http://www.starwars.com

The Clone Wars Micro-Series Continues!
June 08, 2004

Following the immense success of the first 20 chapters of the animated Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Cartoon Network will continue the saga with five new expanded chapters beginning March 21, 2005.

Once again helmed by Genndy Tartakovsky, Star Wars: Clone Wars continues where Chapter 20 left off, but in a new format. Whereas previous installments were just three minutes long, each new chapter will be 12 minutes, promising viewers four times the excitement, adventures and intrigue as they lead into the long-awaited finale to the saga, Star Wars: Episode III.

Tartakovsky, the talent behind the critically acclaimed Samurai Jack and Dexter's Laboratory, will return as director, co-screenwriter and executive producer of the new Star Wars: Clone Wars animated mini-series. Cartoon Network will air the new chapters from March 21 to March 25 with limited commercial interruptions. These new installments are planned to appear online to members of Hyperspace: The Official Star Wars Fan Club.

The first twenty chapters -- still available for download to Hyperspace members -- featured such fabled characters as Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala, Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker in the ongoing battle of the Army of the Republic against a vast uprising spearheaded by the Separatists and their massive droid armies. Chapter 20 introduced viewers to General Grievous, military leader of the Separatist armies, and a major character in next year's Star Wars: Episode III. The new mini-series will include an expanded role for Grievous.

"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 of 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, Executive Vice President and General Manager of 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."

well it's good to see they have lengthened the episodes to 12mins. We still get an hour overall.

It's right there on the press release:

These new installments are planned to appear online to members of Hyperspace: The Official Star Wars Fan Club.

I think it's kind of weird to change the format.

Wouldn't The Cartoon Network want people watching twenty shorter episodes over twenty days than watching five longer episodes (12min. each /1 hr. total) over five days?

Speaking strictly from a business standpoint, just think about how much more advertising they could sell.

I did like the first series

Sounds like it will lead right up to beginning of Episode III. I wonder if we'll see the capture of Palpatine.

I know Shaak Ti and Ki Adi Mundi are still alive but are you entirely sure Aayla is? She was grabbed by Grevious' clawed feet and flung high into a big wall. I'm not saying you're wrong I'm just asking if you're sure.

Okay, brain surgeon, if she died how is she in ROTS?

She and the dead guy with the big head got flung into the ceiling, and they go through it. She didn´t die, it wasn´t a wall, just some debris. As Mcdermd said, she´s alive and well in ROTS.

yo guys!!! anyway season 3 of clone wars... wow cant wait to see that... =)

They said certain events from the opening crawl will be shown in Season 3. This might be one of them.