Star Wars creator and director George Lucas is working on a television spin-off of his iconic sci-fi series. But fans be warned, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and all of the films’ other main characters will be missing from the show.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Lucas announced he had “just begun work” on the series and admitted he was “taking chances” leaving out much-loved characters.

"The Skywalkers aren't in it, and it's about minor characters," Lucas said. "It has nothing to do with Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader or any of those people. It's completely different. But it's a good idea, and it's going to be a lot of fun to do."

Lucas declined to give anything more away, but it is understood writers are already being hired for the series. Television networks will no doubt be scrambling for further details and the chance to cash in on the Star Wars name. Lucas's film epic has grossed more than £2 billion at the box office worldwide.

However, Lucas told the Los Angeles Times he thinks some networks are confused by his basing the series in the Star Wars universe but moving the focus to different characters. “They are having a hard time," Lucas said. "They're saying, 'This doesn't fit into our little square boxes,' and I say, 'Well, yeah, but it's "Star Wars." And "Star Wars" doesn't fit into that box.'"

The 63-year-old already has another TV series in production. Earlier this year his company Lucas Animation began work on a computer-animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series picks up where Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones left off and sees a civil war pit the Republic against the separatist movement led by Darth Sidious.

The first Star Wars film, starring Harrison Ford, was released in 1977 and was followed by two sequels. A prequel trilogy was launched in 1999. Star Wars has also spawned video games, books, comics, figurines and an array of other merchandise.

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