Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)
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Star Wars: Clone Wars | |
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Durge, and Count Dooku | |
Genre | |
Based on | Star Wars by George Lucas |
Developed by | Genndy Tartakovsky |
Story by |
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Directed by | Genndy Tartakovsky |
Voices of | |
Theme music composer | John Williams |
Composers |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 3[1] |
No. of episodes | 25 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer | Brian A. Miller |
Producers |
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Running time |
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Production companies | |
Original release | |
Network | Cartoon Network |
Release | November 7, 2003 March 25, 2005 | –
Related | |
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Star Wars Forces of Destiny |
Star Wars: Clone Wars is an American
The series aired on Cartoon Network for three seasons consisting of 25 episodes altogether from November 7, 2003, to March 25, 2005, and was the first Star Wars television series since Ewoks (1985–1986). The first two seasons of Clone Wars, released on DVD as Volume One were produced in episodes ranging from two to three minutes, while the third season consists of five 12-minute episodes and was released on DVD as Volume Two. The two volumes were released on DVD by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.[2] Since its release, the series has received critical acclaim and won multiple awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program for both volumes. Its success led to it being spun off as the CGI series The Clone Wars in 2008. The show is available to be streamed on Disney+.[3]
Plot
The series begins shortly after
Synopsis
The main storyline of Volume One features the Jedi Knight
Surrounding this storyline are various battles focusing on other Jedi and their wartime exploits. Master
on Hypori.Volume Two picks up right where Volume One ended, with Obi-Wan sending his team of
Anakin and Obi-Wan are assigned to search for Grievous on the planet Nelvaan, but instead end up liberating a group of Nelvaanians who had been enslaved and mutated by the Separatist Techno Union. While rescuing the Nelvaan warriors, Anakin sees a cryptic vision of his eventual transformation into Darth Vader.
Continuity
Several attempts were made to maintain continuity within the overall saga, most notably bridging Attack of the Clones to Revenge of the Sith. Anakin appears with his new lightsaber (as it appears in Episode III) after his previous one was destroyed in the previous film.
The series is notable for introducing one of Revenge of the Sith‘s villains, General Grievous
Volume Two shares aspects of its storyline with the novel Labyrinth of Evil, which was created at the same time. Both the cartoon and book climax with the Jedi chasing Grievous on Coruscant to save Palpatine. The book features a different final duel between Windu and Grievous, but in both titles Shaak Ti acts as Palpatine's primary guardian.[16][17] In the series, Anakin and Obi-Wan investigate a possible base for Grievous on Nelvaan before being called back to Coruscant. The novel depicts the Jedi duo pursuing Count Dooku on Tythe. While fleeing to Coruscant, Dooku stops at Nelvaan to leave a false trail.[17][18][b] While the final season of The Clone Wars references Shaak Ti being sent to guard Palpatine, it depicts Anakin and Obi-Wan in yet a different location just prior to Revenge of the Sith.[16][c]
Clone Wars served as a
Production
Genndy Tartakovsky claimed that Lucasfilm conceived of the series as a way to sell more action figures because the prequel trilogy figures were underselling.[27] It was produced and directed by Tartakovsky, the creator of Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack,[21] and employs a similar animation style to the latter. According to Tartakovsky, the series was developed in two weeks, created by a small crew,[28] and "it was stressful because I had to translate this world I've loved since I was a kid into something completely different."[27]
Tartakovsky stated that he deliberately animated C-3PO with moveable expressive eyes to pay homage to his animated appearances in the
Although the show was largely animated in digital 2D, the motion of the spaceships was cel-shaded 3D animation.[32]
Voice cast
- Mat Lucas as Anakin Skywalker
- Frankie Ryan Manriquez as young Anakin Skywalker
- James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Agen Kolar
- Tom Kane as Yoda
- Terrence "T.C." Carson as Mace Windu and Saesee Tiin
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Corey Burton as Count Dooku and San Hill
- Shaak Ti, and Stass Allie
- Nick Jameson as Palpatine / Darth Sidious
- André Sogliuzzo as Commander Cody, Captain Typho, Captain Fordo, and all clone troopers
- Kit Fisto
- Fred Tatasciore as Qui-Gon Jinn and Oppo Rancisis
- Durge, Master Barrek, and Even Piell
- Luminara Unduli
- Barriss Offee
- Kevin Michael Richardson as K'Kruhk
Broadcast
The series originally ran on Cartoon Network. In addition to being shown on television, the episodes were simultaneously released online on the Star Wars and Cartoon Network websites. It was heavily advertised by the channel and was originally shown immediately before their popular Friday-night programming block, 'Fridays'.
