Genre: Science Fiction/Action.
Studio:
Twentieth Century Fox.
Production Company:
Lucasfilm.
Project Phase: In Development.
Who's In It:
Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan Kenobi); Natalie Portman (unconfirmed?).
James Earl Jones (Darth Vader, voice) has publically
stated that Lucas told him he would need his vocal talents for the third film.
Who's Making It:
George Lucas (Plot).
Premise: Unknown.
Release Date: 2005.
What's Our Best Information So Far?:
Lucas said in a March 2nd, 1997 BBC Radio One interview that the third film will be the darkest of the prequels.
Developments:
November 3, 1998... The film will shoot at Fox Sydney studios in 2003. April 3, 1998... Twentieth Century Fox announces it has obtained distrbution rights for the picture.
Comments: Don't get us started. Wait until some solid information becomes avaliable, then we'll talk.
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
October 15, 1996... Variety speculates that Lucas will release the third chapter four years after the first film, possibly filming episodes 2 and 3 back-to-back. [Scoop submitted by 'pkalapa', Cory and 'imho'.]
October 31, 1996... A scooper that has been providing Episode 1 rumors that they claim are coming from within Lucasfilm writes again. In the message, the individual claims that Lucas and directors Frank Darabont and David Fincher met for almost three hours last week at Lucas' ranch. The person's source for all this gossip indicates that the discussion convinced all three that Darabont and Fincher are right for the directorial duties of episodes 2 and 3, respectively. The two directors are said to have reached an oral agreement that Darabont will direct episode 2 and Fincher episode 3. The source claims this news is as solid as can be hoped for.
However, on October 30th TriStar Pictures annouced that it has hired Fincher for directing chores on its new futuristic thriller The Sky is Falling. This would seem to dispell any solidity to a forthcoming annoucement for securing Fincher on any third film. While it should be noted that episode 3 will be in production sometime around the year 2000 if the currently-announced schedule is still maintained, the TriStar signing may place Fincher in negotiations with someone else when the rumored Lucas ranch meeting was held. [Scoop submitted anonymously.]
March 4, 1997... In an interview done for BBC Radio One, George Lucas commented on the three new Star Wars chapters. After speaking very briefly about the first two prequels, Lucas spoke about the third film: "...and the third one is the dark one - it will probably fit in really well with 21st century!" [Scoop sent in by the Dark Lord 'Jolaris'.]
June 24, 1997... A rumor has been starting to float around that director Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) has signed on the dotted line for Chapter 3. Even though the rumor has been posted on other sites (such as the IMDb), we just can't buy it. [Scoop sent in anonymously.]
September 21, 1997... Someone from Luc Besson's office reports to CA that the June 24th rumor isn't true. "Besson has never been approached from this, although he was reported 'honored' to be mentioned in the rumors," the person tells us. They also report that Lucasfilm may still be considering David Fincher to direct one of the following prequels. Fincher currently attached to two projects; Rendezvous With Rama (a Christmas 1999 release) and The Sky is Falling (on the script-stage backburner). [Submitted anonymously.]
September 30, 1997... This scooper told us a rumor that Brian McCardie is said to play the older version of Anakin Skywalker in the latter two prequels. [Emailed to us by 'Sithlord56'.]
January 10, 1998... On the January 9th Rosie O'Donnell Show, Natalie Portman said she'll be starring in all three prequels. It's a pretty good bet Portman will be reprising her role as the Queen, but this throws a small monkey wrench into speculating; after all, ten years are supposed to pass between Episode One and Two...but will Portman's appearance age as well? [Scoops sent in by Rosie viewers Elijah Olson, 'Answerkid1' and anonymously.]
March 15, 1998... On their official website last week Lucasfilm announced the release date for Episode Three: 2005. The three new films will be released every three years, like the 'middle trilogy' was ('77-'83.) [Thanks to 'GWL' and anonymous.]
