Watch The First Installment In Star Wars: Forces Of Destiny, Sands of Jakku

Disney has released the first animated short film in the new Star Wars: Forces of Destiny series, titled Sands of Jakku. Focused on the women characters of the Star Wars universe, it will wind up with a total of sixteen initial episodes. Kathleen Kennedy, Co-Chairman of The Board and President of Lucasfilm, described the series –

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny is for anyone who has been inspired by Leia’s heroism, Rey’s courage, or Ahsoka’s tenacity….We’re thrilled that so many of the original actors are reprising their roles in these shorts which capture the small moments and everyday decisions that shape who these characters are. It is a fun new way for people to experience Star Wars.

Sands of Jakku take place during the events of Star Wars: Episode VII, just after Rey’s rescue of BB-8, but before she arrives back at Niima Outpost. And features a cross between a Dune sandworm and a Tremors Graboid.

The short sees Daisy Ridley return to voice Rey and also features an opening voiceover from Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata.

Stay tuned as the next episode should be releasing tomorrow on the 4th of July.  Other shorts will star Jyn Erso (voiced by Felicity Jones), Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein), and Princess Leia (America Horror Story‘s Shelby Young).

As we have come to expect from Disney and the Star Wars universe, the Forces of Destiny will have a full line of books, toys, clothing, and anything else they can find to put a logo or likeness on. Hasbro is creating a new collection of ‘Adventure Figures’ and is being designed to bridge the gap between action figures and dolls. Hasbro describes them as:

Each individually-designed figure features dynamic action, like Rey swinging her lightsaber, along with multiple points of articulation to help recreate the characters’ adventures and heroic moments with different poses.