy and adding depth to the characters.

Terry and Korvo are madly in love for each other, and the world just might be in peril because of it, in Solar Opposites season 5. Co-created by Mike McMahan and showrun by the Star Trek: Lower Decks mastermind and Josh Bycel, the Hulu animated comedy has followed the journey of Korvo, Terry, Yumyulack and Jesse, four aliens from the planet Shlorp who come to Earth following the destruction of their home planet by an asteroid.

Lucasfilm pulled back the curtain on its extensive plans to celebrate Star Wars at next year’s D23 Expo, and fans won’t want to miss what’s in store. According to Lucasfilm executives, the 2024 event—set for August 9-11 in Anaheim—will offer “unprecedented access” to the minds behind the beloved franchise through exclusive content and panels with top creatives.

Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, teased that attendees can expect “surprises galore” related to the past, present, and future of the saga. “We’re ecstatic to reunite with our fans to offer insights into Star Wars unlike anything they’ve seen before,” Kennedy said.

Friday’s Entertainment Showcase is sure to be the wildest night, with potential previews of projects like Skeleton Crew and the highly anticipated Acolyte panel. Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at Lucasfilm’s groundbreaking Stagecraft technology powering recent productions and the intricate creature design...

Time Capsule Productions releases fan adaptation of Superman: Red Son. The Dcu's Elseworlds banner may include live-action adaptations of popular DC Comics stories, especially looking at the comics' own Elseworlds range. There is some real potential for a live-action Superman: Red Son movie under Gunn and Safran's DC regime.

Superman: Red Son is adapted as a live-action DC movie in a new fan production, showing a very different Man of Steel. One of the DC icons who is constantly depicted outside of the comics is Superman, with various media adaptations throughout the decades. As there have been numerous actors to play Superman in live-action, Krypton's last son continues to grow his legacy on the big and small screens - set to expand yet further with the upcoming Dcu Superman movie debut.

Given the character's popularity, he also has a considerable range of fan made projects that also delve into...

Many times in life the anticipation is stronger than the fulfillment.

Few things were more anticipated in recent movie history than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” On many levels, it did almost live up to the hype: It’s still the number-one domestic box-office hit of all time in the U.S., unadjusted for inflation. Its reviews were overwhelmingly positive. It opened up a whole new era of storytelling for the franchise and deftly balanced the return of beloved characters from the Original Trilogy — Harrison Ford, in particular, delivering the most moving performance he ever gave as Han Solo — while introducing dynamic rising stars. It may have been overly indebted to “A New Hope” and mired in a few too many callbacks, but on the whole, “Force Awakens” was a movie that mined the deep emotion fans have for the franchise while pointing a path forward.

Yet even still, the...

Disney Xd's Guardians of the Galaxy animated series falls short of expectations with repetitive storylines and odd animation choices. Unlike James Gunn's live-action franchise, the animation's mix of vintage music and childish humor doesn't quite hit the mark. While the series shines with quirky character moments and positive messages, it ultimately ranks low among Marvel animated shows.

Out of all the superhero properties that have graced the big screen over the last fifteen years, Marvel really did comic book fans a great service by reaching down deep and bringing Guardians of the Galaxy to the big screen. Before this movie, only the most hardcore fans were familiar with the characters of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot. But it certainly didnt take long for them to become household names.

With popular name (and now CEO of DC Studios) James Gunn sitting in the directors chair,...

The Star Wars franchise is being added to year after year with brand new live-action shows launching on Disney+. However, while this serialized storytelling has proven to be a success for Disney and Lucasfilm, the formula had already been worked out in the world of animation years before the first season of The Mandalorian was released. Star Wars has thrived in animation, with figureheads like Dave Filoni helping to guide the creative team.

Looking across the range of animated shows that have come from Lucasfilm and partner studios in recent years, it's easy to see just how much variety there is in terms of the characters being portrayed and stories being told. From genre-hopping to fantastical moments designed for deep lore building, these animated shows have taken risks that the live-action series and, indeed movies aren't able to. Some are better than others, but these days, a Star Wars series...

Maul's intimidating nature is highlighted through memorable quotes and excellent delivery by Sam Witwer. Maul showcases a range of expressions and emotions, making him a truly terrifying and unforgettable villain. The combination of well-written lines and superb delivery turns Maul into one of the galaxy's most sinister figures in the Star Wars franchise.

