Clone Wars: Citadel Preview (Ep. 3.18) Air Date: 3/18/11

Captain Rex being frozen in Carbonite

Jedi Fortune Cookie:  "Adaptation is the key to survival."


Video Source: TheForce.Net

Official Site Synopsis:  With help from R2-D2 and a squad of captured battle droids, an elite team of Jedi and clone troopers led by Obi-Wan and Anakin attempt to free a captive Jedi general, Even Piell, from an impenetrable prison.

 From the Preview Episode Guide:

Key Characters: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, R2-D2, Osi Sobeck, Even Piell, Captain Tarkin, Clone Captain Rex, Clone Commander Cody, Echo, Fives

          Key Locales: Lola Sayu

Dave Filoni's Preview Quotes For Citadel from StarWars.com

"This arc is basically classic Star Wars; we focused on the things that I really remember loving about the Saga from when I was a kid. In the Mortis trilogy, George [Lucas] wanted us to explore some ground that's never really been covered in Star Wars before. And now with the Citadel arc, we're going back to some of those essential, classic conventions that have always made Star Wars so fun."

Anakin Skywalker in Carbonite

"There are a lot of references packed into these episodes. Even the basic [prison] break-in idea parallels the Death Star rescue from Episode IV. It was really fun to do our version of that, but it's definitely not the only thing that will feel familiar -- though we've put our own spin on everything. This whole arc allowed us some fun opportunities to pay homage to the Star Wars that we all fell in love with when we, the older fans, were kids. Pretty much everyone on the crew is a fan, so it's been fun to revisit some of those classic elements in The Clone Wars."

Ugnaught putting Jedi and Clones on ice

"Tarkin was tricky. We had to capture his essence, while also aging him down appropriately. Peter Cushing is such a distinguished actor, and Tarkin is such an iconic role. He fills the room with his presence and, aside from the Emperor, he's the only character who ever orders Vader around. So getting him right was very important to us, because his introduction to Anakin is an important one. And they've got a fun relationship that's been very interesting to explore."

Captain Tarkin

Thoughts on the Preview of TCW: Citadel: 

The Episode was written by Matt Michnovetz and directed by Kyle Dunlevy.  Supervising Director Dave Filoni promises us a return to classic Star Wars fun in this story arc that features a special Jedi/Clone strike team being frozen in carbonite and ferried by R2-D2 and a captured group of battle droids; behind enemy lines to rescue imprisoned Jedi Master Even Piell from a seemingly impregnable Separatist prison.

This looks like fun.  We have seen Even Piell in the previous preview trailer looking like a bad bad man.  I can't wait to see him in action, I am sure he will become a very hot action figure among collectors and kids alike.

It is very interesting to hear Filoni talk about Tarkin and Anakin interacting and their relationship, that makes me think Tarkin has a fairly large role to play in this story arc.  Of course this also makes me hope we see some hint of villainy from him and an appearance by Palpatine as well.

I am also interested to see if they address hibernation sickness for the Jedi or Clones as we saw Han Solo suffer with in Return of the Jedi.

We are getting a new character in Osi Sobeck, perhaps this is Phindian that has appeared in the trailers and that Leland Chee has been talking about on Twitter.

There is also a new planet involved, Lola Sayu.  I am assuming this is the Separatist prison world, but we shall see.

Obi-Wan Kenobi in Carbonite

As always TCW airs Friday nights on the Cartoon Network, is available on iTunes Saturday, and on StarWars.com for free on Monday.

StarWars.com Preview Clip for Episode 3.18 "Citadel"

UPDATE: 2/17/11

Entertainment Weekly (EW.com) has a preview article for The Clone Wars: Episode 3.18 Citadel, which includes quotes from Matt Lanter and Dave Filoni and an exclusive Preview Clip of Anakin and Tarkin interacting.  EW VIDEO CLIP

We also learn that Captain Tarkin will be voiced by actor Stephen Stanton. 

For those like iPhone users who Flash Video won't play for. Here is the Youtube version of the Clip.


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