The canonical VR adventure will be released on Oculus Quest and Rift headsets this spring
APRIL 12, 2019 – CHICAGO, IL. Today ILMxLAB revealed a new trailer and major casting news for
its upcoming virtual reality adventure Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series – Episode I.
During a panel at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, the team announced that acclaimed actress
and comedian Maya Rudolph will star as ZOE3, a quick-witted droid co-pilot that audiences will
partner with throughout the story.
“Much in the way Alan Tudyk did with K-2SO, we needed somebody for this role that could
create a unique character using their improvisation and performance skills,” said writer and
executive producer David S. Goyer. “Maya truly was the first person we thought of, right from
the very beginning, and her contributions and sense of humor have guided ZOE3 every step of
the way.” See the new story trailer here:
Set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars
VR Series is an original narrative adventure that lets audiences step into the role of a smuggler
operating near Mustafar, the volcanic world that Darth Vader calls home. In typical Star Wars
fashion, they’ll soon find themselves in the middle of a grand adventure as they are
unexpectedly pulled out of hyperspace — and eventually, come face to face with the Sith Lord
himself.
“Vader Immortal lets you step inside a Star Wars story, so you’re not just observing what’s
happening. You’re the lead character,” said director Ben Snow. “As a fan, I’ve always wanted to
feel what it’s like to be close to Darth Vader. So to have him walk right up in VR — not only with
his mechanical breathing but talking to and addressing you directly — is something that I think
is going to be meaningful for a lot of fans.”
The series was announced last year as a launch title for the untethered Oculus Quest headset.
During the Celebration panel Colum Slevin, Head of Media, AR/VR Experiences Group at Oculus,
revealed that the series will also be coming to the company’s groundbreaking Oculus Rift family
of headsets, including the upcoming Rift S.
“Oculus Quest unlocks new ways to create. It shifts the design paradigm by freeing creators
from certain constraints, and the untethered form factor was one of the key reasons we
partnered with the ILMxLAB team on this project” said Slevin. “What makes Vader Immortal so
exciting is that this kind of story, this kind of moment in the Star Wars canon, can only happen
in VR. You’ll see what I mean the moment you fire up a lightsaber and wield it in your hands.”
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series – Episode I is scheduled for release this spring.
ILMxLAB is Lucasfilm’s immersive entertainment studio, pioneering a new era of interactive
storytelling through virtual and mixed reality experiences. Working with acclaimed creators and
designers, we transform beloved properties into living worlds, inviting you to step inside and
become the hero of your own personal adventure.
Tweet out your excitement to @ILMxLAB using the official hashtag #VaderImmortal
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