Darth Maul has become a recurring villain throughout the Star Wars franchise, resulting in several memorable quotes highlighting his intimidating nature. Originally a supporting villain who didn't have much dialogue, Maul's return in Star Wars animation put the former Sith Lord in the spotlight and gave him plenty of speaking lines. Voiced by the incredibly talented Sam Witwer, Maul's lines are elevated through brilliant delivery, making the character unforgettable.

However, the writing of Maul's character and how his dialogue reads on the page can't be understated. Maul has countless lines throughout the Star Wars movies and...

Hasbro's newest line of Star Wars figures takes fans back to 1999 and the debut of The Phantom Menace with its latest line of retro action toys based on the film.

In honor of the film's 25th anniversary this year, Hasbro revealed its exclusive Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Retro Collection Figures, which contain many of the film's main characters based on the usual toy designs of the late 1990s. The figures include Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, Darth Maul, Jar Jar Binks and a Battle Droid, all fully armed with their signature weapons, though with limited articulation. The figures can be viewed below, via Gizmodo.

Related Hasbro Reveals New Line of Ahsoka-Inspired Clone Trooper Figures Hasbro's upcoming re-release of its Star Wars clone trooper line of figures will see some new additions based on their appearance in the Disney+ show. Close

Each figure stands at 3.75 inches and...

Vanessa Marshall, who provided her voice to the rebel pilot Hera Syndulla in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, recently revealed which character from Star Wars' Legends canon she wants to bring to live-action.

In a recent interview with Collider, the actress talked about her time with Star Wars and name-dropped a fan-favorite character from the franchise's now non-canon extended universe; Mara Jade Skywalker, the former Imperial agent and eventual wife of Luke Skywalker. "I would love to play Mara Jade," Marshall said. "Can you call Dave Filoni and just let him know that I'd love to play Mara Jade? I think we would all just like to be in live-action in some way. We haven't had the opportunity to do it yet."

Related 10 Best Hera Syndulla Episodes of Star Wars Rebels Hera Syndulla made the jump to live-action on Disney+'s Ahsoka, after originally appearing on Star Wars Rebels...

Star Wars Rebels voice actor Vanessa Marshall expressed interest in portraying Legends character Mara Jade in Star Wars canon. Marshall and other voice actors from Rebels hope to transition to live-action in future Star Wars projects. The likelihood of Mara Jade appearing in Star Wars canon is uncertain due to changes in canon from her original Legends stories, but there is still hope for her to make an appearance in a somewhat different role, potentially played by Marshall.

A prevalent Star Wars Rebels voice actor has revealed which Legends character she would like to portray in Star Wars canon: Mara Jade. Mara Jade played a big role in the original Star Wars sequel stories told in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy and beyond. Given the promise of upcoming Star Wars movies telling a similar story, Jade has been one of the characters most theorized to be reintroduced to canon Star Wars.

Voice-actors from Star Wars Rebels were devastated by the death of Freddie Prinze Jr.'s character, Kanan Jarrus. Kanan's death in the show was one of the most heartbreaking moments in Star Wars history. Despite his death, Kanan's legacy lives on through his son and his influence in Star Wars Rebels.

The voice-actors for Star Wars Rebels have shared their emotional reaction to learning of the death of Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Kanan Jarrus. A spiritual successor to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels is set toward the end of the Dark Times of the Emperor's reign. It featured Freddie Prinze Jr. as the voice of Kanan Jarrus, a Jedi who survived Order 66 - and it was immediately clear Kanan's days were numbered. After all, viewers reasoned, the character isn't around during the original trilogy to train Luke Skywalker. As expected, Kanan died in Star Wars Rebels...

Mara Jade has never been seen in a live-action Star Wars project, but fans and actors alike would love to see her make the jump to the screen one day. Vanessa Marshall, who voiced Hera Syndulla in the Star Wars Rebels animated series, jokingly expressed interest in portraying the character during a panel moderated by Collider's Arezou Amin at this year's edition of the Fan Expo: San Francisco. When asked if she would like to be a part of the live-action projects produced by Rebels creator Dave Filoni, Marshall jokingly made a bid for an unexpected fan-favorite character, saying:...

The final episodes of Star Wars Rebels featured the death of Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.) at the hands of the Empire while he was trying to protect his family. During a panel hosted by Collider's Arezou Amin during the 2023 edition of Fan Expo in San Francisco, Vanessa Marshall, Taylor Gray and Ashley Eckstein talked about what it was like for them to work on the animated series which followed a group of rebels as they traveled a galaxy dominated by the Empire. One of the topics in the conversation was how the cast reacted upon learning that Kanan was going to die. Unsurprisingly, it turned out to be a sad moment for them, with Gray stating, "We really were a family. When we showed up to record and Freddy wasn't there. We didn't record for an hour. Everyone was crying because "Oh, we lost Freddy". Wow, that sounded really sad.

