Dave Filoni Shares What Separates 'Star Wars Rebels' From the Films

Given that it's not just the only TV series that's currently airing that takes place in the Star Wars galaxy and the fact that it's animated, Star Wars Rebels showrunner Dave Filoni claims that the series is distinct from the live-action films because it doesn't require prior knowledge of any Star Wars stories to be appreciated.

"For me, I always tried to look at it as completely separate from the rest of Star Wars in that it doesn't rely on any other Star Wars content to help explain its story," Filoni shared to ComicBook.com about what makes Rebels so appealing.

The animated series is currently in its final season, making fans curious about what direction the adventures will go.

"You have to ask yourself, 'What have I told the audience about this story and this kid, Ezra Bridger? What do they believe is an end for him?'" Filoni pondered. "With Luke, you see a kid who is under the impression of a Galactic Empire and loses his family, and so what is going to drive him? Well, it was themes of something to do with overthrowing this Empire and regaining a sense of family. And so, in that way, I think there are similarities between Luke and Ezra."

The series takes place between the end of Revenge of the Sith and before the beginning of the original Star Wars, which poses some unique challenges.

"We have a complicated problem that, even though I like to treat it as separate, the audience knows that wherever Rebels will seem to end, probably isn't past the destruction of the Empire," Filoni admitted.

Last year, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story faced a similar challenge, in that it told the story that led directly into the first film. Seeing how that story ended, many fans are wary that Rebels might go the same route.

"How can you have an ending maybe that's satisfactory, or are they doomed to destruction, as many people seem bent on these days? That this will be a bleak thing for our heroes?" Filoni wondered. "And I guess that that's the exciting part, is they don't really know yet which way it's going to go."

You can find out what happens to your favorite members of the Ghost crew when new episodes of Star Wars Rebels airs on Monday nights at 9:00 PM ET on Disney XD.