Now we've some particulars concerning the (still?) proposed live-action series, and from Rick McCallum, too. As reported by BBC News the yet-unnamed series, set to begin filming (and broadcasting!) in 2008, is slated to "run at least 100 episodes." Wasn't Babylon 5 similarly produced? I mean to ask, wasn't an overarching plotline established prior to production? I'm sure that any foresight applied to our beloved Star Wars would be of welcome benefit. Of course, pre-production of the prequel trilogy accounted for almost two years' work, so, Lucas and Co. are no strangers to 'prep' work.

The article continues:
"The series will be set between episodes three and four of the film saga" and "It would cover the 20 years in the life of Luke Skywalker growing up that remains a mystery to most film-goers." Frankly, I'm (cautiously) excited at the prospect of 'filling in' those proverbial gaps. For any of you fellow fans who indulge a comics fix, an aside:
Didn't the (now defunct) series Star Wars: Empire attempt to revisit and 'flesh out' those uncanonized moments in lore? Only that most recent storyline ("The Wrong Side of the War") featured Luke's long-lost Tatooine pal, Tank (an Imperial officer, natch). What I'm ranting is that we could/should have seen this coming; Star Wars: Empire is no longer an active Dark Horse title (It has, however, been replaced by Star Wars: Rebellion, but that title focuses on events between Episodes IV and V. Astutely done, Dark Horse).

Furthermore: "McCallum said there would be 'a whole bunch of new characters' and the series would be 'much more dramatic and darker.'" Have the brains behind Episode III noticed a shift in (fanboy) wind? For some time (post-Jar-Jar) we fanboys have cried for 'serious' stuff. In some way, it's meant to salve our wounded pride at having endured Kitster. But could this series finally deliver the goods? And on a consistent basis? Only time, and McCallum, will tell.