Due to the success of the first 20-chapter series, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Cartoon Network will present five 12-minute episodes of a new CLONE WARS mini-series beginning March 21, 2005. The new series serves as a close warmer for the theatrical release of STAR WARS: EPISODE III on May 19, 2005. Genndy Tartakovsky (SAMURAI JACK, DEXTER'S LABORATORY), who produced the first "micro-series," will serve as director, co-screenwriter and exec producer of the new mini-series.
"We were really impressed with the quality of the animation and the storytelling abilities that Cartoon Network and Genndy brought to the first STAR WARS: CLONE WARS episodes, and clearly viewers were, too, because the feedback we received about the micro-series was fantastic," said Howard Roffman, president, Lucas Licensing. "This new mini-series will bring even more depth and excitement to the story of the Clone Wars and will lead viewers right into the adventures of STAR WARS: EPISODE III."
"It is a tremendous honor for Cartoon Network to have been selected by Lucasfilm to produce these new STAR WARS stories, because the STAR WARS saga is one of the most popular and successful entertainment properties in the world," said Jim Samples, evp/gm, Cartoon Network Worldwide. "Genndy thoroughly enjoyed the collaborative relationship we built with Lucasfilm during the production of the first CLONE WARS episodes, and is terribly excited now to be entrusted with furthering the storyline and working with such popular and enduring characters. This will truly be a 'must-see' for STAR WARS fans and animation lovers."
The new CLONE WARS mini-series will include an expanded role for villain, General Grievous, military leader of all the Separatist armies, who was introduced in the first CLONE WARS and will play a pivotal role in STAR WARS: EPISODE III. STAR WARS: CLONE WARS was the first animated property starring the central characters of the STAR WARS saga since the 1980s cartoon series DROIDS and EWOKS.
Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System's 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering animated entertainment. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry. For more information, visit www.cartoonnetwork.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
