And maybe the writers are hoping the show will be successful enough that they're saving characters like Vader for later.
This way, if the show is canceled early on, people won't care as much.
New Star Wars animated show "Rebels" coming fall 2014
- Thread starter Booji
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And maybe the writers are hoping the show will be successful enough that they're saving characters like Vader for later.
This way, if the show is canceled early on, people won't care as much.
I'm getting the feeling we'll see characters like Vader and the Emperor fairly early in the run of the series to draw in viewers with references to the OT. They're the highest-ranking and most powerful officials in the Empire and the symbols of the tyranny that the crew of The Ghost is fighting against. My guess is that at least one of them will show up before Season 1's climactic episode.
Except that in ANH, Vader was Tarkin's lieutenant. He wasn't reinterpreted as the Emperor's right hand until TESB. Which is why I'm curious about where a "Grand Moff" falls in the hierarchy and just what Tarkin's role was in the Empire.
Either way, it would make sense, both in terms of storytelling, continuity and marketing to include at least one or two well-known characters early on.
According to material from the Windham Ryder book The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader (2007) it appears that the Emperor placed Vader aboard the Death Star as an official observer and supervisor who was technically under Tarkin's command as the military officer in charge of the station and the Governor of the Outer Rim Territories. The Emperor had a deep respect for Tarkin's fanatical drive and his dedication to enforcing Imperial will and felt he and Vader would make something of a good team to oversee the completion and eventual use of the Death Star.
In short: Vader was really the top dog as the Emperor's right-hand man and Sith apprentice, but was instructed to follow Tarkin's instructions so long as they didn't override the Emperor's own orders and will. Palpatine and Vader needed Tarkin to fulfill their plans and the Grand Moff needed their support in return. I'm not sure if Tarkin was the highest-ranking officer in the entire Imperial military akin to, say, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or a five-star general or admiral, but if he wasn't he was certainly the most trusted and respected to get the job done and enforce Imperial tyranny.
In short: Vader was really the top dog as the Emperor's right-hand man and Sith apprentice, but was instructed to follow Tarkin's instructions so long as they didn't override the Emperor's own orders and will. Palpatine and Vader needed Tarkin to fulfill their plans and the Grand Moff needed their support in return. I'm not sure if Tarkin was the highest-ranking officer in the entire Imperial military akin to, say, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or a five-star general or admiral, but if he wasn't he was certainly the most trusted and respected to get the job done and enforce Imperial tyranny.
Given that the source is an RPG campaign guide based on a video game that could be taken with a grain of salt.
That is the most promising one so far IMO.
I'm pretty sure one of the novels (Death Star? one of the recent Zahn novels?) established that Vader existed outside and above the military/government chain of command. Tarkin didn't outrank Vader because they existed on completely separate chains of command. And Vader was there as insurance to make sure Tarkin didn't try to use the Death Star to stage a coup. So he humored Tarkin's authority because it was convenient for him to do so, but he also had the permission to take over at a moment's notice.
Well, the cast has certainly come together fairly well (judging, of course, only from what we've seen thus far). I love that Hera is the captain of the ship.
@ Mr. Light-- Exactly. Vader wasn't Tarkin's lieutenant, he was making sure the Emperor's interests were being properly attended to and that loyalty was maintained. In fact, in the NPR Star Wars radio drama, there was a sub-plot with Motti trying to convince Tarkin to stage a coup and that Vader wasn't an insurmountable obstacle.
To be fair to Ryder Windham he never specifically said Vader was Tarkin's subordinate or lieutenant, only that the Emperor instructed Vader to respect and follow the chain of command aboard the Death Star and always defer to the Grand Moff in any decision that didn't interfere with the Emperor's greater plans or seem disloyal. He was technically subject to Tarkin's orders while aboard, but if push came to shove and the Grand Moff were seen in violation of the Emperor's orders or wishes Vader would have asserted his authority and stepped in.
Tarkin wielded a lot of power, respect and influence, and both the Emperor and Vader needed him and his ruthlessness to carry out their plans.
Tarkin wielded a lot of power, respect and influence, and both the Emperor and Vader needed him and his ruthlessness to carry out their plans.
Even as a kid watching the OT, I was never under the impression Vader was actually under Tarkin's command. It came across more like Vader was some kind of an enforcer for the Emperor, who might decide to follow Tarkin's instructions but was under no requirement to do so.
Hera: I loved what the description said, the reflection on what the Empire has done to her and those around her. Excellent move dealing with whatever issues they may be. Living in a police state would certainly drive stories forward.
As for Vader + The Emps, I truly feel that we'll be seeing them but not as much directly. I take it there will be a 1984 style Orwellian grip on the galaxy and we'll see huge screens, images, etc of Vader + co .so that Sabine can vandalize their faces.
