Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV series)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a 2008 3D CGI animated television series set in the Star Wars galaxy. Set to debut in Fall of 2008, it will be an expansion and continuation of the similarly-named 2003 television series Star Wars: Clone Wars, as well as the many other stories that have been told in the Clone Wars multimedia project. Like the original series, it is set between the events of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and is said to span the entire Clone Wars time period. It will deal with the various conflicts between the Galactic Republic (led by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine) and the Confederacy of Independent Systems (led by Count Dooku and General Grievous). The series&mdash;which reportedly has a tone similar to A New Hope &mdash;is being produced in high-definition, and will have a 22-minute runtime like that of the previous animated series Star Wars: Droids and Star Wars: Ewoks.

Episodes
Although the series was created in a serial/anthology format, each episode is also designed to be stand-alone, with an opening narration and moral to each story. As of February 2008, over 30 episodes have been produced. Each season will consist of 22 episodes, and TNT has signed a multi-seasonal agreement. The episodes are being produced in widescreen. The first season is completed, the second is in production, and the third is being developed. Lucas expects the series to run for four or five years, but will produce 100 episodes regardless of ratings.

Feature film
The series will debut with a feature film of the same name. It is scheduled for release on August 15, 2008. The film will be a self-contained story, and will focus primarily on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. The TV series will then look at the war from a larger point of view, and focus on other characters and events.

Season I
The first season, which picks up where the film leaves off, consists of 22 episodes.

In February of 2007, Anthony Daniels revealed on his website that the eleventh episode was titled "Destroy Malevolence". However, the information was removed shortly thereafter.

Voice cast

 * Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
 * Ashley Drane as Ahsoka Tano
 * Seth Green
 * Tom Kane as Yoda
 * Matthew Wood as General Grievous and the battle droids
 * Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
 * Corey Burton as Count Dooku

Anthony Daniels confirmed that he had been contacted by Lucasfilm in regards to working on the show, and on the August 28 update of his site confirmed he had finished recording his scenes. Samuel L. Jackson has expressed interest in reprising his role as Mace Windu for the series, and has apparently been in talks with Lucasfilm on the subject. Hayden Christensen has also expressed interest in reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker, though he admitted that he hasn't been asked to yet. The role of Obi-Wan Kenobi is yet to be announced.

Crew


Directors:
 * Dave Bullock
 * Rob Coleman
 * Dave Filoni&mdash;supervising
 * Steward Lee
 * Brian O'Connell
 * George Samilski

Writers:
 * Kevin Campbell&mdash;writer
 * Paul Dini&mdash;writer
 * Henry Gilroy&mdash;writer/story editor
 * George Krstic&mdash;writer
 * George Lucas&mdash;characters and universe/creator and creative guide, story
 * Scott Murphy&mdash;writer (2007)
 * Kevin Rubio&mdash;writer
 * Randy Stradley&mdash;co-wrote one episode

Producers:
 * George Lucas&mdash;executive producer
 * Sarah Wall&mdash;associate producer
 * Catherine Winder&mdash;executive producer

Film editor:
 * Jason Tucker

Production management:
 * Trisha Brunner&mdash;post-production supervisor (2008)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
 * Justin Ridge&mdash;assistant director

Art (Storyboard/Previsualization) department:
 * Vincent Toscano&mdash;previsualization supervisor
 * Steward Lee&mdash;storyboard artist
 * Justin Ridge&mdash;storyboard artist
 * Le Tang&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Jackie Huang&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Jahkeeli Garnett&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Ben Price&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Sergio Paez&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Bosco Ng&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Daniel Zizmor&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Justin Mettam&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Danny Keller&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Roland Yepez&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Sylvain Doreau&mdash;storyboard/previs artist
 * Regina Cachuela&mdash;technical assistant

Sound department:
 * David Acord&mdash;sound designer (2008)
 * Sean England&mdash;foley recordist (2008)

Visual effects:
 * Jon Childress Farmer&mdash;modeler (2008)
 * Ryan Heuett&mdash;lead layout artist
 * Shawn Lovette&mdash;layout artist
 * Greg Maguire&mdash;research & development supervisor (2007)
 * Gregory Rizzi&mdash;pre-visualization artist
 * Daniel Zizmor&mdash;pre-visualization/effects artist

Animation department:
 * Christian Kubsch&mdash;Head of Lucasfilm Animation's Singapore location
 * Rob Coleman&mdash;Animation director/character animation supervisor
 * Mark Gelfuso&mdash;layout artist
 * Kilian Plunkett
 * 300 other digital artists

Editorial department: Other crew:
 * Jules Beesley&mdash;assistant editor
 * Laura Sevier&mdash;rights and clearances

Characters

 * Padmé Amidala
 * Jar Jar Binks
 * C-3PO
 * Commander Cody
 * Dooku
 * Durge
 * Echo
 * Boba Fett
 * Kit Fisto
 * Grievous
 * Nute Gunray
 * Hevy
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Plo Koon
 * Palpatine
 * R2-D2
 * R4-P17
 * Rex
 * Rotta
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Wat Tambor
 * Ahsoka Tano
 * Shaak Ti
 * Jabba Desilijic Tiure
 * Asajj Ventress
 * Mace Windu
 * Yoda

