'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' To Get Early Premiere On 'Fortnite' As Part Of Franchise’s Largest Tie-In Yet

It’s like 2019 but bigger! I still don’t get the Fortnite hype

Over Star Wars Celebration, it was announced that Fortnite, a pandemic favorite of Jar-Jar Binks and Kelleran Beq actor Ahmed Best’s household thanks to his son, would be launching a “Galactic Battle” Battle Royale season on May 2, set to last five weeks, starting with “Imperial Takeover”. While not the first season to team with the Lucasfilm-owned franchise, it was described by owner Epic Games as their “most expansive experience” with it so far. And that includes premiering Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld two days before its May 4 Star Wars Day arrival on Disney+.

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld will be available to view on a Star Wars Watch Party island, and players can fend off enemies during it so it’s not too idle a time. It follows two bounty hunters of the galaxy’s criminal underworld: former dark side assassin Asajj Ventress, voiced once again by Nika Futterman as she is given “a new chance at life before she must go on the run with an unexpected new ally”, and outlaw Cad Bane, voiced once again by Corey Burton, as he “faces his past when he confronts an old friend, now a marshal on the other side of the law”.

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“For the first time, Disney+ is premiering a show inside a game, launching alongside our largest Star Wars collaboration with Fortnite to date – giving fans and players an exciting first look at the kinds of experiences they can expect as we shape a new future together,” says Sean Shoptaw, Disney Games & Digital Entertainment’s Executive Vice President. “We’re building the next era of digital entertainment, where fans can play, watch, create and connect – and we’re just beginning to tap into what’s possible.” Epic Games accounts can now be linked to myDisney accounts, which will set players up for future experiences and unlocks a special stormtrooper skin.

“Disney and Epic are pioneering the future of social entertainment together, and this expansive Star Wars collaboration offers a glimpse into the type of interactive experiences we envision,” added Epic Games president Adam Sussman. “We are reimagining what’s possible with immersive storytelling in Fortnite with one of the world’s most beloved franchises – stay tuned for a lot more to come.” This comes from a billion dollar investment made by Disney in February 2024 with one of the big goals being a separate Disney universe-centric game. Because who needs whole licensed games anymore when you can throw licensed characters into the world of an original IP?

The season introduces Force Lightning, the well-known Sith power, to the game annd allows players to pilot and co-pilot iconic ships like X-wings and TIE Fighters. New outfits include Emperor Palpatine, Apprentice Evie coming in singular Jedi and Sith styles, which put “a Star Wars spin on fan-favorite Fortnite original characters” and a Wookiee Team Leader look. “The Pull of the Force” will start May 8 and last until “Mandalorian Rising” takes over all the way until May 22, followed by “Star Destroyer Bombardment” on May 29 and “Death Star Sabotage” on June 7.

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Source: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter