Key Takeaways:
– The animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” received worldwide acclaim.
– Supervising director Dave Filoni drew inspiration from a Japanese anime for the show.
– Filoni led Matt Latner, who voiced Anakin Skywalker, to embrace a combination of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo personalities.
Inspiration Behind The Animated Series
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, an animated series revolving around a multi-system war and the peace-keeping efforts of the Jedi Knights, won global recognition upon its release. Supervising director Dave Filoni played a big role in its uniqueness. Having drawn inspiration from a popular Japanese anime, Filoni laid down a fresh, unique direction for the animated series.
CGI Exploration in The Clone Wars
At the time of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” release in 2008, the CGI and animation spectrum was still being explored without fully unlocking its potential. Filoni’s innovation came into play whenever the CGI department hit roadblocks. He proposed watching ‘Wolf’s Rain’, a classic Japanese anime masterpiece that would inspire the team to create exceptional scenes.
Anime Influence Translates into CGI
Recalling the event, a CGI artist from the team shared with Star Wars Insider Magazine that Filoni, having a unique vision, wished to create rooster tails behind speeders, all styled in an anime fashion. It was a change from the regular dust and debris that follows a speeder. The artist had to think outside the box and create something uniquely brilliant.
How Anakin Skywalker came to life
Voicing Anakin Skywalker in “The Clone Wars” was actor Matt Latner. Interestingly, he wasn’t originally aware he’d be the voice behind Anakin. The character he auditioned for was named ‘Deak Starkiller’, a name unfamiliar to Latner. Filoni, however, gave him a tip that would change the direction of his audition and ultimately, his role in the series.
Filoni suggested Latner delivers his lines with a mix of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo’s personalities. It turned out to be a winning tip, as Latner’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker became one of the most talked-about elements in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”.
The iconic series ran for seven seasons, securing a rating of 8.4/10 on IMDB and an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is currently available for streaming on the Disney+ Hulu bundle in the U.S.
In conclusion, Filoni’s anime-inspired direction and vision, coupled with Latner’s vivacious portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, are key aspects of what made “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” a celebrated animated series.
