You've probably already read this news elsewhere, but LucasFilm and Robot Chicken are teaming up on new Star Wars animated episodes (there's no indication yet as to whether this will actually be on TV or just "webisodes"). This is from ComingSoon.net ...
Check Out the Trailer and Three Clips From Star Wars Detours
Rumored for quite some time, Lucasfilm Ltd. has finally revealed their new, comedic take on the Star Wars franchise in the form of "Star Wars Detours," a television series from "Robot Chicken" creators Seth Green and Matt Senreich and director Todd Grimes. There's no official word yet on when the series will premiere or exactly what format it will take, but you can check out the trailer and three clips beneath the official description.
"Star Wars Detours" is an animated comedy that explores what daily life is like in a galaxy far, far away. There are no Empires striking back or attacking clones here. Instead, "Star Wars Detours" focuses on the universe’s regular folks and their everyday problems… which, to be fair, do frequently involve famous bounty hunters, crazed Ewoks, and even a Dark Lord of the Sith.
Welcome to "Star Wars: Detours": the other side of the stars, between the wars.
Although I've got the three Robot Chicken Star Wars specials on DVD, I'm not a great fan of their rather juvenile style "comedy", but maybe with LucasFilm involved this will be better.
My eight year old and I just watched the trailer together, after which I asked her, "so what do you think? Cool?"
Silence.
"Interesting?" I asked.
Long pause and then, "Not really." and she walks off. This from a kid who has a large collection of figures, begs to watch the movies each weekend and adores The Clone Wars. Hardly the reaction you'd expect to the first look at a new series.
And I have to say, I'm there with her. Maybe if this had come out five years ago it would be interesting, but at this point it just feels old and tired to me. Star Wars parodies have become so numerous and frequent now that it's hard to imagine there's much scope for fresh material here. Looks like more of the same old stuff to me, and as such, it's not doing anything to excite me. I feel like this is what a property that is starting to cannibalize itself looks like.
That and, I'm really not digging a lot of the designs.
If they're counting on this to expand the SW audience and keep the franchise kicking, I can't see it working.
I hope I'm wrong, but I think this is doomed to being written off and largely ignored.
I'll be honest, there were a few parts in there that gave me a chuckle, so that bodes well. I also like the fact that Green has stuck with the same voice actors as in Robot Chicken for the 'alternates' of these characters (particularly Boba Fett).
On the other hand, what Strone said is spot-on:
Reverend Strone wrote:Star Wars parodies have become so numerous and frequent now that it's hard to imagine there's much scope for fresh material here.
It's hard to see how they'll find enough to sustain an entire series. I never begrudge any new Star Wars material (I've always been of the 'don't want, don't watch' philosophy). That being said, I really don't know how this will add much to the franchise.
