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 (Queen Amidala).
Who's Making It:
George Lucas (Screenwriter).
Premise: Unknown.
Release Date: 2002.
What's Our Best Information So Far?:
In a March 2nd, 1997 Radio One interview, Lucas said that by the second film, the fall of Anakin Skywalker will begin in earnest. Expect this film to be more 'grey' in subject matter and tone, much like The Empire Strikes Back was to Star Wars: A New Hope.
Skywalker's wife will be 24 years old in the second film.
Developments:
November 3, 1998... The announcement is made that the film will shoot at the Fox Sydney studios. 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.
March 4, 1997... In an interview done for BBC Radio One, George Lucas commented on the three new Star Wars chapters. Lucas spoke very briefly about the direction of the second movie. After saying that the first movie ends on a happy note, he then followed up with "[In the]..Second one things start to go wrong and get complicated..." Lucas said. [Scoop sent in by the Dark Lord 'Jolaris'.]
March 11, 1997... Carrie Fisher will be ghostwriting the dialog for the female characters, most importantly the character of Luke and Leia's mother. Fisher revealed in an interview with Variety's Army Archerd that the twin's mother will be 24 years of age by the start of the second film. [Scoop sent in by 'Cory'; originally appeared in Variety]
April 16, 1997... Two different anonymous emails 'tell' us the title for the second prequel: one says 'Rise of the Empire', another 'Despair of the Jedi'. [Scoops (ruses, BS, highly sensitive information, whatever) mailed anonymously.]
June 7, 1997... Irvin Kershner, director of The Empire Strikes Back, is quoted in the upcoming Star Wars Entertainment Weekly issue that he was told Steven Spielberg would most likely take the directorial duties for the second prequel. [Sent in by Mark Stewart and 'Honest Soul'.]
July 27, 1997... In the July 27, 1997 Caserta press conference, George Lucas denied the rumor that his friend Steven Spielberg would direct any of the following two prequels. [Submitted anonymously and by Jack Bryan.]
July 29, 1997... There was a rumor going around at DragonCon in Atlanta earlier this month, one that doesn't sound too solid if we may say so. The rumor was about pro volleyball player and model Gabrielle Reece up for a secondary role in the subsequent two prequels but not for any work in Episode One. She would be playing a type of bounty hunter related to some shadowy criminal organization. But...why would a rumor like this get started in the first place?
Also being considered for an auxiliary role in the prequels is Susana Werner, a Brazilian actress, model and soccer player. Why the sudden round of rumors concerning female sports celebs? Disinformation on Lucasfilm's part or is there some nugget of truth to it?? [Scoop sent in anonymously.]
September 21, 1997... An anonymous scooper tells us that somewhere in Episode Two or Three, Ben Kenobi will indeed be cloned. Kenobi agrees to the procedure to see if the ranks of the decimated Jedi can be bolstered this way. The experiment seems to succeed at first - but then it's determined that the clones can be lured to the Dark Side of the Force. The original Kenobi fights his clone in a lightsaber battle and emerges the victor but the other characters assume that the original Kenobi died in the fight.
"Sounds confusing and a bit soap opera-ish, don't it? =)" Well, yeah - and when you consider that if this scoop's genuine, about five people in the whole world should know of it since photography on Episode Two is still about a year away. But the Kenobi/OB-1 clone rumor has been running around for years, and you just never know... [Scoop sent in 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'.]
October 1, 1997... Following up on the Langton rumor, this scooper reports that Lucasfilm rep Steve Sansweet has already said that Natalie Portman will play the Queen in all three films. Although we haven't heard or seen that in print ourselves, it doesn't mean it wasn't said. [Submitted by 'JHenson105'.]
October 21, 1997... The scooper tells us MTV music video director Spike Jonze met with George Lucas yesterday to discuss the possibilities of directing either the second or third prequel. Jonze has directed such videos as the Sabotage for the Beastie Boys and Weezer's Buddy Holly. According to the scooper, Lucas has seen Jonze's latest video featuring animated toy action figures and has taken a liking to his style of directing; the scooper also hazards a guess that it "might've helped" Jonze that he was romantically involved with Lucas' best friends daughter Sofia Coppola. The scooper ends their message with the warning to not get carried away with the scoop: this is just an initial meeting and it may or may not lead to Jonze working for Lucas on the new prequels. [Scoop handed in by 'The Biggest Name In Tinsel Town'.]
