-Lucas was an animation nut back around the time he got out of USC and as zombie pointed out that never really went away.
-What I was talking about in regards to the new Clone Wars show is that it actually looks fairly cinematic, and unlike the old animated shows, this one is actually getting a theatrical release.
one last thing:
They've been milking those three years between Star Wars and Empire for, what, 30 years now? I was surprised as anyone when Lucas announced way back when ('05?) that there'd be a cg Clone Wars show, but 22-19 bby is the new 0-3 aby.