Star Wars Rebels, the successor to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, will launch in fall 2014, ahead of the of the new big-screen trilogy. It will debut with a one-hour special on the Disney Channel before becoming as a full-fledged television series on Disney XD.

The series is set between the events of Stars Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope, "an era spanning almost two decades never -before explored on-screen. Star Wars Rebels takes place in a time where the Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape. Details about the show are a closely guarded secret at this point."

Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes) will write the premiere episode and serve as an executive producer, alongside Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, Young Justice).

"I couldn't be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. "I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars."