|
|
 |
|
Episode II
|
-- |
September 07 -- Many sites are stating that they heard that Catherine Zeta-Jones will be featured as a female villain in Episode II. This rumours was spread by various European magazines (who quoted hollywood insiders), which state that she will play a female villain (Jedi, anyone?) who might even seduce Anakin into the dark side. Naturally, this means she would be the first major female villain in Star Wars ever. As some might know, Lucas was seen with her a couple of months ago (they had some dinners together). Could be interesting, but the same happened with Decaprio. And it is almost sure that he was with Lucas for Indy 4 (he will play a young Indy, and for the critics, there is a similarity between him and River Phoenix, who played young Indy in Indy 3 and who died 31 October 1993). So, maybe she will play a female villain in Indy 4?
August 31 -- The guys at StarWarsEmail have translated the Japanese interview with George Lucas. Here are the main points:
August 25 -- George Lucas recently talked to the Japanese magazine Cut (reported by TheForce.net). Here are the main points:
On Germany's N-tv (a CNN clone), McCallum has stated that "I'm just waiting for the final script, we'll start building sets in November and we'll start shooting in June." August 22 -- As many have noticed, there has been a lack of updates. This is due to the simple fact that the script is being written and that casting should start next month (at the earliest). However, some "rumours" have been sent to us, which are most likely false. And instead of posting them, we prefer to wait a bit. We have picked out interesting tidbits:
July 29 -- Starwars.com has posted news about Episode II Casting: As Episode II enters its pre-production phase, fans are getting more and more excited about this new chapter of the Star Wars saga. As a result, Lucasfilm is being inundated by calls and mailings regarding casting for Episode II, both from people who want to know what actors have been considered for roles, and from people who want a role themselves in the new movie. So we would like to correct any wrong impressions. The casting director, Robin Gurland, will not start interviewing actors for Episode II until the end of September at the earliest. Also, Robin cannot accept unsolicited head shots, resumes, tapes or phone inquiries. The submissions must come through an accredited agent or agency. All the actors who worked on Episode I, even the ones sometimes referred to by the public as "unknown", are professionals in the field, and all work with an agent. In addition, please note that since George Lucas is not involved in the first stages of the casting process, no submissions should be sent to him. We appreciate the thousands of inquiries we are receiving from people wanting to be in the next Star Wars film, but unfortunately, due to the volume of inquiries, we cannot review unsolicited submissions. Read the original here. June 27 -- Many have e-mailed us about the way Lucasfilm will film Episode II. At first, Lucas wanted to film all of Episode II digitally. The reason is that editing and adding effects later is much easier, as the film does not have to be scanned into the computer for the effects adding. Natrually, after you add them, you would have to print the final shots on film again. However, filming ditially is more expensive than filming on normal film (film has a very hgih resolution, and if you want to store it on hardware, you need a lot of stoarge space). Another problem is that digitial filming is in its infancy. According to Dennis Muren (ILM's head guru), normal film will be used in high-speed scenes scenes where the camera is in danger of being damaged (digital cameras cost quite a lot). June 16 -- It seems that Jar Jar Binks will return to star in Episode II. During the SW Special aired on FOX, George Lucas stated that he will probably return. There has been much controversy about the character, which has even developed into conservative groups calling him gay (talk about open-minded people protecting children, who claim that only a gay person would wear such a leather jacket - don't you love freedom of stupi... speech). It seems that Lucas has something special in plan for Jar Jar and is actually not bowing to the public pressure of removing the character. June 05 -- Cinescape has some tidbits from a Rick McCallum chat (executive producer of Episode I-III). Here are the main points:
June 04 -- We got this today, while it is speculation, it does sound interesting: I notice that you have on your website a poll concerning what turns Anakin to the dark side. Well, from my reliable sources (and reliable I mean heavily reliable) I have some input in addition to what I provided you with the other day. Anakin is befriended by Palpatine in EP 2. Of course Palpatine's interest in the boy is greater than his last apprentice due to the unusually strong presence of the force. Palpatine notices that for his age, anakin also has a lot of pride. His pride will be his undoing. Lucas in EP. 1 made sure that he portrayed anakin as a very caring person but that he likes to gets things done his way and is not cautious. When before the Jedi council Anakin's pride was at its greatest point in the movie. Not only did he question the Jedi councils methods but there was anger and hate