USA Today reported that, at his appearance this weekend at the Star Wars Celebration III convention, director George Lucas officially announced that he has...
"given the green light to two Star Wars television series. First up will be a 3-D animated half-hour series based on his popular Clone Wars cartoon shorts. The second and most ambitious project will involve a live-action series. He wants it to be similar to the serialized The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series he executive-produced in 1992. Lucas plans to film the entire first season all at once, with shooting to begin in about a year. Lucas says he will set up the show, but then plans to step back and move on to other projects."
While most of the Star Wars TV endeavors based on the Original Trilogy were not commercial successes, the Clone Wars mini-episodes from Cartoon Network have proved otherwise. While the animation is more streamlined and caricatured that what you would expect for Star Wars, the writing and action sequences was done in a way to make it entertaining to adults and children alike.
However, despite being a modest fan of Star Wars (meaning I don't dress up in costumes or attend conferences), I'll be honest and say I'm not initially crazy about the idea of a live action TV show for Star Wars. Now, before all of you Star Wars-aholics strike me down with all of your anger, please allow me to explain.
First and foremost, going from Film to TV is usually a recipe for disaster. Remember, there were TV shows made of: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Dirty Dancing, Clueless, and Stargate (Yes, I know that show has lasted a while, but it's only because of MacGyver fans.) The only recent Film to TV success I can think of is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But with Buffy, the movie was really bad, while the TV show got a better actress (Sarah Michelle Gellar). The only all-time Film to TV success is M*A*S*H. But 2 out of 50 isn't good odds on TV.
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Article comments
1 - Billy
What the hell is that. Stargate is one of the best shows DESPITE Mcgyver!!! Action packed, Witty, and always leaves you (well me atleast) on the edge of your set.
For you to say that the only reason it has lasted this long is b/c of Richards earlier show is mindbogling. SG1 is nothing like Mcgyver in almost every aspect... just take into consideration that on Mcgyver he refused to use a gun... in SG1, his character uses them on a regular basis.
Sorry im just pissed off that you would even suggest that.
2 - Mark Sahm
Billy, the McGyver point was just a joke to get the point across, man. I don't really think it is the whole fan base.
But just to remain relevant about the TV/Movie comparison: what was better--- the StarGate movie or the TV show? And be honest!
3 - Eric Berlin
That Young Indiana Jones series was actually pretty cool, as I recall. I'm excited to see Star Wars take on the small screen, and will tune in with interest (as about 800 million people will as well, I imagine... at least for the first week or two).
4 - Patrick Wilson
I do not think I like the idea of doing another Star Wars TV Series. I think that Lcuas has gone far enough on making 1 movie with 2 sequels, and 3 prequels. With Episode III out now I think that 6 flims is enough for Star Wars. Either way I do not beleive
5 - Mike G
Lets see star wars tv show huh? Well I think that with all that money Lucas made from star wars would be more than enough to spend half of it on top line grapics for t he show. If he can't do that then it will flop. I'm sorry but when i think of star wars i think of lightsabers and awesome special effects and eye poping graphics. If it wont be that then half the fans will be like...uhh ok ill watch it make a couple times a month or look online and see how it is doing. Thats just my thoughts
6 - Dave Nalle
There's no question the Stargate TV Show is better than the movie. The show has allowed exploration of the background and the characters which just wasn't possible in the movie. The movie was high concept, but really lacking in depth or even plot. Most single episodes of the TV show have more to offer than the entire movie did.
Dave
7 - Jared S
While the question of which is better regarding Stargate is debatable (Movie "Tastes Great" vs. TV "Less Filling"), the Sci-Fi Channel has produced some good series with great special effects. Most notably the Farscape series and the Battle Star Galactica series.
8 - Don Michael
I for one am happy, it is good to see more sci fi on tv instead of this idol bullshit. Rock on with the force! Hey and at least he is use'n all the money i have given him over the years for something.
9 - Mark Sahm
Don, good point. I would agree that with the cash cow that 'Sith' has become, Lucas should definitely bring the A-grade effects for his TV endeavors. I can only pray he doesn't write the dialogue for it too!
10 - Joe Songer
Starwars as a T.V. show may fail. However, if the writers are passionate about the scripts they write and the characters are well thought out then the aliens could be muppets and we wouldn't care. The over all story is more important. If we care about the characters and what happening to them then props are an after thought. The T.V. series, like the books, or the comics, or even the games are just different takes on George Lucas' galaxy far, far away. He says this himself in an interview. Besides, I'd rather them try and fail then not try at all. The worst we could get would be anouther forgetable series like Young Indiana Jones or that horrible Ewok movie, at best we could get a show that rivals or surpasses shows like Star Trek TNG or the for mentioned M.A.S.H.
11 - Dave
Wasn't the Odd Couple a movie to TV show hit as well? Just another one to add to your list.
Dave
12 - El Bicho
To be accurate, Odd Couple was play to movie to TV.
Alice was a good sitcom that ran for 8 seasons. Anyone know the film it was derived from?
13 - Tan The Man
Thank God Lucas will step back. If only he had done this with Episode 1-3. I swear Lucas is one of the most overrated directors/producers in movie history.