Star Wars Forces of Destiny

Star Wars Forces of Destiny is a 2D animated web series by Lucasfilm Animation released through Lucasfilm's YouTube channel. Set across multiple eras of the Star Wars franchise, it is a collection of two- to three-minute shorts centering on female characters featured in previous Star Wars installments. The series premiered on July 3, 2017, beginning the daily release of a set of eight episodes; these episodes subsequently began broadcasting on Disney Channel on July 9. An additional eight episodes were released in late 2017, and the second season of eight episodes was released in 2018.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny
Genre
Created by
Based on
Developed byDave Filoni[1]
Written byJennifer Muro
Nicole Dubuc
Directed byBrad Rau
Voices of
Narrated byLupita Nyong'o
ComposerRyan Shore[2]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes32 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersCarrie Beck
Dave Filoni
ProducerJacqueline Lopez
Running time2–3 minutes[3]
Production companiesLucasfilm
Lucasfilm Animation
Ghostbot[4]
Release
Original networkYouTube
Original releaseJuly 3, 2017 (2017-07-03) –
May 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)
Related
Star Wars: Clone Wars

First announced and presented in April 2017 during Star Wars Celebration Orlando, Forces of Destiny is part of a franchise expansion initiative by Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media and includes a companion toy line by Hasbro and a series of youth-aimed books. The series is the first 2D animated series produced by Lucasfilm since the 2003 Star Wars: Clone Wars series and the first 2D project by Lucasfilm Animation.

Premise

The animated micro-series anthology focuses on female characters such as Princess Leia Organa, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, Rose Tico, Ahsoka Tano, Padmé Amidala, Hera Syndulla, and Rey.

Cast and characters

Matt Lanter and Jim Cummings reprised the roles of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and space pirate Hondo Ohnaka from The Clone Wars and Rebels.[4] Tom Kane returned as Jedi Master Yoda from The Clone Wars, while Taylor Gray and Ritesh Rajan reprised the roles of Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger and Mandalorian warrior Tristan Wren from Rebels.

Film actor John Boyega returned as defected First Order stormtrooper Finn,[5] with Mark Hamill returning as Luke Skywalker[6] and Anthony Daniels once again providing the voice of protocol droid C-3PO.

Other characters to appear include smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, the ewok Wicket W. Warrick, and droids R2-D2, BB-8 and Chopper.

Production

Forces of Destiny was announced on April 12, 2017, and a special preview of the series presented at Star Wars Celebration Orlando on April 14.[1][4] The series is the first 2D animated series produced by Lucasfilm since the 2003 Clone Wars series[7] and the first 2D animation project created by Lucasfilm Animation; previous 2D animated series such as Ewoks, Droids, and early installments of Clone Wars were created before the formation of the studio.[4] The series is part of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media's franchise expansion initiative.[8]

Forces of Destiny was created as a series of web shorts because it was felt to better appeal to children's watching patterns: "The way that kids are consuming content today, they're still watching linear television, but increasingly they're consuming content digitally, online. We've created a story format here that reflects that. It's a combination of digital and linear."[4] Each episode is written by Jennifer Muro and directed by Brad Rau.[1]

The series’ original score, opening theme, and closing theme was composed by Ryan Shore.

Episodes

Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
116July 3, 2017 (2017-07-03) (YouTube)
July 9, 2017 (2017-07-09) (Disney Channel)		November 1, 2017 (2017-11-01) (YouTube)
October 29, 2017 (2017-10-29) (Disney Channel)
216March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19) (YouTube)
March 25, 2018 (2018-03-25) (Disney Channel)		May 25, 2018 (2018-05-25) (YouTube)
May 25, 2018 (2018-05-25) (Disney Channel)

Season 1 (2017)
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release dateOriginal Disney Channel air dateLength
11"Sands of Jakku"July 3, 2017 (2017-07-03)[9]July 9, 20172:49
On Jakku, Rey takes BB-8 home, where BB-8 can stay until someone comes for the droid. A hungry nightwatcher worm swallows BB-8 and disappears into the sand. Rey saves BB-8 by hitting the hidden worm with a lucky throw of her quarterstaff. She feeds the worm junk, appeasing its appetite.[1][10]
22"BB-8 Bandits"July 4, 2017 (2017-07-04)[11]July 9, 20172:49
On Jakku, Rey and BB-8 head to Niima Outpost, hoping someone is looking for BB-8 there. Teedo and two bandits, who want BB-8, attack them. In the ensuing speeder chase, Rey causes the bandits to crash. She lures Teedo to the nightwatcher worm, which eats Teedo's speeder. She and BB-8 escape.[1]
33"Ewok Escape"July 5, 2017 (2017-07-05)[12]October 1, 20172:34
Leia Organa is led through the forests of Endor by an Ewok, Wicket. They find two other Ewoks cornered by stormtroopers. Wicket traps the stormtroopers, but his plan soon goes awry. Leia rescues him. The Ewoks take Leia to their village, and they give her a dress and spear.
44"The Padawan Path"July 6, 2017 (2017-07-06)[13]October 1, 20173:04
Ahsoka Tano is late for a ceremony at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. She hears screaming and detours to rescue civilians from a malfunctioning droid. She arrives at the temple, and Yoda praises her growth as a Padawan and gives her a bead for her Padawan braid. Her master Anakin Skywalker expresses pride in her.
55"Beasts of Echo Base"July 7, 2017 (2017-07-07)[14]October 1, 20172:49