December 23, 1997... More news to report on the Jonze rumor. Our source says Jonze met with Lucas, talked about the possibilities, but nothing else was done. Lucas wants to publically announce a final decision on the Episode Two director after release of the first film, we're told. But Jonze got Lucas to agree that the director of videos could sneak his way into one of the 'storm trooper' extra suits in one of the upcoming prequels, regardless of if Jonze lands the directing gig or not... ['The Biggest Name In Tinsel Town' just gave you dessert.]
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.]
January 19, 1998... Other guys have reported it, but we've just confirmed it: Lucasfilm was scouting New Zealand last month looking for locations to film Episode Two. Long-time readers of our SW1 page will recall a flurry of rumors that Lucasfilm scouts were visiting N.Z. more than a year ago, but no filming for Episode One took place there. Now it seems that part of the shoot for SW2 will occur in the land of rolling green hills and brave sheep. [Thanks to 'Mindlight' and anonymous for the confirmation. Hey! We like New Zealand, ok?!]
January 20, 1998... Huh? Who might be up for a role in Episode Two?? Whazza --? Oh. Matt Damon, you say? [Anonymous.]
March 15, 1998... On their official website last week Lucasfilm announced the release date for Episode Two: 2002. The three new films will be released every three years, like the 'middle trilogy' was ('77-'83.) [Thanks to 'GWL' and anonymous.]
We're also told that some very preliminary preproduction work for Episode II (sketches, conceptual designs, art department work) is being started on. "The previsualization department, meanwhile, has been extremely busy the last three or four weeks getting down a 'first draft,' so to speak, of the special effects shots. This work will be fine tuned by Lucas to precise specifications, then sent on to the CG animators and modelers for the actual precise and final cut effects to be made, though that step, along with rendering and printing, will take considerably more time." [A saber toss from our Knight-friend 'GWL'.]
March 24, 1998... This scooper reports that Harry Connick, Jr. has been "approached" to read for the part of the older Anakin in Episode Two and Three. We're gonna remain heavily skeptical about this until someone provides us with more info. [Sent in by 'Dbonzjones'.]
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 second film in the new trilogy, Episode Two, was tentatively scheduled for release in the summer of 2002. 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.]
May 30, 1998... In a May 29th production report update to the Official Star Wars Website, George Lucas made a statement concerning Boba Fett, one of the middle trilogy's most popular characters for the fans. If you're one of the people who were hoping to see more of the most notorious owner of Mandalorian battle armor, pop open the champagne!
On the Official Star Wars Website, Lucas stated that while Fett will not be seen in Episode One, the character will play "a prominent role" in Episode Two.
That confirmation of the 'return' of Boba Fett, which has been speculated and prayed for by legions of Star Wars fans for more than a decade, will no doubt lead to a flurry of additional questions. Will we see the Mandalorians fighting in Episode Two? Will we see how Fett came into possession of the armor? Was was the situation that made Fett choose to become a bounty hunter? And most important: will be get to see he/she/it underneath the helmet??
But these questions can be puzzled over later. For now, Star Wars fans around the globe are grateful that Lucas and his Internet team has chosen to release these small (but immensely enjoyable) nuggets of information to the fans. [Thanks to Joe Hanna for a heads up.]
August 11, 1998... As one week of re-shooting takes place for Episode One we've heard unofficial reports that George Lucas has begun writing the script for Episode Two. If so, that would make George a very busy man right now. We're holding off posting Lucas with the position on this page until an official announcement is made.
Nevertheless that hasn't stopped one scooper from stirring up that small pot of Episode Two rumors we're got going on the backburner. "Prepare yourselves for a very big surprise" the anonymous fellow begins their email. "Can't tell much about myself but I've had some very relevent infos from the SPFX dept. Let me tell you that there will be two Obi-Wans in the second episode !!! As well as the Slave 1 ship and Boba Fett...I'll give you some more infos on that if ever I have the chance to get some more..." [Anonymous.]
We know Fett's in the second movie now but as for the rumors that Obi-Wan is a clone...well, those are nothing but fan speculation for the moment. We should know: we started that particular one years ago with the first posting on our Episode One page. However, the confirmation of Fett by Lucas is a good sign that the Mandalorians (and their hand in the Clone Wars) will be shown in Episode Two.
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'.]
September 21, 1998... This anonymous scooper throws the albeit typo-ridden gauntlet back the other way regarding whether or not Spielberg will possibly direct Episode 2 or another chapter: "After a private screening of the first Star Wars prequal, Steven Spielberg confirmed the rumor that his freind and long time colaberator, George Lucas, has asked him to direct one of the next prequels. His comment after seeing the film was that it was one of the best movies that he had ever seen and would be honered to direct one of the prequals."
