Star Wars: Underworld

The Star Wars live-action TV series is a science fiction television series currently set to debut in 2009. It will be an Expanded Universe production set in the fictional Star Wars galaxy. The project, which has yet to be given an official title, was first announced on April 23, 2005 by Star Wars creator George Lucas at the Celebration III fan convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, following the completion and success of his Star Wars films that same year.

According to official reports, the series will be set sometime during the 19-year timespan between the films Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope (19 BBY–0 BBY). It will focus primarily on minor characters of the Star Wars galaxy, rather than the main ones seen prominently in the films. These minor characters will be both from the films and the Expanded Universe. However, Lucas has stated that some of the main characters may make cameo appearances. Rick McCallum has commented that "George envisions somewhere like 100 hours between Episode III and Episode IV", which suggests that the hour-long series will run for several years. According to USA Today, Lucas has described the show as "bare-bones" and "action-heavy."

Production
Lucas will write and produce the first season, and then "hand it off from there", while remaining executive producer and general overseer throughout the rest of the series. The style of the series will be similar to Lucas' Young Indiana Jones TV series.

Lucas has stated that, in producing the show, "we will do what would typically cost $20 million, for $1 million." Principal photography will take place all around the world, with a base likely in Sydney, according to McCallum. The series will be shot using Hi-Definition cameras, according to Rick McCallum at a recent press conference for the Revenge of the Sith DVD. Pre-production was expected to begin in January 2006. Whether it has or not has not been confirmed.

In a recent interview, Steve Sansweet stated that the series will be released "toward the end of the decade". He gave the time period until release to be "about 3 years". In an interview with the BBC in March of 2006, Rick McCallum explained that the series would begin filming and be ready in 2008.

Ideas
According to George Lucas at Celebration III, in the series, "a lot of the issues from the films are connected, but you won't necessarily see a lot of the people that are connected." McCallum says on the writing and plot of the series: "We are just starting to interview writers and trying to really figure out which direction to go to. He envisions somewhere like 100 hours between Episode III and Episode IV with a lot of characters that we haven't met that have been developed in some of the novels and other things. We are really excited about that. Finally, we could have the opportunity to answer everybody's questions once and for all by the time we finish the series." Regarding the series, he says: "It is going to be much darker, grittier. It's much more character-based." The show is still in its early planning stages, so many plot and/or story elements may change, as Lucas has been shown to change his mind easily, such as expressing an interest in expanding the character Shaak Ti, rather than killing her in Episode III. Yet another change to Star Wars canon, that remains unexplained as to why Shaak Ti is spared, not other lesser known Jedi.

In a recent interview, when asked about the show, McCallum replied, "Think about bounty hunter, that’s all I can tell you." Lucas also said that the series won't be based on the Skywalkers and it will be for more mature audiences like TV shows Battlestar Galactica and Firefly.

Lucas has described the series as "one show that will split into four shows, focusing on different characters."

Plot
In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, declared himself Emperor and transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire. In the process, he ordered the execution of Order 66, in which all members of the clone army of the Republic turned on their Jedi leaders and killed them. In a speech he delivered to the Senate, however, he reported that there were remaining Jedi, and that these survivors would be "hunted down and defeated".

The series is set between 19 BBY and 0 BBY, referred to as "the dark times" by Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope. It is during this period that the newly formed Galactic Empire will rise to ultimate power throughout the galaxy. It is during this time period that the first Death Star will be constructed, albeit with many problems along the way.

Nevertheless, most of the stories will be told from the perspective of minor characters from the Star Wars galaxy. From George Lucas' own words, we may see the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett play a significant role in the series, with Daniel Logan reprising his role from Attack of the Clones. According to Lucas, several of the major characters from the films may have small appearances as well.

