News for
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Oldman Quits 'Star Wars' Sequel
16 September 2004 (WENN)
Wild actor Gary Oldman has pulled out of the next Star Wars movie because he refuses to work overseas illegally. The Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban star had agreed to be the voice of evil Jedi knight killer General Grievous in Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith, but quit the production because it was made outside the Screen Actor's Guild rules. Oldman's spokesman explains, "Gary was excited and looking forward to working on the film. The snag is that the movie is being made without members of the Screen Actor's Guild. It means Gary would have been working illegally overseas. Out of respect and solidarity with the other members, he could not and would not consider violating the rules of his union."
Reshoots on 'Star Wars' Film
4 August 2004 (WENN)
The latest installment in George Lucas ' blockbusting Star Wars series is undergoing reshoots in London, despite principal photography finishing last year. Natalie Portman , who again plays Queen Amidala in the forthcoming movie, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith, is flying into the British capital to help with finishing touches to the forthcoming film. But Portman is refusing to reveal why Lucas feels reshoots are necessary so long after the movie's shoot ended. She says, "I haven't been told anything so for all I know, it could be like walking, an insert shot of my hands, or a whole new storyline, so I will be as surprised as you are."
'Star Wars: Episode III' Title Revealed
26 July 2004 (WENN)
The title for the next Star Wars film has been revealed as Revenge Of The Sith. According to Starwars.Com, the moniker for the next George Lucas film in the sci-fi film series has been welcomed by fans - and was announced this weekend at a Comic convention. Lucasfilm's head of fan relations, Steve Sansweet , says, "For some time now, the naming of a new Star Wars movie has taken on some special meaning among core fans, who love to take part in guessing games before a title is announced, and then engage in debate once it is." Starwars.com explains, "The Sith are masters of the dark side of the Force and the sworn enemies of the Jedi. They were all but exterminated by the Jedi a thousand years ago, but the evil order continued in secrecy. They operated quietly, behind the scenes, acting in pairs - a Master and an Apprentice - patiently biding their time before they could take over the galaxy. In Episode III, they'll finally exact their revenge on the Jedi."
'Episode III' Now Has a Name
26 July 2004 (StudioBriefing)
The sixth and final installment of George Lucas 's epic Star Wars film series will be titled Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, according to the official site for the film. In an announcement posted on the site Sunday, the filmmakers said, "The Sith are masters of the dark side of the Force and the sworn enemies of the Jedi. They were all but exterminated by the Jedi a thousand years ago, but the evil order continued in secrecy. They operated quietly, behind the scenes, acting in pairs -- a Master and an Apprentice -- patiently biding their time before they could take over the galaxy. In Episode III, they'll finally exact their revenge on the Jedi." The film will end where the first film, released in 1977, began.
Oldman to Play Deadliest 'Star Wars' Villain
24 June 2004 (WENN)
British actor Gary Oldman will play the "deadliest" Star Wars villain ever in the franchise's final prequel Episode Three. The Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban star will voice character General Grievous, who is a part-alien/part-robot. And insiders say Oldman - who is considered to be one of the finest actors of his generation - was handpicked for the part by series creator George Lucas , who is a big fan of his work. A source says, "George thought Gary was the ideal choice." According to reports, Oldman's character will try and hunt down Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi in the film, which is due to hit cinemas next summer.
'Episode III' Now Has a Name, Says Magazine
20 May 2004 (StudioBriefing)
The final Star Wars movie (Episode III) will be titled Birth of the Empire, Britain's Empire magazine reported on its website today (Thursday). The publication quoted an unnamed source as saying that the highlight of the movie is a battle between Ewan McGregor , playing Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Hayden Christensen , playing Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader while maneuvering small platforms on lava as if they were surfing. Lucasfilm has not commented on the report.
Vader Unmasked
21 April 2004 (WENN)
Star Wars creator George Lucas is giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of the origins of cult character Darth Vader in a new DVD collection. Prior to the release of the final Star Wars film, Episode III, next year, Lucas is releasing the first three sci-fi films on DVD format for the first time in September - and the collection will feature Lucas revealing how Jedi warrior Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side to become Vader. Behind-the-scenes footage from Episode III, which will show Anakin turning into Vader, features Hayden Christensen dressed as the dark Lord for the first time. Lucasfilm's Jim Ward says, "We're going to see the evolution of this character and go places with Darth Vader we've never gone before. Our fans have been eagerly awaiting every morsel of Episode III as we divulge it. We're giving it to them piece by piece."
'Star Wars': The Extras
6 April 2004 (StudioBriefing)
LucasFilm has released a list of "extras" that it plans to include in the upcoming four-disc box set of the original Star Wars trilogy. They include a 2 1/2-hour documentary about George Lucas 's "vision" for the films, another half-hour documentary about how the characters were developed, another 20-minute documentary about the special effects used in the films, a preview of Episode III, hundreds of still photos, posters, and other artwork, and "Star Wars Battlefront" -- a computer game demo. Meanwhile, LucasFilm on Monday confirmed reports that Episode III will be released domestically on Thursday, May 19, 2005, with a "near-simultaneous release around the world."
An Official Clue About 'Episode III'
23 March 2004 (StudioBriefing)
The official Star Wars website (
www.starwars.com) has provided the first authorized clues about the content of Episode III, scheduled for release next year. LucasFilm has posted a teaser that summarizes the story line. It reads: "After three long years of relentless fighting, the Clone Wars are nearly at an end. The Jedi Council dispatches Obi-Wan Kenobi to bring the deadly leader of the Separatist droid army to justice. Meanwhile, back on Coruscant, Chancellor Palpatine has grown in power. His sweeping political changes transform the war-weary Republic into the mighty Galactic Empire. To his closest ally, Anakin Skywalker, he reveals the true nature of power and the promised secrets of the Force in an attempt to lure him to the dark side."