- "When developing Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, the first Star Wars series created for preschoolers, the creative team never stopped thinking about how this show may be a youngling's first step into a larger world, and their first time experiencing the limitless potential of the Star Wars galaxy. The show's characters, tone, and the life lessons woven throughout each episode were written just for them, and our talented team was committed to honoring the cinematic legacy while staying true to the expectations of parents for the youngest of audiences."
- ―James Waugh
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures is an animated Star Wars series focused for preschoolers, grade schoolers, and their families. It is set during the High Republic Era.[1] It released on YouTube with shorts on March 27, 2023[4] and released on Disney Junior, Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney XD on May 4, 2023.[6] The first season was released in three further batches on August 2, November 8, 2023 and February 14, 2024.[2][10][11]
In 2024, the series was renewed for a second season, with shorts on August 2, the first half scheduled to be released on August 14 and the second half in 2025.[3]
Official description[]
Set during The High Republic era, the animated series follows Jedi younglings as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.[12]
Development[]
On May 27, 2022, during Celebration Anaheim, the series was announced. It was set during the High Republic era and would focus on a group of Jedi younglings training to be Jedi Knights. Young Jedi Adventures would be the first animated Star Wars series aimed at preschoolers, early grade schoolers, and their families.[1]
On February 9, 2023, Jamaal Avery Jr., Juliet Donenfeld, Dee Bradley Baker, Emma Berman, Jonathan Lipow, and Piotr Michael were confirmed as key cast members. StarWars.com also announced that the series would premiere on May 4, 2023.[6]
Production[]
- "I'm going for something a little more specific because this is for children. So, it's got to be clear what's being said. It's almost like with a pre-lingual child or even a dog, where there's a specific intent with the whining or vocalization. If you're a parent, you can often read what that is. And that's kind of what you want with a character like Nubs."
- ―Dee Bradley Baker describing how he voiced his character Nubs
Young Jedi Adventures was produced by Lucasfilm in collaboration with Wild Canary,[14] as well as ICON Creative Studio[15] for Disney+, Disney Junior, and Disney Channel. The series' executive producers included James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez, and Josh Rimes. The show runner was Michael Olson, who also served as executive producer. Elliot M. Bour served as co-producer and supervising director. Other producers included Jeannine Hodson and Lamont Magee.[6] The animated series was initially produced under the name "Big Wheel."[14]
Lucasfilm continued their collaboration with Wild Canary to produce the series' second season. Waugh, Lopez and Rimes continued as executive producers while Olson continued as show runner and executive producer. Bour continued as supervising director and co-executive producer. Lamont Magee joined as consulting producer while Icon Creative provided production services for the series.[3]
Actors recorded their lines for the series' episodes remotely, with screenwriters and directors stitching the disparate voice performances together. During an interview with StarWars.com, Dee Bradley Baker likened his character Nubs, who doesn't speak Galactic Basic Standard (English), to a pre-lingual child or even a dog. Baker recorded multiple options for his characters' lines. Nubs' friends Kai Brightstar and Lys Solay also reinforced what their friend was saying during dialogues, with Baker likening their relationship to that between Han Solo and Chewbacca. Due to the show's pre-school target audience, sub-titles for Nubs was ruled out by the showrunners.[13]
Marketing[]
A promotional image depicting several characters including Yoda, Kai Brightstar, and Nash Durango was unveiled at the D23 Expo 2022 on September 10, 2022.[16]
The series' first official trailer was released at Celebration Europe on April 10, 2023.[17]
On May 18, 2023, This Week! in Star Wars host Kristin Baver interviewed cast members Jamaal Avery Jr. and Juliet Donenfeld, who voiced Kai Brightstar and Lys Solay respectively.[18]
On July 13, Baver interviewed Emma Berman and Trey Murphy, who voiced Nash Durango and Taborr Val Dorn, respectively. The video also announced the release of six further new episodes commencing August 2, 2023.[19]
Release[]
Three promotional shorts were released on YouTube on March 27, 2023. Three additional shorts were released over the following weeks leading up to April 26, 2023. These six shorts were subsequently released on Disney+ on April 26.[20]
On April 8th, 2023, the first two episodes of the series were screened at the Young Jedi Adventures panel at Celebration Europe.[5]
The first seven episodes were released on Disney+ on May 4, 2023.[21] The seven episodes were also released on a weekly basis on Disney Junior between May 4 and 9 June.[22]
On July 13, 2023, Lucasfilm, Disney+ and Disney Junior announced that six more episodes would be released simultaneously on Disney+ and Disney Junior on August 2. More episodes will be released in 2023, bringing the first season to a total of 25 episodes.[2]
On August 18, 2023, StarWars.com announced that a third batch of episodes would be released on Disney+ and Disney Junior on November 8, including a Life Day special set on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. In addition, further Season One episodes are scheduled to be released in 2024.[10]
On January 11, 2024, StarWars.com announced that a fourth batch of episodes would be released on Disney+ and Disney Junior on February 14. These upcoming episodes would include a wilderness training exercise on Tenoo, trips to both Black Spire Outpost on Batuu and Starlight Beacon, and a climatic showdown with the antagonistic Taborr Val Dorn. Marcus Scribner, Justine Lee and Liam O'Brien were also confirmed as new cast members, playing Bell Zettifar, Lina Soh and Estala Maru respectively. Jecobi Swain was also confirmed as voicing Kai Brightstar alongside Jamaal Avery Jr.[11]
On June 14, 2024, StarWars.com announced that the first half of the second season would be released on Disney+ and Disney Junior on August 14, with shorts on August 2. The second half is expected to be released in 2025. A tie-in a digital series called Star Wars: Fun with Nubs was also released on June 14. Jedi Padawan Wes Vinik (Gunnar Sizemore) and astromech droid R0-M1 were named as new characters.[3]
Reception[]
On December 16, 2023, Young Jedi Adventures won two Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program" and "Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program." The series had also been nominated for three other Emmy awards including "Outstanding Pre-School Animated Series," "Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program," and "Outstanding Main Title."[23]
Credits[]
| Cast | Uncredited cast | Crew | Uncredited crew | Special thanks |
Cast
Crew
|
Seasons[]
| Season | Logo | Episodes | First airdate | Last airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
March 15, 2024[28] | |||
|
|
|
2025[3] |
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
External links[]
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on Wikipedia- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on Disney.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on Disney+ (backup link)
- Young Jedi Adventures at the Internet Movie Database
