Star Wars Rebels Stars Reflect on Reuniting for Pod of Rebellion

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10 years can be seen as a considerable stretch for many people, enough time for recollections to grow hazy, specifics to become indistinct, and past events to transform into cherished, though distant, achievements. However, for the Star Wars Rebels‘ cast, 10 years isn’t simply a measure of elapsed time; it serves as an enticing proposition for their return. Not merely to the adored animated series that captivated millions, but to each other, to the common experience, and to the fans who remained steadfast in their faith in the Ghost crew. This reunion transcends casual convention encounters, transforming into Pod of Rebellion – a rewatch podcast that takes listeners on an intimate, entertaining, and highly nostalgic voyage back to Lothal and beyond.

Recently, ComicBook had the privilege of chatting with the cast from “Pod of Rebellion”: actors Vanessa Marshall (Hera Syndulla), Tiya Sircar (Sabine Wren), and Taylor Gray (Ezra Bridger, along with moderator Jon Lee Brody and Star Wars knowledge expert JC Reifenberg. This wasn’t a typical interview but rather a friendly, authentic get-together among friends, showcasing the strong friendships formed during recording sessions and nurtured over the past decade. As per the style of the “Ghost” crew, we were warmly welcomed, given an access code (Spectre 7), and made to feel like part of their group. It seems art sometimes mirrors life.

Pod of Rebellion Was Born Out of the Desire to Reconnect With Fans in a Meaningful Way

The formation of the “Pod of Rebellion” underscores the strong bond between the cast members and their deep respect for the lasting impact of “Star Wars Rebels.” Vanessa Marshall vividly remembers the spark that ignited this idea. At a convention with fellow actor Dante Basco, he inquired as to why the “Rebels” cast had not considered the idea of a rewatch podcast.

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Marshall shared, “When we gazed at one another, we didn’t have an ideal solution then. However, it dawned on us that it was also the 10-year anniversary of ‘Rebels’. This realization struck us. We contemplated, why not commemorate such a special occasion by organizing an event where we could revisit every episode, reminisce, and grow closer to each other and our fans even more?

The aspiration to establish a closer, more reachable bond with fans sparked the idea behind “Pod of Rebellion“. While the actors often appear at conventions, they recognized that not everyone can participate in these events.

Reflecting on this, I found myself saying, “Noticing that attending conventions and engaging in panels was such a delightful experience due to the wonderful people we meet, we yearned to share that connection with those who couldn’t attend. Our podcast serves as a bridge, allowing us to stay connected beyond the confines of conventions. It all seems to have fallen into place quite naturally.

The “Pod of Rebellion” stands as a welcoming platform, acting as a virtual hub where the extended “Rebels” community, encompassing both the cast and viewers, can gather each week to express their affection for the series.

The Rewatch Experience Offers New Perspectives for Fans and Deepened Bonds for the Cast

For Sabine Wren, portrayed by Tiya Sircar, watching the series “Pod of Rebellion” again has been a fresh and distinct experience compared to when she first watched the episodes.

She shared that she had watched all previous episodes as they came out, but hadn’t revisited them since then. This means it had been 10 years when they began [Pod of Rebellion]. During her initial viewing, she confessed, she was rather self-critical due to being an actor scrutinizing her own performance. “Obviously, the first time I watched [Rebels], I was quite nervous because I’m peculiar about watching my own performances,” she admitted. “So, I believe I observed [Rebels] more critically of myself and uncertain of what was unfolding.

After more than ten years have passed, and with the wisdom that comes from hindsight, as well as the strong connection she shares with her co-stars, a second viewing of these episodes has completely altered Tiya’s perspective on them.

Sircar stated that watching the series again felt almost like experiencing it for the first time anew. He discovered forgotten episodes and found himself reminiscing, ‘Ah, yes! I remember this.’ This rewatch was a trip down memory lane, but with added emotion and nostalgia. Since he knows the characters so well, his current viewing is vastly different from when they were first released.

