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Official Prequel Announcements Unconfirmed Speculations & Spoilers Episode One: 'The Phantom Menace' Episode Two: 'The Middle' Episode Three: 'The End' Prequel Production Pictures Prequel Movie Stills

OFFICIAL PREQUEL NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Yes! the exciting second Phantom Menace trailer hit theatres across the US on Friday 12th March 1999! The trailer tells the other side of the plot, not specificly Anakin's story but rather of the events and conflicts that occur around him. Be prepared for some breathtaking special effects shots and great acting from the Queen (Natalie Portman) and Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan Mcgregor) - the precise fight sequences between Kenobi and Darth Maul are particularly impressive!
Also, Starwars fans should look out for the in-jokes George Lucas has included. I wont spoil them, but will just tell you to listen out to what C3PO says, look out for Jabba The Hutt, listen out for the Queen's reference to commitees and remember a conversation between Han and Leia. And watch for Obi Wan's "NOOOOOOO!" - now what does that remind you of, eh?

The trailer once again confirms the film's title of, The Phantom Menace and also suprisingly reveals that Lucasfilm have decided to push forward the release date to MAY 19TH! When asked, George Lucas explained that the change in release date was necessary as he wanted families to experience the film on opening night and a weekend release would be more appropriate.... WE HAVE NO COMPLAINTS!?

As with the trailer, Lucasfilm have made public the final cinema/theatre poster of The Phantom Menace. The artwork, provided by artist Drew Struzan, follows the tradition of previous starwars film trailers - emphesising the theme of adventure. The new Episode I one-sheet poster, scheduled to start appearing in North American theatres on Friday, March 12th, is presented here on the site for the fans of www.starwars.com, and is also available for pre-order through shop.starwars.com

FOR MORE INFO ON THE SECOND PHANTOM MENACE TRAILER AND TO DOWNLOAD, GOTO THE EPISODE 1 TRAILER PAGE

TO DOWNLOAD A LARGER VERSION OF THE EPISODE 1 TRAILER, GOTO THE MULTIMEDIA VAULT

In an official statement, star-wars creator George Lucas and official starwars site starwars.com have announced the forthcoming release of a SECOND Episode 1 trailer..

As George Lucas announced this week, the Star Wars: Episode I trailer will be released this March in theaters across the U.S. and Canada. At the same time, expect to see a new one-sheet poster featuring characters from the film. (As with the teaser one-sheet, the new poster will be available through www.starwars.com's online store, Mos Espa.)

Ron Howard is one of the few child stars (Jodie Foster being another) who has managed to transition into a successful Hollywood career, and he's using his hard-earned power to defend one of his own.
The child-star-formerly-known-as-Opie-turned-Oscar-nominated-director has taken issue with a piece in the Jan. 18 issue of Newsweek about the incredible buzz surrounding the upcoming George Lucas blockbuster Star Wars: Episode I — the Phantom Menace.
Specifically, Howard was offended by a subsection titled "The Kid Can't Act," in which the mag says: "Insiders call 9-year-old Jake Lloyd (who plays Anakin Skywalker) 'Mannequin Skywalker' — word is he stinks."

Howard writes in a letter to the editor (printed in this week's issue) that while the article in general was "snide and insipid, the potshot at [Lloyd] was downright irresponsible. I seriously doubt the 'insiders' you mention are inside enough to have seen an edited version of the new Star Wars, because I have, and in my opinion, Jake is terrific in the film (which, by the way, is truly amazing)."
Continues the offended Howard, "For Newsweek to attack a child's performance based on rumor and without even having seen the movie is shameful. As someone who was acting professionally at an early age, I can assure you that Jake is quite capable of reading, understanding, and feeling the full humiliation of a piece like that. He may not be able to comprehend the reason that it was printed, but then neither can I. Maybe someone from your editorial staff should try and explain it to him."

And while we're on the subject of the prequel, Lucas tells USA Today that the special-effects heavy film should be completely finished in April, just in time for the May 21 release date.
"Right now they're editing the sound effects and doing the music," the filmmaker says, adding that the mania surrounding the movie "is like being in a time warp…I don't expect this to do as well as Titanic. That might be too much to ask."

In an official statement, star-wars creator George Lucas has stated that the saga will end at episode 6: Return Of the Jedi. This ends speculation that the saga was supposed to consist of NINE installments, and that Lucas would work on Sequel episodes 7, 8 and 9 after his work on the prequels was complete.

