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[via press release]

Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm Announce Star Wars Animated Shorts
20 Animated “Clone Wars” Serial Shorts to Appear on Cartoon Network in 2003-2004

Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm Ltd. announced today a partnership to create Star Wars: Clone Wars, a series of 20 animated shorts that will air on Cartoon Network in 2003-2004 between other programming.  Star Wars: Clone Wars continues the saga where the live action feature film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones left off – at the beginning of the Clone Wars, an epic civil war that pits the old Republic against a vast separatist movement led by the forces of evil.

Each episodic short will be two- to three-minutes in length and will air exclusively on Cartoon Network at regularly scheduled times during the network’s regular programming beginning later this fall.   Clone Wars will be produced at Cartoon Network Studios by a team led by Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory.

As Clone Wars unfolds the valiant Jedi Knights lead the Republic’s Clone Army against many new and ruthless adversaries across the galaxy. These new characters, epic battles and intricate stories will add an exciting new dimension to the Star Wars saga.

“We are incredibly excited to be working with Lucasfilm in creating an animated story that extends one of the world’s most beloved entertainment properties,” said Sam Register, senior vice president of development for Cartoon Network.  “Cartoon Network’s creative team will work hand-in-hand with Lucasfilm to make sure that our common vision for Clone Wars thrills Star Wars fans around the world.”

“Genndy Tartakovsky and the team at Cartoon Network are tops in their field,” said Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing.  “Their work on Samurai Jack shows that they can tell an epic story in a unique way, lavishing equal attention on dramatic battle scenes as well as the dramatic development of the characters.”

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the leading independent film and entertainment companies in the world.  Lucasfilm’s businesses include George Lucas’ film and television production and distribution activities.  Lucasfilm’s feature films have won 19 Oscars and received 52 Academy Award nominations, and its television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards.  The Lucas group of companies also includes LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC, Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC, Lucas Licensing Ltd. and Lucas Online.

Cartoon Network, currently seen in 82.1 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment.  Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons.  Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable’s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network’s Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.