Taylor Gray’s (Ezra Bridger) experience mirrors Sircar’s in many ways, though with a unique twist.

He openly admitted that while he had caught some episodes from Disney, he hadn’t watched the entire series thoroughly. His debut into voice acting for the show Rebels was both exciting and intimidating because it was his first time doing voiceovers. He explained that since this was a new experience for him, he lacked prior knowledge about the process and didn’t have a clear understanding of how well he was performing. Many of the references were not entirely clear to him at the beginning.

Similar to Sircar, Gray found it challenging to review his performances after they were finished, preferring to keep his sessions with Ezra in the recording studio as memories. Yet, the rewatch of the Pod of Rebellion has proven nothing less than enlightening for Gray.

I’m enjoying watching this. Once I started, I gave it high marks and exclaimed, ‘This is definitely a five out of five! I adore it!’ Gray’s admiration for Rebels is evident in every grin and animated tale he shares. The show is truly delightful, and it’s been fantastic to discuss it with others as well.

Over the years, watching the series again has brought back memories for Gray of the faint reverberations of his co-stars’ performances, as well as his own, from more than ten years past.

Just as he put it, we’ve grown quite familiar with each other throughout this journey. It’s almost like flipping through old pages, recognizing fragments of their personalities that resonate with memories from before. The warmth of those shared moments on set echoes in my voice when I speak about them.

And as for myself, it’s a bit like shedding layers of skin – there are moments I come across and think, ‘Ah, that was.’ It brings back the raw instincts, that innate connection we forged during our time together. It’s a sweet, nostalgic feeling, one that makes my heart swell with affection. Simply put, I adore this show. I’m not just an observer; I’m a passionate fan at heart.

For Jon Lee Brody, who played a key role as the host and a significant motivator for launching the podcast, the “Pod of Rebellion” provided an opportunity to peek backstage.

He shared that, as a fan himself, he’s curious about the behind-the-scenes tales from the set, especially what was happening in the booth during production. The podcast provides him with an exclusive platform to gather such insights since he has a personal relationship with the cast members but also appreciates discussing topics beyond Star Wars. He mentioned that when they record the show, he gets to listen to those behind-the-scenes stories, finding it fascinating because fans typically only see the final product on screen. They’re unaware of the effort and teamwork that went into creating it.

Brody finds that each detail adds a fresh perspective on the series for him. Admittedly, he’s found it fascinating to learn these behind-the-scenes tales, which in turn, changes his view of the show itself.

JC Reifenberg, the Star Wars lore expert and producer behind the scenes, expressed similar feelings as Brody, appreciating the insights into direction and acting choices shared by the actors. However, what stood out most to Reifenberg, who hadn’t previously known the cast, was the authentic, familial bond they have with each other, which he discovered through the podcast.

What really stands out to me is that they truly embody their characters off-screen. They genuinely care for one another, creating an authentic bond similar to a real family. They not only work together within the show, but also spend time together beyond it.

In a thoughtful comparison, Reifenberg likened the dynamics of the Ghost crew to the very essence of the Rebel Pod itself.

Just as the Ghost crew drew Ezra into their fold, I find myself being drawn into the Pod of Rebellion. It’s not accurate to say I’m a member of the Ghost crew, as I am clearly not, but I feel that if there was another ship, the Pod of Rebellion, they would have welcomed me in much the same way they welcomed Ezra on the show.

Reifenberg’s feelings accurately reflect the core spirit of “Pod of Rebellion“. It’s not merely about rewatching; it’s about carrying on a legacy, honoring everlasting camaraderie, and warmly welcoming fans to embark on this nostalgic, enlightening, and frequently amusing expedition. Over a decade since its inception, the cast of “Star Wars Rebels” demonstrates that certain connections, much like the Force itself, become stronger with the passage of time.

The “Pod of Rebellion” can be found on iHeartPodcasts and is accessible through the iHeartRadio app, as well as any platform where podcasts are played.

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2025-05-31 06:40