CLOSE COMBAT! SEASON FOUR OF "STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS"

Brave Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano leads the underwater battle charge in the opening episodes of Season Four of THE CLONE WARS. Images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION

George Lucas's generation spanningly popular animated series set during the STAR WARS Prequel Trilogy, THE CLONE WARS, returns to CARTOON NETWORK in the US and UK later in the year (October) and here's some images from one of the most recent event and action packed trailers. As you can see, the animation, led by Supervising Director Dave Filoni, is even more ambitious and exciting than ever, as war plagued events throughout the cosmos begin to gather momentum towards what is finally witnessed and unleashed with the Dark Side by the conclusion of the live-action movie EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH. Amongst the many ins and outs of the warfare, and alongside the clashing of lightsabers and blaster fire between Republic and Separatists forces, look out for the return of many classic characters, creatures and droids from the past, present and future of Lucas's creatively inspired galaxy (of which the bearded one himself has provided most of the story lines this year!), including the fishy Admiral Ackbar and the ever-smiling green tentacled faced Kit Fisto in the shows big-time season opening episodes, plus the cowardly cyborg General Grievous and possibly the return of the previously thought dead Jedi killer, Darth Maul, last seen chopped in half by brave Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) in the movie EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE. Outside of the battle zones, there will still be other other types of tales to enjoy with our main cast of animated heroes, including more of the Force/supernatural elements previously seen in the tail half of Season Three, what with the likely return of the unusual Force powerful domain of Mortis and its evil Son (in stories written once more by acclaimed writer Christian Taylor), and, as always in great comedy situations for younger viewers to enjoy, the lovable droid duo Artoo Detoo and See-Threepio (the latter, as ever, voiced by Anthony Daniels), as the mismatched, bickering pair get into all kinds of new and unique trouble in outer space and on pastures new.

Trailer: StarWars.com | The Clone Wars: Season 4 Extended Preview

In space, Artoo and Threepio escape a destroyed ship during an upcoming episode.

The Clone Troopers return to save a planet of friendly aliens from hostile invaders.

Just a few of those "friendly aliens"!

The evil General Grievous leads an attack on Naboo, and the Gungan race, in an early episode.

Artoo takes on a lethal droid later in the run...

The ever loyal Captain Rex and his Clone Troopers gather for more action.

In underwater gear, Anakin Skywalker confers with a Mon Calamari warrior.

Threepio and Artoo encounter tree-like lifeforms in a new episode.

New Jedi Knights include this double lightsaber wielding Besalisk!

 Look our for more on Season Four of THE CLONE WARS in future KOOL TV blog articles.