Few imaginary worlds have captured the raft attention of so many people across the world like that created in the Star Wars series of films, books, comic books, video games, and other forms of media. The Star Wars space opera revolves around romance, intergalactic power struggles, courageous heroes, and horrible villains, and for some people, you just cannot get enough of it. The upcoming film Star Wars: The Clone Wars is the latest feature film in the Star Wars franchise, following 2005’s Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It is especially notable because it will be a CGI animated film, a departure from the traditional method in which the previous films have been created. The film will be released on August 15, 2008 in the United States and if the previous Star Wars films are any indication, it will be a massive box office success.

The entire Star Wars universe was conceived by George Lucas in the late 1970s. In 1973, George Lucas directed the massively successful film American Graffiti, which grossed over $115 million in the box office. It was the highest-grossing film in Hollywood’s history when it was released, making George Lucas one of the most sought-after directors in the industry. It also made him a millionaire, earning the young director over $7 million and cementing his place among Hollywood elite. Over the next several years, George Lucas began creating the groundwork for the story behind the Star Wars franchise, first creating the character of Anakin Skywalker. At the beginning, Lucas focused on the structure of Anakin’s journey through time, chronicling his rise and fall and ending with his redemption, but the story quickly grew into something that could not be told in a single film. Lucas decided to tell the story over a series of films so that he could fit the massive amount of ideas brewing in his head onto the big screen. He split the story into four trilogies, the first one focusing on the life of Anakin Skywalker, the second and third telling the story of Anakin’s son, Luke, and Princess Leia, and the fourth occurring thousands of years after the events in the third. Because of the relative “excitement” levels in each of the trilogies, Lucas decided to begin filming the second trilogy, exposing the story of Luke Skywalker first and then telling the story of Anakin as a prequel.

When George Lucas pitched the idea to Universal Studios, the executives there made a costly mistake and refused the idea, stating that the concept was juvenile and would never do well. Lucas was met with similar responses from many other studios in Hollywood, but was finally met with approval from 20th Century Fox. They gave Lucas $11 million dollars to create his new movie, hoping for the best. When the movie was released in theaters on May 25, 1977, it was met with extremely positive reviews. Critics especially praised the scope of the story, the special effects, and the fact that the film harkened back to older action epics with large stories and great characters. Over the course of the movie’s run in theaters, Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope grossed over $300 million, making it the most successful movie in the history of Hollywood, a feat once again managed by the talented George Lucas. The fascinating success of the movie once again propelled George Lucas to immense fame and fortune, earning him over $50 million dollars and making him one of the most popular directors in the business. It was at this time that George Lucas negotiated that 20th Century Fox give him exclusive control over the franchise; something which Fox did not think would be profitable. Ultimately, it would help to make George Lucas a multi-billionaire.

May 21, 1980 was the debut of the second Star Wars film to be released, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Like its predecessor, the film was met with overwhelming box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. Three years later, on May 25, 1983, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi would come out, reaching levels of success reminiscent of the previous entries in the saga. It was also at this time that George Lucas decided that he would step away from continuing the Star Wars series of films in order to allow for special effects technology to catch up to his vision of the prequel. He did not want to make artistic compromises because of the available technology and instead chose to wait until 1994, when he began work on Star Wars Episode I: The Pirate Menace. Over the next several years, many companies endorsed the film, a talented cast of actors was assembled, and George Lucas would put together a film he could be proud of. When the film was released on May 19, 1999, it shattered many box office records and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released on May 16, 2002, and it achieved much success as well. The last film to be released was in 2005, when Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, earning over $380 million in the box office and paving the way for the next trilogy.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars will not be the historic moment when George Lucas unveils the next entry in the Star Wars trilogy: rather, it will take place chronologically between the events of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. It is the first Star Wars film to not be distributed by 20th Century Fox, and also the first to not be released in May, as it will be released on August 15 in the United States. No previous Star Wars film has been animated, though, so The Clone Wars will break new ground as far as production is concerned. It will chronicle the events that occur during the Clone Wars that rage between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic, focusing on the adventures of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta the Hutt, is kidnapped by a group of renegades and the two heroes must search for him and rescue him from the clutches of those who may or may not harm him. Yoda sends with Anakin an apprentice by the name of Ahsoka Tano, whom he must watch over and train while he completes his mission. It will not all be smooth sailing, however, as the trio will have to contend with Count Dooku’s forces, which include Asaji Ventress, hoping to cause further chaos between the Republic, the Confederacy, and the Hutts.

Check out this Clone Wars clip:

Star Wars is a venerable franchise that, over the years, has become a staple of pop culture. When a new Star Wars film is slated to be released, there are always many fans of the saga, old and new, that count down the days until the movie finally appears in theaters. Star Wars: The Clone Wars seems to be no different, and if you want to catch the latest film to be released in theaters, do so on August 15, 2008.