Episodes
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 10 | November 7, 2003 | November 20, 2003 | |
2 | 10 | March 26, 2004 | April 8, 2004 | |
3 | 5 | March 22, 2005 | March 26, 2005 |
Season 1 (2003)
The first season consisted of 10 episodes, lasting three minutes each. Along with the second season, it was released on DVD as Volume One.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Chapter 1" | November 7, 2003 | 101 |
Following the battle of Attack of the Clones, the Clone Wars rage across the galaxy. Obi-Wan Kenobi is given the task of leading the assault on Muunilinst while Anakin Skywalker gets command over the space forces. Anakin bids farewell to his secret wife, Senator Padmé Amidala . | ||||
2 | 2 | "Chapter 2" | November 10, 2003 | 102 |
Obi-Wan's ARC troopers are shot down over the capital of Muunilinst as the assault on the Intergalactic Banking Clan's planet begins. | ||||
3 | 3 | "Chapter 3" | November 11, 2003 | 103 |
Pinned down by droid enemy fire, the ARC troopers must make use of their specialist training to reach their target. | ||||
4 | 4 | "Chapter 4" | November 12, 2003 | 104 |
With the battle of Muunilinst raging in space as well as on land, San Hill orders Durge and his IG-lancer droids to defend the city. | ||||
5 | 5 | "Chapter 5" | November 13, 2003 | 105 |
On Quarren Isolation league. Mon Calamari Knights riding giant Keelkanas provide the Republic forces with back up.[5] | ||||
6 | 6 | "Chapter 6" | November 14, 2003 | 106 |
Count Dooku arrives on Rattatak to witness the gladiator fights at the "Cauldron". Asajj Ventress beats every opponent in the arena and claims to be a Sith . | ||||
7 | 7 | "Chapter 7" | November 17, 2003 | 107 |
Dooku submits Asajj Ventress to a test with a lightsaber before sending her on her way to find and eliminate Anakin Skywalker. | ||||
8 | 8 | "Chapter 8" | November 18, 2003 | 108 |
General Kenobi and his troopers mount up on speeder bikes to take on Durge and the droid forces from the Intergalactic Banking Clan. | ||||
9 | 9 | "Chapter 9" | November 19, 2003 | 109 |
General Kenobi and the ARC Troopers capture the Banking Clan's headquarters but Durge remains in pursuit, displaying almost unstoppable regenerative powers. | ||||
10 | 10 | "Chapter 10" | November 20, 2003 | 110 |
Anakin proves himself to be the best star fighter in the galaxy battling Geonosian fighters above Muunilinst.[34] |
Season 2 (2004)
The second season consisted of 10 episodes, lasting three minutes each. Along with the first season, it was released on DVD as Volume One.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 1 | "Chapter 11" | March 26, 2004[1] | 201 |
Anakin chases a mysterious rogue pilot (Asajj Ventress) piloting a Geonosian fanblade starfighter and against his master's orders, pursues her into hyperspace. | ||||
12 | 2 | "Chapter 12" | March 29, 2004 | 202 |
Young Dantooine . | ||||
13 | 3 | "Chapter 13" | March 30, 2004 | 203 |
Having lost his lightsaber, Master Windu must take on a battalion of Super Battle Droids hand to hand. | ||||
14 | 4 | "Chapter 14" | March 31, 2004 | 204 |
The sacred Barriss Offee is completing her training. | ||||
15 | 5 | "Chapter 15" | April 1, 2004 | 205 |
Master Captain Typho to take a detour to Ilum in order to mount a rescue operation. | ||||
16 | 6 | "Chapter 16" | April 2, 2004 | 206 |
Padmé, worrying about Master Yoda, is attacked by Chameleon Droids. Luckily she has C-3PO to use as a decoy. | ||||
17 | 7 | "Chapter 17" | April 5, 2004 | 207 |
Anakin has followed Asajj Ventress to Yavin 4. Although a clone squadron has been sent after them by Obi-Wan in a Republic carrier, they prove to be no match for the Sith hopeful. | ||||
18 | 8 | "Chapter 18" | April 6, 2004 | 208 |
Asajj Ventress leads Anakin through the jungles of Yavin 4 toward the ancient Exar Kun . | ||||
19 | 9 | "Chapter 19" | April 7, 2004 | 209 |
Driven to the edge by Asajj Ventress, Anakin almost gives in to the Dark Side in a final bid to defeat her. | ||||
20 | 10 | "Chapter 20" | April 8, 2004 | 210 |
The Republic has won the battle of Muunilinst, but news arrives of a new droid general hunting down Jedi on the planet Hypori. There, a group of Jedi consisting of Aayla Secura, K'Kruhk, Tarr Seirr and Sha'a Gi are driven into a corner by the formidable General Grievous . |
