There has never been--

an animated "Star Wars" motion picture (in theaters)

a "Star Wars" film that wasn't released in the month of May (I'm talking first time runs, not repeats or Special Editions)

a "Star Wars" movie released the same year as an "Indiana Jones" movie

These are true statements, until this year. In 2008 fans will see an animated "Star Wars" film, a "Star Wars" film not released in May, but August, and an "Indiana Jones" film released the same year as a "Star Wars" film, albeit an animated one.

Any one of these events would be enough to throw most of us for a giant loop.

Let's face it, we haven't seen an "Indy" film since 1989, in fact, I would venture to say that most bloggers at this site never saw an "Indy" film in theaters, or if they did it was the last one.

Then, there's the bombshell of a new "Star Wars" movie. OK, it's a cartoon, but still, it's "Star Wars". This after having to wait sixteen years between the Original and the Prequel Trilogy and just after having been told last year that there would be "no more 'Star Wars'" films and that "the stories of the Skywalker family are finished". Apparently, Lucas rethought things on both counts: it IS another "Star Wars" film (though done in a different media) and it continues, or at least tells a further story, of the Skywalker saga.

I, too, was intrigued to read that Anakin will have an apprentice. Will they kill off a character in a cartoon movie? I mean, we never hear of any such person in the future films (Episodes III-VI). I know there are some rumblings in the EU, but I doubt Lucas is interested in sticking with that. Will his apprentice be male or female, human, or alien? Gee, I might have to purchase a subscription to the Star Wars Insider again.

I also wonder if Hayden, Natalie, Anthony, and other stars will return to voice their roles in this animated motion picture. Does anyone have a clue about that, as of yet?

As for the "Indy" film, I'll tell you a secret. I've never much cared for the Indy series. A few reasons: "Raiders" found Indy too atheist for me, "Temple of Doom" was too gory, and "Last Crusade" made up for that by being too silly. I guess when it comes to Indy films, I'm Goldilocks. Finally, this movie seems "just right" (based on the previews). We shall see.

Please comment.