Watch: Star Wars Short Film Shows What Happened Minutes Before 'Force Awakens'

As you probably know by now, Disney has teamed with LEGO to release a series of Star Wars animated short films set before the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We've posted a bunch of them on the site in the past, and they are definitely worth your time. The latest one, the fifth in the series, is titled "Attack of the Conscience" and tells Finn's (at the time, still FN-2187) story leading up to the seconds before we see he in JJ Abrams' Episode VII. Watch that short and the other four previously released LEGO Star Wars animated short films, after the jump.

Here is our previously released story collecting all the shorts, followed with the new short film on the bottom:

Back in February, Disney announced a new series of Star Wars animated short films titled LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises a prequel to Episode VII featuring characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The first short in the series, titled Poe to the Rescue premiered on DisneyXD, and was later put online for everyone to enjoy. Disney has now released three more LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises shorts, titled The Trouble with Rathtars, Hunting for Han and Rey Strikes Back. All three shorts are a fun watch and well worth your time. I wish Disney would make an actual animated series out of these and not just shorts. Watch the two new LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises short films now after the jump.

Here is the previously released Poe to the Rescue short which follows Resistance pilot Poe Dameron alongside two droids, C-3PO and BB-8, as they come to the aid of Admiral Ackbar who is being held captive by Captain Phasma aboard a Star Destroyer.

Now let's get to the new episodes, which were recently released via Toys R Us (via: Starwarsnewsnet). First up is episode 2, The Trouble with Rathtars:

HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA have their hands full with a pack of misbehaving Rathtars as they attempt to transport their carnivorous cargo to a rendezvous with Bala Tik the pirate. Things go from bad to worse when First Order TIE Fighters pull the freighter over, forcing Han to think quick and somehow save his skin from the First Order and the rampaging creatures.

And here is episode 3, Hunting for Han:

At the castle of pirate MAZ KANATA (the gathering spot for A-list Scum and Villainy across the galaxy) Maz prepares to trade with scurvy pirate BALA TIK. Bala Tik's demands that Maz reveal the location of Han Solo, whom Bala Tik accuses of cheating him out of his Rathtars. As it happens, every unsavory character there has a beef with Han, and soon the Han-haters erupt in a brawl that stops when a mysterious OLD COOT sends the angry Scum on a wild goose chase after Han.

Here is Episode #4, Rey Strikes Back:

On remote Jakku, REY strives to make ends meet by scavenging ruined Star Destroyers, but the heartless trader UNKAR PLUTT isn't making it easy for her. Angry at what he perceives as Rey's ingratitude, Plutt sends henchmen to steal her cherished Tank Speeder. The two not-so-bright baddies meet their match in the determined Rey, who stops at nothing to get her beloved "Bumper" back.

UPDATE: Here is Episode #5 in the series, Attack of the Conscience:

I believe these shorts are roughly considered canon, which may mean that they confirm Lando is still alive in the Star Wars universe. It also confirms he's friendly with Maz, who we know returns for Star Wars Episode VIII. This doesn't necessarily mean that Lando will make an appearance in the live-action films, of course, but the possibility has been rumored for some time. Either way, it's fun to see old Lando back in animated form.

Airdates for the additional episodes have not yet been announced, but they will probably air on the DisneyXD network throughout the year.