Over the course of the show, the fledgling Rebel Alliance will gradually form into a full resistance against the Empire. The Alliance, with its loyalist intentions to restore the Old Republic, will ultimately win its first battle against the Empire, setting up the events for A New Hope. Per the opening crawl of A New Hope, only one major Rebel victory can occur in the series; however, it is possible that the Rebels may achieve minor victories or even suffer defeats before that.

Recent Star Wars productions have revealed all that is known at this point about the period the series will take place in:


 * The Evasive Action: Prey webstrips reveal that an unknown number of Jedi escape Order 66 for any number of reasons (not actively involved in the war, 'conscientious objectors', semi-rogue, skill, luck, etc.), and are hunted for a time by Darth Vader. At some point, Vader is told to focus on helping Palpatine build the Empire, and less on remaining Jedi, leaving that to others.
 * Yoda is in self-imposed exile on Dagobah, while Obi-Wan becomes a hermit on Tatooine after taking baby Luke to live with Owen and Beru Lars. The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission reveals that Obi-Wan resides there until contacted about Anakin's one time rival, Ferus Olin. He then goes on one final adventure off-planet before returning to Tatooine. He may have some further planetbound adventures, but otherwise mostly watches over Luke, from a distance.


 * A.C. Crispin has stated that she proposed a book series dealing with Princess Leia Organa between Episode III and IV, but that "Lucasfilm didn't approve the idea of a Leia backstory because they want to keep that era of the SW continuity untouched for the television series they're considering."

Characters
Lucas stated at Celebration III that cameos by main characters are not totally out of the question. Daniel Logan, who played the young Boba Fett, has reportedly been asked to reprise his role as Fett for the new series by Lucas. A teaser image shown at Toy Fair 2007 features a close-up of Boba Fett's helmet.

Frank Oz (Yoda), Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine), Hayden Christensen (Darth Vader), Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa), Wayne Pygram (Grand Moff Tarkin), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett/Clone Troopers/Stormtroopers) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) have expressed their interest in occasional appearances.

Lucas himself instructed the writers of the Star Wars: Republic comic book series not to kill off the Quinlan Vos character. This has led some fans to speculate that Vos may play a role in the series. Lucas had originally written a scene for Revenge of the Sith involving Vos, but ultimately, he only got a mention in the film (Obi-Wan explains to Anakin: "Master Vos has moved his troops to Boz Pity"). Australian actor Matthew Newton is rumored to play Vos, though recent assault charges on his former girlfriend may damage his chances.

Cast

 * Anthony Daniels .... C-3PO
 * Daniel Logan .... Boba Fett (rumored)
 * Matthew Newton .... Quinlan Vos (rumored)
 * Kenny Baker .... R2-D2 (rumored)
 * Hayden Christensen .... Darth Vader (rumored)
 * Ian McDiarmid .... Emperor Palpatine (rumored)
 * Frank Oz .... Yoda (rumored)

Crew

 * George Lucas .... Creator / Executive Producer / Story
 * Rick McCallum .... Producer

Release
This show is to be released after the 3-D Clone Wars animated series, in order to keep Star Wars alive in the minds of the fans and the general public. It is unknown at this point exactly when either of the series will be released, however, the Live-Action series is likely to be released in 2007 or 2008, based on a comment by George Lucas. He stated at April 2005's Celebration III, that, referring to the 3-D animated Clone Wars series, "we probably won't start that until sometime next year." This would lead fans to believe that since production will begin, according to his remarks, in around April 2006, the following year, production could end later that same year and the show could air that year. Lucas also said that "we will probably do the animated series first," and he later confirmed this statement. This further proves the idea. The Live-Action show should air some time after the 3-D Clone Wars show, once production on the first season has completed, which should be sometime in 2007. If the production doesn't take long, that could mean that the show could air that year. But, if there is a longer production schedule, or conflicts, its release could be pushed up to 2008. Lucas should reveal the release year soon. Lucasfilm will likely wait to release the Live-Action series also, until a time has passed since the 3-D Clone Wars series has aired, in order to maximize fan and public anticipation, and ultimately, the profit made.

