FUN STUFF: Animated Star Wars short TIE FIGHTER makes us root for the Empire

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TIE Fighter short film is the Star Wars cartoon we never got as kids

With all the merchandising and media whoring that has surrounded the Star Wars franchise, it’s a little surprising we never got to see an epic, episodic ’80s-style action cartoon set in a galaxy far, far away. Fortunately, animator and Star Wars fan Paul “OtaKing” Johnson spent four years worth of weekends putting together an outstanding short film giving us a glimpse of what that cartoon series may have looked like. His seven-minute short titled “TIE Fighter” boasts all the nostalgic notes that classics like G.I. Joe and The Transformers hit so well, and anyone who grew up watching those will love what Johnson has done here. With Episode VII – The Force Awakens giving people goosebumps recently, it felt appropriate to dig this one out of the ol’ future-posts-turned-sour bookmark folder to share.

Watch the short film “TIE Fighter” after the jump.

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