Animated Star Wars Feature Film

[Rico]

This is cool news....

Animated 'Star Wars' to hit theaters
Lucas' 3-D project going bigscreen before small
By DIANE GARRETT
'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'

Another "Star Wars" tale is on its way to the bigscreen, but it won't be distributed by Fox.
Lucasfilm has partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures and Turner Broadcasting on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," a 3-D toon that will bow in theaters this August before moving to the smallscreen in the fall. The Aug. 15 feature will set the stage for the spinoff skein, which will bow on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT. International release dates for the feature and TV series are still being set.

Multiplatform project is an expansion of the earlier "Clone Wars" microseries that aired on Cartoon Network. However, Fox's homevid arm released those episodes on DVD, just as it has distributed every "Star Wars" theatrical release since 1977.

Lucasfilm said Warner Bros.' cable and theatrical resources made it an especially good fit for the project. "We're trying to do something unprecedented -- marrying TV series and theatrical release," a rep said.

Under this deal, Warner will release the film and TV skein on DVD.

Warner execs eagerly tracked the project throughout the development process, and decided to give the property a theatrical launch after seeing footage.

"I don't know anyone who wouldn't want it," said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer of Turner Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media, who said a theatrical launch "has always been contemplated as part of the process."

The "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" movie is expected to run around 100 minutes and pick up between episode II and III. Anakin Skywalker is not yet Darth Vader. The story will then continue in 30-minute smallscreen installments.

George Lucas, who has revisited the property and time again over the decades, said he mounted this new spinoff because he "felt there were a lot more 'Star Wars' stories left to tell." He said he wanted to tell them through animation, pushing the technology forward at the same time.

Lucas serves as exec producer on the project, which will primarily employ voice actors. The only original actors returning are Anthony Daniels as C3PO and Matthew Wood as General Grievous and the battledroids.

Dave Filoni is the helmer. Henry Gilroy, Scott Murphy and Steven Melching are the writers. Catherine Winder is producer.

Lucasfilm Animation has already produced more than 30 episodes in the TV skein, with production continuing in Singapore and Taiwan. On Tuesday, Lucasfilm is launching an online Web docu about the project at Starwars.com.

[Geekyfanboy]

This is great news.. here is another article with a little bit more info.. when the movie will premiere in the US and what network will air the TV series.


Clone Wars Debuts In Summer

The official Star Wars Web site announced that a feature-film version of the computer-animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars will debut in 2008, followed by a television series in the fall.

Lucasfilm Animation will produce the projects in a partnership with Warner Brothers Pictures and Turner Broadcasting System.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars will open in North American theaters on Aug. 15. International release dates will be announced soon.

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

The new television series premieres on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT.

The Clone Wars TV series' half-hour episodes will have a new look and feel, combining the scope of the Star Wars saga with state-of-the-art computer-generated animation, the studio said.

The show will bring back the classic characters of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padme Amidala and introduce new characters, including Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka.

Lucasfilm Animation, working with its new studio in Singapore, has produced more than 30 episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and production continues.

The first in a planned series of special Web-only documentaries chronicling the development of Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts on the official Web site.

[Geekyfanboy]

And another story...

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Confirmed for Theatrical Release
Source: Lucasfilm
February 12, 2008


Lucasfilm has confirmed that Star Wars: The Clone Wars will premiere in theaters as a feature film on August 15 before becoming a half-hour animated TV series in the fall on Cartoon Network and TNT:

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 Palpatine, 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.

[Geekyfanboy]

Here are some photos of the new series.

[jedijeff]

That is cool news about a release in the Theatres, looking forward to that for sure. I hope they broadcast this on a channel I get up in Canada, as I would hate to have to torrent it, or be relegated to watching on a computer screen.

[billybob476]

I'd be amazed if it wasn't on Space.

[Rico]

That is cool news about a release in the Theatres, looking forward to that for sure. I hope they broadcast this on a channel I get up in Canada, as I would hate to have to torrent it, or be relegated to watching on a computer screen.

Do you mean the feature film or the Clone Wars series after the movie is out?  I'd think you will get the movie.  Did they air the other "Clone Wars" series in Canada?  If so, I would guess you will get this one too.

[Darth Gaos]

Now after the movie is in the theaters....when the series starts on TV will it encompass the episodes shown in the movie or will it pick up after the movie?  Does that make sense?

[billybob476]

Most likely they'll do something akin to Galactica. The movie will set up any necessary backstory and then the series will be able to jump straight to action. You know the movie will be all over tv before the series actually starts.

[wraith1701]

Man, this is great news!  Those pictures look amazing!  I can feel the old Star Wars fever starting to heat up again... :starwars:

[iceman]

very cool

[Dan M]

You know the movie will be all over tv before the series actually starts.

Maybe, but the timeframe's pretty tight with the movie opening in theaters in mid-August and the series starting in the fall.

I'm so stoked for this.  Another Star Wars movie in the theaters!!!!!!!!

I'm putting in for the day off when I get into work tomorrow.

[Bryancd]

Now after the movie is in the theaters....when the series starts on TV will it encompass the episodes shown in the movie or will it pick up after the movie?  Does that make sense?

The movie will be the first 3 episodes of the series, in effect, so there will be perfect continuity. Don't you guys listen to TheForceCast? It's the best current Star Wars new podcast on the net!

[jedijeff]

That is cool news about a release in the Theatres, looking forward to that for sure. I hope they broadcast this on a channel I get up in Canada, as I would hate to have to torrent it, or be relegated to watching on a computer screen.

Yes, I meant the TV series. I am sure we will get the movie, as we are on the same release schedule as the US for movies. We did get the clone wars cartoons on our Teletoon network, so I am hoping that we will get these as well, I am pretty sure we will, but when I see it on channels in the states we dont get up here, I get a bit worried. But on the whole, there is very little that we dont get that you guys have in the US

Do you mean the feature film or the Clone Wars series after the movie is out?  I'd think you will get the movie.  Did they air the other "Clone Wars" series in Canada?  If so, I would guess you will get this one too.

[Jen]

Here's another pic I found. I didn't watch many of the original Clone Wars Cartoon... couldn't seem to ever catch it on time, and it was before I had a DVR. I plan to watch this one. It looks very cool. I've heard mixed reaction to the animation style though. Jason and Pete from the ForceCast compared it the style to "World Of War Craft"... they're not that fond of the art. I however, like it. I don't think it's anything like WOW. This is better—it's Star Wars! I love this shot of Obi Wan. Very cool.