Clone Wars
August 10th 2008 14:07
In 1977 Star Wars was unleashed on an unsuspecting public, it is in my estimation one of the most ground breaking Sci - Fi movies of all time. A film that created an entire universe within the space of 116 minutes. We were introduced to Jedi's, heroes, Wookies, Princesses, The empire and a farm boy who learned that his father fought in the "clone wars".
This small line became the source of speculation for most geeks and they wondered what were the clone wars like.
Then in 2001 I learned that Episode 2 (released the following year) would detail the story leading up to the clone wars and Episode 3 would detail the story of the end of the clone wars. We would never see the clone wars just the beginning and the end.
Then after Episode 2 it was announced that the Cartoon Network would release 3 minute mini - episodes telling the story of the clone wars.
The clone wars was a hyper kinetic series with action that some felt returned Star Wars to its roots and avoided the trap the prequels fell into by being more ponderous.
Season 1 and 2 were so successful that it was decided to do a third season that would lead up to the start of Episode 3 the new episodes would be 12 to 15 minutes long and when watched as a whole could be seen as an introduction to Episode 3.
Episode 3 was released in 2005 and then in late 2006 and early 2007 rumors started to circulate that a new Star Wars TV show was being created. Speculation was wild and confusion was further pushed by the release of a trailer that looked like it may be the rumored animated TV show
The animated series?
It soon turned out that it was a fan made film, but excitement we high.
Then Lucasfilm announced The Clone Wars animated series. It would be hour long stories and it was proposed for a 100 episode run.
As is evident from the two posters the animation style is very different from the previous series utilizing computer animation and not traditional hand drawn animation.
Confusion reigned and still does, how did the original animated series fit into the new series? will it contradict the original?
From what I can piece together I think that the new clone wars will ignore the previous animated series and create its own story using some of the characters and situations that were introduced in 2003.
I am yet to know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, I will reserve my thoughts till after I have seen clone wars this Thursday. I do know that I will always feel that the original clone wars animated series was one of the most stylish animated series that I have seen.
Here is what I know and some educated guesses.
1) The film that I will see Thursday is a 2 hour stand alone episode ( I think the best way to think of it is as a pilot.)
2) This series has been in production for a LONG time. I would not be surprised to learn that there were 10 - 15 even 20 episodes completed.
3) This is a TV series so it will air on TV after the film has been released and the Cartoon Network will air it first.
3) George has said that he will have 100 episodes of the series and as he is George Lucas and he has the resources of Lucasfilm there will be 100 episodes. He has stated that even if it doesn't rate and the networks dont air the series he will still produce 100 episodes
4) There is a live action series to follow and if you look at the model for clone wars, they will probably release it as a film first as well.
5) You may have noticed that there is no fox logo on the trailer. This is because fox declined to be involved in Clone Wars that is why when the lights go down on Thursday the first thing I will see is the WB logo.
View of the Week
Star Wars Episode 2 Attack of the Clones Time to get ready for the film this is the perfect way to get ready for the opening moments of the Clone Wars as the film finishes on the moment that the Clone Wars starts.
Read of the Week
Star Wars Heir to the Empire - By Timothy Zahn one of the best star wars novels ever written. Set after return of the Jedi it is a cracking good read.
Game of the Week
Star Wars Lego The first game or the Saga Edition. This will give you the chance to get into the excitement of a Galaxy Far Far Away.
And remember...
The force will be with you Always....
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