Even those reports may be conflicting, however, in a recent interview, Steve Sansweet has said the live action series may not be released until near the end of the decade.

A poster advertising toys for Force Unleashed, Clone Wars 3D, and the live-action show stated the live-action would be released in 2009 and featured Boba Fett's helmet. .

Spin-offs
At the Revenge of the Sith DVD press conference, Jim Ward explained that the new series offers LucasArts the opportunity to expand the gaming universe of the Star Wars series. "We're also excited at LucasArts about that opportunity as well," Ward said. "It's a whole environment for us to go and make some great games." Potential games include Star Wars: Battlefront III and Star Wars: Republic Commando 2/Imperial Commando.

Future series
At Celebration III, Lucas explained that if this series (along with the planned 3-D Clone Wars) is successful, more television series may follow. He explained that he has considered setting the time frames of these possible shows during time periods far away from his films. When asked by a fan at his AFI lifetime achievement ceremony if this may include the Knights of the Old Republic/Sith Wars era, Lucas explained that is always a possibility, and that he may be interested in taking the franchise to those story areas one day.

Rumors and speculation

 * In addition to the above, it is also speculated that Wayne Pygram (Tarkin) would be likely to have occasional appearances, due to his large role on the cult science fiction show Farscape.
 * Matthew Newton, of Farscape, Queen of the Damned, and Blurred, is likely to be cast as some character in the series. The word is that Lucas has crossed path with this man before, even considered him as Anakin at one point, and is now interested in him for the TV series. The rumor going around has been that he will play Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, since it would be difficult to get Hayden Christensen back for the part, and Newton was Lucas's rumored second choice. It is also rumored that he may not play Anakin/Vader at all, and will play some as of yet, unknown character (though much speculation points to Quinlan Vos).
 * The show is likely to be broadcast on FOX or one of its subsidiaries, due to the past business moves of Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox.
 * The show is likely to be available for download through the internet.
 * The show is likely to be shot in HDTV and widescreen format, instead of the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio.
 * It may show a young Luke at one point, according to Rick McCallum.
 * It may show the beginnings and forming of the Rebel Alliance.
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda may appear, based on Lucas's comment on the possibility of guest stars.
 * It may explain Jar Jar Binks's future.
 * The show may depict Leia as she grows to adulthood.
 * The series might focus on the Jedi (other than Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda) who survived the issuing of Order 66 and are on the run from the newly-formed Empire. It might depict their persecution and elimination by Imperial agents, such as the Emperor's right-hand man, Darth Vader.
 * The series might explain how the Great Jedi Purge eventually ignites the Galactic Civil War, through Palpatine's statement that "If they are not all destroyed, it will be... civil war without end."
 * The show may reveal the transformation of clone troopers to Imperial stormtroopers in closer detail other than Star Wars: Battlefront II.
 * Each episode may have a cold opening.
 * Mara Jade is another possible character.
 * One of the events might be the Ghorman Massacre.

Official links

 * Initial announcement by George Lucas of his plans to do the series.
 * Lucas Talks: Star Wars on Television

Reports

 * The Star Wars Actors Database
 * TV Series Now Hiring.
 * Lucas on Star Wars TV Shows.
 * Comingsoon.net
 * Fett in Star Wars TV Series.
 * First Casting for Star Wars TV?
 * Lucas Hints at TV Series Character.
 * News Reports about Boba Fett TV Show.
 * General Grievous Site: Latest news and rumors about TV series
 * Grievous Forums: Discuss the latest news and rumors about TV series
 * Star Wars TV Update.
 * Star Wars Goes Live on the Small Screen.
 * SW.com blog documenting elements of the show
 * Steve Sansweet discusses Star Wars TV Series
 * Rick McCallum discusses Star Wars TV Series and Indy IV
 * Star Wars TV A Ways Off
 * Report claiming Anthony Daniels signed on