Animated Clone Wars Theatrical Release? Posted By Philip on February 12, 2008
Then again, nothing has been decided, though clearly, everybody that heard such a thing may happen got very excitied about it.
Before you read the information below, I'll tell you the news was big enough I knew we had to ask for confirmation from Lucasfilm before posting it. It's a good thing because LFL did have something to say about it. I realize you'll read this out of order, but I want to make sure nobody gets the wrong information.
When I asked Lucasfilm to comment on this news, here's what a Lucasfilm spokesman had to say:
"I'd like to clarify Hasbro comments this AM about the Clone Wars TV series. We see it as a breakthrough animated television series and are exploring a number of innovative ways to introduce it to the public. No decisions regarding release strategy have been made yet."
I followed up with just one question. Is a theatrical release introducing the series in the works and received this response: "It's one of the many things being discussed but we have no decisions yet. For us it's all about finding a creative way to launch a creative TV series."
Below is the specific information about this from the Hasbro Analysts meeting this morning. At the time I asked for comments from Lucasfilm, the meeting was still going on and Hasbro was expected to clarify their comments before the end of the meeting.
Note, that I'll emphasize again, there has been no Lucasfilm decision regarding this and there certainly has been no date set for anything.
During the Hasbro Fall 2007 Analyst Event this morning, they announced the much-anticipated "Star Wars" Clone Wars animated TV series would have a theatrical launch next year on August 8 and then on TV throughout the fall.
You can listen to it yourself at this link. You have to register to listen. The audio you want to hear is about 56 minutes into the presentation. Hasbro Fall 2007 Analyst Event Audio.
Thanks to Commander Voltaire and his friend for the link and news.
UPDATE: Our friend Bill from IHNRadio.com pointed us over to an article at Action-Figure.com regarding this years UK Toy Fair. The writer, Adrian, goes on to speak of how Hasbro keeps areas off limits to the press. See below for a snippet:
"This year, the line off limits to the press was Star Wars.
I couldn't see the logic in this, and so a bit of probing, I got to the bottom of this.
It seems that Clone Wars is going to be big in 2008, and Lucasfilm wants to keep a lot of it hush hush. I don't know much about the Hasbro product, but I do know a bit about Clone Wars.
You all know about the Clone Wars animated Series coming out, right? Well it's hitting this September, and will kick off (in the UK at least) with a cinematic release of the first 3 episodes (note this was confirmed by a couple of Star Wars licensees other than Hasbro). The rest of the episodes will then come out on a yet undecided TV channel."
Nothing has been officially announced yet and no word on how this relates to U.S audiences but lets face it, our hopes are up.
More updates as we get more info. Thanks again to Bill from IHNRadio.com.
UPDATE #2: Hot on the heels of his last tip, Bill from IHNRadio.com sent in the folliwng:
"I just came across another tid-bit that may be further quasi-confirmation of a theatrical release for the show. This one is from an article published on Time magazine's Time.Com site this past Thursday about the Lucasfilm Singapore Studio. Here is the relevent quote:
"The Singapore studio will also spearhead Lucasfilm's first animated feature film this year, and its employees will soon make up at least one-third of Lucasfilm's staff."
And here is a link to the actual page where I found this info:" (bottom of the first paragraph)
Bill also stumbled upon this quote over at JediNews.co.uk from the UK ToyFair: (With a minor Clone Wars spoiler)
"The LEGO Rep let us into a few spoilers including the fact there will indeed be a feature release in early September here in the UK (a couple of weeks earlier in the US), and he also told us about the characters included with these sets – don’t read the next sentence if you don’t want to know! Rotta is Jabba the Hutt’s nephew or son (there seemed to be some confusion about this) and the first 2 or 3 episodes centre on his kidnapping!"
Click here for the full article. (the quote is in the 7th paragraph down)
Thanks again Bill!
UPDATE #3:AICN is now reporting about the possible theatrical release but they have a source saying that it would be 4 Clone Wars episodes as opposed to 3 and that they would hit theaters around the same time as Indy 4. I can personally buy that it could be 4 episodes as opposed to 3 but I'm not sure I believe in the spring time frame. Why would Lucas want two projects in the theaters at the same time essentially competing with each other? Doesn't make sense to me, for you'd think he'd want to spread his projects out creating separate buzz for each. Just my take on it. Let's not forget that nothing has been officially announced yet, but we'll keep reporting what we hear.
UPDATE #4: Well we,ve been speculating since the Hasbro meeting and we now have a confirmation. Star Wars is coming back to the big screen in the form of Star Wars: The Clone Wars! Hitting North American theaters on August 15th, the series will then continue with 30 minute episodes on the Cartoon Newtork with repeat airings on TNT. International dates will be released soon.
The first of a series of web documentaries about the developement of The Clone Wars is now available for viewing at the main site. Click here for "Introducing Star Wars: The Clone Wars." Make sure not to miss this!
Click here to check out the Clone Wars Prelaunch t-shirt. Featuring Clone Trooper captain Rex in blue and white on a black shirt and a new Clone Wars logo on the back. You can head to StarWarsShop to order yours now.
Hyperspace members can click here to see the Hyperspace Exclusive Ahsoka t-shirt. Again a black shirt but with Ashoka in red and white, this t-shirt displays the same Clone Wars logo as the prelaunch shirt. Click here to order.
Thanks to all of our friends who pointed out the big news and the accompanying tidbits. There were just too many of you to list...but of course we appreciate it!
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