Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Network: Cartoon Network
Status: New Series
Timeslot: Saturday
Premiere: October 3rd

George Lucas previously tapped the Cartoon Network to air two separate animated micro-series that expanded on the events of the Clone Wars which the film series only touched on briefly. Now he has decided to amp up his efforts and create a weekly CGI-animated series for the network (with a feature-film release to kick off the new installment of the franchise). This series will chronicle the events of the Clone Wars which occurred between Episode II and III of the movie series. Central to the television series will be Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan student Ahsoka Tano who was introduced in the Clone Wars movie that hit theaters in August.

Season 1 of Clone Wars will run 22 episodes, but George Lucas has stated that he plans on stretching out the series for at least 100 episodes(and according to him, 39 have been completed). The wars lasted three years which the series will delve into along with things like the back-story of Yoda and how he became so powerful. Supervising director of the new TV series, David Filoni, has also said they will focus a lot of attention on some of the secondary characters from the Star Wars universe (apparently because their action figures aren’t selling as well).

I am one of the many who were vastly under whelmed by the Episodes I through III of the Star Wars saga, and seeing as this series takes place during that timeframe, my excitement level for it is not high. However, I have to admit that the trailers for the movie looked interesting, but I haven’t made it to the theaters yet to see it. Star Wars has really become much more about merchandising than telling a good story, though, so I question whether the latest installment in the franchise will do much more than act as an ongoing commercial for the most recent line of products.

Update 9/1/08: The premiere of the series, originally scheluded for September 1st has been pushed back to October 3rd. Most likely this is intended to give the movie (still in theaters) an extended run.

Update 9/19/08: Series executive producer Dave Filoni talks about the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie and upcoming television series in an interview with Sci Fi Wire.

Buy the Clone Wars micro-series on DVD at the Axiom's edge Webstore