April 5, 1998... On Thursday, April 2nd Twentieth Century Fox announced it had obtained the distribution rights to the three Star Wars prequels. Fox said that the release date for the third film in the new trilogy, Episode Three, was tentatively scheduled for release in the summer of 2005. No details of the deal between Lucasfilm and Fox were disclosed, but it's generally believed to be advantageous to both companies. Fox also obtained television broadcast rights for the picture. [News reported to us by Charles, 'shargraves', 'Santora', 'chaber', 'Spanky', 'time traveller' and anonymous. Additional information attributed to Daily Variety.]
September 1, 1998... Our good confidant 'C' tells us that John Williams has been signed to score all three new Star Wars films. This announcement was made by Williams himself at a concert in Chicago. ['C'.]
October 11, 1998...'Dalex' checked in to give us this eyewitness account: "Just got back from a lecture given by James Earl Jones at Penn State. He spoke about the arts and gave a throughly enjoyable speech. During the q & a session, he did happen to mention that his voice will only be heard during the last 5 minutes of episode #3. I guess we can all look forward to that." OK, so now that we have a running idea as to how much screen time Darth Vader will have in the final prequel film, we can start wondering the real question: how much he'll make per minute for that job? [Thanks to 'dalex']
October 20, 1998... Here's an interesting thought: "Your last scoop mentions Vader only being in the last part of the film.. at least with JE Jones' voice.. this may be true, however, in the previous films, I believe that Obi Wan mentions that Anakin slowly added more and more cybernetic components to himself until he finally became nearly all machine.. which basically means.. that he won't be donning the familiar helmet until the end of the third episode.. not that he won't be wearing the 'Vader' outfit/persona." As long as he doesn't start seeking out Sarah Connor, we'll be happy. [Thanks to 'cgoodman' for the report.]
November 3, 1998... At an announcement held at the Annual Screen Producers Association Conference in Sydney, Australia, Lucas officially unveiled plans to film Star Wars Episode Three at the new Fox Sydney studios. In an official press release, Lucas said "Sydney is a wonderful location for the film -- it's an exciting city, with a reputation for highly professional and experienced crews and now great production facilities." Although most of the attention was directed at the first of the prequels to film at the studios (production on Episode Two begins in 2000), an early estimate for Episode Three's lensing was given for the year 2003. [Thanks to 'Redmac', 'Moridin', 'porcelina', Cameron Incoll, 'Shaggy' and 'masque' for the Australian coverage.]
November 22, 1998... This scooper preferred to remain anonymous when they tendered their scoop to CA: "Natalie Portman is NOT in the final episode of the Star Wars prequels. She has not commented on her situation either and neither has George Lucas, but if thought logically enough, it cannot be Ms. Portman over the course of ten years, look at Anakin, does he look like a father and does she look like a mother, remember that she has to get pregnant! But who it will be is anybody's guess." ['Quiet'.]
Another scooper assures us that the Star Destroyer makes its first appearance in SW3. Now we've kinda got a problem believing that anyone other than Lucas would know that since not even the final draft of SW2 has been completed just yet. Still, why not speculate? [Anonymous.]
December 29, 1998... Since the release of the third prequel is still at least six years away finding even the thinnest strand of possibility that connects a rumor to George Lucas or his camp is more difficult than beating a Wookiee in an arm-wrestling contest. But while perusing the Annotated Screenplays our scooper may have panned himself a teensy tiny sliver of gold...
"Have any of you read the Annotated Screenplays book? There's a very interesting prequel tidbit on page 291, straight from Lucas' mouth:
"I find it interesting, though, in light of the fact that James Earl Jones said he's supposed to supply the voice of Vader for about 5 minutes in Episode 3. The quote above, however, suggests that Vader is the heavy in Episode 3 and so should be in it throughout. Or maybe that's changed. At any rate, it makes me wonder what part Bail Organa plays in the prequels if he's part of a group which takes on Vader in Ep 3. Is he even in Ep 1?"
According to the information from our sources, Adrian Dunbar is playing Bail Organa in Episode One but Lucasfilm has still not confirmed the names of the majority of minor characters seen in The Phantom Menace. Still, the quote from Lucas that appears in the Annotated Screenplays book is worthy of mention on this page. [Brad Cook sent it in.]
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