This list was compiled using data provided by IMDb.Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.Rating: 7.8/10Stars:...

Graphic: Images: IMDb

This list was compiled using data provided by IMDb.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.

Spoiler Alert: This story discusses major plot developments in the Season 1 finale of “Ahsoka,” currently streaming on Disney+.

There’s a brief moment in the penultimate episode of Season 1 of “Ahsoka” when characters from at least four different eras of “Star Wars” occupy the same scene. The most recent character is Capt. Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee), the New Republic ranger first introduced in 2020 on the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian.” Then there’s the focus of the scene, Gen. Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), first introduced in 2014 on the animated series “Star Wars: Rebels” as voiced by Vanessa Marshall. Presiding over it all is Chancellor Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), who has occupied three different eras of “Star Wars” on her own. She was first introduced (briefly) in 1983’s “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” as played by Caroline Blakiston, then showed up (even more briefly) in 2005’s “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith...

Mary Elizabeth Winstead shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of bringing Hera Syndulla to life in the live-action Star Wars series Ahsoka. Winstead's portrayal of the more mature and maternal Hera is described as impeccable and required meticulous preparation and blending her own interpretation with the established character dynamics. Hera's multifaceted personality, balancing exceptional leadership and combat skills with a nurturing nature, resonated deeply with Winstead, making her portrayal both aspirational and compelling.

The beloved character of Hera Syndulla from Star Wars Rebels animation makes a live-action debut in Star Wars series with a fresh portrayal. Ahead of the much-anticipated premiere of Lucasfilm's Ahsoka on Disney+, Mary Elizabeth Winstead shared insights into the hurdles and triumphs of bringing Hera Syndulla to life in this new medium, revealing the specific challenge that marked her journey.

This more mature incarnation of Hera, described by Winstead as something of a "legend...

Mary Elizabeth Winstead, the live-action actress for Hera Syndulla, broke her silence about having a son, Jacen Syndulla, in the Ahsoka series. 

Vanessa Marshall voiced the rebels general during the character's time on Star Wars Rebels from 2014-2018.

In the final episode of Rebels, it is revealed that Hera has a son, Jacen, whose father is Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus.

Read full article on The Direct.

Ahsoka actor Mary Elizabeth Winstead discussed the process of transforming into Hera Syndulla for the Disney+ series.

As reported by The Direct, Winstead recently appeared on the Dagobah Dispatch podcast and talked about the makeup process she had to go through to become Hera, who she has adapted from animation to live-action. However, the actor surprisingly revealed that she did not have to spend an unusually long time in the makeup chair, as some other actors who have played other species have in the past.

Related: Ahsoka's Rosario Dawson Went Full 'Fangirl' After Seeing Herself in Costume

"Just for the sake of a story, I’d love for it to be really complicated and say it was an eight-hour process, but thankfully it wasn’t," Winstead said. "They got it down to about an hour which is a pretty normal time to be sitting in the makeup chair for any project.

Spoilers for "Ahsoka" follow.

What compelled Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), a Mandalorian, to remove and store her neon beskar armor in "Ahsoka"? Episode 4, "A Fallen Jedi," insinuates a depressing answer to this, as well as her fervor to find her long-lost battle brother Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) in the far reaches of Wild Space. It's only when Sabine regains hope in Ezra's survival that she dons her beskar and Mandalorian weaponry again.

Sabine lands in a tight spot when she seemingly loses her Jedi master, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). Cornered by Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson), a former Jedi and Imperial-allied mercenary, Sabine holds the Wild Space map hostage. Through Force mind-reads and deduction, Baylan realizes that Sabine lost her Mandalorian birth family, which fuels her desperation to find Ezra. He tempts her to surrender the map in return for her survival, which gives the Thrawn loyalists the coordinates to Wild Space.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead received some great advice from another major Star Wars actor after landing her role as Hera Syndulla in Ahsoka.

Hera is a leading general in the New Republic and a close friend to both Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren. Winstead’s character was first introduced in the animated series Star Wars Rebels, where Hera was instead voiced by actress Vanessa Marshall.

So far, in Ahsoka, Winstead's Hera has been a key ally in the former Jedi’s mission. The general also successfully pushed both the titular hero and Sabine back together so the duo could try their training one more time.