Producer Rick Mcallum jokes "we'd all be dead by then!" George Lucas says that his main reasons for ending the saga at ROTJ was because he had not thought out stories for eps 7, 8 & 9 and that he wanted [after the prequels] to lay Starwars to rest and work on some small 'experimental movies' (the possibility of another Indiana Jones adventure??!!).

When asked whether he would allow other screenwriters/directors to continue the Starwars saga, George Lucas simply said "probably not".

YES! Lucas has finally answered the question Starwars fans the world over have been consistantly asking... Just what will be the title of the forthcoming prequel, episode 1?
Well the official starwars site has revealed that the title is indeed

EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE

I, myself was a bit disappointed with the title, it doesnt really sound very 'starwars' but more like the title of a book. However I am slowly getting used to it and i'm sure that it'll be a great movie in terms of content, regardless of title.

Lucasfilm's Lynne Hale has been following George Lucas around with a camera throughout the making of Star Wars: Episode I. Her behind-the-scenes video footage is available(in REAL video form)for the first time in Making Episode I: Lynne's Diary at the official Starwars website.

Well guys it's definately coming so put the following date in your diary and book your tickets way in advance...
MAY 21st 1999

More character profile pictures from Episode One have been leaked.. including a younger(yet rather still old looking) Palpatine, more shots of Anakin,Samuel L Jackson as the Jedi Knight, Mace Windu among much,much more!
CLICK HERE to see all of them....

LOS ANGELES--April 2, 1998--Peter Chernin, president and chief operating officer of News Corporation and chairman and chief executive officer of the Fox Group, Thursday announced that 20th Century Fox has entered into a far-reaching agreement with Lucasfilm Ltd. to distribute the next three Star Wars films, which are prequels to the original Star Wars trilogy. Fox will handle the worldwide theatrical and video distribution for all three of the upcoming films. In addition, Fox Broadcasting Co. has licensed the network broadcasting rights to the first of the new films, tentatively titled EPISODE I.

Peter Chernin stated:
"The biggest thrill of any motion picture executive is to touch greatness. At 20th Century Fox, it has been a tremendous joy to have been a part of George Lucas' ground-breaking Star Wars trilogy. It is one of the privileges of my career that Fox will once again join George Lucas and Lucasfilm to bring the first three chapters in this incredible saga to the world."

George Lucas stated:
"I'm delighted that we can continue our relationship with Fox through all six of the Star Wars films. We all look forward to working with the great team that Peter has built."

The new films are Episodes I, II, and III of the Star Wars saga. Episodes IV, V, and VI -- STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and RETURN OF THE JEDI -- were released by Fox in 1977, 1980, and 1983 respectively. In 1997, on the twentieth anniversary of STAR WARS, 20th Century Fox released the STAR WARS TRILOGY SPECIAL EDITION to theaters around the world.

Bill Mechanic, chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, stated:
"Fox and Lucasfilm created history last year with the successful release of THE STAR WARS TRILOGY SPECIAL EDITION. We not only achieved amazing results but moreover sparked a fervor for the Star Wars movies and characters." Gordon Radley, president of Lucasfilm Ltd., stated: "Choosing the right distribution partner was a critical decision for us. Fox has proven to be an outstanding worldwide film and video distributor. We've enjoyed working very closely with Bill, Tom Sherak, and their talented colleagues on the worldwide theatrical and video releases of the Special Edition."
Tom Sherak, senior executive vice president of Fox Filmed Entertainment and chairman, 20th Domestic Film Group, commented: "STAR WARS is a classic story that imparts values and themes that everyone can relate to. The saga is an important part of Fox's heritage and an intrinsic thread in our historic tapestry."
Bill Mechanic said a few days ago that they would work on getting a trailer ready for possible distribution in about 3 weeks of the announcement.
Fox wants to start a campaign beginning with the X-Files movie that opens June 19th. This makes sense as it will be sure to reach Sci-Fi fans directly as well as 'selling' the X Files Movie. (in 1989 Fans paid to see the Batman trailer in front of Tequila Sunrise and then left after it was done. )

The Official Star Wars website has been updated with a SERIOUSLY COOL new Prequel secton!.. Much more detailed than Prequel coverage of previous, this new section of www.starwars.com not only boasts a Prequel preview album (with Episode 1 movie stills), but extensive cast and character information as well as many sketches of Episode 1 locations such as cool jedi Temples and the streets of glittering Coruscant!

A prequel informant contacted Harry on Aint it cool news about an interview with R2D2, Kenny Baker in the Akron, Ohio paper.
This interview gives us some insight into prequel details such as the THE OFFICAL EPISODE 1 TITLE, and other cast members/characters.

1. "The name of the film is "Balance of the Force."

