Tonight on Clone Wars: Rookies

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Rookies

Air Date: Friday, Oct. 24 9 pm on Cartoon Network.

The episode finds a group of clones standing guard alone at a distant listening post. Clone Commanders Rex and Cody must inspire their rookie unit to believe in themselves to stave off a Droid Commando invasion.

“Rookies” director Justin Ridge (“Avatar: The Last Airbender,” ) says the essence of the episode was establishing the clones as individual, and the difficulty came in creating unique personalities for each.

“The script was a lot of fun and really solid, showing how the clones talked and interacted with each other, and giving us insight into how these guys really are individuals who have to figure out how to succeed and survive on their own,” says Ridge.

The opportunity to direct an all-nighttime episode also had special appeal to Ridge.

“There’s a creepy, uneasy feeling to the base where the troops are stationed,” Ridge says. “From a directing standpoint, it was nice to be in one location, so the audience can feel like they’re stranded on the Rishi moon with these guys, wondering how they’re going to get out of this mess. Without spoiling too much, I was also excited with the introduction of a new type of droid from the Separatists, which we felt we needed to give the clones a real threat in this environment.”

Photo Credit:
Clone troopers are dispatched to a distant listening post – and forced to defend against an attack by General Grievous – in “Rookies,” an all-new episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiering at 9 pm ET/PT Friday, Oct. 24, on Cartoon Network.  TM & © 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.