Lucas: Star Wars III Will Be The Last
7 September 2001 (WENN)
Director George Lucas has decided Episode III will be the last Star Wars film in the series. The legendary movie maker has just finished making Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, starring Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor , which hits screens next year. He says, "I can guarantee I will definitely give up after Episode Three in 2005." The Californian-born director originally hoped to make nine films, but at 57 years old it will take him a long time to get through them all. Lucas plans to make a fourth Indiana Jones movie once Episode III is finished.
Count Dracula Will Be Count Dooku
1 March 2001 (StudioBriefing)
George Lucas has revealed that onetime horror film star Christopher Lee will play a character named Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episode II. In an introduction to Christopher Lee: the Authorized Screen History by Jonathan Rigby , Lucas writes: "When it was time to cast the role of Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episode II my casting director suggested Christopher Lee and I jumped at the opportunity to work with him. I knew that I needed someone who could convey evil. But in addition, I needed someone to bring stature, strength and wisdom to the role. His villainous resume speaks for itself." Lee himself directed a writer for Britain's Empire magazine to the book after explaining that he himself was bound by a confidentiality agreement not to discuss his role in the movie. "If George has revealed [the name of the character], that's where I leave it, " Lee remarked. "I don't want to get into trouble with George, because there's [Episode III], don't forget."
Smits A Star Wars Recruit, After All
13 July 2000 (StudioBriefing)
One month after Jimmy Smits ' representatives had emphatically denied a report that originally appeared on the Coming Attractions Web site (
http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/main.html) that the former NYPD Blue star had been cast in Star Wars: Episode II (2002), Lucasfilm announced on Wednesday that Smits had indeed been signed to appear in the film. Smits will portray Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan, Princess Leia's foster father, the studio said. In a news release, casting director Robin Gurland said, "Id thought of Jimmy for the role before George Lucas had even confirmed the character's appearance. Then, completely independently, his agents let me know that he would love to be involved." Coming Attractions on Wednesday quoted its source as saying that Smits' character will merely be introduced in the film and that his role will be "significantly expanded" in Episode III.
Smits Reps Say He Won't Appear In Star Wars
7 June 2000 (StudioBriefing)
Representatives of Jimmy Smits have denied a rumor, originally posted on the Coming Attractions Internet site, that the NYPD Blue actor has been cast in Star Wars: Episode 2 and Episode 3.
Smits Heading For Star Wars?
1 June 2000 (StudioBriefing)
A report that NYPD Blue star Jimmy Smits has been cast as a new Star Wars character has been posted on the Coming Attractions Internet site, a long-running movie Web site that has sometimes scooped rivals. According to the report ("We trust our source implicitly"), Smits will play "almost a cameo role" in Episode Two, but his part will be expanded in Episode Three.
New Anakin Skywalker Thanks Natalie Portman For Part
16 May 2000 (WENN)
Hayden Christensen is thanking his sizzling on-screen chemistry with Natalie Portman for his shock casting in the next two STAR WARS movies. The little-known Canadian actor beat 441 other candidates to bag the coveted role in the two remaining Star Wars prequels, EPISODES II and III. And the 19-year-old star believes his chemistry with Portman won him the role because Episode II centers on the steamy relationship between his character ANAKIN SKYWALKER and her QUEEN AMIDALA. Christensen says, "The auditions became all about meeting Natalie. It was just the thrill of shooting with her. I believe I have chemistry with her and that is key to my getting the part."