Highlights
The Mandalorian owes much of its triumph to the infusion of characters and ideas from the animated series, which has further delighted fans with the recent appearance of Zeb, a beloved character from Rebels.
Aaron McBride's concept art offers a closer glimpse at Zeb's design in his first appearance in live-action, highlighting the meticulousness in his attire and characteristics. Zeb's role as a non-Force User and the impact he made on the overarching Star Wars narrative, along with other characters making their live-action debuts, have elevated the importance of Disney+ shows within the franchise. This has ignited anticipation for future reunions in the Star Wars universe.
The third season of The Mandalorian showcases a cameo appearance by Zeb Orrelios from Star Wars Rebels. Fans can now appreciate a closer look at the design process for his live-action debut, thanks to the release of new concept art.
The Mandalorian stands out as a distinctive endeavor within the Star Wars universe, with its original concept and writing being spearheaded by Jon Favreau. The show's immense popularity has paved the way for the upcoming Star Wars: Andor series and has set high expectations for the impact of Ahsoka in The Mandalorian season 3.
Result:
Although the newer project did surpass The Mandalorian in terms of viewership, much of its success can be attributed to the original show. This includes the introduction and popularity of characters and concepts from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Rebels. Recently, Aaron McBride's post on the Concept Art Association website provided fans with a closer look at Rebels character Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios making his live-action debut. While The Mandalorian already benefited from connections to the sequel trilogy, this cameo added a new dimension to the show's appeal and sparked a strong desire among fans for more.
The short cameo of the large alien character at the bar in Star Wars Rebels raised questions from Mandalorian fans about who Zeb was, while others were thrilled. McBride's shared concept art provides a clearer and more comprehensive view of the character's vision, which was mostly brought to life in the live-action appearance, except for a minor adjustment to the nose. The full view and close-ups reveal intricate details of the clothing and features, including the eyes and ears.
The importance of Zeb, as a non-Force User who played a significant role in Star Wars' overarching storyline and as a member of the main cast of Rebels, cannot be underestimated. His appearance in The Mandalorian, alongside other impactful live-action introductions like Ahsoka, has heightened the impact and importance of the Disney Plus shows for the franchise. As many of the former crew members have now made the leap to live-action, fans are eagerly anticipating a potential reunion in the future.
Although not officially confirmed, including a full reunion in The Mandalorian theatrical climax would be a fantastic way to reward fans for their interest and support of Ahsoka. The cameos have already brought fulfillment to Star Wars Rebels fans, regardless of whether this reunion actually happens. You can now stream The Mandalorian seasons 1-3 on Disney Plus.
Source: Aaron McBride