The upcoming animated 'Star Wars Rebels' TV series has kept production expectedly tight to the point where we've only learned of the casting of a major villain and a feisty R2 unit. But where we thought the series might launch later this year, 'Rebels' may have a far bigger debut this summer. A new report suggests that 'Star Wars Rebels' will first release a feature-length premiere, followed by additional shorts and a proper fall 2014 debut!

News of a possible 'Star Wars Rebels' movie emerges from Jedi News, which claims that a recent Disney shareholders letter reads, "We’re introducing 'Star Wars Rebels' to television audiences this summer with a movie and a series of shorts on Disney Channel, followed by a continuing series on Disney XD."

If that approach feels at all familiar, fans will remember that the previous animated 'Star Wars' series, 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars,' first debuted in theaters with a feature-length presentation before settling into its Cartoon Network home. Affording 'Star Wars Rebels' a theatrical release doesn't seem to be in the cards, though a summer movie on the Disney Channel would certainly build a strong amount of buzz in time for a Disney XD debut later this year.

Meanwhile, here’s everything we know from the official ‘Star Wars Rebels’ logline:

‘Star Wars Rebels’ continues the epic tradition of the legendary ‘Star Wars’ saga with all-new exciting, action-packed adventures. It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people.

But there are a select few who are brave enough to stand up against the endless Stormtroopers and TIE fighters of the Empire: the clever and motley crew of the starship “Ghost.” Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, have thrilling adventures, and become heroes.

We’ve already met the crew's feisty droid "Chopper," and learned a few details from the LEGO packaging, but no voice cast has been made official. That said, we previously heard Freddie Prinze Jr., ‘The Butler’ star David Oyelowo, Vanessa Marshall, Taylor Gray and Steven Jay Blum were at least on the short list. Picking up where the now-canceled ‘Clone Wars‘ left off, ‘Star Wars Rebels’ will also feature screenwriter and producer Simon Kinberg (‘X-Men: First Class,’ ‘Elysium‘), who’s writing the first episode, on the creative side.

Well, what say you? Would a feature-length 'Star Wars Rebels' debut this summer effectively set up the series for the fall? What would you like to see when the new Disney XD 'Star Wars' saga begins? Watch the latest production video below, and give us your thoughts afterward!

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