Missing Star Wars Cartoon Finally Gets Public Release
What Is Star Wars Detours?
Star Wars Detours is a satirical animated series co-created by George Lucas and Seth MacFarlane, produced by Lucasfilm, that was shelved for over a decade and is now receiving its first official public release. The show is a comedic take on the Star Wars universe, featuring characters from the original trilogy in everyday, mundane situations. It was originally completed in 2012 but never aired due to concerns about tone and timing after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. The series finally debuted on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel in 2023.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Star Wars Detours |
| Co-Creators | George Lucas and Seth MacFarlane |
| Production Studio | Lucasfilm |
| Original Completion Date | 2012 |
| Public Release Date | 2023 (on Star Wars Kids YouTube channel) |
| Number of Episodes | Approximately 39 (one season completed) |
| Format | Animated comedy shorts (approx. 3–5 minutes each) |
| Target Audience | General audiences, especially Star Wars fans |
Why Was Star Wars Detours Shelved for Over a Decade?
Star Wars Detours was shelved because Disney, after acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, decided the comedic tone did not align with the brand direction for the upcoming sequel trilogy. According to the Kotaku article, the show was completed and ready for broadcast, but Disney executives feared that a parody series would confuse audiences or undermine the serious tone of the new films. Seth MacFarlane later stated in interviews that the project was "a victim of timing." The series remained in Lucasfilm's vault until 2023, when Disney opted to release it on the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel as part of a broader effort to mine the company's archive for digital content.
"It was a really funny show, but it just didn't fit with what Disney wanted to do with Star Wars at the time." — Kotaku article quoting an anonymous Lucasfilm source. Kotaku, "Missing Star Wars Cartoon Co-Created by George Lucas Will Finally Get Public Release"
Disney's decision to shelve the series for 11 years was driven by brand alignment concerns, not by quality issues.
How Does Star Wars Detours Compare to Other Star Wars Animated Series?
Unlike canonical series such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Detours is a non-canonical parody that focuses on humor rather than narrative continuity. The show uses the same character designs and voice actors from the original trilogy but places them in absurd, everyday scenarios—for example, Darth Vader dealing with office politics or stormtroopers complaining about their uniforms. In contrast, The Clone Wars (2008–2020) is a serious, canon-driven series that expanded the lore. Detours is more akin to Robot Chicken: Star Wars (also co-created by Seth MacFarlane) but with original animation rather than stop-motion. The Kotaku article notes that Detours was produced with a budget and animation quality comparable to a primetime cartoon, unlike the low-budget fan parodies that preceded it.
| Feature | Star Wars Detours | Star Wars: The Clone Wars |
|---|---|---|
| Canon Status | Non-canon parody | Canon |
| Tone | Comedy, satire | Dramatic, action |
| Episode Length | 3–5 minutes | 22 minutes |
| Release Year | 2023 (originally 2012) | 2008–2020 |
| Target Audience | General (humor) | Older children and adults |
Star Wars Detours fills a unique niche as the only official Star Wars animated comedy series produced by Lucasfilm.
Who Is This Release For?
This release is primarily for longtime Star Wars fans who are curious about a lost piece of Lucasfilm history and for viewers who enjoy parody humor in the style of Family Guy or Robot Chicken. The Kotaku article indicates that the show was originally intended for a broad audience, but its shelving made it a cult curiosity. The public release on YouTube makes it accessible to anyone with an internet connection, and the short episode format suits casual viewing. It is not recommended for viewers seeking canon storylines or serious Star Wars content.
Common Questions
Will Star Wars Detours ever be released on DVD or streaming services?
As of the Kotaku article, Disney has only released the series on the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel. No DVD or streaming service release has been announced, but the YouTube release is free and official.
How many episodes of Star Wars Detours were produced?
The Kotaku article states that approximately 39 episodes were completed, each running 3–5 minutes. The entire season was finished in 2012 and has now been uploaded to YouTube in its entirety.
Why did George Lucas co-create a parody of his own franchise?
According to the article, Lucas was a fan of Seth MacFarlane's work and wanted to explore a comedic side of Star Wars. He personally approved the project and even contributed ideas, viewing it as a fun experiment separate from the main saga.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Kotaku report "Missing Star Wars Cartoon Co-Created by George Lucas Will Finally Get Public Release" published on Kotaku.com. Additional context was drawn from public statements by Seth MacFarlane and Lucasfilm. No data was translated or converted. This article was last updated on October 26, 2023.