Star Wars Animated! Booyah!

[sonofjesusfreak]

Saw this today on toonzone.net.



Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm Ltd. announced today a partnership to create Star Wars: Clone Wars, a series of twenty animated shorts that will air on Cartoon Network in 2003-2004 between other programming. Star Wars: Clone Wars continues the saga where the live action feature film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones left off - at the beginning of the Clone Wars, an epic civil war that pits the old Republic against a vast separatist movement led by the forces of evil.

Each episodic short will be two to three minutes in length and will air exclusively on Cartoon Network at regularly scheduled times during the network's regular programming beginning later this fall. Clone Wars will be produced at Cartoon Network Studios by a team led by Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Samurai Jack and Dexter's Laboratory.

As Clone Wars unfolds the valiant Jedi Knights lead the Republic's Clone Army against many new and ruthless adversaries across the galaxy. These new characters, epic battles and intricate stories will add an exciting new dimension to the Star Wars saga.

"We are incredibly excited to be working with Lucasfilm in creating an animated story that extends one of the world's most beloved entertainment properties," said Sam Register, senior vice president of development for Cartoon Network. "Cartoon Network's creative team will work hand-in-hand with Lucasfilm to make sure that our common vision for Clone Wars thrills Star Wars fans around the world."

"Genndy Tartakovsky and the team at Cartoon Network are tops in their field," said Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing. "Their work on Samurai Jack shows that they can tell an epic story in a unique way, lavishing equal attention on dramatic battle scenes as well as the dramatic development of the characters."

[Source: Press Release]


I'd heard this rumor before but disbelieved it. Now it looks genuine.

:D :D :D

sjf

:D :D :D

[ohmahaaha]

Sounds cool, but I hope I'll be able to follow what's going on when they only have 2 or 3 minute segments. I may wait for a DVD collection which will hopefully well edited into a fluent sequence. Now that would be sweet indeed.

[hotgenyard18]

[canonball7]

Man I cant wait for this. Im hopeing that they wait to release them on dvd with the next movie. Make a nice package out of it. The art looks awsome. Im thinking its going to be a lot like Samurai Jack. There will also be a toy lie to go with this show, but I dont think they will look like the cartoon. Maybe.

[canonball7]

Oh yeha thanks for blocking that guys post.

[ohmahaaha]

LOVE Cannonball7's suggestion to bundle it with the DVDs. That would be great!!!

[sonofjesusfreak]

Heh heh. Why stop with the animated shorts,
Rick Mccallum said in an interview that, after Lucasfilm finishes the Star Wars movies, expect them to get to work on the dvds for not only the original Star Wars movies, but also the ewoks movies, and the Droids and Ewoks cartoon.

That would be a powerful set. All the movies. All the tv movies. All the tv shows. Every piece of filmed Star Wars (well. 'cept for the Holiday special. I suppose they could put that on somewhere as an easter egg. I don't know if I'd enjoy a vomit enducing easter egg, though.). It'd only cost 500 or so.

:rolleyes:


sjf



PS. The Matrix aint the only thing that can transfer well into animation.

[Fatal]

I really hope that the rumor is true (which it probably is with all that) and I also wish that cannonball's idea of the DVD bundle set also comes true. Watching them all at once would be the better thing to do, I have trouble understanding short segments sometimes. :laugh:

[canonball7]

I dont know if you all have watched the dvds for the last 2 star wars movies, but the special features were not that special. This cartoon is the only thing I can think of that would be a good extra. Plus it leads straight into the next movie, so why not? This looks so cool. I love the yoda.

[canonball7]

I forgot to mention that the origional trilogy is getting another special edition. I dont know how far along this is, but when recording the music for episode 2, John Williams was quated as saying that he recorded new music for new scenes to be added to the origional trilogy for a future dvd release. Why cant George just leave them alone? He already pissed off a lot of fans when he announced that the origional release wouldnt be coming to dvd, only the special edition. Maybe theyll be better with more fotage? Maybe not.

[sonofjesusfreak]

The Star Wars shorts aren't a rumor anymore, fatal. The above is a press release from Lucasfilms (it's mentioned on the official Star Wars site.).

On special editions.
IMO, Lucas doesn't have to release the originals if he doesn't want to. Like he says, this is the movie he wanted to do in the first place. Personally, I think the special editions are superior to the originals. I like the new scenes quite a bit. I think they add to the experience. Sheesh, I didn't complain about Episode 1 being released in a changed form on the dvd. And that was the first HUGE Star Wars event of my life.
Why complain about recreating the experience. Just look at the movie, is it better or worse for the changes, I think it's better.
However, if Lucas does indeed release another special edition, there are one or two things I would like changed.

