Lucas looks to breathe new life into the saga, live action this time after “Clone Wars” animated TV shorts won Emmy

By Jonathan Zipper

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 10/17/07 – One of the biggest movie franchises in history may be on its way to the small screen. George Lucas is developing plans for a possible television spin-off of the “Star Wars” films.

Although the project is in its early stages, it seems as though Lucas would like the live-action show to distance itself from the series that made him a household name. Major characters from the movies, such as Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader will not be a part of the script.

“The Skywalkers aren’t in it, and it’s about minor characters,” Lucas told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday.

No other details were revealed, but Lucas appears to have the Midas touch when it comes to expanding his sci-fi franchise. “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” the sixth “Star Wars” chapter to hit theaters, brought in $380 million nationwide.

Lucas allowed a cartoon spin-off on Cartoon Network a number of years ago, called “The Clone Wars,” which was timed to the newer set of SW movies. They won an Emmy with a series of 20 highly-stylized three-minute episodes about young Obi-Wan, Anakin, Yoda and other Jedi knights, set time wise between film episodes II and III.

Lucas, 63, prefers to keep his storylines a secret. Police recently investigated a robbery on the set of the upcoming “Indiana Jones” installment amid fears of a plot information leak. Lucas wrote the story and is signed on as an executive producer.