'THE CLONE WARS': AQUA AHSOKA!

Diving into the deep depths of the Mon Calamari aquatic world, Ahsoka Tano, with support from Kit Fisto and submersed Clone Troopers, will soon bravely face off against the enemy Separatists droids in this gorgeous cover specially art commissioned for the US magazine 3D World, promoting the memorable fourth season of The Clone Wars animated series. 

'THE CLONE WARS': DAY OF THE CLONES!

The ultimate force for intergalactic conflict has been assembled on Coruscant, handily created by mystery forces years in advance of the ensuing Separatist crisis now brewing, and right under the very noses of both the Republic and the once all-knowing Jedi Knights. The Clone Wars have indeed begun...

An atmospheric and important moment from The Clone Wars animated series, so well recreated from the end of Episode II.  

'EPISODE III' AT TWENTY: "ORDER 66"

The murder of the Jedi across the galaxy begins as Ki-Adi Mundi falls to his troops on Mygeeto.

With Anakin Skywalker gone and Darth Vader now crowned in his place by the manipulative Darth Sidious, of which the young former hero will soon be unleashed in all his terrifying power against the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the evil Dark Lord master is now ready to send the Order 66 signal across the galaxy that will see the Clone Troopers, after years of pre-planning, finally turn against their Jedi Commanders and murder them across a thousand worlds and beyond. 

The Dark Times of the Sith and the Galactic Empire have begun...

One of the key sequences that Star Wars fans had been anticipating that would be effectively revealed in Episode III, hauntingly bolstered by superb music from John Williams, and featuring pre-viz ideas/contributions from Steven Spielberg, encouraged to provide ideas for the then final film of the saga by his friend George, for both Order 66 and the finale duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan on Mustafar.

Darth Sidious activates Order 66 to the Clone Troopers across the galaxy.

"To be very honest, that scene (Order 66) was about twice as long as it is now. There were a lot more Jedi killed in a lot more ways, but it kind of went on and on. So we finally cut it down to what we thought was the minimum we could get away with and still get a sense that there are thousands of Jedi around the galaxy."

George Lucas - Empire magazine - July 2005

The bold Aayla Secura is cornered and brutally executed on the alien world of Felucia.

Darth Vader leads his elite troops into the Jedi Temple and continue the surprise massacre.

Shaak Ti's (Orli Shoshan) original death scene would instead be re-filmed and editorially moved to the Order 66 sequence, where she would be slain from behind by Anakin/Darth Vader instead of Grievous. sadly, this scene too would end up being deleted.

Vader soon slaughters a group of innocent younglings hiding in the Temple.

As the Jedi drop like flies across the galaxy, Yoda is disturbed in the Force whilst on Kashyyyk.

Fire and explosions rock the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

Padme and Threepio are shocked and disturbed by what they see in the distance.

On patrol, Stass Allie (Nina Fallon) is murdered by her speeder bike colleagues on Saleucami.

Plo Koon is taken out by his wingmen above one of the bridge cities of Cato Neimoidia.

Yoda is soon in the Clone blaster crosshairs but escapes the carnage, with help from the Wookiees.

CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF 'THE CLONE WARS' ANIMATED MICRO-SERIES!

Capturing the epic qualities of the Star Wars Prequel saga, and the two core Jedi Knights so intrinsically linked to it in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, this great cover art by Ben Caldwell for The Clone Wars comic strip adventure compilation of 2003/2004 is a standout piece of art and perfect in celebrating the landmark Twentieth Anniversary of the terrific Genndy Tartakovsky conceived series of 2003-05.

'ATTACK' AT 20: DISPATCHING THE CLONE TROOPERS!

The first battalions of Clone Troopers gather...

On an immense staging area on Coruscant, the legions of Clone Troopers begin boarding their massive Republic Cruisers bound for galactic conflict against the Separatists. Watching all this from afar, a core group of senators huddle around the pleased Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to watch the epic debarkation, including a clearly but silently frustrated Bail Organa, who knows that the violent troubles of the de-stabilized galaxy will only intensify...

