Clone Wars cartoon is now "official"

[Jedieb]

It's coming to Cartoon Network. 20 2-3 minute shorts. They're scheduled to start in 03/04. Here's the press release"



Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm Announce Star Wars Animated Shorts
Thursday February 20, 10:25 am ET

20 Animated "Clone Wars' Serial Shorts to Appear on Cartoon Network in 2003-2004

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2003--Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm Ltd. announced today a partnership to create Star Wars: Clone Wars, a series of 20 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."


I'm really excited that Tartakovsky is going to head this project. His work on Samurai Jack and Dexter's Lab is top notch. I wish the cartoons were longer, but this is better than nothing. It'll make an interesting DVD set one day, that's for sure.

[Admiral Lebron]

Samurai Jack owns. Its his best work yet. I can't wait.

[Shanaria Fabool]

I haven't seen any of them :( when are they on?

[Jedi Master Carr]

They will be on sometime later this year, my guess at night around the time Justice League, Samuari Jack, Dexter Lab, etc are on. And I agree Jedieb its better than nothing at least we get an hour of it than zip.

[Admiral Lebron]

Samurai Jack - Fridays at 7 pm.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Justice League used to be on at 7:30 on Fridays (it still might be) but they won't show new episodes of that until I think March or April.

[Dirjj Mordrai]

Excellent! :)

[Admiral Lebron]

Didn't justice leauge used to be on mondays?

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yeah but they moved to Fridays late last year.

[Admiral Lebron]

Oh.

[Jedieb]

Hopefully it may play out as one long hour feature. That's why I'm looking forward to an eventually video and DVD release. I wonder if they'll get any of the original actors to do voice overs. As cheesy as the animation was, the fact that the old Star Trek cartoon had the original cast doing the voices made that old Trek series fun to watch. At least I remember enjoying it as a kid.

[Admiral Lebron]

:huh :huh Star Trek cartoon?

[Figrin D'an]

Originally posted by Admiral Lebron
:huh :huh Star Trek cartoon?

You've never seen the Star Trek cartoon based upon the original series? It ran for 3 or 4 seasons in the '70's, but reruns of it used to run all the time in the '80's on... I saw it on TV as recently as a few years ago, but I don't remember on what channel.

[Jedieb]

kelley, Nimoy, and Shatner all provided voices for their characters. It was pretty decent, especially for that day and age. I doubt we'll get Ewan or Jackson, but I can see Oz and Hayden providing their voices. I really hope they get Temura do voice over the clones. He did voice over work on Bounty Hunter so I don't see why he wouldn't be willing work on this.

[ReaperFett]

To be honest, I dont know how good they'll really be. I'd rather 6 10 minute ones.

[JMK]

Good news! I am glad that we're getting something, but I'm with Reaper. 3 minutes is too short. I'd prefer 5-10 minutes.

[Admiral Lebron]

I agree, but, I doubt it'll change.

[Jedieb]

http://www.starwars.com/eu/news/2003/02/img/clonewarsposter_bg.jpg

[Jedieb]

That poster definetly has a Samurai Jack feel to it. The length has always been a drawback to me. Why they wouldn't go with a more traditional format is a mystery to me. Even if it gets spliced together into one long show it's bound to be choppy. Still, it's better than NOTHING. When this project floundered I thought we'd never see anything.

[Jedieb]

Here's an article and interview with Tartakovsky on the official site:

http://www.starwars.com/eu/feature/20030220/index.html

Mace and Kit Fisto will have their own segments. Sweeeeet.... but man do I wish this was a more traditional show.

[ReaperFett]

THat poster shouts to me FANBOY. "Ooh, Dooku's sabre is soooooooooooo good, let's give someone TWO!"








Jeez

[Admiral Lebron]

Why Tartakovsky owns: He says hardcore. :D

[Jedieb]

That female character is based on a unused EP2 design and an EU comic book character. She's a deciple of Dooku so it makes sense she'd have similiar weapons.

[Jedieb]

I really, REALLY, wish they would have given him the time to use the more "lethargic" pace that he used in Jack. But Tar. thinks that he can pull it off so I have hope. After reading that article I think the completed project will look rather good.

[ReaperFett]

Eb, concept, meaning it wasnt used ;)


Heck, it is so far into "kewl" territory that only having a curved double bladed red lightsabre in each hand would be "Kewl"er ;)

[Marcus Telcontar]

I really have my doubts about this. No conidence this will be worthwhile

[JediBoricua]

I read the interview and it seems they have a pretty good concept going on.

But I am keeping my expectations low. I don't wanna suffer this fall! The good news is that they will cover the old characters, while adding new ones. I was terrified that they will only be about a new jedi and his/her wacky sidekick.

Those modified clone troopers sound sweet!

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think it has do with money, Cartoon Network wanted more so they must have comprimised, it was probably either this or nothing. Hey I think it looks cool right now, I can't wait to see the first one.

[JMK]

I wonder if they'll be available online too, I don't have the Cartoon Network, so I'm screwed if not...

[Jedieb]

EU comic book character meaning it WAS used. ;)

[ReaperFett]

Got any proof Eb? :)

[Jedieb]

The female warrior is Asajj Ventress, a deadly Dark Jedi armed with paired lightsabers bearing the distinctive curved handles of her mentor. "Ventress' whole backstory was written by Lucasfilm and Dark Horse Comics, but her role in here is that Count Dooku hires her like a new Jango Fett-type. She's sent as an assassin to kill Anakin. She's a really cool bald chick, and she's got great powers, and her and Anakin will have an amazing hardcore fight," says Tartakovsky
Did you read the article? :)

[MasterPewter]

I really think GL is testing the current Cartoon market for possible full episode (30min) installments. Mayby for EU stuff who knows. I think the 3-5 min is a realatively low investment to get the coverage he already has. It was apart of FOX news last night.

