Apr 21 2008NYCC Report: 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'
This weekend, a cloud of nerdiness loomed darkly over New York's Javits Center, bringing with it a storm of body odor, sword salesman, and more costumed, overweight versions of famous characters than Frank TV. It was the New York Comic Con, and I braved the crowds and movie panels to bring you special reports.
After showing up horribly late, the first panel I attended was on the upcoming animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It was a packed room, eager to find how how Lucas would further dilute their cherished series. Here's what I learned:
- Anakin's padawan--a new character named Ahsoka Tano--was described as "a feisty, fiery, and very funny character." As funny as Jar Jar? We could only hope.
- The producer or whatever (I came in late and didn't catch who was speaking) said the new film is so immersive that "it will almost be like the clone troopers walked off the screen and into your living room." At this point, several fully-costumed clone troopers walked onto the stage, simulating the claimed effect. It would have been more impressive if I hadn't already seen forty other guys walking around dressed as Star Wars characters.
- Lucas was originally going to be only marginally involved in the production; now he's gotten hands-on, stopping by to monitor progress once a week. Take this as you will (it's probably bad).
- Just as the previous Star Wars episodes attempted to create a new battlefront environment with each film (ice planet for Empire, jungle for Return of the Jedi, etc.), The Clone Wars does the same: this time it's fighting up a sheer cliff. The clips I saw weren't as Wile E. Coyote-inspired as it sounds, and it looked reasonably entertaining.
I don't think the preview has arrived online yet
Reader Comments
1. derrin - April 21, 2008 2:31 PM
I dont know if you knew this, but the picture is actually a person dressed up as Juggernaut from Marvel Comics.
Thanks.
2. Rod - April 21, 2008 2:32 PM
The preview has been on the main site for a while:
http://www.starwars.com/video/view/000478.html
There are also other features and a "making of" video.
3. estoye - April 21, 2008 2:55 PM
That dude is just begging to be pushed over.
4. Jumpin_J - April 21, 2008 3:37 PM
First of, #2, nice find to the link. I must say it actually looks like it will not suck even if Princess Armidillo looks like a ripoff of Final Fantasy. What do I know? I hate video games. What I don't understand is last I checked, Cartoon Network doesn't broadcast in Hi Def, so what's with all the letterboxing? Not just letterboxing, but extreeeeeeme letterbox? Maybe the frame should have a ratio of 30:2. It would so friggin wide it'll look like your surrounded by the Death Star, but you'll have to squint to see anything.
5. Lee Majors - April 21, 2008 3:54 PM
Inferior to Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars by far.
6. Lal - April 21, 2008 6:19 PM
Oh shit.
Why must George Lucas continue to ruin my life? The computer animation in that trailer looks about the same quality as a video game from 10 years ago. There are characters that were killed in Episode 3, so i have no idea what the hell is going on. I thought the clone wars started AFTER Episode 3. This is such a horrible idea.
7. policegirl - April 21, 2008 6:49 PM
Lal, the clone wars started at the end of Episode 2 and ended at the end of Episode 3 when the Jedi were destroyed. The Clone Wars movie takes place between Episodes 2 and 3.
Basically, all it's doing is retelling the animated Clone Wars series that they did for Cartoon Network. Even the character designs are the same, which is really lame. I was expecting/hoping something looking more along the lines of Advent Children.
8. Nachtinis - April 21, 2008 7:02 PM
Actually the juggernaught there is the famous Darkkyo of Team takeo and also EMCEE for a few events down south here. He is also a student of wushu and is very hard to knock down.
9. Crappola - April 21, 2008 7:08 PM
Ugh!!! I'm done with the Prequels!!! Give me something that progress the story of Luke Skywalker.