Frank Oz Reprises Yoda for ‘Star Wars Rebels’

The folks at Disney must have learned I haven’t been keeping up with “Star Wars Rebels,” because it’s just been revealed that Yoda will appear in an upcoming episode.

From a certain point of view.

The character will be seen but not heard in the episode “Path of the Jedi,” where he offers advice to Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus and his padawan Ezra Bridger.  But that isn’t even the best part! Frank Oz, the original voice, mind, and heart of the diminutive green Jedi, is reprising his role and returning to a galaxy far far away.

Since “Rebels” takes place between “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope,” corporeal Yoda is biding his time on Dagobah with his gimer stick and rootleaf stew. Producer Dave Filoni explains the decision to use only Yoda’s voice:  “I felt personally to keep Yoda as this disembodied thing it would confuse the audience less . . .  I didn’t want you to think Yoda could be teleporting from planet to planet.”

You can bet I’ll be watching this episode in January.  Yoda is, and always has been, my favorite “Star Wars” character, and I’m so thrilled Frank Oz is returning to the role for this episode.

“Star Wars Rebels: Path of the Jedi” airs Monday, Jan. 5 at 9/8c on Disney XD.

(TVGuide.com)