Set prior to The Empire Strikes Back, Leia and R2-D2 search for Chewbacca, who disappeared while digging corridors for the base on Hoth. They find he has been captured by a Wampa. Leia distracts the Wampa while Chewbacca and R2-D2 fix the door, and the three of them seal the Wampa out of the base.[4][1]

Guest star: Anthony Daniels as the voice of C-3PO.
66"The Imposter Inside"July 8, 2017 (2017-07-08)[15]October 1, 20172:19
On Coruscant, Ahsoka and Senator Padmé Amidala prepare for controversial diplomatic negotiations held over dinner. They notice that the table is set incorrectly, forcing a disguised Clawdite assassin to reveal herself. They subdue the assassin. However, the room is destroyed, and the negotiations must be postponed.
77"The Stranger"July 9, 2017 (2017-07-09)[16]October 1, 20172:34
Stormtroopers on Lothal attempt to confiscate a girl's pet cat, but Jyn Erso intervenes. The cat escapes, and Jyn and the stormtroopers give chase. She subdues the stormtroopers and reunites the girl with her pet.
88"Bounty of Trouble"July 9, 2017 (2017-07-09)[17]October 1, 20172:34
Stormtroopers escort Leia on Lothal. Sabine Wren stages Leia's kidnapping so that Leia, secretly working for the Rebel Alliance, can give Sabine a data tape of Imperial base locations. However, bounty hunter droid IG-88 attacks them for the tape. They set the stormtroopers against IG-88. Leia successfully passes Sabine the tape and returns to her escort.
99"Newest Recruit"October 1, 2017 (2017-10-01)[18]October 29, 20173:03
Ketsu helps Sabine steal food from the Empire on Lothal, but Ketsu is unsure she will join the Rebellion. The mission turns into a shootout with Stormtroopers, and a child is caught in the crossfire. Ketsu rescues the child, and Sabine calls Hera to airlift the three of them to safety in the Ghost. Aboard the Ghost, Ketsu makes up her mind and joins the Rebellion.
1010"Tracker Trouble"October 2, 2017 (2017-10-02)[18]October 29, 20172:19

Rey, Han Solo, BB-8, Chewbacca, and Finn are travelling to Maz's castle when the Millennium Falcon is pulled out of hyperspace. Rey, Finn, and Chewbacca search for a tracker, but they find a bomb instead. Rey and Chewbacca throw the bomb into space while Finn instructs Han to make the jump back to hyperspace.

Guest star: John Boyega as the voice of Finn.
1111"Teach You, I Will"October 3, 2017 (2017-10-03)October 29, 20173:19
At the Jedi Temple, Anakin wants to teach a frustrated Ahsoka how to use two lightsabers at once. Yoda mediates and teaches her a valuable lesson on the importance of individuality.[19]
1212"The Starfighter Stunt"October 4, 2017 (2017-10-04)October 29, 20172:49
While Ahsoka teaches Padmé how to pilot a jet fighter, a Droid Starfighter attacks them. Padmé must use her newly learned skills in piloting to help them escape.[19]
1313"Accidental Allies"October 29, 2017 (2017-10-29)October 29, 20172:48

Sabine helps Jyn escape a stormtrooper pursuit and Jyn helps Sabine.

Note: Last episode with Felicity Jones as the voice of Jyn Erso.
1414"An Imperial Feast"October 30, 2017 (2017-10-30)October 29, 20172:45
Leia orders Han to bargain with fellow pilot Hera Syndulla for rations that hungry Ewoks might enjoy.
1515"The Happabore Hazard"October 31, 2017 (2017-10-31)October 29, 20172:45
Rey discovers a stubborn, unmoving Happabore sitting on the ship she's meant to tow back for Unkar Plut.
1616"Crash Course"November 1, 2017 (2017-11-01)October 29, 20172:15
Sabine reluctantly lets Ketsu borrow her favorite speeder for a covert mission.

