This has been in the planning stages since 2005, and as with anything Star Wars, people talk about it.
http://space-tv.suite101.com/article.cfm/star_wars_liveaction_tv_series_to_debut_in_2010 The series will be about 100 one-hour episodes long, although up to 400 episodes has been proposed. Executive Producer Rick McCallum has stated that it will be “much darker, much grittier, and it's much more character based” than the original Star Wars films, and George Lucas has described it as “Deadwood meets The Sopranos in space.” Indeed, the choice to use writers from Australian dramas Secret Life of Us and Love My Way, both of which focus on relationships and emotional storylines, suggests that, unlike the films and previous television shows, the live-action series will feature an adult audience. Writers from Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, and Lost – all non-traditional sci-fi shows – were also reportedly contacted.
George Lucas is self-financing the series, and will serve with McCallum as Executive Producer, although he will apparently be relatively hands-off on the project after the first season. The show will be shot in high-definition, and Lucas has stated that, in terms of special effects, they plan to do with $1 million what others do with $20 million.
...The story will feature minor characters from the Star Wars universe (who are either from the “expanded universe” of books and games, or have yet to be introduced), rather than any of the major characters who starred in the six films. It is possible, however, that a few major characters may have cameo roles. Both Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) have expressed interest in reprising their roles, although Lucas has stated that both the Emperor and Darth Vader will be frequently referenced, but never seen. In addition, Lucas has stated that there will be Storm troopers, but no Jedi.