George Lucas has confirmed to Sunrise that a live action series based on Star Wars will be begin filming shortly and that he is likely to bring the production to Australia.

 

In a brief but wide-ranging interview with Sunrise’s James Tobin, the Star Wars creator gushed about Australia as an ideal filming location confirming a new extension to the world’s biggest film franchise.

Lucafilm, the production company behind the Star Wars franchise is set to release an animated film, Clone Wars, here shortly and is currently scouting for locations for the new live action series.

“That is true – we are looking at Australia,” Lucas says.

“We haven’t made a final decision exactly where we are going to shoot it but obviously we have made a lot of movies in Australia. I Love Australia, I’ve spent a lot of time there and we’d like to do it in Australia.”

Lucas suggested economic concerned may be the only reason the production does not end up in Australia, as Star Wars prequels Episodes 1, 2 and 3 did.

“Unfortunately you guys have a lot of inflation,” he complained to Sunrise.

Lucas, speaking from his enormous Skywalker Ranch, gladly thanked the government for its efforts to boost the local film industry by offering tax concessions to overseas production units choosing to film here.

“The government have done a very fgood job of giving encouragement for people to come top Australia, movie people, which is very helpful.

“Hopefully we will make it in Australia.”

Lucas say that the most important thing to him these days is his children and that it is ‘always nice to have inspired a lot of people, a lot of young people,” with his Star Wars creation.

 

More info

Clone Wars – Yahoo!7 MOVIES

 

Related links

Uncut Cannes Film Festival interview with George Lucas  - Yahoo!7 VIDEO
The Clone Wars for Xbox – Yahoo!7 SHOPPING