Seven New Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Shorts Are Here

Disney/Lucasfilm

Disney has released seven new Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Shorts in honor of Star Wars Day. They feature characters from episode 1 through episode 8, as well as Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. It's fun to see these brief glimpses into another side of the characters we've come to know.

In "Chopper and Friends", Chopper brings two Ewoks on as crew to defend Endor, much to Hera's surprise.

In "Monster Misunderstanding", Queen Amidala must solve the mystery of a Sando Aqua monster that is attacking a Naboo dock.

In "Art History", Sabine and Tristan protect a statue that is important to the people of Mandalore.

"Porgs" finds Chewie trying to stop the porgs from tearing apart the Falcon, until he sees why.

In "Perilous Pursuit", Finn and Rey must each work to their strengths to escape the snowtroopers.

In "Traps and Tribulations"  Luke and Leia help Kneesaa and Wicket stop a rampaging Gorax.

And finally, in "A Disarming Lesson", Ahsoka teaches Ezra in a whole new way.

It's Time for More Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Shorts

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Are you ready for Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Season 2? The shorts are filled with the unknown adventures of the characters we know and love.

In "Bounty Hunted", we learn how Leia became the bounty hunter Boushh to save Han from Jabba the Hutt, and where she acquired that thermal detonator.

In "Jyn's Trade", see what happens when a Chadra-Fan child steals Jyn's kyber crystal.

In "The Path Ahead" Luke struggles with his Jedi training, until Master Yoda offers to join him... in a backpack Luke must carry.

In "Shuttle Shock", Finn and Rose must work together to fix BB-8 and land the shuttle safely.

Four new Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Shorts

Lucasfilm

There are four new Star Wars: Forces of Destiny shorts that were released as part of the first half-hour special earlier this month. Four more will be released at the end of the month.

In "The Starfighter Stunt", Padme Amidala shows Ahsoka Tano what a good student she can be.

In "Teach You, I Will", Ahsoka Tano must prove to Yoda that she can learn, and still put her own spin, on mastering the lightsaber.

In "Newest Recruit", Sabine teaches newcomer Ketsu about why the Rebellion is important.

And finally, in "Tracker Trouble", Rey and Chewie use their skills to remove a tracker from the Millennium Falcon.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Specials Coming in October

Disney

A new trailer has been released for two Star Wars: Forces of Destiny specials. The half hour shows will air on October 1 and 29 on the Disney Channel. Afterward, they will also be available on Disney's YouTube. The specials will be made up of the previously released shorts featuring Rey, Jyn Erso, Sabine, Leia, Ahsoka Tano, and Padme Amidala, as well as 8 new ones. The new shorts will include additional characters, such as Han Solo, Hera Syndulla, Finn, Maz Kanata, and more.

Disney originally launched Forces of Destiny to show the powerful female characters of the Star Wars universe. However, as Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said, they are, "for anyone who has been inspired by Leia's heroism, Rey's courage, or Ahsoka's tenacity." And the shorts all fit in with the existing Star Wars storylines. Story Group member Carrie Beck said, "One of the opportunities here was to tell the stories in between the larger moments and imagine some of the ways our characters have crossed. It's all part of the larger swath of storytelling."

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny - Leia and Sabine

Disney/Lucasfilm

In the eighth episode of  Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, "Bounty of Trouble", Leia and Sabine encounter an unexpected bounty hunter, a droid called IG-88.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny - Padme and Jyn

Disney/Lucasfilm

Here are two more episodes of Star Wars: Forces of Destiny to start your week.

In episode six, "The Imposter Inside", Ahsoka and Padme encounter an unwelcome visitor.

Disney/Lucasfilm

In episode seven, "The Stranger", Jyn helps a young girl who is being bullied by stormtroopers. 

I especially like the cat.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny - Princess Leia

Disney/Lucasfilm

Ready for more Star Wars: Forces of Destiny? In episode five, "Beasts of Echo Base", Leia must face off against a Wampa to save Chewbacca.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny - Ahsoka

Disney/Lucasfilm

Time for another Star Wars: Forces of Destiny episode! Episode four, "The Padawan Path", features Ahsoka Tano.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny - Leia

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The latest episode of Star Wars: Forces of Destiny is called "Ewok Escape". It features Princess Leia and Wicket Warrick on the forest moon of Endor.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny - Rey

Disney/Lucasfilm

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Forces of Destiny have arrived on YouTube. They both feature Rey and her struggles to save BB-8 from various misadventures on Jakku.