swelling up in his countenance. Notice how his anger made him even shake a little in the movie. In Ep. 2 it will be evident that Anakin's head will swell a little and his rebellious teenage attitude will become more evident when he begins to distance himself from Obi-wan wanting to do things his own way. Palpatine not only will notice it but will encourage it by pitting him against Obi-wan. Once the cloning begins (early in the film) and palpatine begins creating his legions of stormtroopers, he will reveal his plan to anakin (near the end of the film). It is appealing to anakin because someone (palpatine) takes an interest in his zeal and he seems to be the only one who will listen to his problems. Of course Palpatine's interest is not in the boy but in re-directing his desire to the dark side. The movie concludes with the Palpatine finally revealing himself as the emperor and wages war against the Jedi. The Jedi fight for their lives against the clones (stormtroopers) and those of the Jedi that are not destroyed flee. The cliffhanger end to the movie reveals that Queen Amidala is pregnant and Anakin is no where to be found. He is already with Sidious and unaware of his wife's pregnancy. A confused Anakin, feeling great conflict as to where his loyalty should be flees from Sidious only to be found by his side at the end of the movie. The emperor reassures him as the movie concludes. June 01 -- Newsdroid reports that Darth Maul will return in Episode II: When asked by the San Francisco Chronicle whether Maul will return, Phantom Menace designer Ian McCaig revealed ' I'm actually working on that right now.' - Clone Wars, anyone? May 28 -- First of all, Lucasfilm has given Episode II a $100 million budget. Second, there are rumours that Carrie Fisher will ghost write the dialog (this she has said she would want to do). Also, reports of Boba Fett being in Episode II are increasing. The main reasons for his participation is that he is a popular character, and that in ESB, where Vader contracts the Bounty Hunter, he gives him a personal warning to get Solo back alive. It seems that Vader and Fett know each other somehow. May 24 -- As reported by Newsdroid, Lucas also commented to USA TODAY that in Episode II Darth Sidious takes over the Republic, turns it into an empire and controls everything. Ultimately, everybody in The Phantom Menace is a pawn. Nothing is real. So, we now know the 2 main themes of the movie: the Amidala/Anakin love story and the take over of the Republic by Sidious (via the clone wars?). May 22 -- AICN reports that there have been sightings of Lucas with Leonardo DiCaprio (yes, you read correctly). I doubt he will be cast as Anakin, since Lucas has said he will cast a no-name. Other info is that ILM is working on new sith designs, which should compensate the lack of Darth Maul in Episode I. Cinescape.com has some plot rumours, even though it is unsure at what phase the script is now.
USA TODAY has some tidbits
on Episode 2. They had a chat with Lucas, who confirms the following: May 18 -- Various reports and interviews have confirmed the following basic plot line for Episode II: The main theme is the love between Amidala and Anakin. This is a unusual plot element for Star Wars. The second theme is the Sith's acquisition of power (Palpatine probably rises high in the Senate). May 06 -- McCallum has said that Episode II will focus on Ewan McGregor's Obiwan and that Samual Jackson's Mace Windu will have a bigger role in Episode II. May 02 -- Now that Episode I has been wrapped up, pre-production on Episode II begins this monday with an art department meeting. Shooting will start start June 2000. According to Cinescape, McCallum describes the Episode II themes of the movie as why we do the things we do…why do we hurt people…why do we lie. November 05 -- George Lucas and FOX held a press conference in Australia recently. Lucas stated that he is currently finishing off the script for Episode II. He also says that the are negotiating a director, but that it might be himself after all. AICNhas the following rumours on Ep. II:
27 March -- In the newest Star Wars Insider, there is a interview with Ian McDiarmid. He states that has not been "formally" signed for Episode II. Now, this can mean one of two things. First, he has not yet signed the contract. Or secondly, as a member of the Prequel Mailing List stated, he will not be in Episode II, which will "leave us to speculate on his fate." McDiarmid, being a known stage actor in England, could want this to make an interesting effect on his character. But I doubt it, since he has to complete Anakin's transition to the dark side of the Force. 12 December -- Taken from the book "Star Wars: The annotated Screenplays": "George Lucas: The man Leia called her Father was obviously not her father. He is a part of the group that ends having to fight Darth Vader in the film that will be out in 2003 (Ep 2). The part that I never really developed is the death of Luke and Leia's mother. I had a backstory for her in earlier drafts, but it basically did not survive. When I got to Jedi, I wanted one of the kids to have some kind of memory of her because she will be a key figure in the new episodes I'm writing. But I really debated on whether or not Leia should remember her."" [an error occurred while processing this directive] |
|
