The rumors seem to be true. A live-action Star Wars TV show is in the works. It’s widely known that in late 2007, Lucas revealed that he and his team were about to begin writing scripts for the live-action show.  However, very little has been released on the topic since.  Now, according to the MTV movie blog, casting for the series is currently underway.

The show is supposed to be set between the end of Episode III and the beginning of Episode IV.  Evidently, they will be covering the rise of the Rebel Alliance as it gains momentum against the Empire.  The plot lines will follow minor characters from the movies.  

I’m wondering if Jimmy Smits will be in the series.  This traditional TV star, known most recently from work in the HBO series “Dexter” as Miguel Prado, played a really small role in Episode II and III.  He would seem to fit the bill as one of the minor characters from the saga, while still having a good TV career and being able to pull of a large part in a series like this. 

According to early reports, there will not be any on-screen appearances of either Darth Vader or any Jedi, so it looks like it will be a strait Rebellion against Clone Troopers sort of scenario.

If done right, I think this could turn out to be a masterpiece.  The Clone Wars on the Cartoon Network is actually pretty cool, but made for kids.  If they make this new Star Wars live-action series into a gritty action-drama, I think it could actually surpass Episodes I-III.   Lets hope that Lucas has learned from his successes and failures….  And lets double hope that he doesn’t rape Star Wars like he did Indiana Jones.

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