[joey225]

Link to story on starwars.com

A new era of Star Wars entertainment begins in 2008 when Star Wars: The Clone Wars, from creator George Lucas, premieres as an all-new feature film in August, followed by the television series debut in the fall, in a partnership announced today between Lucasfilm Ltd., Warner Bros. Pictures and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes audiences on incredible new Star Wars adventures, combining the legendary storytelling of Lucasfilm with an eye-popping, signature animation style. Star Wars: The Clone Wars will open in North American theaters Friday, August 15. International release dates will be announced soon.

"I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell," said George Lucas, executive producer of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. "I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and, at the same time, push the art of animation forward."

The theatrical debut of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is only the beginning of all-new Star Wars adventures that continue in the fall when the long-awaited television series premieres on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT. Details regarding international broadcasts will be announced shortly. Star Wars: The Clone Wars showcases an entirely new look and feel to the galaxy far, far away -- combining the expansive scope of the Star Wars Saga with state-of-the-art computer-generated animation. Each week, viewers will see a thrilling, 30-minute "mini-movie" created by the talented artists at Lucasfilm Animation.


On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, along with brand-new heroes like Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains -- led by Darth Sidious, Count Dooku and General Grievous -- are poised to rule the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. Their exploits lead to the action-packed battles and astonishing new revelations that fill Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

"Warner Bros. and Turner are uniquely positioned to deliver on the enormous potential of The Clone Wars because together they offer a world-class opportunity: the theatrical and home-video distribution of Warner Bros. and the broad reach of the Turner Networks," said Micheline Chau, President and Chief Operating Officer of Lucasfilm Ltd. "This terrific combination hits the key demographic groups, ranging from kids to adults, that make up the Star Wars audience."

Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, added, "This is a breakthrough project -- returning Star Wars to the big screen in a completely new way while beginning an exciting new chapter in George Lucas' legendary saga. We immediately felt that it would be a fantastic theatrical event and are thrilled to be bringing it to moviegoers."
"Nothing like this has ever been produced for television," said Stuart Snyder, President/COO Turner Animation,Young Adults & Kids Media. "For 30 years, Star Wars has shown that it appeals to a huge breadth of fans. The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network will be appointment television for everyone in the family. We're thrilled to be working with Lucasfilm again and very excited to be playing a role in bringing this remarkable adventure to viewers."With a new story each week, Star Wars: The Clone Wars continues the tradition of thrilling stories, astonishing visuals and extraordinary music that have always been the hallmarks of the Star Wars Saga.

Lucasfilm Animation, which is based in Marin County, Calif., with a studio in Singapore, has produced more than 30 all-new episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and production continues on even more exciting episodes.

[Mr. Breathmask]

Quite frankly, I hope it fails miserably.

[Joey]

I hope they don't bastardize John's music.

[Henry Buck]

The one thing I've read about this series' music is that the world's most famous bagpiper was brought in to perform. No kidding.

[pixie_twinkle]

"I'd like to retire from Star Wars and make small art films from now on" (paraphrasing)

Yeah right. George baby, you can't do anything except Star Wars any more. You couldn't make a decent art film if your life depended on it. How can you possibly make an artistic film without relying on your legions of committees, art departments, effects teams, model makers, script editors, script editors, script editors, more art departments, concept designers, gaffers, tea boys, tea girls, ball boys, nose-wipers, groupees, hangers on, yes-men, and George worshipers?

It ain't happening.

Although I really hope at some point you try. Somewhere underneath all those protective layers of administrators I'm sure there's the remnants of that once-great film-maker. I'd like to see him emerge again.

[Mr. Breathmask]

Hey man, don't knock the gaffers.

[John Crichton]

Hoo boy, there's blood in the water again. This place is gonna get ugly.

[Genius_Gone_Insane]

Quite frankly, I hope it fails miserably.

I don't understand. Why do you feel this way?

[Neil S. Bulk]

I hope they don't bastardize John's music.

Have you already forgotten the prequels? If so, I envy you.

Neil

[Mr. Breathmask]

Quite frankly, I hope it fails miserably.

I don't understand. Why do you feel this way?

Because I'm sick of Star Wars.

I want it to be done, over. I don't want the market to become saturated with milkings and spin-offs. I want for the films to regain their stature and stand as something we can watch over and over again like I imagine many people did between 1983 and 1999 (or 1997).

Not for Star Wars to be reduced to another franchise name that has had too many different incarnations and continuations for its own good.

[Chuck McKnight]

So, is this like a re-do of those five-minute cartoon episodes of Clone Wars?

[aj_vader]

YAY! MORE STAR WARS WUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in the theatres? its a TV SHOW isnt it?

[Luke Skywalker]

So the clone was cartoon were cool and well crafted.

These arent.

right.

Oh yes, Lucas is a little more involved here...and they are not Genndy Tartakovsky's, but heck this is like if a new videogame or book was published. If you dont want, dont play/read it.

Furthermore, they are possibly making the finest CGI cartoons (for TV) yet, but that is not important.

And BTW, we have know this for years, no need to start moaning now if it were new...

