The Approaching Storm (film)

The Approaching Storm (also known as Star Wars: The Approaching Storm) is a 2002 direct-to-video animated movie directed by, set in the fictional Star Wars universe by , who had previously written two Star Wars books in the 1970s, Produced by and Lucasfilm Feature Animation in association with  and  for. Based on the, the story follows and  as they are sent to a planet to settle a dispute as growing unrest threatens the Galactic Republic's stability, leading to the events of . It was released on January 30, 2002, and critical reception was mostly negative.

Plot
Just before the events of, The Galactic Republic is decaying, even under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who was elected to save the galaxy from collapsing under the forces of discontent. On the tiny but strategic planet of Ansion, a powerful faction is on the verge of joining the growing Separatist movement. The urban dwellers wish to expand into the prairies outside their cities – the ancestral territory of the fierce, independent Ansion nomads. If their demands are not met, they will secede – an act that could jump-start a chain reaction of withdrawal and rebellion by other worlds of the Republic.

At the Chancellor's request, Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her Padawan Barriss Offee go to the planet Ansion to make sure the world stays in the Galactic Republic rather than joining the growing powers of the Separatists. After an attack on the two female Jedi by a group of mercenaries, they are instantly saved by Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker. The four Jedi begin a journey to meet with Ansion's government for them to settle with the Republic.

However, the foursome's attempts become a bit more complicated with the machinations of Ansion's residing Hutt, Soergg Vosadii Bezhin, who instead wants Ansion to join the Separatists. Nevertheless, the four Jedi make it through all impossible odds with the help of two clanless Ansionians that originally worked for Soergg and had their minds restored to a more fixed way thanks to Barriss's healing talents from the Force. After getting through much of Ansion's wildlife, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Luminara and Barriss make two Ansion clans make a peace treaty that ended their war, thus gaining more support for the Republic. Getting through more of Soergg the Hutt's machinations, the four Jedi eventually coerce Ansion to join the Republic on its voting day, and they successfully have Ansion side with the Republic.

The prologue features Shu Mai, and the epilogue features a cameo by Shu Mai and Count Dooku.

Voice cast

 * as
 * as
 * as Luminara Unduli
 * as Barriss Offee