ILMxLAB’s latest virtual reality experience, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, extends and expands the world of Batuu and Black Spire Outpost like never before. And just as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the epic immersive lands at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, introduced new characters and locations into the Star Wars galaxy, the same is true with Tales. In this series, we’ll introduce you to some of the new residents — and travelers — you’ll run into during your adventures on Batuu.
“It’s too dangerous inside alone. I have to help him.”
Hundreds of years before the rise of the Empire, the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order were at their zenith, serving and protecting the galaxy during a time known as The High Republic. As part of their efforts at the time, the Jedi established outposts near the Outer Rim, including a research facility on the planet Batuu.
Ady Sun’Zee was a Mirialan Jedi Padawan that worked in the Batuu outpost, researching rare artifacts discovered across the galaxy, alongside her mentor Jedi Master Sylwin. Fierce and skilled in combat, Ady — like many Padawans before her — struggled with balancing the darkness she felt within herself, and the focus and serenity of the Force.
According to local legend, one day the power of a sinister artifact was unleashed inside the outpost, causing the Jedi to turn on one another — leaving Ady as the sole survivor.
“A Jedi never gives up.”
Tackling the character of Ady required the team at ILMxLAB to take a different approach than what had been used in previous projects like the award-winning Vader Immortal, or even in the primary storyline of Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. In both of those cases, players take on the roles of a character with their own unique backstory, like a Batuuan droid repair technician, but are voiceless within the experience, allowing players to say whatever they’d like to the characters they meet.
Ady Sun’Zee, on the other hand, is featured in one of Seezelslak’s Tales — anthological stories that can take place in any era of Star Wars history. When the Azumel bartender begins spinning one of his yarns, players are instantly transported inside of them, and take on the role of the lead character. Players will literally become Ady Sun’Zee, and can hear her voice as she speaks and has conversations with other characters.
It was a challenge that added even more depth to the character, and when searching for the voice of the young Padawan, the team came upon performer Ellie Araiza. Having appeared in television shows like Legion and The Bridge, Araiza has also built a strong voice-over career, lending her talents to projects like Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
“Ellie was incredibly important in providing a voice for the player,” said producer Alyssa Finley. “She truly helped ground them in the character of a young Padawan in an incredibly uncertain situation.”
Araiza’s performance, in concert with the animation and design teams at ILMxLAB, truly made Ady come alive. In the process, they not only created a compelling new character; they allowed players and fans to truly understand the fears and challenges Ady faces in Temple of Darkness
You can take on the role of Ady Sun’Zee for yourself in Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, available now on the Oculus Quest platform.