Season 3 (2005)
The third and final season consisted of five episodes, lasting 12 minutes each. These episodes were released on DVD as Volume Two.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
---|---|---|---|---|
21 | 1 | "Chapter 21" | March 21, 2005 | 301 |
Captain Fordo and his ARC troopers rescue Ki-Adi-Mundi, Aayla Secura and Shaak Ti from General Grievous. The Jedi council grants Anakin Skywalker the title of Jedi Knight, after which Senator Amidala allows him the use of R2-D2 as co-pilot for his Jedi Interceptor starship. | ||||
22 | 2 | "Chapter 22" | March 22, 2005 | 302 |
Closer to the end of the war, Anakin has become battle-scarred and leads the third army of the Republic alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi. They blow up a shield generator and capture a fortress. Meanwhile, Separatist forces move in on Outer Rim planets such as Kashyyyk , Orto and Bal'demnic. Anakin visits Padmé on Naboo, but as Darth Sidious launches his final operation, he and Obi-Wan are sent to Nelvaan, where Anakin disrupts a young native's rite of passage by defeating a giant Horax. | ||||
23 | 3 | "Chapter 23" | March 23, 2005 | 303 |
Coruscant is attacked by Separatist forces. Mace Windu takes to the air while Yoda rides his Kybuck to defend the city. Meanwhile, Saesee Tinn leads his troops into battle just above the planet's atmosphere. On Nelvaan, Obi-Wan volunteers Anakin to take the trial of fire. | ||||
24 | 4 | "Chapter 24" | March 24, 2005 | 304 |
Jedi Shaak Ti, Roron Corobb and Foul Moudama fight to keep Supreme Chancellor Palpatine out of General Grievous's mechanical claws. Anakin finds a hidden laboratory where the Techno Union is conducting mutation experiments on Nelvaan warriors. | ||||
25 | 5 | "Chapter 25" | March 25, 2005 | 305 |
Shaak Ti takes a desperate stand against Grievous's Magnaguards. Anakin, surrounded by mutated Nelvaan Warriors, must destroy the geothermal crystal powering the siphon generator. Mace Windu hurries to face General Grievous, who abducts Palpatine. When Anakin and Obi-Wan learn of this, they set out on a dangerous rescue mission, leading to the opening of Revenge of the Sith . |
Reception
Critical response
As of 2019, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes lists four out of five critics as giving season 1 a positive review.[35] In 2009, Clone Wars was ranked 21 on IGN's Top 100 Animated Series list.[36]
Various articles have been written about the series since its 2021 release on
In a list of "Best Animated Star Wars Moments", /Film credits the series with marking "the arrival of a new era for animated storytelling that seriously expanded the canon of the galaxy far, far away", specifically praising the dialogue-free scenes of Mace Windu fighting battle droids without a lightsaber (calling it "a dream seeing the legend in action") and Anakin's premonitory hallucination of Vader's helmet on a cave wall (drawing a parallel to Luke's vision on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back).[41]
Awards and nominations
Award | Type | Season(s) | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Saturn Award for "Best Television Presentation" in the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Nominated | 1 and 2 | 2004 |
Emmy Award for " Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or More)"[42] |
Won | 1 and 2 | 2004 |
Emmy Award for "Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or More)"[43] | Won | 3 | 2005 |
Emmy Award to background key designer Justin Thompson for "Outstanding Individual in Animation"[43] | Won | 3 | 2005 |
Annie Award for "Best Animated Television Production" | Won | 3 | 2006 |
Home media
Both volumes were released on DVD by
Title | Release date | Chapters | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Region 1 | Region 2 | |||
Star Wars: Clone Wars – Volume One | March 22, 2005 | May 9, 2005 | 1–20 | |
