Star Wars Live-Action TV Series to Debut in 2010
Show Aims to Attract New "Adult Audience" on Cable Television
Jul 3, 2009
The Star Wars universe has continued to thrive outside of the six major films, and has spawned countless novels, comic books, toy lines, games, and even television shows. But it is the possibility of a live-action series – one that will bridge the gap between Episodes III and IV – that has been the most exciting for many fans.
The still untitled live-action series was first announced in April 2005 by Star Wars creator George Lucas; however, it kept being pushed back in order to allow other projects, such as the Clone Wars TV series, to be developed, and because of delays caused by the writers’ strike. On July 2, it was finally reported by insiders that pre-production for the series has begun in Australia, where the show will be shot. According to Rose Byrne, who portrayed Dormé in Attack of the Clones, initial casting for the show began back in March.
Specific details on the show have been kept extremely quiet; however, a few key details have emerged. Below is a summary of what is known about this highly anticipated project.
Series Background
The series will be about 100 one-hour episodes long, although up to 400 episodes has been proposed. Executive Producer Rick McCallum has stated that it will be “much darker, much grittier, and it's much more character based” than the original Star Wars films, and George Lucas has described it as “Deadwood meets The Sopranos in space.” Indeed, the choice to use writers from Australian dramas Secret Life of Us and Love My Way, both of which focus on relationships and emotional storylines, suggests that, unlike the films and previous television shows, the live-action series will feature an adult audience. Writers from Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, and Lost – all non-traditional sci-fi shows – were also reportedly contacted.
George Lucas is self-financing the series, and will serve with McCallum as Executive Producer, although he will apparently be relatively hands-off on the project after the first season. The show will be shot in high-definition, and Lucas has stated that, in terms of special effects, they plan to do with $1 million what others do with $20 million.
The Plot
The show takes place during the 19-year gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. At the end of Sith, Palpatine reorganized the Republic into the Galactic Empire, Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, and the Jedi were hunted down to near-extinction. The beginnings of the intimidating Death Star and the heroic Rebel Alliance were also witnessed.
Nineteen years later, at the beginning of Hope, the Rebel Alliance has just won its first victory against the Empire, and the technical readouts of the Death Star were stolen by the Rebels in an attempt to destroy the battle-station.
The specific events that have occurred in between these two films have been deliberately kept vague in the “expanded universe,” with the most recent project to shed light on the time period being The Force Unleashed, which revealed that Darth Vader took on a secret apprentice who helped to destroy the remaining Jedi. McCallum states that the live-action series presents an “opportunity to answer everybody's questions once and for all.”
The Cast and Characters
The story will feature minor characters from the Star Wars universe (who are either from the “expanded universe” of books and games, or have yet to be introduced), rather than any of the major characters who starred in the six films. It is possible, however, that a few major characters may have cameo roles. Both Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) have expressed interest in reprising their roles, although Lucas has stated that both the Emperor and Darth Vader will be frequently referenced, but never seen. In addition, Lucas has stated that there will be Storm troopers, but no Jedi.
This refutes on-line rumors that expanded universe Jedi Quinlan Vos will play a role in the series (Lucas himself personally instructed the writers of the Star Wars: Republic comic book not to kill off the character, which led to speculation that he would be featured). One character who will definitely by featured in bounty hunter and fan favorite Boba Fett, who McCallum has confirmed will play an integral role in the story.
Other rumored characters include Captain Typho (Jay Laga’aia) from Episodes II and III, and Galen Marek (Sam Witwer), Darth Vader’s secret apprentice from The Force Unleashed multimedia project.
Potential Spinoffs
In July 2007, McCallum stated that the show is “something that can go on for years and years. One of the ideas is that we’ll have multiple series going in about two or three years.” Lucas echoed this statement, saying that “one show [will eventually] split into four shows, focusing on different characters.”
Broadcast
McCallum has stated that the series will be broadcast on cable. Although Lucas still has not found a network partner, rumors indicate that both Disney (via ABC and ABC Family) and News Corp (via Fox and FX) have expressed an interest in acquiring broadcast rights.
George Lucas has stated that the series is “a completely different kind of idea” that “may work or it may not.” What do you think? Would you watch a live-action Star Wars television series? Or should Lucas have ended the series after the completion of the six films?
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