Read full article on The Direct.

Introduced in Star Wars Rebels and now brought to live-action in Ahsoka, Hera Syndulla shines in this amazing cosplay. In 2014, viewers were introduced to the rebel cell on Lothal when they tuned in for the first episode of Star Wars Rebels. The Twi'lek Hera Syndulla was a crucial member of the team, alternating between a leader and a mother figure to the younger rebels. Originally voiced by Vanessa Marshall, she's now played in live-action by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

An amazing new cosplay by Rei Kennex...

A brush of sadness crosses Hera Syndulla's (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) smile when her little green-haired son chirps, "I wanna be a Jedi," like his Aunt Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo). To a "Star Wars Rebels" viewer, the intriguing part is that little Jacen Syndulla (Evan Whitten), a Twi'lek-human child, doesn't utter, "Like my dad!" Pragmatically, "Ahsoka," a live-action sequel to "Rebels," would not want to dive into excessive past characters. Jacen's human father seems to be a story that Hera prefers to explain to him another day. This is as tantalizing as his evolution from his original cartoon incarnation, which was precedent-setting for "Star Wars" humanoid hybrids.

Long before Werner Herzog said it on "The Mandalorian" season 1, a "Rebels" viewer might have demanded, "I would like to see the baby." No, not Grogu, the Mando's baby. But Jacen Syndulla. So "Ahsoka" finally debuting the little guy in live-action has ended...

Ahsoka will be the first series to bring back the characters of the beloved animated series Star Wars: Rebels. Ahsoka will not only reunite much of the original crew from Rebels, but it will be bringing many of them to live action for the first time. Among these characters is Hera Syndulla. Hera is one of the most important characters from Star Wars: Rebels and finally getting her in live action is a huge victory for the entire franchise. While Hera's animated version will always be the fan favorite, having the legendary character in different mediums will introduce more people to her and her legacy.

Hera Syndulla was original voiced by Vanessa Marshall, Hera was a Twi'lek who was the captain of the starship the Ghost. Along with Kanan Jarrus, Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios, and her faithful droid Chopper, Hera fought against the tyranny of the Empire. Yet, Hera's history...

This Star Wars: Ahsoka article contains spoilers.

There’s never been a Star Wars show quite as jam-packed with easter eggs and references as Ahsoka, which is not just pulling from The Mandalorian-era shows but also two animated series and even one of the most celebrated Expanded Universe novels of all time. It’s easily the most ambitious Star Wars series to date, especially as it will presumably also set up the film set to be directed by Ahsoka showrunner Dave Filoni.

Featuring characters from both The Clone Wars and Rebels, and essentially serving as a sequel to the latter cartoon, Ahsoka wastes no time with its callbacks, as elements from those animated series make the jump to live action.

Here are all the biggest easter eggs and points of interest in “Master and Apprentice” and “Toil and Trouble”:

Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren

Two episodes in, it...

Lucasfilm recently revealed the six directors that stepped behind the camera during the production of Ahsoka's eight-episode season.

According to the production company (via ComicBook.com), Dave Filoni -- who co-created the title character with George Lucas for Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- will direct Episodes 1 and 5 of the upcoming Disney+ series. Steph Green is the only other director who helmed multiple episodes of Ahsoka, directing Episodes 2 and 3, while Peter Ramsey (Episode 4), Jennifer Getzinger (Episode 6), Geeta Vasant (Episode 7) and Rick Famuyiwa (Episode 8) directed the remainder of the first season. Getzinger and Vasant will be making their Star Wars directing debuts with Ahsoka. Filoni, Green, Ramsey and Famuyiwa previously directed episodes of The Mandalorian and/or The Book of Boba Fett.

Related: Anakin Skywalker Namedropped in New Ahsoka Promo

Announced by Lucasfilm in December 2020, Ahsoka will take place in the same period as The Mandalorian and the upcoming Skeleton Crew,...

The upcoming Ahsoka series will feature the live-action debut of Hera Syndulla, the Twi'lek captain of the Ghost from Star Wars Rebels. Hera Syndulla, voiced by Vanessa Marshall, was a key leader in the Rebellion's cause and fell in love with Jedi survivor Kanan Jarrus. It is recommended to watch 10 key episodes from Star Wars Rebels to fully understand Hera's character and her relationship with Grand Admiral Thrawn before Ahsoka's release.

