Rumor: Major Connections Between 'Rebels' and Episode VII (Updated!)

UPDATE: It has been brought to our attention that elements from Movie Cricket's original story are based on quotes from Mr. Morton that were taken out of context.  The story does not accurately depict the spirit of what Mr. Morton was saying.  Keep that in mind should you chose to read on.  More details to follow.

By: Dominic Jones

Some very interesting information is coming out of the Star Wars: Dinner with the Stars event at Star Wars Fan Fun Day in Burnley, Lancashire.   Movie Circket, who sponsored the dinner, spoke with John Morton, the actor who played Dak in The Empire Strikes Back.  Morton let it slip that he had some inside knowledge about the connections between Episode VII and the animated series Star Wars Rebels.  According to Morton,

• Characters from Rebels will appear in Episode VII
• Rebels will "set up and point the direction for ‘Episode VII’"
• Billy Dee Williams will be voicing Lando Calrissean on Rebels

As for how Rebels will connect and set up Episode VII, Morton said,

"Rebels is the key. Rebels will provide the link to bring in the continuity from Clone Wars, the Original Trilogy and the Prequels to enable Lucasfilm and Disney to tee-up ‘Episode VII’. If you want my informed opinion, it will enable ‘Episode VII’ to leapfrog over the whole trilogy."

Wow!  Those are some serious revelations!  As for whether they're true or not is the question.  Morton is more than just an actor from the original trilogy and a great fan ambassador, but he also blogs for StarWars.com.  It is possible that he got this inside information through those channels, however it seems unlikely.  There is also the possibility that Morton has his own sources over at Pinewood Studios that are telling him these things.  One other possibility is that Morton is involved in one of the projects.  Episode VII seems unlikely since Dak died in Empire, but maybe we'll be seeing Dak's origin story on Rebels.   Still, as with anything that doesn't come directly from Lucasfilm, take this with a major grain of salt.

As always this is just a rumor until confirmed or denied by Lucasfilm or Disney.

Source: Movie Cricket

You can follow Dominic on Twitter: @DominicJ25