The Star Wars film that followed Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) was Star Wars: The Clone Wars, an animated film released in 2008. This film served as a bridge between the prequel trilogy and the subsequent animated series of the same name, further exploring the events of the Clone Wars.
Re-entering the Saga: The Clone Wars and Beyond
While Revenge of the Sith concluded the prequel trilogy, it by no means marked the end of Star Wars cinematic offerings. Lucasfilm pivoted to explore avenues beyond the core episodic films, enriching the universe with expanded narratives and diverse storytelling formats. The Clone Wars stands as a testament to this strategy, venturing into the realm of animation to fill in the gaps between Episodes II and III. This film, though not part of the main saga, is canonical and crucial for understanding the growth of characters like Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Clone Wars era. It sets the stage for the acclaimed Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, which expands even further on these conflicts.
The Shift to Animation
The decision to follow Revenge of the Sith with an animated film was a deliberate one. Animation offered creative freedom, allowing for grand-scale battles and complex character development that might have been more challenging to achieve with live-action at the time. It also allowed for the exploration of new characters and storylines without disrupting the established narrative of the main saga. The Clone Wars showcased the potential of Star Wars beyond the episodic films and paved the way for future animated projects like Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
Why The Clone Wars is Important
Ignoring The Clone Wars film and the series that follows would be a mistake for any Star Wars fan. It delves into the intricacies of the conflict, revealing the moral ambiguities and the personal costs of war. It also introduces Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan, a character who quickly became a fan favorite and has since played a significant role in other Star Wars properties. Furthermore, understanding the events of The Clone Wars enhances the emotional impact of Anakin’s fall to the dark side, as seen in Revenge of the Sith.
Beyond The Clone Wars: The Disney Era Begins
Following The Clone Wars film and series, Lucasfilm was acquired by Disney in 2012. This marked a new era for Star Wars, ushering in a wave of new films, television shows, and other media.
The Sequel Trilogy
The most immediate consequence of the Disney acquisition was the announcement of a sequel trilogy, beginning with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. This film picked up the story approximately 30 years after Return of the Jedi, introducing a new generation of heroes and villains. The Force Awakens was followed by Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), completing the Skywalker saga.
Expanding the Universe: Spin-offs and Standalone Films
In addition to the sequel trilogy, Disney also pursued standalone Star Wars films, exploring different corners of the galaxy and focusing on specific characters or events. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) told the story of the rebels who stole the Death Star plans, while Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) focused on the early adventures of Han Solo. These films offered a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe and demonstrated the potential for storytelling beyond the Skywalker saga.
The Rise of Streaming: Disney+ and Star Wars
The launch of Disney+ in 2019 further expanded the Star Wars universe, with a focus on original television series. The Mandalorian, which premiered alongside Disney+, became an instant hit, introducing new characters like Din Djarin and Grogu. Other successful Star Wars series on Disney+ include Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, Star Wars: Visions, and Star Wars: The Bad Batch. These series allow for deeper exploration of characters and storylines, enriching the Star Wars universe in new and exciting ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Star Wars timeline and the films and series that followed Revenge of the Sith:
FAQ 1: Is The Clone Wars movie canon?
Yes, the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie is considered canon within the Star Wars universe. It is an official part of the storyline and its events impact the overall narrative.
FAQ 2: Does the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series contradict anything in Revenge of the Sith?
While the series fills in gaps and expands on events only hinted at in Revenge of the Sith, there are no major contradictions. There might be slight retcons or adjustments for narrative purposes, but nothing that fundamentally alters the established story.
FAQ 3: Do I need to watch The Clone Wars movie before the Clone Wars series?
It is highly recommended to watch the Clone Wars movie before starting the series. It serves as an introduction to the storyline and several key characters, particularly Ahsoka Tano.
FAQ 4: In what order should I watch the Star Wars films and series after Revenge of the Sith?
A popular viewing order is:
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (movie)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (series)
- The Bad Batch (series)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (series)
- Rebels (series)
- Andor (series)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
- The Mandalorian (series)
- The Book of Boba Fett (series)
- Ahsoka (series)
FAQ 5: Where does Tales of the Jedi fit into the timeline?
Tales of the Jedi, an anthology series, contains stories from different points in the timeline, some of which occur before Revenge of the Sith and some after. It is best viewed after completing The Clone Wars series, as many of its stories connect to characters and events introduced there.
FAQ 6: Are the Star Wars novels and comics considered canon?
The canonicity of Star Wars novels and comics has shifted over time. Before the Disney acquisition, the Expanded Universe (EU) was considered non-canon, renamed “Legends.” Currently, only material released by Lucasfilm Story Group after April 25, 2014, is considered canon unless explicitly stated otherwise. Some elements from Legends have been reintroduced into canon.
FAQ 7: Will there be more Star Wars movies featuring the sequel trilogy characters?
The future of the sequel trilogy characters is uncertain. While there have been no official announcements regarding future films solely focused on them, some of these characters have appeared in other Star Wars media and could potentially return in future projects.
FAQ 8: What is the next Star Wars movie planned for release?
Announcements regarding upcoming Star Wars movies are subject to change. At the time of writing, several projects are in development, including films directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, and Dave Filoni. Keep an eye on official Star Wars announcements for the latest updates.
FAQ 9: Why was the Expanded Universe (Legends) declared non-canon?
The decision to declare the Expanded Universe (Legends) non-canon was made to provide a clean slate for new storytelling opportunities following the Disney acquisition. This allowed Lucasfilm to create a cohesive and unified narrative moving forward.
FAQ 10: What is the Lucasfilm Story Group?
The Lucasfilm Story Group is a department within Lucasfilm responsible for maintaining the consistency and canonicity of the Star Wars universe across all media, ensuring that stories align and contribute to a unified narrative.
FAQ 11: Is there a “definitive” Star Wars timeline that includes all canon material?
Yes, numerous Star Wars timelines exist online and in print, attempting to chronologically order all canon material. However, given the ever-expanding nature of the Star Wars universe, these timelines are constantly being updated. It’s best to consult multiple sources for the most accurate information.
FAQ 12: Where can I find out more about the ongoing Star Wars projects?
The official Star Wars website (StarWars.com) and the official Star Wars social media channels are the best sources for up-to-date information on all ongoing and upcoming Star Wars projects. They regularly announce new films, series, books, comics, and games.