And I really got a kick out of the special features on the Star Wars dvds. Overall, I think the first dvd is better. But the second isn't bad either. I especially like the "From Puppets to Pixels" documentary (the widow-maker scene, great stuff.).


A New Hope

The Han-shooting-Greedo scene should be put back to what it was originally (Han shooting first.).
Jabba needs reanimated to look like ... Jabba. Instead of an insect (I thought it was really cool that the new scene was there but I thought it needed more work. Especially after seeing the awesome Jabba in Episode 1.).

Empire Strikes Back

Remove Luke's scream as he falls down into the heart of cloud city.

Return of the Jedi

My favorite special edition. Change nothing.


And while we're at it.

Attack of the Clones

The Anakin/Padme deleted scenes on Naboo should be reintegrated into the movie. This romance is IMPORTANT! It deserves more screentime. Besides, I think I would have believed it easier with the extra scenes (i.e. would have been able to bear Anakin spouting bad poetry.).


BTW, Canon, I agree that the only way to properly release this new Star Wars series is on dvd.

Since the shorts are all suppose to be a continuous story, should they be cut together? In other words, with no credits or beginning titles?

I think there ought to be an option to play everything through without credits, but I think you still ought to be able to watch the individual shorts.


PS. Here we are, the first short isn't even going to air until fall, and we're already figuring out the proper way to package the dvd. I love this board.
:)

[ohmahaaha]

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that one of the re-edits Lucas was considering for the original trilogy might possibly include inserting scene(s) with Amidala. If nothing else, if any changes are made, it will most likely be in the form of an expansion of what we've already seen.

[Fatal]

Well sweet! So this all will actually happen, and the first short will air in Fall. Sooo...IF they put them all onto a DVD, then it wouldn't happen for a while since it would be silly to have them all out on DVD before the shorts even finished airing. Oh well, we have a while to wait for these but I'm sure they'll be great and look as good and probably better than the pretty animation of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

[Reviewer ZIM]

I'll have to wait and see about these. I'm a big Star Wars fan but I already don't like toys I've seen made on that character designs they had posted on the Hasbro website. Yoda looks like he is trying out for the part in the new G.I.Joe cartoon or take over the role of Rambo. I'm also don't think the artstyle works very well with the SW universe. I'm also not a huge fan of the prequels characters overall either, so this might be harder to enjoy than say a series based on the adventures of the classic gang after RotJ.

I am ZIM!!!

[dtemplar]

I use to remember the Ewoks-Droids Adventure Hour, and seeing the characters from Star Wars in aninmated form is a big plus.

[BubbleGumUK]

Originally posted by Fatal
Oh well, we have a while to wait for these but I'm sure they'll be great and look as good and probably better than the pretty animation of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.


Fatal, these shorts will be animated at the Cartoon Network Studio by the team responsible for Samaurai Jack.

They will not be Final Fantasy CGI as rumored, but 2D, thick-artline styled characters in a 2D world.

[canonball7]

I do enjoy the prequals. I just wish that they would release everything in its origional form. That way we can see how they used to be. Most fans hate the special editions. Mostly for the reasons you listed. I like them. I would perfer that Greedo shot last. But thats the way he wanted it. So good for him. He got to make his movie the way he wanted, only because of the fans that supported him for the last 30 years. To not give them what they want is an insult. ANyway, back to the cartoon, I think the animation looks great. The show is going to rock. Maybe if its succsesfull, they will make some for the origional trilogy. I would love to see SHadows of the Empire in this style. And maybe some stories after Return of the Jedie. And no, I dont think this is to early to start thinking of a dvd release. You know Lucasfilm, is digatly recording the entire process of animation. Thats the kinda thing they do.

[BubbleGumUK]

My guess is that this series will come out as a seperate DVD, like the "R2-D2 Beneath The Dome" mockumentary did with Attack Of The Clones.

If each segment is 2-3 mins each, we are guaranteed at least 45 minutes, so a seperate issue (possibly as a promo, like the R2 disc) would make sense.


BTW, I know what Ep III is called. However if I tell you and Lucas sees that the news is out, he'll change it, which would be a shame, as it's damn good and in keeping with the titles for the movies (both old and new) so far...

I know this sounds like a crock, but I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place!

[sonofjesusfreak]

Originally posted by canonball7
I do enjoy the prequals. I just wish that they would release everything in its origional form. That way we can see how they used to be. Most fans hate the special editions. Mostly for the reasons you listed. I like them. I would perfer that Greedo shot last. But thats the way he wanted it. So good for him. He got to make his movie the way he wanted, only because of the fans that supported him for the last 30 years. To not give them what they want is an insult.