Season 2 (2018)

A second season of fifteen additional episodes was announced in September 2017.[20] The episodes were released on March 19, 2018 online and aired on Disney Channel on March 25, 2018.[21]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release dateOriginal Disney Channel air dateLength
171"Hasty Departure"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:17
Hera and Sabine liberate an Imperial shuttle, but because Sabine was rushing, they board the wrong ship and it's full of troopers! Chopper flies the correct shuttle and rescues his friends mid-air.
182"Unexpected Company"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:32
Ahsoka joins Anakin on a mission planned for just he and Padme. Anakin, upset at the intrusion, sets a quicker flight path that puts them in the path of a Separatist blockade. The three must put differences aside to get past the blockade.
193"Shuttle Shock"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:02

On their approach to Canto Bight, Finn and Rose encounter a pod of creatures in the atmosphere. When a tentacle hits the shuttle and shorts out BB-8, Finn and Rose must work together to fix BB-8 and land the shuttle safely.

Guest star: John Boyega as the voice of Finn.
204"Jyn's Trade"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:02

A Chadra-Fan child snatches Jyn's kyber crystal necklace away and Jyn gives chase. When she finally catches the kid and retrieves her necklace, she realizes the child is just hungry and gives him her piece of fruit.

Note: Only episode with Helen Sadler as the voice of Jyn Erso.
215"Run Rey Run"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:32
While scavenging inside a Star Destroyer, Rey is cornered by Teedo who is on the hunt for a valuable part. Rey tries to warn Teedo the removal of the part will trigger the vessel's collapse, but he does it anyway and she must help them both escape after Teedo is knocked out by falling debris.
226"Bounty Hunted"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:17
Seeking help to free Han from Jabba, Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 travel to Ord Mantell to meet with Han's old friend Maz Kanata. Maz lures bounty hunter Boushh into a firefight so Leia can obtain his helmet and armor for a perfect disguise.
237"The Path Ahead"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20182:47

Struggling with his Jedi training, Luke is grateful for master Yoda's offer to join him on a sojourn through the trees and swamps of Dagobah, until he learns that Yoda will be riding in his backpack! Minding Yoda, Luke learns to trust what he feels instead of what he thinks he sees.

First of two episodes not to feature any female characters.
248"Porg Problems"March 19, 2018 (2018-03-19)March 25, 20181:32
As Rey struggles to force lift stones, a curious porg snatches her lightsaber! Rey gives chase and force lifts the porg before it can dive into the water with her saber. Rey thanks the porg for the unexpected help in her training.
259"Chopper and Friends"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:17
Hera is surprised to discover that Chopper has crewed the Ghost with two Ewoks who prove their mettle and help take down some stray TIEs over Endor.
2610"Monster Misunderstanding"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:02
Queen Amidala helps solve the mystery of why a Sando Aqua monster is attacking the docks of Naboo when she interrupts poachers attempting to steal the creature's baby.
2711"Art History"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:32
Sabine and Tristan are on a covert mission to free Mandalore, but they risk everything to destroy an Imperial outpost that has defaced a symbolic statue of Tarre Vizsla.
2812"Porgs!"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:02

Chewie is exasperated when a pair of porgs tears blue wiring out of the Falcon. Further investigation with help from R2-D2 reveals that the porgs are looking for hard-to-find blue moss for their nest—if only Chewie can get it for them.

Second of two episodes not to feature any female characters.
2913"Perilous Pursuit"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:17

In a dangerous snowspeeder chase across Starkiller Base, Rey and Finn work together to escape pursuing snowtroopers.

Guest star: John Boyega as the voice of Finn.
3014"Traps and Tribulations"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:17
Luke and Leia (with the aid of a lightsaber) help Kneesaa and Wicket stop a rampaging Gorax by resetting the Ewoks' traps.
3115"A Disarming Lesson"May 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)May 25, 20182:02
Ahsoka gives Ezra a lesson in finding his inner strength and trusting in the Force when she disarms him and pressures him to adapt to her attacks on the fly.
3216"Triplecross"May 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)May 25, 20182:17
Hondo teams up with bounty hunter droid IG-88 to capture Qi’ra, but she outsmarts both her pursuers by pitting them against each other so that she can collect the bounty on them.

Distribution

Forces of Destiny premiered on July 3, 2017, through Disney's YouTube channel, beginning the daily release of a set of eight episodes.[4][22] It was initially announced that this release would culminate in the broadcast premiere of the eight episode set on Disney Channel on July 9 as a thirty-minute special, but on July 9, Disney announced via Twitter that only two episodes were going to be broadcast.[23] A second set of eight episodes was released in October 2017.[24][25] It was subsequently announced that episodes will air in two half-hour specials on Disney Channel on October 1 and 29.[26] The series is available on the Disney+ streaming service, which launched on November 12, 2019.[27]

Books

A series of youth books adapted the episodes. Daring Adventures: Volume 1 adapted shorts about Sabine, Rey, and Padmé, and Daring Adventures: Volume 2 adapted shorts about Jyn, Ahsoka, and Leia.[3][4] IDW Publishing published Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, a weekly all-ages five-issue comic book miniseries that ran from January to May 2018.[28]

