devilshalo

Lucasfilm plans animated 'Star Wars' series
Teams with 'Robot Chicken's' Seth Green, Matthew Senreich
By Nellie Andreeva

April 5, 2010, 03:12 PM ET
After two hit "Robot Chicken" parodies of "Star Wars," "Chicken" masterminds Seth Green and Matthew Senreich get to do the real thing.

Lucasfilm Animation on Monday announced it is developing a new animated "Star Wars" series that will take a comedic and irreverent look at the characters from the sci-fi franchise and will featuring creative involvement from Green and Senreich as well as writing from Brendan Hay ("The Daily Show").

Jennifer Hill ("The Backyardigans") will produce, with Todd Grimes ("Back at the Barnyard") on board to direct.

"The 'Star Wars' universe is so dense and rich; it's crazy to think that there aren't normal, mundane everyday problems in a world so well-defined," Green said. "What do these characters do when they're not overthrowing empires?"

Added Senreich, "We're going to pull back the curtain of some of those behind-the-scenes shenanigans."

There is no network announced for the new series, but given Lucas Animation and Green and Senreich's close ties with Cartoon Network, a deal with Cartoon or its Adult Swim programming block appears likely.

The new comedic "Star Wars" series follows Lucasfilm Animation's series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," which airs on Cartoon Network.

Meanwhile, "Chicken," buoyed by its popular "Star Wars: Episode 1 and 2" specials, is the flagship series on Adult Swim.

calhoun07

Yeah, this is what fans want. Lucas has his thumb on the pulse of this nation.

GuessWho

Finally, a place where we can put a 'Jar-Jar steps in shit' gag.

What? That was already in a film?

This show is unnecessary now.

Snowmaker

Pee-youu-sah!

kstublen

Haha

Sessa17

but weren't the prequels already a sitcom?

edstein

They just needed a laugh track.

devilshalo

Use the farce, Luke
Lucasfilm gears up a new 'Star Wars' toon
By DAVID S. COHEN

"Let us assure you this isn't going to suck as much as you think it is."

That was Seth Green's message to "Star Wars" fans following Lucasfilm's Monday announcement it is developing an animated "Star Wars" sitcom.

The show is in early development and Green, creative consultant on the project along with fellow Robot Chicken creator/exec producer Matt Senreich, admitted the announcement was made only to quash rampant rumors: "We're trying to get ahead of it and say what it's not."Jennifer Hill, a Daytime Emmy winner for "The Backyardigans" who is producing for Lucasfilm, told Daily Variety the pair "will be shaping the type of comedy we're looking for and the look of the show."

Green promised: "We can't guarantee its excellence, but we're swinging by the fences."

Skein will not be a sketch comedy show like "Robot Chicken," and it's not a spoof. Senreich said it will be a story comedy and "character driven." It may include crossover appearances from the movie characters. But Hill said no crossovers with the hit "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" series are planned.

Hill told Daily Variety the length of the episodes have not been decided, but they will be no longer than half-hours. No network or start date has been set for the laffer. Todd Grimes ("Back at the Barnyard") will direct. Brendan Hay ("The Daily Show") will be the head writer and Lucasfilm expects to hire a staff of up to 10 more writers.

The animation will be done outside the U.S., at a studio to be determined -- but not necessarily at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore.

"Robot Chicken" has aired officially sanctioned spoofs of "Star Wars," as has "Family Guy." But while the first "Star Wars" movie won legions of fans with its mix of humor and adventure, Lucasfilm has had spotty results seeking laughs with the rest of the franchise -- most notoriously with the character of Jar-Jar Binks in "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace."

But Senreich promised, "We're on the same page as the fans, because we are fans." Green concurred: "We're not talking about Jar-Jar electrocuting his tongue. It's not that kind of humor. If George (Lucas) would have wanted to make that version of 'Star Wars,' he would have hired other people to do it."

One early reaction suggests even skeptical fans may be willing to give the project the benefit of the doubt.

Among the most vocal critics of the later "Star Wars" efforts have been the makers of docu "The People vs. George Lucas." But writer-director Alexandre Philippe told Daily Variety, the new series "is a great example of how 'Star Wars' is still able to connect with fans old and new, and we're looking forward to seeing it."

"Clone Wars" has been a success on Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm has long been in development with a live-action "Star Wars" series. But that too has yet to set a start date or begin casting.

Nonetheless, "Star Wars" remains a formidable franchise. During its 30-plus years it has spawned merchandise, videogames and spin-off series and has earned more than $22 billion, according to a 2007 report by Forbes.

devilshalo

For some reason, I see that as an Imperial version of Seinfeld.

majorjoe23

Why not just do Tag and Bink the animated series?

Deftones

i'd check this out. Robot chicken is funny and I think Seth is a big enough SW fan to try to make a quality show.

Dr. DVD

I trust Seth Green to do this right. I just feel that since this is indeed sanctioned by Lucasfilm, then anything they put in this should count as canon. I count the Robot Chicken bits that take place around the story as canon, because I want to, dang it!

milo bloom

I'm down for this. I've never understood why Lucas didn't get into the TV game sooner. I look at all the Star Trek DVDs I have on my shelves and honestly, I get a little annoyed that Lucas hasn't tried to explore more facets of his story before.

whotony

What ever happened to the live action star wars tv show?

calhoun07

I am just glad Seth MacFarlane didn't get this show. The last thing that man needs is more air time in this world.

Numanoid

Is that a landscaping metaphor?

nodeerforamonth

April Fool's guys! Gets later and later every year...

dex14

I see some websites posting a rumor that this will finally be available and drop as a surprise on May the Fourth on Disney+. Anyone know where this rumor started?

Obi-Wanma

The Force.net credits it to "The Vulcan Reporter". Anyone know who that is?

https://www.theforce.net/story/front...ney_188533.asp

Obi-Wanma

I know this post is over 10 years old, but since it may be about to come out, I thought I should point out that while not involved creatively, Seth McFarlane actually voices Palpatine in this.

milo bloom

Seth gave us the best Star Trek series in years with The Orville, I'd be willing to give him a chance with a Star Wars project.

Gizmo

Hes big into CW/DC stuff. He’s been right sometimes, but other times incredibly wrong. He said In the Dark S3 would be a CW Seed exclusive, it’s not. He said Swamp Thing was coming back for S2 on CW, it’s not.

Jay G.

Odd that there's no trailers or clips on this thread. Here's a playlist of the original trailer and 6 clips:
Also, this "episode" leaked about a month back:

Josh-da-man

That looks absolutely dreadful.

Jay G.

Why do you think it was shelved, despite having completed episodes? Disney's been sitting on this for 8 years.