The Clone Ranger

Sun Herald

Sunday December 28, 2008

Scott Ellis

For a Star Wars fan, there's no greater honour than being invited inside George Lucas's world to help tell his ever-expanding stories.

But it's also a challenge, says Dave Filoni, to work within what has become one of the most closely watched fictional universes ever imagined. "When I first joined this project I actually wondered how we would work in the short period of time in which our action is set," says Filoni, director of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which is set in the years between episodes two and three of the live-action Star Wars films.

"But I quickly learned from George [Lucas] that he still has so many stories to tell."

Chief among those stories is one of the biggest of the saga - the life and trials of Anakin Skywalker (who will become Darth Vader).

In The Clone Wars, Anakin is now a Jedi Knight, battling the republic's enemies. It's a great story arc, Filoni says, but he's also enjoying the chance to highlight some of the lesser-known Star Wars characters.

"One of my favourites is an obscure Jedi called Plo Koon," Filoni says. "Then there's the new characters we've developed ... it's been amazing to create someone who is new to Star Wars and then have them prove themselves to the fans."

Star Wars: The Clone Wars,

Saturday, noon, Ten

© 2008 Sun Herald

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