The upcoming Ahsoka series is almost here, featuring a major Star Wars Rebels reunion which will include a live-action debut for Hera Syndulla. Serving as a general during the New Republic Era, the Twi'lek captain of the Ghost has had quite the career prior to the events of this new Star Wars show. As seen in the animated Rebels series, there are several key episodes that would be good to watch prior to her appearance in Ahsoka played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Hera Syndulla, the best pilot in the Rebellion, will return in the Ahsoka TV series on Disney+. Her presence has big implications for Ahsoka's story and future Star Wars projects. Hera's return completes the reassembly of the Ghost crew in live-action, alongside other Rebels characters Sabine Wren and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Mary Elizabeth Winstead will play Hera in Ahsoka, bringing the character to life in live-action. Hera's story will likely focus on her role as the Rebellion's best pilot and her relationship with Ahsoka and Sabine.

Hera Syndulla, the best pilot in the Rebellion, will return in the upcoming Ahsoka TV series on Disney+. This is incredibly exciting for fans who have waited to see Hera return since the finale of Star Wars Rebels, and her presence has big implications for what direction Ahsoka's story will take. Hera plays an extremely significant role in the history of Star Wars,...

Star Wars has revealed when each episode of Ahsoka will premiere on the streaming service Disney+.

It had previously been announced that Ahsoka, starring Rosario Dawson as the titular former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, would premiere its first two episodes on August 23. However, the official X account for Star Wars has now revealed the release dates for the following six episodes. New episodes of Ahsoka will release every Wednesday until October 4.

Related: Ahsoka Series Reportedly Features an Anakin Skywalker Battle on Mustafar

In two weeks, experience the two-episode series premiere of @AhsokaOfficial, a Star Wars Original series, streaming August 23 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/QKbUTM87sA — Star Wars (@starwars) August 9, 2023

Ahsoka was announced by Lucasfilm in December 2020 and takes place in the same period as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and the upcoming Skeleton Crew, which is roughly five years after the events of 1983's Return of the Jedi.

Get ready for another “jugs out, rugs out” season of Harley Quinn.

Max on Thursday dropped the official trailer for the animated series’ fourth installment, which finds Harley (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (Lake Bell) in an uncomfortable new position — quite possibly the only position we haven’t seen them in at this point. With Harley now fighting crime in Gotham City and Ivy heading up the Legion of Doom, their relationship is once again in serious jeopardy. But not too serious, of course. As Harley promises in the trailer, Season 4 brings “more #Harlivy. Like, a lot more. Because...

Star Wars Rebels is a huge part of the Star Wars saga. It explores the early days of the Rebel Alliance and how different small cells in the galaxy come together to become the Rebellion that would bring the Empire to its knees. The members of the Phoenix Squadron are a huge part of the early Rebellion. They freed Lothal, fought in essential battles, and continued to work to rebuild the galaxy after the war was over. With Ahsoka premiering in August, Star Wars Rebels is taking on a new level of importance within the lore.

The main cast of Star Wars Rebels is the crew of the Ghost. Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Sabine Wren, Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios, Ezra Bridger, and Chopper. They are freedom fighters -- a family and the backbone of the early Rebels. Ezra joins the crew when they are little more than Robin Hood-type figures. They...

A new image from Ahsoka features the titular Jedi and Hera sharing the screen together for the first time since Star Wars Rebels.

The image appears in the latest issue of Total Film magazine, and features Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) standing with her back to a hologram of Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). The two were both prominent characters in Star Wars Rebels, which ran from 2014-2018, but this is the first time they have been seen together in live action. While an official teaser trailer was released as part of Star Wars Celebration 2023 in April, the two were not included on screen together.

Related: Ahsoka's Rosario Dawson Plays Coy About a Hayden Christensen Appearance

Who Are Ahsoka and Hera?

While Hera was voiced by Vanessa Marshall in Star Wars Rebels, Winstead will portray her in live action. Talking about her role in Ahsoka, Winstead claimed that Hera was...

In the animated series Star Wars Rebels, Sabine Wren (voiced by Tiya Sircar) was instrumental in liberating Lothal from the Galactic Empire. Despite this, however, Sabine still doesn't feel like a hero in the upcoming live-action series Ahsoka.

During an interview with Empire, live-action Sabine actor Natasha Liu Bordizzo discussed the Mandalorian warrior's headspace heading into Ahsoka, explaining that she is still deeply concerned regarding the whereabouts of Jedi Padawan and fellow Rebel Ezra Bridger. "She feels an obligation to him," Bordizzo said. "When they freed Lothal, she was given this hero status. But she doesn't feel that she's earned that because she lost her friend in that whole debacle. She's just focused on the promise she made to him to find him."

