Steven Universe is one of the most acclaimed series of Cartoon Network’s fruitful 2010s renaissance, sitting alongside Adventure Time as one of the network’s finest outings. Hailed for its sophisticated storytelling and progressive representation, the show was even given a Peabody Award in 2019, further cementing its status as one of the most significant animated series of its era.
While its original run ended in 2019, that’s not the last trip fans got to take to the world of the Gems. Creator Rebecca Sugar has continued the Steven Universe saga in a feature-length film, as well as the epilogue limited series Steven Universe Future, which wrapped up many of the saga’s loose ends. And soon, she’ll be returning to the series once again in the spinoff Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars, announced at the recent Annecy Festival. Fans are no doubt yearning for a return journey to the series’ delightful world, and they’ll get their chance, though exactly when isn’t yet clear. Here’s everything we know about Lars of the Stars.
Who Is Involved with ‘Lars of the Stars’?
Cartoon Network
Lars of the Stars is set to be executive produced by Sugar along with her husband and fellow Steven Universe writer/producer Ian Jones-Quartey. Jones-Quartey is credited as a co-creator for the spinoff, so it seems he and Sugar developed the project together. In addition to his work on Steven Universe, he previously created the series O.K. K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, so he’s got plenty of experience in this area.
It’s not yet known if original Lars voice actor Matthew Moy will be returning for the role, but he did once say the character was one of his favorites, so odds are high he’ll be coming back if he’s available.
What Will ‘Lars of the Stars’ Be About?
Cartoon Network Studios
(Spoilers for Steven Universe)
Lars of the Stars will be focused on Lars Barriga, a supporting character from Steven Universe who’s getting called up to anchor his own show. Lars is a former donut shop employee who’s abducted and taken to the Gem home world along with Steven, and has to push through his own insecurities in order to step up and be a hero. He sacrifices himself to save Steven, but is brought back to life by Steven’s healing powers. The ordeal turns his skin pink and gives him some special abilities all his own. By the end of the series, Lars has become a Star Lord-esque space pirate, traveling the galaxy as the captain of a group of fugitives from the Gem home world.
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Not much has been shared about the specific plot of Lars of the Stars, but a press release stated that the series “explores the past, present, and future of the universe,” which certainly sounds like there’s going to be some time-warping hijinks afoot, following Lars and his band of outcasts as they go about their space pirate business. With Sugar and Jones-Quartey at the helm, it will undoubtedly carry on Steven Universe’s tradition of bold and unconventional storytelling.
When and Where Will ‘Lars of the Stars’ Be Released?
Cartoon Network Studios
A release date has yet to be announced, but Lars of the Stars is set to premiere not on Cartoon Network, but rather on Prime Video. It seems that the project is still pretty early in development, so it might not see the light of day for a couple more years, given the intricate production process of animated series.
Cartoon Network has been put through the wringer in recent years, with multiple staff shufflings and many of its releases unceremoniously removed from streaming by its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. In August of last year, its website shut down and redirected visitors to Max, ending a nearly 30-year presence online. The network’s fate is still somewhat up in the air, as WBD has announced a plan to move away from kid-oriented programming to focus on content for adults and families, but so far, they’ve managed to hold on in some form. A partnership between Prime Video and Cartoon Network Studios could point towards a new path forward for the embattled network that has set the standard for animated television for decades.
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Six years after its finale, Steven Universe is still held up as one of the greatest animated series of the century so far. Taking Lars of the Stars to Prime Video may open the door for some slightly edgier storytelling, not unlike what Max’s Adventure Time spinoff Fionna and Cake did, though it’s doubtful the show will veer too far into adult territory. Steven Universe has always been a show that’s vibrant enough for young audiences while being suitably complex for older ones, creating a fandom that spans generations. Not much is known about Lars of the Stars just yet, but it’s highly likely it will only add to the original series’ legacy.
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