September 27, 1998... How the scooper knew this applied directly to Episode 2 is anyone's guess, but we'll try anything once: "Australian and various press sources report that a team from Lucasfilm visited a couple of Australian locations - it seems that certain scenes will be shot somewhere in the Australian desert." [Scoop issued by 'MouseBot']
'C' writes into tell us: "First of all, I can guarantee that Steven Spielberg has NOT been asked to direct one of the prequels. I can't tell you more, but trust me." Why sure, C. You're for "Cookie," and hell, that's good enough for me.
But he answers my question from before: "Secondly, the Entertainment Tonight website reports that George Lucas and friends have been in Australia scouting locations for 'Star Wars: Episode II.'" Ohhhh...see, now why didn't MouseBot just say so? [Clarification brought to you by the letter 'C']
October 5, 1998... Sir C has returned and he brings us tidings of scoops. He sez: "I was at a technology convention recently with a friend (who, conviently for us, got hired to DreamWorks) and chatted up a few guys from ILM who had a booth there. We chatted about how shitty the effects shots were they'd seen from 'Star Trek: Insurrection,' so naturally conversation jumped to the 'other' sci-fi franchise. They were all glad to have a weekend off from The Phantom Menace, but weren't looking forward to Ep. 2 because of the effects budget, which one guy said was nearly twice that of TPM."
Not content to stir the FX pot only, then C the Conqueror went and messed with our minds about casting: "The neatest tidbit: remember all those rumors about Kenneth Branagh as Obi-Wan? Well, Branagh was talking to Lucas about SW, but apparently NOT The Phantom Menace. There is a role in Episode II which Branagh's first in line for. There's a switch for ya." Indeed. [Thanks to C, who as Lorne Greene would tell you, is 100 in Roman years...]
October 7, 1998... More location info from our friends down under: "In addition to the report on Australia being a location for one of the terristrial shots, the location involved is suspectively in Cooper Pedy in the central region of South Australia. It was announced on the radio the other day. Perhaps it's true. I hope so, as I am a South Australian resident. Love to go and watch some of it being filmed." Yah, and we better hear all about it if you do, amigo. [Scoop provided by 'btonkin']
October 27, 1998... We're giving all our Australian readers advance notice for this one -- stay tuned and listen for any gossip you might hear when The Big Cheese is in your part of the world. "I don't know if you would consider this important, but George Lucas will be in Australia to present the Australian Film Institute Awards. I don't know how many times Lucas has actually been a host for film awards, but it seems that the chances of filming Episode II in Australia is becoming more likely by the day." If George is there presenting awards, there's gotta be a damn good reason here's down under... [Sent to us by 'Legion_Shadow'.]
October 29, 1998... The Oct. 27th scoop may have got our friends down under excited about nothing. According to this fellow those also in Australia to attend the film producer's convention include South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone as well as Jeffrey Katzenberg from DreamWorks. Lucas might not even have time to scout, in-between attending the convention and doing last-minute editing on the forthcoming SW1 trailer. [Yes, 'like it matters', it *does* matter...]
November 1, 1998... Although this scoop may in fact have more to do with the first prequel, nevertheless it builds upon the thread of Lucas' recent trip to Australia for a film producers conference. "I found out on Friday that George Lucas has booked a THX enhanced theatre while he is out here. That news came from someone who is involved with the SPA Conference Lucas will be attending. Now there's only one THX theatre in Sydney ... Village Cinema One. No-one knows what he wants it for ... but we're all intrigued." Maybe it's nothing. Lucas could be showing off his new sound system, set to debut with the release of SW1...or just maybe it's the unveiling of a certain trailer? [Subspace transmission from 'adandnat'.]
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 Two 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." Filming should begin in 2000, with pre-production commencing sometime in 1999. This cements rumors that have been floating around for almost a year that the new Sydney studios would be used for SW2. [Thanks to 'Redmac', 'Moridin', 'porcelina', Cameron Incoll, 'Shaggy' and 'masque' for the Australian coverage.]
Also making the rounds in Australian newspapers and radio are reports that Lucas screened a rough cut to certain exaclted members of the international film community in Sydney. However it's worth remembering that these rumors have not been confirmed.
(And just to keep you informed on a related item we mentioned last week,South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have cancelled their visit to Australia. They needed the time to figure out some problems arising from the new South Park album.) [Invaluable information sent to us by 'porcelina' who's tuned into the pulse of Australia.]
November 5, 1998... Someone has indeed registered www.riseoftheempire.com. However, it's listed in InterNIC as a specific person and not LucasFilm. Is it someone trying to beat LucasFilm to the punch? Or is it something even more...sinister? [Thanks to Justin Martin, P.I.]
November 22, 1998... The buzz is there is a specltacular underwater battle scene in The Phantom Menace, all CGI. But what about further underwater sequences in the subsequent two prequel films? We've got one scooper who may have heard some inside info on that very possibility...
"I know this will sound far-fetched, but I live in San Bernardino, California, and my sister's boyfriend's older brother lives in Calexico, which is a city very close to the border with Mexico. Actually, it is just a few hundred yards from Mexicali. Tijuana is also very close by, but the interesting point is that Rosarito, the place where FOX built the stage for Titanic, is under a couple of hours drive from here. Anyway, the guy says that the current buzz down there is that Lucas is planning to film some scenes there. There are rumors traveling around that a sea battle is planned for one of the remaining episodes, and this place, being an enormous flooded stage in FOX's property, should come in quite handy for the shooting of said sea battle." ['Zagaz'.]
December 7, 1998... A mysterious scooper claims that while they were delivering three faxes to a Twentieth Century Fox office last week, they overheard a reference to the working title for Episode Two. According to the phantom scooper, two different Fox executives have refered to the second prequel as 'The Empire Strikes'.
To throw yet more fuel on the fire, the scooper claims that when they snuck a look at the headers on the fax from Lucasfilm they were delivering they found it to read 'Ep. 2 TES.'
True? False? Where's our Imperial Truth Droid when we need it?? [Anonymous.]
December 27, 1998... We've been told that the entire film is "going to be digital." Now whether or not our scooper meant to say that the approximately 3,000 special visual effects shots will be entirely digital and no makeup effects or models will be used, we don't know. Since the scooper was anonymous we can't ask them.
But we do know that the 3,000 SFX number is legitimate through other sources. Although Lucas is finishing writing duties for Episode Two, a preliminary rough guess about how many visual effects has already been given, and that number was 3K. The first film has over 2K worth of SFX shots. [Anonymous.]
January 3, 1999... Our last post drew quite a bit of email from readers wanting to clarify what our last scooper probably meant. The original email said the film was going to be all digital and then they dropped the 3K number on us, which leant the scoop some credibility since other sources had been saying SW2 would be hitting that many SFX shots. However, Lucas had earlier mentioned that he was hoping to film the prequel trilogy in a digital format and not on film -- thus the confusion. We took the scoop one way while everyone else who had heard the Lucas comment took it the other way. Our original scooper chose to remain anonymous, which was probably the best thing to do.
If you haven't heard the Lucas comment, here's the best email we had summing it up:
"I just saw your comment that someone had mentioned the second episode will be digital, but they were not clear. The way that I understand this is that Mr. Lucas really wants the movie to be recorded entirely digital (no film) and as this will be a new medium for filming, he would probably direct the next movie(s) also. This would allow him to gain a better perspective on digital filming as one could not effectively oversee another director using a technique that was foreign to the exec-producer. The problem is the technology. Digital filming is ? far from being a reality. This could potentially cause Mr. Lucas to rethink the back-to-back shooting of Episode 2 and 3 - instead opting for an every three year plan as before (in order to let technology advance further.) If anyone should pioneer digital filming, it should be him." [Submitted by 'Uncleseven'.]
Hopefully that clears up that little mess...
January 7, 1999... The same anonymous person who claims to have told us the 3,000+ SFX shots quote returns to also tell us that the predicted budget for SW2 right now is at $150 million +. [Anonymous.]
January 12, 1999... Anonymous also wants to add that, according to their source, Lucas intends to film Episode Two with a special Sony camera instead of conventional Vistavision cameras. However, now the scooper says the current estimate for SFX shots is hovering at 3,500 with an estimated budget of at least $150 million. As the scooper well knows we cannot confirm any of these numbers, so let's wait and see if our mysterious scooper's predictions turn out to be correct. If so, they promise to return with new info. [Anonymous.]
Another scooper, who reminds us to mention that Natalie Portman will return in the second prequel, says pre-production begins as soon as next month. What specific part of pre-production the scooper doesn't say. [Anonymous.]