Merchandising

Alongside the initial series announcement, Lucasfilm also announced a related toy line from Hasbro and an apparel line.[3][4] The toy line features a new class of figures, adventures figures fill the space between action figures and dolls.[29] These 11-inch articulated figures of the six core female characters and smaller paired figures of other characters launched on August 1, 2017 alongside accessories such as lightsabers.[30] Other characters, including Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren, are intended to be released.[29]

Reception

SyFy Wire calls Forces of Destiny "a great concept in search of a far better execution. ... What could have been a female-centric version of Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars shorts from 2003 is instead a series of disconnected stories tied to a singular visual aesthetic ... As fun as it is to watch these female characters get a bit more screentime, it's still not enough."[31]

Awards
Year Event Award Recipient Result
2019 ASCAP Screen Music Awards Top Cable Television Series Ryan Shore Won[32]

References
  1. Breznican, Anthony (April 13, 2017). "Star Wars highlights female heroes in Forces of Destiny — first look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  2. Baver, Kristin (July 6, 2017). "5 Highlights from Star Wars Forces of Destiny: "The Padawan Path" | StarWars.com". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  3. "Everything you need to know about new Star Wars Forces of Destiny series". ABC News. April 13, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  4. Goldman, Eric (April 12, 2017). "New Star Wars Forces of Destiny Animated Shorts and Toy Line Launching This Year". IGN. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  5. Errico, Marcus (July 3, 2017). "New Star Wars Cartoon Shorts Debut Online, Bringing Female Heroes in Full Force". Yahoo!. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  6. Shepherd, Jack (March 20, 2018). "Mark Hamill returns as Luke Skywalker for new Star Wars short". The Independent. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  7. Taylor, Chris (July 3, 2017). "Watch Rey and BB-8's first thrilling adventure in Star Wars: Forces of Destiny". Mashable. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  8. Lisanti, Tony (May 1, 2017). "Disney's Vision for the Future". License! Global. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  9. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'Sands of Jakku'". Disney. July 3, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017 – via YouTube.
  10. Zalben, Alexander (July 3, 2017). "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Brings Rey and BB-8 Together for the First Time". TV Guide. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  11. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'BB-8 Bandits'". Disney. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017 – via YouTube.
  12. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'Ewok Escape'". Disney. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017 – via YouTube.
  13. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'The Padawan Path'". Disney. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017 – via YouTube.
  14. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'Beasts of Echo Base'". Disney. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017 – via YouTube.
  15. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'The Imposter Inside'". Disney. July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017 – via YouTube.
  16. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'The Stranger'". Disney. July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017 – via YouTube.
  17. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'Bounty of Trouble'". Disney. July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017 – via YouTube.
  18. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny Episode 'Newest Recruit'". Disney. October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017 – via YouTube.
  19. "Star Wars: Die Mächte des Schicksals Episodenguide" (in German). fernsehserien.de. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  20. Cavanaugh, Patrick (September 11, 2017). "Eight New 'Forces of Destiny' Episodes Coming in 2018". Comicbook.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  21. Lenker, Maureen. "See Porgs, Rose Tico, and Luke Skywalker get animated for 'Star Wars Forces of Destiny'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  22. Lussier, Germain (June 27, 2017). "Watch a New Trailer for Star Wars: Forces Of Destiny, Which Premieres July 3". io9. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  23. "See the premiere of the first two Star Wars Forces of Destiny shorts tonight during Despicable Me and #HotelTSeries". Twitter. July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  24. Newitz, Annalee (July 28, 2017). "An action-packed new Star Wars animated series is on YouTube now". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  25. McMillan, Graeme (August 21, 2017). "The Origins and Ideals of 'Star Wars: Forces of Destiny'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  26. "Star Wars Forces of Destiny : Trailer No. 2 | Disney". Official Disney Youtube. Disney. September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017 – via YouTube.
  27. G., Matt (November 16, 2019). "Disney+ in NZ – Your Questions Answered". Star Wars New Zealand. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  28. Alverson, Brigid (October 12, 2017). "NYCC 2017 Kids' Comics: Don't Throw Out That Spinner Rack!". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  29. Loughray, Clarisse (April 13, 2017). "Star Wars: Forces of Destiny to unveil brand new, female-led storylines". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  30. Burton, Bonnie (April 13, 2017). "Star Wars heroines get their due in new Forces of Destiny". CNET. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  31. Pirrello, Phil (April 29, 2021). "Every Star Wars show and TV movie (from The Mandalorian to the Holiday Special) ranked". SyFy Wire. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  32. "2019 ASCAP Screen Music Awards". ascap.com. ASCAP. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
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