Creatures

 * Can-cell

Droid models

 * 3PO-series protocol droid
 * B1 battle droid
 * Droid marine
 * B2 super battle droid
 * Droideka
 * DSD1 dwarf spider droid
 * Heavy Missile Platform
 * IG-100 MagnaGuard
 * Octuptarra combat tri-droid
 * OG-9 homing spider droid
 * OOM command battle droid
 * R2-series astromech droid
 * R4-series astromech droid
 * RA-7 protocol droid

Events

 * Clone Wars
 * Battle of Tatooine
 * Battle of Teth
 * Battle of Raxus Prime

Locations

 * Coruscant
 * Republic Executive Building
 * Chancellor's office
 * Senate Building
 * Raxus Prime
 * Tatooine
 * B'omarr Monastery
 * Jabba's Palace
 * Teth

Organizations and titles

 * Confederacy of Independent Systems
 * Separatist Council
 * Galactic Republic
 * Grand Army of the Republic
 * Advanced Recon Commando
 * Clone jet trooper
 * Clone trooper
 * Clone trooper pilot
 * Supreme Chancellor
 * Jedi Order
 * Grand Master
 * Jedi Knight
 * Jedi Master
 * Jedi Apprentice
 * Order of the Sith Lords
 * Dark Lord of the Sith

Sentient species

 * Human
 * Gungan
 * Hutt
 * Ithorian
 * Jawa
 * Kaleesh
 * Kel Dor
 * Nautolan
 * Neimoidian
 * Nikto
 * Rattataki
 * Skakoan
 * Togruta
 * Twi'leks
 * Unknown tridactyl species

Vehicles and vessels

 * Acclamator I-class assault ship
 * All Terrain Tactical Enforcer
 * Anakin's customized Jedi starfighter
 * Anakin's transport
 * Armored Assault Tank
 * Bantha-II cargo skiff
 * BARC speeder
 * C-9979 landing craft
 * Consular-class space cruiser
 * Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor
 * Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor
 * Flitknot speeder
 * Low Altitude Assault Transport/carrier
 * Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry
 * Porax-38 starfighter
 * Republic Y-wing starfighter
 * Single Trooper Aerial Platform
 * Theta-class T-2c shuttle
 * TX-130 Saber-class fighter tank
 * V-19 Torrent starfighter
 * Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I
 * Venator-class Star Destroyer

Weapons and technology

 * Blaster
 * DC-15A blaster rifle
 * DC-15S blaster
 * E-5 blaster rifle
 * Cyborg
 * Electrostaff
 * Hologram
 * Lightsaber
 * Phase I clone trooper armor
 * Phase II clone trooper armor
 * Shield

Miscellanea

 * Force Choke
 * Force Jump
 * Force lightning
 * Force Pull

Development and production


George Lucas first announced his idea for Star Wars: The Clone Wars at April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III: "You know we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network, we probably won't start that project for another year". He credited the success of the original Clone Wars series, Star Wars: Clone Wars for the project's genesis. At Comic-Con 2005, Steve Sansweet confirmed that preproduction had begun on the series. He described the look of the new series as "a melding of Asian anime with unique 3-D animation styling." Lucasfilm Animation Vice President and General Manager Gail Currey had a positive reaction to the early episodic treatments for the series. Many digital artists and other production and creative talent were hired from California and Singapore to work on the series. It will be realized as a 3-D computer animation project created by the new Lucasfilm Animation division in their Singapore and California locations. Neither Genndy Tartakovsky (director of the original Clone Wars series) or Nelvana Ltd. (producer of all pre-Clone Wars animation) are involved with the production, but character designer Kilian Plunkett referred to the character designs from the original Clone Wars series when designing the characters for the new series.

By February 15, 2006, Lucas Animation was working on animation tests and initial scripts, with Lucas playing a large part in the entire process. Catherine Winder later revealed at Celebration IV that Lucas is mostly focused on the story, and that Lucas and Winder both work on the scripts with the writers. In terms of story and cinematography, the series is not being directed as an animated series, but more along the lines of a live action series. At Comic-Con 2006, Sansweet promised that footage would be shown at Celebration IV, and revealed that the series will be set late during the Clone Wars after Anakin Skywalker has achieved the rank of Jedi Knight. The first group of scripts had been completed, and initial episodes were being worked on.

