Variety’s article on the new show gives us a few more details on what to expect, including the role of Robot Chicken masterminds Seth Green and Matt Senreich. They’ll be “shaping the type of comedy we’re looking for and the look of the show,” according to producer Jennifer Hill.
It will be neither a sketch show nor a spoof, but character-driven story comedy that may include “crossover appearances from the movie characters.” I’m getting Muppet Babies vibes again (grr, argh) but there’s also this:
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.”
I originally had no idea what to think about today’s annoucement of a second animated Star Wars TV series, but cautious optimism seems to be winning out. The involvement of Robot Chicken’s Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, as well as writer Brendan Hay from The Daily Show, is a good sign. But Green and Senreich are “creative involvement,” whatever that will end up meaning. Still, their comments are interesting:
“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,” said Green. “And it’s even crazier to think of what those problems might be, since it’s all set in a galaxy far, far away. What do these characters do when they’re not overthrowing Empires?”
Said Senreich, “We’re going to pull back the curtain of some of those behind-the-scenes shenanigans. It’s going to appeal to all ages, the way Star Wars should — but there’ll be plenty buried under the surface, as well. As Obi-Wan might say, ‘it all depends on your point of view’.”
There’s so much unanswered here as well. What will the animation style be? Will be digital like The Clone Wars? Stop-motion ala Chicken? …In the style of ‘Galactic Heroes’?
I do love the idea of a Robot Chicken: Star Wars-esque series… But I’m too wary of this to get excited just yet. Still, this is a lot better than those Squishie rumors.
Here’s some of the top picks out of the media build-up for Friday’s premiere of the second season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (8 PM EST/PST on Cartoon Network – 1 hour):
Some of the reports coming from The Clone Wars press event held at LucasFilm Animation:
IGN gets geeky at Lucasfilm Animation with some interviews and exclusive clips – and asks Dave Filoni about Ahsoka’s whereabouts in Revenge of the Sith, while the voice crew discuss the benefits of recording together.
TVSquad apparently isn’t as nerdy, but proclaims that in the small field of action shows, SW:TCW might just be the best and highlights the darker themes and greater threats coming this season.
Putting a completely different spin on the event, the San Francisco ABC affiliate points out non-geeky angles, such as Ashley Eckstein’s husband, second baseman for the Padres, and also hypes a bit more on the upcoming Republic Heroes game.
Meanwhile, Geekdad at Wired talks up what the new season means in his household, and mentions that Seth Green will be doing the voice of Cad Bane’s droid, Todo 360.
In a video, voice actor Dee Bradley Baker talks about the clones as the heroes the audience can relate to in Star Wars: The Clone Wars as well as gives examples of how he can turn characters with supposedly identical voices into distinct individuals.
There’s some nifty screenshots from The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes video game, coming out on October 6.
Episode Guide placeholders are now up for the season premiere double-feature of episodes (“Holocron Heist” and “Cargo of Doom“). Is the latter’s message of “Overconfidence is the most dangerous form of carelessness.” an issue for Cad Bane or for Anakin?
Look who’s debuting. Among the new items Sideshow is bringing to Con? A 12″ figure of an old pal of ours, Grand Admiral Thrawn! And some other guys.
From the floor. Mary Franklin and her minions are hard at work already, setting up the Lucasfilm Pavilion! There’s a peek at a few more of The Clone Wars bounty hunters as well, including two brand-new characters.
He’s at StarWars.com and on the ForceCast and talking about Showgirls in Entertainment Weekly (Okay, really he was just there for some sort of test.) Thankfully, the new Robot Chicken Star Wars special airs on Sunday, so we don’t have to worry about him e-stalking the rest of us. Or maybe that’s the plan to promote his Heroes guest-stop?
There’s yet another clip over at io9. Please, will someone please let them know that ‘Jedi” is a singular plural?
(There’s a quick preview of Robot Chicken’s post-Star Wars season over at Animation Insider)
Seth MacFarlane tells Sci-Fi Wire that Family Guy’sEmpire Strikes Back spoof, Something Something Something Dark Side, may be released on DVD before it airs on TV. Also, who plays Lando? Click through to find out.
To celebrate the upcoming DVD release of the Robot Chicken: Star Wars special, StarWars.com staffers are ready and willing to relay your questions to creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich and co-head writer/producers Tom Root and Doug Goldstein. Simply post your query in this handy thread.