Netflix has a real treat for fans of Cartoon Network's animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Not only is the streaming video service making the first five seasons of the show available to their U.S. and Canadian subscribers, they'll also be premiering the sixth and final season. Netflix announced this week that Season 6 will debut exclusively on Netflix on Friday, March 7.
Dubbed "The Lost Missions," the 13-episode sixth season will premiere along with the arrivals of Seasons 1-5 and several director's cut episodes that haven't been seen on TV, as well as the feature film. In addition to this news, Netflix also shared this new clip from "The Lost Missions."
Of the sixth season, Netflix says some of the deepest mysteries of the conflict between the light and the dark sides of the Force will be revealed. "An intrepid clone trooper discovers a shocking secret, Anakin Skywalker's closest relationship is tested to its limited and what Master Yoda discovered while investigating the disappearance of a Jedi could forever change the balance of power in the galaxy."
Set in the time period between Episodes II and II of the Star Wars prequel films, The Clone Wars debuted on Cartoon Network in Fall of 2008, and the fifth season of the series wrapped up last March, at which point, it was looking like the series was cancelled. Lucasfilm went on record as saying they were looking to wind down the series, but referred to the vague plan to wrap up the show as "bonus content." So a 13-episode Season 6 is especially good news, all things considered, even if it is the last season. And Netflix seems to agree, as Ted Sarandos said:
“Stars Wars is one of the most iconic franchises of all time and this series joins a long line of Disney content that Netflix members are and will continue to enjoy for years to come. The Clone Wars marks an important moment as Netflix welcomes more and more first-run content from The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries.”
Netflix's announcement includes word of an exclusive licensing agreement with The Disney/ABC Television Group, which will bring Star Wars content to Netflix Streaming Members for the first time. It's evident -- though unsurprising -- that Netflix is looking to make the most out of their deal with Disney. That also includes plans for Marvel original series. Netflix reminds us that -- beginning in 2016 -- they'll be the exclusive U.S. subscription TV service for first-run, live-action and animated movies from Walt Disney Studios, which covers a wide array of properties, between Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Disneynature and Lucasfilm. Exclusivity has been a priority for Netflix in recent years, and they should begin to see that pay off soon enough. In the meantime, fans of The Clone Wars have only to wait until next month to see the series return and enjoy the previous seasons and mentioned director's cuts.