First up is "Sands of Jakku."

Episode two is "BB-8 Bandits."

So far, I like these mini episodes. The animation is pretty good and the stories are, too. The opening voiceover describes these short tales best: "the choices we make, the actions we take, moments, both big and small, shape us into Forces of Destiny." There will be a new episode every day this week on Disney's YouTube channel, and a special on the Disney Channel on July 9.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny Trailer

All images: Disney/Lucasfilm

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny is a series of animated shorts which tell the stories that helped shape the destinies of

 Jyn Erso, Ahsoka Tano,  and Leia Organa,

Sabine Wren, Rey, Padmè Amidala, and others. 

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny debuts on Disney's YouTube channel on July 3rd, and on the Disney Channel on July 9th.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny

All images:  Lucasfilm

Disney and Lucasfilm have created a new series of animated shorts featuring the heroic ladies of the Star Wars Universe.  The series will launch in July, and a two-part tv special will air on the Disney Channel this fall. They've also created "Adventure Figures" (a cross between dolls and action figures) of the heroines that look amazing.

For more details, check out the press release below:

Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Star Wars Forces of Destiny, a new initiative celebrating the inspiring stories of iconic heroes from across the Star Wars universe. An original series of animated shorts (each 2-3 minutes in length) will explore exciting, all new adventures of key characters including Rey, Jyn Erso, Sabine Wren, Princess Leia, Ahsoka Tano and others, ahead of books and a TV special later in the year. The stories will also be supported by a line of toys from Hasbro, including new ‘Adventure Figures’ – a fusion between traditional dolls and action figures, creating a whole new way to play Star Wars.

“Star Wars Forces of Destiny is for anyone who has been inspired by Leia’s heroism, Rey’s courage, or Ahsoka’s tenacity,” said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. “We’re thrilled that so many of the original actors are reprising their roles in these shorts which capture the small moments and everyday decisions that shape who these characters are. It is a fun new way for people to experience Star Wars.”

Developed by Lucasfilm Animation, Star Wars Forces of Destiny will remain true to the Star Wars canon, showing how choices both big and small ultimately shape the destinies of beloved characters. 

Launching in July, the animated micro-series will be available on Disney YouTube ahead of a two-part TV special featuring eight additional shorts on Disney Channel in Fall 2017.

Fans will be delighted to hear familiar voices in the series, including: Daisy Ridley (Rey), Felicity Jones (Jyn), Tiya Sircar (Sabine), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano) and Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata as narrator).

Star Wars Forces of Destiny will also be supported by global product extensions, such as books, apparel, bedding, and toys – including the new line of ‘Adventure Figures’ created by Hasbro, which bridges the gap between traditional action figures and dolls. Each individually designed figure features dynamic action, like Rey swinging her lightsaber, along with multiple points of articulation to help recreate the characters’ adventures and heroic moments with different poses.

“From Princess Leia to Sabine Wren, Star Wars heroines are unique, and we wanted to represent that in the product line for Star Wars Forces of Destiny,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. 

“The result is the creation of our new ‘Adventure Figures’ that celebrate the power and stories of these incredible characters and allow kids to recreate their most heroic moments at home.”

The 11-inch figures will depict characters including Rey, Jyn Erso, Princess Leia, Sabine Wren, plus loveable sidekicks and epic villains like BB-8, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren and many more. 

Hasbro is also rolling out Star Wars Forces of Destiny role play and accessories—from Rey’s Extendable Staff, to a new, electronic Jedi Power Lightsaber toy, which are part of the Star Wars Bladebuilders system.

Adds John Frascotti, President of Hasbro: “As the Star Wars fan base has broadened over the last 40 years, we have continued to add new and exciting play experiences to the Star Wars brand, to engage fans across generations."

"We’ve worked closely with Disney to bring the storytelling from Star Wars Forces of Destiny to life through this innovative toy line to help connect with new audiences as well as appeal to existing fans.”