Lucas compares 'Clone Wars' to 'Thunderbirds'

George Lucas has revealed the new animated Star Wars film will be similar in style to Thunderbirds.

Speaking to Empire about upcoming animated movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucas said the fans can expect "a stylised cartoon, it's not photo real... it's in a Gerry Anderson style, Thunderbirds. The characters have painted surfaces - they look like they've been painted".

Lucas added that the film, which takes place between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, will feature characters from the live-action series.

"It's got everyone. Yoda, The Emperor... everybody that's in the features is in the animated series. It's just as if we took the feature and just continued it in an animation style."

Speaking about the long-planned Star Wars television show, Lucas said: "The live-action show doesn't have any of the characters from the movies. It takes place at the same time, between episodes three and four, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Skywalkers.

"You kind of hear about the Emperor, and it takes place in that world, but it's like you have the TV shows 24 and The Wire; they're in the same place but they're two completely different things."

Star Wars: The Clone Wars arrives in cinemas on August 15.