This release contains all 20 of the show's 3-minute episodes, edited together into one continuous feature with English subtitles and an optional commentary track. Extras include art galleries, behind-the-scenes information, and the featurette "Bridging the Saga: From Clone Wars to Revenge of the Sith", a Revenge of the Sith teaser trailer, as well as interviews with George Lucas, Genndy Tartakovsky, and the production crew. The disc also features a glimpse of Star Wars: Clone Wars – Volume Two, an Episode III game trailer, and a playable level of the Xbox game Star Wars: Republic Commando. | ||||
Star Wars: Clone Wars – Volume Two | December 6, 2005 | December 5, 2005 | 21–25 | |
This release contains all five of the show's 12-minute episodes, edited together into one continuous feature with English subtitles and an optional commentary track. Extras include a Revenge of the Sith trailer, art galleries, trailers for the Star Wars games |
Merchandising
A series of Hasbro action figures was released between 2003 and 2005, including four Walmart-exclusive "Commemorative DVD Collection" 3-packs (which did not include a DVD).[45] Between 2004 and 2007, Dark Horse Comics published a ten-volume comic series titled Clone Wars – Adventures, which utilized the style of the 2D animated series and depicts original stories set during the era.[46][47] In 2021, more toys were released to promote the series, as part of Star Wars: The Vintage Collection.[48]
Legacy
Elements of the series, including the regenerative villain Durge,[f] are mentioned in the 2005 novelization of Revenge of the Sith.[50] According to the (now-defunct) Star Wars Databank, Durge has a vendetta against Mandalorians and extends this to the clones of Jango Fett.[49] Durge was considered for inclusion in The Clone Wars, but was dropped in favor of the new bounty-hunter character Cad Bane.[51] Durge also appears in a 2021 issue of the canon Marvel comic book series Doctor Aphra, as part of the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event, set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.[52][53] The 2023 video game Jedi: Survivor features Rayvis, a member of Durge's species, the Gen'Dai.[54]
Nelvaan has been mentioned in canon
Notes
- ^ In the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, it is recounted that Anakin gave the braid to Padmé in person. In both the book and animation, she then assigns R2-D2 to him.[9]
- ^ The planet Dooku visits was changed to 'Koobi' in the 2007 audiobook,[19] explained by the Star Wars Databank to be Nelvaan's planetary system.[20]
- ^ a b Den of Geek's Ryan Britt regards the final arc of The Clone Wars as not entirely negating the final arc of the earlier series.[26]
- ^ Anakin already has his facial scar and is a knight in the CGI The Clone Wars film and series, in which he takes an apprentice.[10][22]
- ^ Grievous was played by John DiMaggio in the season 2 finale, while McGonagle took over the role for season 3.[33]
- ^ The character was designed by Skywalker Ranch's art department and first appeared in Dark Horse Comics' Star Wars: Republic series.[49]
References
- ^ a b "Clone Wars Season 2 on Hyperspace". StarWars.com. March 23, 2004. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Star Wars on TV: The Original Clone Wars - Page 2". IGN. October 3, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- ^ "The best Star Wars series is finally streaming on Disney+". Inverse. May 3, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Star Wars on TV: The Original Clone Wars". IGN. October 2, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Clone Wars Breakdown". IGN. November 15, 2003. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- ^ "History and Origin of the Anakin Skywalker Lightsaber". Strongblade.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ a b Clone Wars: Connecting the Dots featurette. Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two DVD, 2005.
- ^ a b Dominguez, Noah (April 22, 2021). "Star Wars: Tartakovsky's Clone Wars Shows a Key Anakin Moment the Canon Series Doesn't". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ISBN 978-0345428844.
- ^ ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 15:00.
- ^ 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
- ^ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, John Knoll and Roger Guyett, 2005.
