US aficionados of Star Wars can on 15 August enjoy a cinematic launch of forthcoming animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Variety reports.

The silver screen release is the fruit of a deal between Warner Bros, Turner Broadcasting and Lucasfilm, which described this "marrying [of] TV series and theatrical release" as "unprecedented".

Dan Fellman, Warner Bros Pictures president of domestic distribution, duly enthused: "This is a breakthrough project - returning Star Wars to the big screen in a completely new way while beginning an exciting new chapter in George Lucas' legendary saga. We immediately felt that it would be a fantastic theatrical event and are thrilled to be bringing it to moviegoers."

The "multiplatform" project is an expansion of the Clone Wars microseries which previously aired on Cartoon Network. It'll kick off with the 100-minute movie, which picks up between episodes II and III when Anakin Skywalker is not yet Darth Vader, continuing in 30-minute TV episodes.

Starwars.com elaborates: "On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, along with brand-new heroes like Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains - led by Darth Sidious, Count Dooku and General Grievous - are poised to rule the galaxy."

George Lucas concluded: "I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell. I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and, at the same time, push the art of animation forward."

International release dates for Star Wars: The Clone Wars have yet to be confirmed. ®