U.S. premiere for Star Wars animation tomorrow

The U.S. premiere of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is happening tomorrow (Sunday, August 10, 2008).

Star Wars takes on a new look in the first-ever animated feature from Lucasfilm Animation Star Wars: The Clone Wars. As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi Knights struggle to maintain order and restore peace. More and more systems are falling prey to the forces of the dark side as the Galactic Republic slips further and further under the sway of the Separatists and their never-ending droid army. Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano find themselves on a mission with far-reaching consequences, one that brings them face-to-face with crime lord Jabba the Hutt. But Count Dooku and his sinister agents, including the nefarious Asajj Ventress, will stop at nothing to ensure that Anakin and Ahsoka fail at their quest. Meanwhile, on the front lines of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda lead the massive clone army in a valiant effort to resist the forces of the dark side.

Attending the premiere are many of the project participants including director Dave Filoni, producer George Lucas, Matt Lanter (the voice of Anakin Skywalker), Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano), James Arnold Taylor (the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi), Tom Kane (the voice of Yoda), Dee Bradley Baker (the voice of Clones Commander Rex), Ian Abercrombie (the voice of Chancellor Palpatine), Cat Taber (the voice of Padme Amidala) and Nika Futterman (the voice of Asajj Ventress). Other celebrity guests scheduled to appear include J.J. Abrams, Seth Green, Janet Jackson, Rodney Peete, Holly Robinson Peete, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Forest Whitaker.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars hits theaters on August 15, 2008.

The premiere is benefiting the American Cinematheque, which was established in 1981, a viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the moving picture in all of its forms. Located at the Egyptian Theatre, the Cinematheque presents daily film and video programming which ranges from the classics of American and international cinema to new independent films and digital work.