“The Imperial March in this case is a powerful potent, suggesting a very dramatic future which is in store for all the characters in the next episode. It’s a piece of music that represents, in my mind at least, not only Darth Vader but the forces of the Empire. It was actually George’s suggestion to use it there, and I think it works extremely well.” 

John Williams on using The Imperial March theme towards the end of Episode II - Star Wars Insider - Issue 61 - 2002

Onto their cruiser transports. The Clone War has begun. 

On Coruscant, the Republic senate watches the Clones mobilization.

Palpatine and a troubled, helpless to act Bail Organa watch the proceedings.

THE CLONE WARS: ENEMY BLITZKRIEG!

With no break from combat, Clone Captain Rex and his surviving comrades within the Teth Monastery come under devastating attack from newly arrived Separatist forces answering a call from the Sith assassin Asajj Ventress, in an explosive moment from the 2008 The Clone Wars Animated Movie, celebrating its 15th Anniversary longevity in 2023.

'ATTACK' AT 20: THE CLONE WAR BEGINS...

The first critical battle of the infamous Clone Wars is underway, as thousands of combat trained Clone Troopers advance against Separatist legions, whose epic conflict in EPISODE II was realized in ways that surely lived up to most fans expectations after the pivotal galactic war was first mentioned by Luke Skywalker back in cinemas during 1977.

“We’ve been hearing about this clone war for years, ever since the first movie; so it had to be very big, and very Star Wars–sized.” 

Ben Snow - Cinefex magazine - issue 90 - 2002

“It’s the kind of battle we always wanted to do in Star Wars. Now I was able to really cut loose and have all those action pieces be what I’d always hoped they’d be.” 

George Lucas - 2002 interview - Total Film magazine - Issue 102 - May 2005 (Star Wars Supplement)

Clone attack staging area. Production painting art by Ryan Church.

Escaped from the Geonosis Arena, the Jedi head off to the Clone Troopers staging area.

Newly arrived at the battle scene, Mace Windu directs the Clone Trooper forces.

The Clone Troopers press on in their ground attack.

Separatist Spider Droids also advance on their enemies.

Hailfire Droids begins their bombardments. Art by Erik Tiemens.

Battle Droids and Separatist artillery go into battle. 

Under Anakin Skywalker's instruction a Trade Federation fuel cell is destroyed.

Advancing on an escaping Trade Federation cruiser pod. Production painting art by Ryan Church.

"George said that the clones were clever. He said: “They’re human, they know a thing or two. Unlike the battle droids, which are machines that just march mindlessly into gunfire, the clone troopers are like trained Vietnam fighters, with squads of guys moving around.” So there was a dichotomy there-the clash of the droids, who just march to their doom like Napoleonic soldiers versus these smarter clones moving in squads. And that changed the way we choreographed the clone war battle. We ended up with whole battalions of droids coming in one place, and squads of clones moving all over the place.” 

Ben Snow - Cinefex magazine - Issue 90 - 2002

Aayla Secura and her troops go into battle.

The Clone Troops stop an escaping Trade Federation cruiser pod.

Heavy attack from above.

Landing Republic heavy forces.

Direct hit! Art by Erik Tiemens.

Republic forces attacked. Art by Ryan Church.

Unused animatics of the battle.

Droid forces face heavy resistance.

In a storm of dust, the Clones fight on.

The same scene as rendered by Ryan Church.

Into battle with this multi-media art linked to the film's classic battle.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Production painting art of the ground forces and air support.

A selection of storyboards by Rodolfo Damaggio. More Clone Troopers attack their targets.

The Jedi go into action!

Going into battle as the Geonosians blast at them from the ground.

Marching on to battle as the ground conflict intensifies.

An enemy in retreat.

A Geonosian energy cannon.

Separatist Spider Droid conceptual art.

Separatist Hailfire Droids concept art.

Steve Gawley adjusts a collapsible Republic vehicle at ILM prior to filming.