Yeah, I hear you. I still think that "the fans" are a little silly to be crying so much, but you're right, GL wouldn't be anywhere without us.


ANyway, back to the cartoon, I think the animation looks great. The show is going to rock. Maybe if its succsesfull, they will make some for the origional trilogy. I would love to see SHadows of the Empire in this style.


That would be cool.
My dream project be to see the New Jedi Order animated by Square Studios and voiced by the original actors.
I would also like to see the first Thrawn trilogy done in some sort of animation (I think it might work better in traditional, or at least hybrid, than in CGI.).



And maybe some stories after Return of the Jedi.


Ditto, as stated above.



And no, I dont think this is to early to start thinking of a dvd release. You know Lucasfilm, is digitally recording the entire process of animation. Thats the kinda thing they do.

Yep, that's one thing I love about Lucasarts. I just thought it was funny to be talking about it because it hasn't even been animated yet. You're right though, it's not too early. With technology the way it is, we may get the whole collection of shorts on dvd within a month of when they finish airing.

Ooooh, just thought of something. Since Lucasarts is doing it, I bet the quality on the dvd is going to be a sight to behold. This will probably be the first Lucasfilms animated release, it'll be nice to see what their animated footage looks like.
On a sidenote: I wonder what the Droids and Ewoks cartoons will look like when they're released?

Aaahh, a good time to be a Star Wars fan (hmm, is there any bad time to be a Star Wars fan? Nah.).

[sonofjesusfreak]

Originally posted by ohmahaaha
I thought I remembered reading somewhere that one of the re-edits Lucas was considering for the original trilogy might possibly include inserting scene(s) with Amidala. If nothing else, if any changes are made, it will most likely be in the form of an expansion of what we've already seen.

I think Harry Knowles began this rumor about six months ago. Here's what Rick Mccallum said.

http://www.starwars.com/community/askjc/rick/askjc20020905.html

:D

sjf

[canonball7]

Why would they put in new footage of the queen, into the old movies? They made it pretty clear she was dead in those movies.There is no nead for more footage to be added to them, unless they include those scenes with Biggs on tatooine. And the sandstorm in ROTJ.

[BubbleGumUK]

Flashbacks?

"Images really...feelings"...

Cue lovely Amidala bathed in golden light...

[sonofjesusfreak]

Originally posted by dtemplar
I use to remember the Ewoks-Droids Adventure Hour, and seeing the characters from Star Wars in aninmated form is a big plus.

Yep. And I think the Droids theme song is my favorite theme ever. I just can't stop singing it.

sjf

[sonofjesusfreak]

Originally posted by BubbleGumUK
Flashbacks?

"Images really...feelings"...

Cue lovely Amidala bathed in golden light...

I think the iron bikini would be a bit much though.

sjf

[Futaba]

still like Ewoks more than Droids. The local video store is selling their VHS copy of Ewoks but I'd like to see it come to DVD.

[ZombieX]

Since Samurai Jack is so amazing, I have high hopes for these Star Wars shorts. :)

[sonofjesusfreak]

Big news on toonzone toonzone (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=74392) today. November 7th, BABY!




TheForce.net is reporting that the latest issue of Toyfare Magazine is sporting an article on the new Star Wars: Clone Wars cartoon series, coming to Cartoon Network this fall. Star Wars: Clone Wars will be a series of twenty animated shorts that will air on Cartoon Network in beginning this fall.

The article reveals that the premiere date is 8pm (ET) on November 7th, 2003, and throughout the month of November, a total of ten episodes will air. The remaining ten are scheduled to air in February 2004.

Star Wars: Clone Wars continues the saga where the live action feature film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones left off - at the beginning of the Clone Wars, an epic civil war that pits the old Republic against a vast separatist movement led by the forces of evil.

Each episodic short will be two to three minutes in length and will air exclusively on Cartoon Network at regularly scheduled times during the network's regular programming beginning later this fall. Clone Wars will be produced at Cartoon Network Studios by a team led by Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Samurai Jack and Dexter's Laboratory.

As Clone Wars unfolds the valiant Jedi Knights lead the Republic's Clone Army against many new and ruthless adversaries across the galaxy. These new characters, epic battles and intricate stories will add an exciting new dimension to the Star Wars saga.

The series is expected to be collected on to DVD in time for the release of the sixth, and final, Star Wars movie in 2005.

Discuss this news on the Cartoon Network Forum. Stay tuned for more updates here at Toon Zone News.


YAY!

sjf

[Futaba]

Hope it as good as Ewoks and better than Droids.