Lucasfilm Ltd. confirmed Sunday that it expects its “The Clone Wars” animated series to air fall 2008.
Presenting a sneak preview of the series at “Star Wars” Celebration IV, executive producer Catherine Winder would not comment further on distribution plans.
George Lucas has been reported as saying Lucasfilm Animation would produce 100 episodes which would then be shopped to networks.
A fall 2008 debut makes this figure an unlikely strategy, as Ms. Winder mentioned that Mr. Lucas was shown only the ninth episode just two weeks ago. The 22-minute episodes are being produced in HD.
“We’re not even thinking of it as TV animation, we’re trying to think of this as great storytelling for all audiences,” Ms. Winder said.
Three sets of 900 fans each saw the first public sneak preview of the series, a two-minute teaser reel. At the day’s first session, the footage was met with a standing ovation and played twice. Lucasfilm employees seeing the reel for the first time said they were impressed as well.
Mr. Lucas is serving as executive producer of the show, which is set between episodes two and three of the film series. About 300 Lucasfilm employees are working on the project, which includes Lucasfilm Animation and Lucasfilm Singapore, where the animation work is taking place.
Ms. Winder said Lucasfilm Animation is also working on other TV series and a feature film, but she did not indicate if these were “Star Wars” related.
Lucasfilm has previously mentioned plans to produce a live-action “Star Wars” TV series, set between episodes three and four, but it couldn’t be determined whether pre-production has begun.
(Editor: Baumann)