Star Wars live-action TV series
Encyclopedia
The untitled Star Wars
live-action TV series is a planned space opera
television series
, set between the events seen in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
.
The project, first announced in 2005 by Star Wars creator George Lucas
, is currently on hold due to budgetary concerns.
Though statements that the series will not center on main characters from the films have remained emphatic since its original announcement in 2005, further description of the series by George Lucas and Rick McCallum has varied or evolved.
Chronologically, the series has been described by Lucas as "a little bit more adult" than the films, "bare-bones and action-heavy", "funny and [...] a lot more talky" and "soap opera with a bunch of personal dramas" and likened to "Deadwood
meets The Sopranos
, in space."
McCallum has said about the show that "it is going to be much darker, much grittier, and it's much more character-based" and "it is like The Godfather
; it’s the Empire slowly building up its power base around the galaxy, what happens in Coruscant, which is the major capital, and it’s [about] a group of underground bosses who live there and control drugs, prostitution.”
A reference by McCallum to bounty hunter
s and the cancellation of a book by Karen Traviss
lend credence to the notion that Boba Fett
is one of the characters to be featured in the series.
Originally, 100 one-hour-long episodes were proposed, but producer Rick McCallum
explained it had the potential to run for up to 400, and "it’s something that can go on for years and years. One of the ideas is that we’ll have multiple series going on in about two or three years' time." Lucas echoed this, stating it will be "one show that will split into four shows, focusing on different characters." In May 2011 Lucas stated 50 episodes had been written.
The series will be shot using HD cameras, with principal photography taking place all around the world. McCallum has noted Sydney
as a likely base, and endorsed Prague
as one of the main locations.
On March 9, 2009, actress Rose Byrne
, who featured in Attack of the Clones, stated that casting for the series was underway, and that some of her friends had auditioned for roles. Star Wars Insider
#109 (the May/June 2009 issue of the official Star Wars magazine) debunked rumors, stating scripts for the television series were not yet written and would precede any earnest casting efforts. A casting agent in Australia, Zie Rad, is conducting preliminary ground work for the project, but official casting has yet to be conducted.
According to Lucas in a 2011 interview, the series is currently on hold until there is a more cost effective way of shooting the series. In June, McCallum, who would produce the series, elaborated on this, contrasting the high production costs of the series with current developments in TV production, saying "we’re not really sure that in five years’ time we can release a dramatic one-hour episode because it is all reality TV now."
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
live-action TV series is a planned space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, set between the events seen in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
.
The project, first announced in 2005 by Star Wars creator George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
, is currently on hold due to budgetary concerns.
Plot and style
The series will focus on the time between the prequel and original trilogies. It will not feature main characters of the films, but will match their visual style and production values.Though statements that the series will not center on main characters from the films have remained emphatic since its original announcement in 2005, further description of the series by George Lucas and Rick McCallum has varied or evolved.
Chronologically, the series has been described by Lucas as "a little bit more adult" than the films, "bare-bones and action-heavy", "funny and [...] a lot more talky" and "soap opera with a bunch of personal dramas" and likened to "Deadwood
Deadwood
Deadwood may refer to:in geography*Deadwood, Alberta, hamlet in Alberta, Canada*Deadwood, California , several unincorporated communities in California, United States*Deadwood, Oregon, unincorporated community in Oregon, United States...
meets The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
, in space."
McCallum has said about the show that "it is going to be much darker, much grittier, and it's much more character-based" and "it is like The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
; it’s the Empire slowly building up its power base around the galaxy, what happens in Coruscant, which is the major capital, and it’s [about] a group of underground bosses who live there and control drugs, prostitution.”
A reference by McCallum to bounty hunter
Bounty hunter
A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward . Other names, mainly used in the United States, include bail enforcement agent and fugitive recovery agent.-Laws in the U.S.:...
s and the cancellation of a book by Karen Traviss
Karen Traviss
Karen Traviss is a science fiction author, and full-time novelist from Wiltshire, England. Originally from the Portsmouth area, Traviss worked as both a journalist and defence correspondent before turning her attention to writing fiction. She also served in both the Territorial Army and the Royal...
lend credence to the notion that Boba Fett
Boba Fett
Boba Fett is a character in Star Wars. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon, he is a minor villain in both Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
is one of the characters to be featured in the series.
Production
George Lucas will write and produce the first season, and then "hand it off from there", while remaining executive producer and general overseer throughout the rest of the series.Originally, 100 one-hour-long episodes were proposed, but producer Rick McCallum
Rick McCallum
Richard "Rick" McCallum is a German-born American film producer mostly known for his work on the The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles as well as the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition and prequel trilogy...
explained it had the potential to run for up to 400, and "it’s something that can go on for years and years. One of the ideas is that we’ll have multiple series going on in about two or three years' time." Lucas echoed this, stating it will be "one show that will split into four shows, focusing on different characters." In May 2011 Lucas stated 50 episodes had been written.
The series will be shot using HD cameras, with principal photography taking place all around the world. McCallum has noted Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
as a likely base, and endorsed Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
as one of the main locations.
On March 9, 2009, actress Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne
Mary Rose Byrne is an Australian actress.Byrne made her screen debut in 1994 with a small role in the film Dallas Doll...
, who featured in Attack of the Clones, stated that casting for the series was underway, and that some of her friends had auditioned for roles. Star Wars Insider
Star Wars Insider
Star Wars Insider is the official Star Wars magazine. Its contents include stories, articles relating to the Star Wars universe, letters, and the fan newsletter "Bantha Tracks". It began in 1987 as the official magazine of The Lucasfilm Fan Club...
#109 (the May/June 2009 issue of the official Star Wars magazine) debunked rumors, stating scripts for the television series were not yet written and would precede any earnest casting efforts. A casting agent in Australia, Zie Rad, is conducting preliminary ground work for the project, but official casting has yet to be conducted.
According to Lucas in a 2011 interview, the series is currently on hold until there is a more cost effective way of shooting the series. In June, McCallum, who would produce the series, elaborated on this, contrasting the high production costs of the series with current developments in TV production, saying "we’re not really sure that in five years’ time we can release a dramatic one-hour episode because it is all reality TV now."