Wait, there’s a new Star Wars television series?
Yes! It’s an animated series called Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And it starts airing October 2008
How is it connected to the movies?
It is based on events between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It will feature many of the main characters from those films, in addition to many new characters introduced for the series.
Is this the first Star Wars television series ever?
No. There were the Droids and Ewoks animated series in the ‘80s. And the 2003 Clone Wars series. And the Ewok made-for-TV movies. So, not first, but will end up being the longest running.
Does it have all the major characters from the live-action films?
Many of the prequel characters are back in this film. Anakin, Padme, Obi-Wan, Grievous, Yoda, Dooku, Mace Windu, C-3PO, R2-D2 and Palpatine, should feature in the series.
Are they voiced by the original actors?
Some of them may be. Matthew Wood is back as Grievous and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO. Of course, the characters still look like them, so I’m sure they’re still making money.
Is the movie made by George Lucas?
Lucas was involved in crafting the story, and oversees the creative process of the series, but he is neither directing nor writing the shows. Star Wars: The Clone Wars has Dave Filoni as its supervising director and was written by Henry Gilroy, Steven Melching and Scott Murphy, Paul Dini, Kevin Rubio and among others
Who is Dave Filoni?
Dave Filoni, the director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars film, has worked on Avatar: The Last Airbender series in the past and is the supervising director of new CGI The Clone Wars TV series.
Are there any new characters in the film?
Glad you asked. The biggest marketing push around The Clone Wars has been surrounding the new female Jedi apprentice named Ahsoka Tano, played by Ashley Drane (Eckstein). Asajj Ventress from the 2003 Clone Wars series is also in this film. Most of the other characters are from the prequels.
So who is Ahsoka Tano?
Ahsoka Tano was discovered by Master Plo Koon and was raised in the Jedi Temple. Yoda assigned her to Anakin Skywalker as his Padawan. In the film, Ahsoka accompanies Anakin on his mission.
What came first, the Clone Wars television series or this movie?
Well, which Clone Wars television series? The 2003 television series came first and in terms of release dates, the 2008 film will be released before the 2008 television series. However, the 2008 The Clone Wars television series was conceived first and the film was an afterthought. In a sense, the film is being used to launch the television series.
How long are the episodes?
They are 22 minutes each, designed to fill up a 30 minute slot (with commercials).
How many episodes are there?
The first season, starting in fall of 2008, will have 22 episodes. Lucas expects there to be about 100 episodes over four to five years.
Which channel will it be showing on?
I am not sure about international channels and dates yet (soon!), but in the U.S. it will begin airing on Cartoon Network followed by the series on TNT.
Are there Star Wars: The Clone Wars collectibles and toys?
Of course! Plenty. On the 25th of July, Toys R Us launched the brand new toy line of action figures and merchandise based on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. You can see the line-up of toys here.
Are there video games based on Star Wars: The Clone Wars?
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels for the Nintendo Wii will be available on the 1st of November and other games are in the works.
I want to know everything about the series before it comes out!
That’s not really a question, but there is a way. The novelization of the film has been released, written by Karen Traviss. There is also a Visual Guide from DK publishing, a 6-issue comic mini-series, Topps trading cards and a lot of other stuff based on The Clone Wars. And of course, McDonalds Happy Meals.
I want more!
Sure you do. Here are a few more links to keep you happy:
- The Official Star Wars: The Clone Wars site
- The complete cast and crew of the series
- More info on the series from Wookieepedia
- Still not excited? Ten Reasons Why the Clone Wars TV Series is Going to Rule at io9
One reply on “The Ultimate Guide to Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series”
I have heard tell that George Lucas is redoing all of the movies using the 3D characters he has gotten made for these Clone Wars cartoons. So I guess they are a lot like Anakin: really good and a great addition now, but will almost destroy the universe as we know it later on.