- ^ Peeke, Dan (May 11, 2020). "Star Wars: 10 Things You Didn't Know About General Grievous". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Miller, David (January 26, 2021). "Clone Wars Turned General Grievous Into A Joke Even Before Lightsaber Memes". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Meenan, Devin (February 11, 2022). "Star Wars: 5 Things From The 2003 Clone Wars Series That Should Be Canon Again". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-345-47572-5.
- ISBN 978-0345449016.
- ISBN 9780739357057.
- ^ "Nelvaan". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c Cotter, Padraig (May 23, 2019). "Why Genndy Tartakovsky's Star Wars: Clone Wars Isn't Canon". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ Hawkings, C.J. (October 17, 2018). "How Ahsoka Tano shaped Anakin Skywalker as a character". Dork Side of the Force. FanSided. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- ^ Vilmur, Pete (October 5, 2007). "Clone Wars Character Designer Kilian Plunkett". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ Sands, Rich (February 14, 2008). "New Star Wars Series: Five Burning Questions Answered! - Celebrity and Entertainment News". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 25, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ "The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ Britt, Ryan (April 17, 2020). "How Star Wars: The Clone Wars Retconned the 2000s Clone Wars Series". Den of Geek. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Sedano, Caroline (November 17, 2008). "Cartoon Network animator traces his path to the top". Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Chase, Stephanie; Opie, David (January 22, 2020). "Exclusive: Clone Wars boss Genndy Tartakovsky explains 'suspicious' similarities between his show and Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ Audio commentary tracks on the official Star Wars website and the "Volume One" DVD
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Event occurs at 23:00.
- ^ "Muunilinst". StarWars.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
- ^ "Bridging the Saga" DVD featurette.
- OCLC 1090442735.
- ^ "Clone Wars Breakdown: Chapters 6-10". IGN. November 22, 2003. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- ^ "Star Wars: Clone Wars---'The Epic Micro Series': Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "21. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)". IGN. 2009. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- ^ Lovett, Jamie (April 7, 2021). "Star Wars Gave Fans Two Very Different Accounts of the Clone Wars". ComicBook.com. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Pirrello, Phil (April 29, 2021). "Every Star Wars show and TV movie (from The Mandalorian to the Holiday Special) ranked". SyFy Wire. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Gaughan, Liam (September 6, 2021). "How Genndy Tartakovsky's 'Clone Wars' Was Ahead of Its Time". Collider. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Beahm, Elijah (April 9, 2022). "A Tale of Two Clone Wars: The Ravaging of EU Canon". The Escapist. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ Cao, Caroline (September 22, 2021). "The 13 Best Animated Star Wars Moments". SlashFilm.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ "Star Wars: Clone Wars". Emmys.com. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Clone Wars Vol. 2 (Chapters 21-25)". Emmys.com. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ Ridgely, Charlie (March 16, 2021). "Disney+: Every Movie and TV Show Arriving in April 2021". ComicBook.com. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ISBN 9781440245886.
- ^ "Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Vol. 1 TPB :: Profile". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ "Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 10 :: Profile". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ Fallon, Sean (July 22, 2021). "Star Wars Clone Wars 2D Micro-Series Black Series and Vintage Collection Figures Launch at Collector Con". ComicBook.com. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "Durge". StarWars.com. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Baxter, Joseph (March 17, 2021). "Could Durge's Star Wars Return Lead to a Role in The Mandalorian or Book of Boba Fett?". Den of Geek. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "Bane, Cad". Star Wars Databank. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ Bacon, Thomas (March 17, 2021). "Star Wars Brings Back Original Clone Wars Villain To Canon". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "Boba Fett Ignites the 'War of the Bounty Hunters'". Marvel Entertainment. February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ Saltzman, Mitchell (February 18, 2023). "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - Meet the Gen'Dai". IGN. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- OCLC 905520892.
- ^ Millien, Mark (June 1, 2022). "Brotherhood Retcons Several Of The Most Amazing Lightsaber Battles Of All Time". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Britt, Ryan (May 11, 2022). "Star Wars writer reveals a new Anakin canon twist". Inverse. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
External links
- Star Wars: Clone Wars at IMDb
- Star Wars: Clone Wars on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki