SDCC 2018: THREE RETURNING SHOWS WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS (Disney)


When Disney took the Star Wars reins from Lucasfilm, debates heated up among many faithful fans about what would stay and what would go as the Power That Be ditched the Extended Universe and shook up the continuity of what had long been considered canon. One of those casualties was the much-loved animated series “The Clone Wars,” which initially looked like it would be left in an “Alf”-like limbo of an unresolved ending.

Fire up your lightsabers in celebration! Surprise word dropped at the SDCC anniversary panel for the series that 12 all-new episodes are on their way, some six years or so since the last episode aired. Dave Filoni, the mastermind behind Star Wars’ animated incarnations, was predictably cagey about story details, but credited “the relentless fan support and the team behind Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming service” for getting the X-wings out of dry dock. Filoni added, “we feel a tremendous responsibility to make something that lives up to the legacy that George Lucas created with the original series and I think our team, many of whom worked on the show from the beginning, has risen to the challenge.” Set your sights on the minty fresh trailer:

The only hitch? You’ll have to subscribe to Disney’s new streaming service to get the goods, as that will be the only place where they will air. The series will see the return of classic characters Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi as well as fan favorites Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY (CBS All Access)


We can’t go into too much detail for those of you who haven’t finished the first season (what are you waiting for?). But “Star Trek: Discovery” ended with a tantalizing cliffhanger. After their adventures in the mirror universe, the crew of Discovery confronts new challenges certain to keep new recruits engaged at warp factor nine while enticing Original Series fans with some of its cleverer twists.

Comedian and upcoming guest star Tig Notaro moderated the show’s Hall H panel with cast members including Sonequa Martin-Green (Commander Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Commander Saru), Shazad Latif (Lt. Ash Tyler), Mary Wiseman (Ensign Sylvia Tilly), Anthony Rapp (Lt. Commander Paul Stamets), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), Mary Chieffo (L’Rell) and Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike).

The panel also promised four “Short Treks,” monthly standalone stories running 10-15 minutes each. Some of the storylines will feature the return of Rainn Wilson as Harry Mudd, a peek behind the curtain at Saru’s early enlistment in Starfleet, and Tilly’s friendship with an unexpected partner.

Executive producer Alex Kurtzman had this to say: “There is no shortage of compelling stories to tell in the ‘Star Trek’ universe that inspire, entertain, and either challenge our preconceived ideas or affirm long held beliefs, and we are excited to broaden the universe already with Short Treks. Each episode will deliver closed-ended stories while revealing clues about what’s to come on in future Star Trek: Discovery episodes. They’ll also introduce audiences to new characters who may inhabit the larger world of ‘Star Trek.’”

Back to the main series, here’s the first look trailer for Star Trek: Discovery’s season two premiere:

STAN AGAINST EVIL (IFC)


Season 3 of the hit series starring John C. McGinley as the likably curmudgeonly retired sheriff of Williard’s Mill doesn’t debut until Halloween night, but IFC premiered a sneak peek at their SDCC panel:

The new season of Stan Against Evil picks up immediately after the events of the Season 2 finale, with Stan and Evie back in Willard’s Mill dealing with the consequences of Stan traveling through time to save his dead wife Claire. In doing so, he inadvertently opened a portal between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead … allowing evil forces to truly take over the town and even some of its inhabitants. Although always the skeptic at first, Stan must work with Evie to once more save the town – even if it means making a literal deal with the devil. New and returning guest stars this season include Scott Adsit, Maria Bamford, David Koechner, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Eddie Pepitone.

Mark your calendar for October 31st at 10pm on IFC for the first of eight all-new episodes.