Disney have announced an animated follow-up to The Clone Wars will air in 2014. Titled Star Wars Rebels, the new series will be set in the gap between Episode III and Episode IV and will premiere as a one hour special on The Disney Channel in the US before transferring to Disney XD.

X Men: First Class screenwriter Simon Kinberg will script the first episode, with The Clone Wars supervising director Dave Filoni overseeing production alongside executive producer Greg Weisman. There is no news of any cast members as yet.

Disney described the series as being set “…in a time where the Empire is securing its grip on the galaxy and hunting down the last of the Jedi Knights as a fledgling rebellion against the Empire is taking shape.”

“The entire team at Lucasfilm has provided extraordinary creativity and innovation for over three decades, and we’re thrilled to be bringing the expansive and imaginative world of Star Wars to Disney XD viewers,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.

“I couldn’t be more excited to explore new corners of the Star Wars universe,” said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. “I thinkStar Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars.”

The first footage from Star Wars Rebels is expected to be screened at Star Wars Celebration Europe II, taking place in Messe Essen, Germany between 26-28 July.