While at Imagina 2007, Rob Coleman revealed that George Lucas is heavily involved in every step of the production, from script to final completion. In terms of effects, there was no rotoscoping involved in any of the images from the series. However, ILM did use motion capture. Script, character design and art direction was being done at ILM, with the animation and rendering is done in Singapore. The final assembly of each episode is done at Skywalker Ranch. As of August 31, Lucas' involvement had resulted in rewrites of most of the scripts, as Lucas insisted on more character development and that the show should not be based in one location, but as many as possible so as to make the story as interesting as possible to the viewer. At George Lucas' March 3 appearance at the 2007 William S. Paley Television Festival, he discussed the series' episodic structure, and that the series wouldn't it focus on the Skywalker story. Specifics mentioned were that there are "episodes with nothing but Clone Troopers" and an "episode just about Kit Fisto". At the time, there was no television network set for the series. In a September 2007 interview, Lucas said that "we're on [episode number] 40 right now. We'll probably end up with 50 to 60 episodes before we start to put it on the air. We'd like to put it on next fall, in about a year from now, but we'll see what happens."

Music
According to musician Eric Rigler, he has been brought in to record Bulgarian-like music for the series. This includes a musical theme for each planet. However, no official statement has been made on Rigler's involvement with the music. So far, the only official word on the music for the series comes from Steve Sansweet: "Of course we used John Williams music in The Clone Wars, the cartoons on Cartoon Network. I don't know if any specific decision on that has been made.

Continuity
Continuity with the other Expanded Universe works is being taken very seriously by the series' creators, with Dave Filoni being well-versed in the Expanded Universe. However, Lucas has the right to make slight adjustments for the sake of the story. Additionally, he is consulted directly when dealing with the major characters. According to a November 2006 internet post by Randy Stradley, editor and author of Dark Horse Comics, he has met with Lucas Animation to discuss integrating the show with the Clone Wars comics.



At his Celebration IV presentations, Filoni showed a series of slides showing several character sculpture designs for the series&mdash;stating that they will share some of the stylization of the original Clone Wars series, but will also have some of the realistic look of the films. However, some elements of the series will differ slightly from what has been previously established in continuity. Several changes have been made from the original Clone Wars series; Obi-Wan doesn't wear as much of his clone general armor, General Grievous will have a cough apparently prior to the Battle of Coruscant, and the Jedi fighting styles will be more like the films, and not like some of the exaggerated Jedi abilities portrayed in the original series. Additionally, a duel involving Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku may retcon the meaning of the two characters' verbal interactions in Revenge of the Sith.

Lucasfilm confirmed with TV Guide that The Clone Wars will not supercede the original Clone Wars series in continuity, but will instead expand upon what the original series established.

Marketing and release
Although the series was first announced in April of 2005, Lucasfilm revealed little information about it until Toy Fair 2007, during which fans were given their first look at the series' 3D animated Yoda. In a regular update to StarWars.com a few weeks before 2007's Celebration IV, fans were informed that executive producer Catherine Winder and supervising director Dave Filoni would be giving a presentation on the series at Celebration IV. It was held on Sunday May 27, 2007 in the Celebration Theater (Room 408AB). Winder and Filoni explained the origins of the series and the production process during the previous two years. The two also screened the series' first trailer to the attendees, which was later posted on StarWars.com. Prior to the release of the trailer, the site had posted a banner promising a "surprise" to be posted on the site on May 27th. Copies of the first official poster for the show were given away to all who attended the presentations. The two also held similar presentations at Celebration Europe in July 2007. StarWars.com created a new division of the site dedicated to The Clone Wars, which is regularly updated with relevant content, including news articles, behind the scenes videos, and blog entries by Pete Vilmur. Winder and Filoni will again hold a presentation on the series at WonderCon 2008.

According to series co-director Rob Coleman, some licensees have viewed footage from the series and had a very positive reaction. Sue Rostoni first stated that a publishing program based on the series was possible, but as of June 2007, had not yet been discussed. In February 2008, she updated this statement by noting that an announcement of tie-in books or comics would first appear on StarWars.com&mdash;seemingly implying that books are in the works. Additionally, LucasArts announced they are working on a handheld video game based on the series. The system(s) it will appear on is unknown at this point. Hasbro will release a toy line based on the series, which will continue throughout the run of the series. A leaked Hasbro redemption certificate bearing the series' logo may imply the release of a preview action figure from the series. Star Wars: The Clone Wars merchandise will begin being released on July 26, 2008. Hasbro will release several toy tie-ins based on The Clone Wars, including 3 3/4-inch action figure line, a LEGO toy line, an electronic clone trooper helmet, a customizable lightsaber, and an electronic AT-TE. Handheld video games will be released for the Leapster2 and Didj systems. Several books will be released, including a novel, storybook, picture books and an activity book. Dark Horse will publish a 6-issue comic mini-series. Topps will release trading cards.

Lucas initially had difficulty finding a network for the series due to the fact that it has a unique tone from most animated series, but several networks eventually got into a bidding war over the show. Cartoon Network and TNT eventually won the broadcast rights, with Warner Brothers distributing the feature film debut. Warner had tracked the series' development, and decided on a theatrical launch after viewing some footage. It was announced on February 12, 2008 that the feature film will be released in theaters on August 15, 2008, with the TV debut in the fall. This announcement was accompanied by an update of the Hyperspace online fan club kit, and an offering of Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano T-shirts to Hyperspace members. Warner Brothers also has the home video rights, and has already planned a DVD release of the film and TV series. Cartoon Network will air episodes on Friday nights.