But everybody is entitled to their opinions



AJ_Vader, Its a TV show, but they are putting the 'pilot episode' on Theaters.

[John Crichton]

I see no need for this to be released theatrically. It should stay on TV, where it belongs.

[Mr. Breathmask]

I see no need for this to be released theatrically.

The reason is clear:

[John Crichton]

That's the second biggest dollar sign I've ever seen.

[Mr. Breathmask]

There were bigger, but I didn't want to screw up the page too much...

[Mark Olivarez]

I agree with Marc and all those who have the same view. I'm tired of Star Wars, it was something special that was turned into a money milking venture that has totally ruined the true spirit of the franchise.

[John Crichton]

The concept of the show doesn't bother me, I wouldn't mind seeing more Clone Wars stories. I just think it's silly to push it into the theaters. Keep it on TV as a suppliment to the movies for those who want it like the rest of the EU, and leave it at that.

[Luke Skywalker]

No one is forcing anybody to watch it on theaters...

BTW 'Amazing Stories: The mission' aired on theaters here in spain and in portugal (if i remember Miguel's words correctly). I dont know but possibly in other europeans countries too.

And it was Spielberg... Do you think he should not have?

Star Trek goes from TV to film and back again, they even cancelled the franchise. Nobody complains about its long overdue life as hard as with SW.

[indy4]

Well, I'm going to remain optomistic. I won't prejudge films/TV shows.

[Red Rabbit]

I can't see this as anything but unnecessary. There once was a time when I would be overjoyed with it, but I guess that time has passed (or perhaps stolen). I'll watch it sure, but it won't be Star Wars, it will be a cheap knock-off. Then again, nothing has been since the early 80's (The Clone Wars cartoon not withstanding).

[tlbauerle]

They should have done a TALES OF THE NEW REPUBLIC, like the fan trailer. That is a far more interesting time frame.

[Merkel]

I'll see it first and judge it then.

[aj_vader]

So the clone was cartoon were cool and well crafted.

These arent.

right.

Oh yes, Lucas is a little more involved here...and they are not Genndy Tartakovsky's, but heck this is like if a new videogame or book was published. If you dont want, dont play/read it.

Furthermore, they are possibly making the finest CGI cartoons (for TV) yet, but that is not important.

And BTW, we have know this for years, no need to start moaning now if it were new...

But everybody is entitled to their opinions



AJ_Vader, Its a TV show, but they are putting the 'pilot episode' on Theaters.

nice one... thanx do dont know if there doin it in the UK do ya?

LONG LIVE VADER!!!

[Music Manifesto]

Money is king. And until this franchise loses severe money, we'll continue to see more and more. Same with Star Trek. Stop making Star Trek movies! Jerry is no longer there to make your movies better!

[aj_vader]

Money is king. And until this franchise loses severe money, we'll continue to see more and more. Same with Star Trek. Stop making Star Trek movies! Jerry is no longer there to make your movies better!

amen to that!

[tlbauerle]

There is one good thing here. They can't market this using a billion new Darth Vader images.

[aj_vader]

There is one good thing here. They can't market this using a billion new Darth Vader images.

who says they cant? they alwayz seem to manage putting him in stuff lol

[AzOutcast]

I'm looking forward to the SW TV shows, just to give other people a chance to do something new with the license.

As far as taking the first three episodes of the animated TV show to theaters . . . bad move. Sure, the animation is impressive for a weekly TV show but for a theater feature? And what about the story? Unless it was a planned three-story arc, I don't think it will wrap up well enough to be fit for a movie. Aside from making tons of cash, it's essentially a giant commercial to get everyone watching this show. Lame move.

[Jeshopk]

I want Lucas to contract John Williams to fix the prequel scores. If he hires Williams for this, it will be fun, but I want him to write some music for the existing Clone Wars footage. Proper scores would make the prequels seem completed.

[BurgaFlippinMan]

I believe in Lucas' mind, the state of the prequels music as they are is fine.

[Neil S. Bulk]

YAY! MORE STAR WARS WUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More? More did you spake?

Neil

[Luke Skywalker]

I'm looking forward to the SW TV shows, just to give other people a chance to do something new with the license.

As far as taking the first three episodes of the animated TV show to theaters . . . bad move. Sure, the animation is impressive for a weekly TV show but for a theater feature? And what about the story? Unless it was a planned three-story arc, I don't think it will wrap up well enough to be fit for a movie. Aside from making tons of cash, it's essentially a giant commercial to get everyone watching this show. Lame move.

Look, appart from pixar who always do great animation, 75% of other CGI animated movies look worse or as 'bad' as this clone wars cartoon.

Think for example, Ice age.

And yes, i think this is going to be one long episode with a wrapped story. It possibly even have a text title crawl...

[joey225]

It is supposedly (as far as rumors have gone) a 3 episode story arc dealing with the kidnapping of Jabba's son, Rotta.

[Henry Buck]

Oh, good.

[tlbauerle]

Oh, good.

Don't you mean...

Oh God!

[Neil S. Bulk]

Zod.

Neil - before

[tlbauerle]

nice.

[trentman]

I'll be there at midnight in a packed theater.