The Clone Wars S3 on Blu-ray!

Speculation has run rampant about the release of The Clone Wars Season 3 for home systems. Amazon has put up preorder pages with no dates, but the best guess has been “October.” People have been dying for answers, but they have to wait no longer.

Lucasfilm announced today the official release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season 3. It hits your television October 18th, 2011.

For the last two years, the DVD and Blu-ray have come out just after the start of the new season, so hopefully we’ll be getting Season 4 before the 18th.

Their press announcement:

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 20, 2011) – Pull back the starry curtain and reveal the secrets of the galaxy – with Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ The Complete Season Three, coming to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc on October 18th from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video. Featuring stunning high-definition animation as well as a host of behind-the-scenes bonus materials, the complete collection explores the untold stories of “a galaxy far, far away” and reveals the magic behind the making of the cutting edge series.

Relive all 22 Season Three episodes – featuring familiar faces including Jabba the Hutt, Greedo, Tarkin and Chewbacca the Wookiee, as well as assassins, bounty hunters, witches, monsters and mysteries surrounding the very essence of the Force itself – and then explore the Lucasfilm vaults with behind-the-scenes insights on the making of the remarkable series. Bonus materials include five behind-the-scenes featurettes, each with director and crew interviews. And exclusive to the Blu-ray disc, The Jedi Temple Archives provides in-depth access to an extensive database of creative materials – including early test animations, concept art, 3D turnarounds and more than 30 deleted/extended scenes.

“In our third season, we told stories we couldn’t have imagined when we first started making the show,” says Supervising Director Dave Filoni. “George expects the best, every week, so we keep raising the bar. Everything’s gotten better. This series is for everyone that’s ever wondered what went on during this period, and we’re exploring it all. Sorcery, the Force and even Darth Maul’s origins. We are doing things that just wouldn’t have been possible before, and the animation is up to the challenge of bringing the layered Star Wars galaxy to life. And it looks spectacular in high-definition.”

Created and executive produced by George Lucas, the first-ever TV production from Lucasfilm Animation explores the tumultuous time between Episodes II and III, expanding the scope of Star Wars beyond anything seen in the feature films. Featuring the voices of Matt Lanter (90210), Ashley Eckstein (Her Universe apparel line), Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad), James Arnold Taylor (Johnny Test), Catherine Taber (Just Like Heaven) and Tom Kane (Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes), the third season also features a formidable line-up of guest stars – including Emmy-winner Seth Green (Robot Chicken), Sam Witwer (Being Human), Clancy Brown (Superman: The Animated Series), Jaime King (Sin City) and Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Three will be available on October 18th for the suggested retail price of $44.98 for DVD and $59.99 for Blu-ray.

Special Features:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Three is presented in widescreen with English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:
· Featurettes
o Creating Kamino
o Hutts and the Underworld
o Witches and Monsters
o Secrets of Mortis
o Chewbacca Returns
· Blu-ray Exclusive – The Jedi Temple Archives
o An extensive database exploring special effects footage, early concept art, 3D character and object turnarounds, early animation and more than 30 deleted/extended scenes. The Archives is a rare look at the assets in various stages of creation for The Clone Wars, with a wealth of surprises and never-before seen moments sprinkled throughout

Synopsis:
Mystery and adventure await the heroes of the Republic in the transformative third season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. As the dark side grows ever stronger and the Jedi Knights are pushed to their breaking point, alliances will be tested, truths will be questioned and galaxy-changing secrets will be uncovered to shake the very foundations of the Star Wars universe. From the nature of the Force itself to secrets about the destiny of “The Chosen One,” surprises wait at every turn – all while the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE
Street Date: October 18, 2011
SRP: DVD $44.98, Blu-ray $59.99
Run Time: Over 500 Minutes
MPAA Rating: TV-PG
Closed Captioned: Yes

You can preorder it here.