[darth_mcbain]

I'm a bit leery on all of this. I've never seen Samurai Jack, so I don't know the style they're getting in there, but it doesn't seem like 2-3 minute episodes give you enough to sink your teeth into. I am excited, because hey, its SW... But I don't want to expect too much from all this.

I wonder if Pewter may have something though. Its pretty much a given that GL won't be doing any more SW movies after the prequels are done, so I wonder if they're testing the waters to see if they can continue it as a cartoon.

How much creative control does Lucas have in all this? I'm wondering if this would be considered canon or if it is another foray into the EU.

[ReaperFett]

Ventress' whole backstory was written by Lucasfilm and Dark Horse Comics,
BACKSTORY :)

[Jedieb]

How much creative control does Lucas have in all this? I'm wondering if this would be considered canon or if it is another foray into the EU.
About as much as he does in all else EU, he doesn't pay much attention to it. He'll probably get a summary at some point and veto anything that he might not like. But I doubt he's going to look at frame 35 of epidose #6 and say, "The color of that speeder is wrong!" :lol It looks like the story line has been developed primarily by Tark. and his staff. Of course they got the time and setting from Lucasfilm. Everything that they come up with gets sent in for approval. It looks like there was a lot of give and take on both sides early on, but the meat of the work is going to be on the staff at Cartoon Network. I'd guess most of what's going to be on the TV screen is going to come from Tark.

Good grief Reaper, just let it go. She's obviously going to be an EU Clone Wars comic book character. Or do you think the people at Dark Horse came up with her because they had some free time on their hands? :lol

[Jedieb]

And if there was ANY doubt that Ventress was an EU comic book character that was going to be included in the cartoon:


Star Wars: Empire #7 is by John Wagner and Cam Kennedy, and features classic Fett action and a cover by Ryan Benjamin. It is scheduled for release on March 5.

The Clone Wars continue in the pages of Star Wars: Republic. The evil Separatists are targeting Naboo with a biological weapon, and General Obi-Wan Kenobi has been captured. Anakin Skywalker and Alpha, a clone trooper specialist, must face two new villains: Durge, a deadly hired assassin, and Commander .Asajj Ventress, a mysterious Jedi with a dark past. These formidable foes promise to be major players in the ongoing Clone Wars saga.

I like the Empire line. That should be a fun read

[ReaperFett]

I dont like te comics any more. I'd prefer them to do 4-6 long stories dotted round rather than two ongoings.

[Dae Jinn]

I think the animation will probably be good, if it's anything like Samurai Jack. Too bad I don't get CN :/ I remember the Ewoks and Droids cartoons from when I was younger tho :lol

[darth_mcbain]

I don't remember the old SW cartoons, but I remember the Ewok Adventure... Yeah it was kind of cheesy, but why oh why did I tape over that? I could go for watching that for old times sake again...

[Dae Jinn]

I remember I liked the Ewok show more than the droids, because 3PO was SO annoying!

[Jedieb]

I remember being all excited about the cartoons. The movies were over and I was looking forward to new SW material. But the lack of main characters and the kiddie tone of the shows eventually turned me off. Throw in the horrendous Ewok TV movies and those first few post projects helped shut SW down for a few years. I do remember that the Ewok show was a bit more watchable than Droids. I just wish I'd been into toys back then. It sure as hell would have saved me a ton of cash. That Damn Droids A-Wing can go for around $250 boxed and a few years ago it went for as much as $600. I'll stick with the $20 POFT2 version.

[Jedieb]

My son watches Cartoon Network all the time. Even if he didn't enjoy it, I'd have it on from time to time. As much as most of us would love to have 30 minutes of SW cartoon goodness, things could be MUCH, MUCH worse. Any child of the 80's remembers the old Transformers cartoon show. Well the latest incarnation, Transformers Armada could possibly be one of the WORST cartoons I've ever seen. I'm always one to be open minded, but this thing sucks so hard that I just can't take it. It's basically a cross between the old Transformers show and the eco-themed travesty Captain Planet. The animation is shabby, the writing is craptacular. and it's apparently aimed soley at 10 year olds. If a SW cartoon were to fall in the hands of the creators of this travesty I wouldn't even bother to watch it. >_<

Examples:
The lead teen's name is... Rad (I'm not making that up.)
In one episode the AUtobots let a minicom (don't ask, it's the engine driving the show) slip through their fingers because they had to stop fighting to put out a forest fire. Optimus actually ordered the Autobots to fall back to save the trees! |I

[ReaperFett]

X-Men Evolution is good, IMO. It's not X-Men good, but better than most.

[Jedieb]

I've never seen that. I think it's on FOX. The animation style looks interesting. Bits and pieces of T:Armada look good, but it's just a tease. Once you look at a whole episode it just makes you yearn for the OLD show.

[JMK]

T: Armada is awful. Terrible. An insult to what a great cartoon series Transformers used to be. That being said though, I like Armada FAR better than that joke they called Beast Wars.

As for X-Men Evolution, I enjoy it quote a bit. Sure it isn't as cool as the old X-Men cartoon, but its definetly cool to watch.