2. "It was very much a happy cast and a fun time. The only one who didn't seem to be enjoying herself that much was Natalie Portman, who's only 16 and very young and a little bit, well, I guess sensitive is one way of putting it. Nothing she won't outgrow with experience, but she was sort of a little drama queen, as far as I was concerned. But she's only a kid."

3. He said that he will not be playing against C-3PO. "There is a 3PO character in this, but it hasn't quite developed into C-3PO. I believe Anthony was brought in for one day of voiceover work, but I'm not sure."....

The latest issue of STAR WARS INSIDER contained a load of prequel info. The infomation consisted of two interviews, one with Producer Rick McCallum, the other with none other than George Lucas.

Rick McCallum
Some of the most intresting points stated were as follows..
The official title for Episode 1 will not be announced until production has been completed.
Terence Stamp will play the Chancellor of the Galactic Senate.
Much of Episode 1 will revolve around the character of Liam Neeson, as Rick McCallum quotes..."Liam is playing a Jedi Knight who sets much of the story in motion and we want to keep everything surrounding him a surprise. But, I will tell you this: Liam is bringing a presence and nobility to the character that few actors could hope to achieve"...

George Lucas
As anticipated, John Williams will be composing a classical score for the prequel trilogy.
Fans can expect to see a trailer for Episode 1 in December 1998, which is apparently six months before the film's release.
About a third of the entire film (Episode One) will take place on the desart planet of Tattoine.
The entire Star Wars Saga consists of only 6 films, and not 9 as speculated.
[THERE WILL BE NO TRILOGY AFTER ROTJ!]
Pre production and design on Episodes 2 and 3 have not commenced.

A member of the FULL FORCE MAILING LIST posted this rather interesting comment about chaos and havoc on the production of Episode One as well as some criticisms of George Lucas!!
Below is the e-mail, er spelling mistakes have NOT been amended!

..."I found an article about the new SW in the newspaper today! I was really excited, because I hadn't seen much media on the new SW, but it was all bad news. The first part complains about how Lucas is obsessed with CG, instead of real actors. It said he doesn't connect with the actors, so though he gets along fine socially with them, he doesn't talk to them on his free time, bond with them. They even had a quote from Mark Hamill, from the time of ANH saying-"I suspected that if Lucas could find a way to make movies without actors, he would do it"-I think this is really sad. I've seen things written by George Lucas saying he tries to do as much as he can real, but somethings he just has to do CG. I don't know who is right, but I want to beleive Lucas's side. The actors may not understand him.
The second part said Jake Lloyd was misbehaving on the set. He wouldn't stop shooting everyone with his laser beam gun, acted up constantly, so he had to be restrained by aides almost all the time, and was taking Lucas's loud-hailer and giving orders to the camera and crew. The whole atmosphere sounds really tense. This is not what I want from Star Wars!!!!!"...

-Stormy

"There is a film with his uncle (Wedge Antilles) and then, somewhere along the way, there are TWO MORE Star Wars prequels ("Am I meant to say I'm in them?" he wonders. "Well, I am. Fuck it. I am. I'm in them all. All three." thus spake Ewan.

There apparently appears to be a few registered URLS by Lucasfilm based on Character names in the Star Wars Episode One. The ones I, myself have discovered are...
www.anakinskywalker.com and www.darthmaul.com.
These are OFFICIAL Lucasfilm registrations as look what happens when you go to one....

If any of you find out any more, dont hesitate to e-mail FULL FORCE.

The forthcoming Episode One of Star Wars will boast a cast of thirteen computer-generated actors.
Actor Samuel L Jackson revealed "Lucas told me my lines would be like, Look Out!, Run!, Duck! -da,da,da. And all the big great speeches will be done by these computer actors".

"That's how Hollywood will control rising stars' fees, compu-stars are the future - and cheap!"

A FULL FORCE Prequel informant by the name of 'The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal' has sent us some info on a radio show on Radio One(in the UK) where Ewan McGregor was guest.
His e-mail(which was sent to the full force mailing list) was as follows...

..."Hello chucks.
I have been listening to the radio and the lovely Ewan McGregor didn't have much to say (this is not surprising). all he said about the prequels was that they finished filming one or two weeks ago and the shoot lasted three and a half months. He mainly talked about the fact that he missed Ash perform at the end of shoot party but were apperently very good. Right. I'm off. I hope I didn't bore you too much. Bye!"...

-Bugblatter.

'Inside Hollywood'magazine has published a fairly long and detailed article claiming the new prequel trailer will be attached to "Alien Resurrection" and goes on to explaining the reasons why.
Just Click Here to read the article.
Other sources claim that FOX is so sure Lucas is selling them the distribution rights that you can look out for another Prequel trailer to air before "The X-Files Movie" next year.

