The Clone Wars Theatrical Release

"Quick Ahsoka, we'll use the Force to whine our way out of this one."

Star Wars fans, be sure to mark Friday, August 15th on your calendars because that's the day that Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be in theaters. That's right, before the CG animated series' première on Cartoon Network you'll be able to watch it in theaters. After seeing the first trailer at on a mid-sized theater screen with booming explosions at Celebration IV, I thought it would be damn cool to watch the actual series in a theater. Apparently, the Star Wars overlords felt the same way.

Unfortunately, there are no details about the theatrical release just yet. The press release basically says it'll happen. Will this be a super-limited release like Battlestar Galactica: Razor or will it be like a normal movie? With all the clone-induced fervor surrounding the series they would be fools not to make it a regular 'opens everywhere' type of release. There are also no details on what will be in the movie, as if it would be the first few episodes placed together in movie form or not.

Whatever the movie turns out to be, the regular series will start after it at an unspecified time. We do know that the episodes (or as they call them "mini-movies") will be 30-min long and that Anakin has been somehow granted the right to teach padawan learner Ahsoka. It would be nice to have more details, but just the announcement that The Clone Wars will even have a theatrical run is outstanding. Consider my tickets bought.

Read the press release below.

- Shawn - 02/12/08

Turner Broadcasting Lands Lucasfilm Ltd.’s STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Television Series

Groundbreaking Animated Series Premieres This Fall on Cartoon Network and TNT

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 15, 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,” said George Lucas, executive producer of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. “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,” said Stuart Snyder, President/COO Turner Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media. “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.

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.

Cartoon Network (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. to 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday (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.

Lucasfilm, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, Lucasfilm Animation and related character names, vehicle names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.