Related: How Ahsoka Turns the Star Wars Hero Into a Lonely Wanderer

How Did Star Wars Rebels End?

Set just before the events of the original Star...

Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays the Twi'lek rebel Hera Syndulla in the upcoming Star Wars series Ahsoka, had little trouble stepping into the role.

On Entertainment Weekly's Dagobah Dispatch podcast, Winstead said that her character's central role on the animated Star Wars Rebels meant that Hera already had a rich history to draw from. "Having a character who's already existed and has such a rich history on something like Rebels, as an actor, it's incredible," Winstead said. "Because sometimes we're tasked with creating our own backstories or trying to flesh out a character that doesn't really have that much on the page. And so to play a character that has season after season of storylines and complex histories with everyone in their life and relationships and experiences was really something I've never experienced quite like that."

Related: Ahsoka Cast Spills the Secrets of Bringing Their Loth-Cat to Life

The...

"Star Wars: Visions" Volume 2 seemed to have done its homework on Star Wars cartoons. For starters, the "Bandits of Golak" utters a quip like "All this for sweets?", which emulates a line like "All this for fruit?" in "Star Wars Rebels" season 1. But the Aardman stop-motion short "I Am Your Mother" takes its "Rebels" homages a step further through its Twi'lek character designs.

That is, if the creative and color choices aren't just a coincidence. The Aardman short concerns a teal Twi'lek mother and daughter, both of whom just happen to resemble the old teal concept art of Hera Syndulla, the Twi'lek pilot of the Ghost crew in "Rebels" voiced by Vanessa Marshall. This may feel coincidental until you spy Hera Syndulla floating in the background and suspect that the short's director, Magdalena Osinska, was deliberate about their nearly identical appearances to the Hera prototypes. After all, the young Twi'lek...

Star Wars Celebration 2023 has brought a plethora of exciting news for the upcoming Ahsoka series, including a new trailer that gives a first look at the much anticipated return of many beloved Star Wars Rebels characters. Since the advent of Ahsoka herself, as well as Bo-Katan introducing the concept of animated Star Wars characters making the jump to live action with their inclusion in The Mandalorian, fans have eagerly been awaiting this treatment for the Ghost crew as well. Given the massive cliffhanger that Rebels left on its viewers, Ahsoka was undoubtedly the perfect place to pick up right where things left off.

Obviously, such a drastic change in mediums would facilitate an equally major change in these characters. As not all cases work out as well as Katee Sackhoff performing both iterations of Bo-Katan Kryze, most animated characters will inevitably undergo a change in portrayal from the actor that initially provided their voices,...

A lot of Star Wars characters are already confirmed to appear in Ahsoka, which will release on Disney+ in August 2023. Alongside Rosario Dawson's titular character, several other characters have already been confirmed to be returning to Ahsoka, alongside some new characters. Following Dave Filoni's fondness for bringing back animated Star Wars characters, Ashoka's cast of characters is a starry one.

Ahsoka will see the former Jedi apprentice continuing her quest to find Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has been confirmed as a key part of the Star Wars sequel trilogy's backstory for Snoke. Ahsoka's first trailer showed hints of what to expect from the series, including first looks at several characters - old and new - as well as showing glimpses of the story. Here's every retuning Star Wars character in Ahsoka.

Related: 9 Jedi Who Could Appear Ahsoka's Disney+ Show

Ahsoka Tano Previous Star Wars Appearances: Star Wars: Rebels,...

"The Clone Wars" cartoon introduced the Togruta padawan who won the hearts of many fans. George Lucas created Ahsoka Tano to give the famed Anakin Skywalker an apprentice, thus kickstarting a game-changing piece of canon outside of his "Star Wars" feature trilogies. Originated and voiced by Ashley Eckstein, the Togruta entered "Star Wars" with a coming-of-age arc that endured across several "Star Wars" cartoons, texts, and now the live-action realm beginning with "The Mandalorian" (portrayed in the flesh by Rosario Dawson).

The upcoming live-action "Ahsoka" series, developed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, seems both exciting and daunting for Star Wars fans, since it heralds the live-action iterations of the fan-favorite Spectres of the Ghost crew in the "Star Wars Rebels" cartoon. If you want to (re)familiarize yourself with Ahsoka and her allies, /Film has gathered the necessary textual and illustrated projects you should read before the new show premieres.