George Lucas has done an 'availability check' on Aussie actor Matthew Newton ("Looking for Alibrandi", "Queen of the Damned", TV's "Farscape") to see if he's free for his upcoming 100 episode "Star Wars" TV series reports Moviehole.

Whilst Newton hasn't made the crossover into Hollywood, the actor has come close several times with only his reluctance to spend a year in New Zealand keeping him from playing one of the "Lord of the Rings" hobbits, and talk that he was Lucas' second choice for the part of Anakin Skywalker in the "Star Wars" films.

Newton, 28, is likely being considered for a leading hero role in the series, believed to be centering on all-new characters. The actor will next be seen in John Dahl's much delayed "The Great Raid."

Thanks to 'Clint'.