CN Upfront 2008: 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' Announcement

At their annual Upfront Conference this year, Cartoon Network laid out their plans for the 2008 year. Incorporating new programming strategies, premiering hot new animated television properties and expanding their reach across new and emerging digital platforms are all on tap this year. The Cartoon Network 2008 Upfront was abuzz this year with a special guest appearance courtesy of George Lucas, who previewed a clip from the up and coming computer animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, scheduled for broadcast on Cartoon Network later this year. An overview of all of Cartoon Network's announcements can be found at the following AnimationInsider.net news article: CN Upfront 2008 Overview. Click images to view a larger version.

After months of speculation throughout the television industry, Turner Broadcasting has landed the broadcast rights to the highly-sought-after CG-animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, from creator George Lucas. A new era of Stars Wars entertainment begins this fall when the television series premieres on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT. The series will premiere following the North American theatrical release Friday, August 15th 2008, from Warner Bros. Pictures. Details regarding international television broadcasts will be announced shortly.

Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes audiences on incredible new Star Wars adventures, combining the legendary storytelling of Lucasfilm with an eye-popping, signature animation style.

"I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell," George Lucas, executive producer of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, stated. "I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and, at the same time, push the art of animation forward."

"Nothing like this has ever been produced for television," Stuart Snyder, President and COO Turner Animation,Young Adults & Kids Media, commented.

"For 30 years, Star Wars has shown that it appeals to a huge breadth of fans. Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network will be appointment television for everyone in the family. We're thrilled to be working with Lucasfilm again and very excited to be playing a role in bringing this remarkable adventure to viewers."

Star Wars: The Clone Wars showcases an entirely new look and feel to the galaxy far, far away, combining the expansive scope of the Star Wars saga with state-of-the-art computer-generated animation. Each week, viewers will see a thrilling, 30-minute "mini-movie" created by the talented artists at Lucasfilm Animation.

On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, along with brand-new heroes like Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains—led by Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous—are poised to rule the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. Their exploits lead to the action-packed battles and astonishing new revelations that fill Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

With a new story each week, Star Wars: The Clone Wars continues the tradition of thrilling stories, astonishing visuals and extraordinary music that have always been the hallmarks of the Star Wars saga. Lucasfilm Animation, which is based in Marin County, Calif., with a studio in Singapore, has produced more than 30 all-new episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The first in a planned series of Web-only documentaries that chronicle the development of Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts online today, and can be found at http://www.starwars.com.

About Cartoon Network: Cartoon Network (www.CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.