As for Vader + The Emps, I truly feel that we'll be seeing them but not as much directly. I take it there will be a 1984 style Orwellian grip on the galaxy and we'll see huge screens, images, etc of Vader + co .so that Sabine can vandalize their faces.
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Yeah I think people need to keep in mind that this is just the core cast of protagonists. If 'Rebels' is going to be anything like TCW then I fully expect there to be a number of recurring characters as the show progresses, some of which will probably be established characters.
The likes of Bail Organa, Akbar, Mon Mothma and Jan Dodonna are obvious choices for the Rebel leadership and maybe they'll throw in a neat reference like showing Crix Madine as an Imperial officer. Maybe even depicting his defection?
Then there's the underworld where there's a whole bunch of bounty hunters, mercs and assorted scum that could easly appear. Boba Fett, Jabba and Hondo are fairly safe bets.
On the Imperial side TCW has already established Tarkin as an officer and IIRC the outer rim territories were his stomping grounds so it shouldn't be much of a stretch for him to show up.
The likes of Bail Organa, Akbar, Mon Mothma and Jan Dodonna are obvious choices for the Rebel leadership and maybe they'll throw in a neat reference like showing Crix Madine as an Imperial officer. Maybe even depicting his defection?
Then there's the underworld where there's a whole bunch of bounty hunters, mercs and assorted scum that could easly appear. Boba Fett, Jabba and Hondo are fairly safe bets.
On the Imperial side TCW has already established Tarkin as an officer and IIRC the outer rim territories were his stomping grounds so it shouldn't be much of a stretch for him to show up.
As long as they remember to keep Boba Fett's helmet on. Same goes for Vader, for that matter (I'm not really interested in seeing Anakin under the mask again, or catching up on all his Padme angst from the prequels).
Just give us the badass and enigmatic Fett and Vader from the OT again, that's all I ask.
Just give us the badass and enigmatic Fett and Vader from the OT again, that's all I ask.
While I agree it's probably best to keep Vader as more of a distant, yet ominous presence rather than an active character, I honestly don't have a problem with Boba taking off his helmet. He's not Judge Dredd and there's no mystery to what he looks like since we already know he's a clone of Jango just like all the old republic troopers.
Speaking of Vader, assuming he ever shows up, what do we think the odds are that they'll be able to afford James Earl Jones? It's such an iconic voice that I have a hard time thinking anyone else could pull it off...mind you I thought that about Yoda & Frank Oz and the bloke who played him on TCW did a fine job.
Come to think of it, assuming the Emperor is less likely to appear than Vader, would they ask Ian McDiarmid to come back for a one-off?
Speaking of Vader, assuming he ever shows up, what do we think the odds are that they'll be able to afford James Earl Jones? It's such an iconic voice that I have a hard time thinking anyone else could pull it off...mind you I thought that about Yoda & Frank Oz and the bloke who played him on TCW did a fine job.
Come to think of it, assuming the Emperor is less likely to appear than Vader, would they ask Ian McDiarmid to come back for a one-off?
It's always possible they could get Jones and McDiarmid to voice Vader and the Emperor considering that Jones has made himself more available lately for advertising and voiceover work and Ian McDiarmid has become more integrally involved with the Star Wars fanbase by appearing at several conventions and celebrations, engaging the fans and apparently having a whole lot of fun and satisfaction doing so. I think it's certainly possible that one or both could voice their old characters in the new series. Even Samuel Jackson came back to voice Mace Windu in the 2008 Clone Wars movie and that man's always busy and commands higher prices to appear in projects than Jones or McDiarmid likely do.
You know what I think?
JEJ had a bunch of generic lines recorded way back in 2003/2004 when they were doing ROTS and some agreement allows them to use it for future projects featuring Vader.
I'm looking forward to seeing Vader from the perspective of these Rebels. In holograms, on screens, threatening everyone from the safety of their command cruisers/Coruscant.
JEJ had a bunch of generic lines recorded way back in 2003/2004 when they were doing ROTS and some agreement allows them to use it for future projects featuring Vader.
I'm looking forward to seeing Vader from the perspective of these Rebels. In holograms, on screens, threatening everyone from the safety of their command cruisers/Coruscant.
We know from reference materials that Vader gradually became the face as well as the fist of the Empire as the Emperor himself slowly became more and more secluded within his palace on Coruscant and devoted his time to studying the Dark Side and issues such as achieving immortality. Vader traveled extensively throughout Imperial space enforcing his Master's will and keeping strong-willed and powerful guys like Tarkin in-line with what the Sith wanted.
In short: if we don't see Vader from time to time it won't make much sense.
In short: if we don't see Vader from time to time it won't make much sense.
Vader is a weapon of last resort. He is not going to be sent to deal with minor nuisances. He is only going to be sent in if the main cast becomes a serious problem.
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