Disney’s Next ‘Star Wars’ Series to Drop in Fortnite

Disney and Epic Games are set to launch their most ambitious collaboration to date with the premiere of the new animated series Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld inside Fortnite. This marks the first time a Disney+ series will debut within a video game environment. The first two episodes will be available exclusively on Fortnite’s Star Wars Watch Party island starting May 2 at 10 a.m. ET, ahead of the series’ official release on Disney+ on May 4.

Tales of the Underworld, created by Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni, is an anthology series that delves into the criminal underworld of the Star Wars galaxy. It features stories centered on characters like Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, exploring their complex narratives within the Star Wars universe.

This premiere coincides with the launch of Fortnite’s Chapter 6 Season 3, titled “Galactic Battle,” which is entirely themed around Star Wars. The season introduces new gameplay elements, including weekly content updates, iconic character skins such as Darth Jar Jar Binks and Emperor Palpatine, and the ability to pilot ships like X-wings and TIE Fighters. The season will culminate in a live in-game event called “Death Star Sabotage”.

Players can also link their Epic Games and MyDisney accounts to unlock a free First Order Stormtrooper outfit, enhancing their in-game experience during this special event.

“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, executive vp of Disney Games & Digital Entertainment. “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.”

“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 collaboration is part of a broader initiative following Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, aiming to create a new digital entertainment universe that integrates Disney’s extensive portfolio of characters and stories within the Fortnite platform.

The Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld premiere and the “Galactic Battle” season represent a significant step in blending interactive gaming experiences with traditional media content, offering fans a unique and immersive way to engage with the Star Wars franchise.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Disney experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro framed the Epic Games deal as being about the future of the company, comparing the push to Walt Disney’s own sense of risk-taking.

“We envision essentially a universe that we’re going to build where all our stories can come to life,” D’Amaro said. “They can come to life in different forms, [like] games. They can come to life in ways that you can just interact with and play with the franchise in a way that’s meaningful to you, a place where you can actually build,” he adds. “And we think that this is going to be a place where all fans can come and interact 365 days a year.”