"Lucasfilm" has just made applications to register certain character names as Trade Marks in the UK.
This almost makes certain the fact that these names will be the ones used in the prequels. These names should also be the definative spellings of these names.

The names are as follows....

Daily Variety reports George Lucas' script of "Episode One," the latest in the "Star Wars" saga was pretty much perfect. The paper reports Lucas showed his script for the "Star Wars" prequel to "Shawshank Redemption" screenwriter Frank Darabont and Darabont told him not to change a word.

Production Supervisor, David Brown gives us some inside info and tells us a list of what went down(all the blunders,injuries etc...) during Episode One production in Tunisia.

Some Saharan Statistics:
A Partial Accounting of the 1997 Tunisian Location Shoot Expedition
Sometimes the numbers speak for themselves:

28,000 packets of rehydrate powder consumed
84,000 bottles of water drunk
350 tons of equipment shipped to the Sahara on 8 planes, including the Russian Antonov AN124 - the largest transport plane in the world
1 collision with a herd of camels
5 people delirious due to heat exhaustion
1 case of sweat glands swelled to five times normal size
4 cars skidding out of control and tumbling off desert roads
1 exploded appendix
1 case of stitches sewn in without anaesthetic
Highest recorded temperature in the shade: 132.8°F/56°C
170 crew members
170 cases of 'intense intestinal discomfort'

More Prequel pictures have been added, from www.starwars.com, this time showing sets from Leavesdon Studios including Anakin Skywalker's home and a new cool battle tank!! CLICK HERE for details....

The official Star Wars site has announced an extensive cast list of Actors/Actresses to appear in Episode One of the prequels.
Not many character descriptions were revealed though, it looks like Lucas wants to keep these under wraps!
The OFFICIAL Episode One cast as known at present is as follows....
Liam Neeson "...a venerable Jedi Knight..."
Ewan McGregor "...the young Obi-Wan Kenobi..."
Natalie Portman "...a young queen..."
Jake Lloyd "...eight-year-old Anakin Skywalker, the future Darth Vader...

NOTE TO THINK ABOUT: Kenny Baker is listed, he is the Actor who played R2D2 in the original trilogy, but where is Anthony Daniels, the Actor who played C3PO, will '3PO not be in episode One????

Eager to hone his new Jedi skills, Jake Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker) decided to take a lightsaber to Howard Roffman, Lucasfilm Ltd. Vice-President, Licensing, during a recent break in filming. Roffman put up a fight, but the outcome was never really in doubt. Despite the quick beating he administered, Jake had nothing but kind words to say about his vanquished foe: "He has the best job in the whole world - he gets to make Star Wars toys!" Mr. Roffman had no comment, but is said to be recovering nicely.

While some folks get to name the characters, others are lucky enough to be the characters ... John Fensom, one of the animatronics assistants working in the Creature Workshop, tried on a protocol droid costume while on the job. Production Supervisor David Brown, quite pleased to find such willing volunteers, offered Mr. Fensom the opportunity to appear as a protocol droid in the new movie -- fortunately, a part that will not require him to wear the metal-and-latex costume in the 130°F heat on-location in Tunisia. Mr. Fensom, relieved to avoid the fate of other protocol driods in such settings.

While some folks are lucky enough to battle the characters, some get to name them. Creature Effects Supervisor Nick Dudman named a creature after his wife, Sue Oakes. George particularly liked the name Swokes Swokes (get it? Sue Oakes said fast = Swokes), and now Lucasfilm is the sole owner of any and all phonetic pronunciations of Sue's name. Sue gets to retain all written rights, however, and can therefore keep all her credit cards and bank accounts. George, meanwhile, was also quite taken with the name Mot Notrab, Creature Workshop Supervisor Chris Barton's suggestion. Mot Notrab is backwards-speak for Tom Barton, Chris's six-year-old son. Chris intends this as a surprise, so with any luck, young Tom isn't particularly Web-savvy and hasn't just read this.

A little over twenty years ago, a storm savaged the Tunisian set of a small film called Star Wars. On a recent night, history repeated itself for the crew shooting the Star Wars prequel, Episode . Through it all, George and Rick managed to stay in good spirits. Rick told tales of earthquakes and floods on the set of Young Indy, while George calmly pointed out that the same thing had happened over twenty years ago on the set of the original Star Wars, and that perhaps the fact that it happened again was a good sign.

You can read about it in detail on The Official Star Wars Site.