Star Wars is sending in 'The Clone Wars' on August 15! The news that the computer-generated animated film would premiere in theaters lit up the wires last week. The movie, set between 'Episode II' and 'Episode III', leads into the upcoming Cartoon Network series. TNT will also get a shot at airing the 22-episode seasons.

As reported, the trailer from starwars.com features stunning 3D animation that looks like a cross between a video game cut-scene and... Star Wars: Clone Wars, the Emmy Award winning animated series produced by Genndy Tartakovsky. The Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack creator is not associated with this current project, though his designs are referenced for the new 3D characters. The plot is also set within the same conflict between the Old Republic and the forces of the soon-to-be Empire. The new storyline will not overlap the earlier Clone Wars.

Fans can whet their appetite on old-school 2D (now in DVD) while waiting for the new epic, which likewise boasts an exciting pedigree. Supervising director Dave Filoni worked on Avatar: the Last Airbender and producer Catherine Winder's resume ranges from popular after-school cartoons to the original Aeon Flux. The film will include all the old standards from the latest film episodes (and C-3PO voice-work from Anthony Daniels), plus a new teen padawan named Ahsoka; she's reportedly crucial to the story.

Meanwhile CN is reportedly hard at work on episodes of Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Ben 10, and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. The personal blog of The Animation Guild reports that other Los Angeles-based studios are moving ahead with movie, television, and direct-to-video productions, including Spiderman, Batman anime, 'Kung Fu Panda', and the returning Writer's Guild of America shows. Here's to an exciting spring!

Sources include: TV Guide, starwars.com