Episode II News and Rumors!

* All characters are highly likely(almost to a certainty) to appear in Episode 2.

The Official Site on Episode Two Casting

Director and Screenwriter: George Lucas
Producer: Rick McCallum
Score: John Williams
Special Effects: Industrial Light and Magic
Distributor: 20th Century Fox

George Lucas Interview
Wednesday, December 22,1999
In an interview by Entertainment Tonight, George Lucas said that "I'm still writing the script. I was supposed to be finished by Thanksgiving but I'm not, so I'm a little behind. As long as I get it finished by February or March, I'll be okay. We start shooting in June. It's always a struggle -- it's a lot of hard work. I'm not into doing hard work. Even if it's something I like and enjoy, I still put it off as long as I can. Mostly, I've been doing research -- which means reading books and watching movies."
Read the full interview.

Episode 2 Rescheduled for Portman?
Tuesday, December 21,1999
Aint it Cool News reports that Natalie Portman is all but signed to star as the lead girl in the film. However, they are going to need to wrap production before July 1st - when she is scheduled to start
shooting STAR WARS - Episode 2. Apparently, Natalie Portman is a huge fan of the original and might even ask Lucas to reschedule the beginning of her dates in Episode 2 to accommodate her appearance in DD2. Portman has repeatedly mentioned her utter disinterest in the STAR WARS movies growing up, but instead her LOVE of movies like DIRTY DANCING, etc. and she is psyched to take this role.

Soap Actor Jonathan Jackson as Anakin?
Wednesday, December 15,1999
Newsweek reports that:"Star Wars" shares a few things with "General Hospital": bad acting, family secrets—and maybe Jonathan Jackson, 17. Jackson's manager says the soap actor is a top bet to play Anakin Skywalker in "Episode II," claiming Jackson will meet with casting directors soon and that his calendar will be cleared to accommodate George Lucas's schedule. The Lucas camp is mum, but showbiz insiders say it's a done deal.

George Lucas talks about Episode 2
Thursday, December 2,1999

Speaking with Popcorn.co.uk, George Lucas said that he is halfway through the Episode 2 Script and that he knows little about the casting for Anakin Skywalker.

Ahmed Best, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman are officially confirmed to be in Episode 2.
Wednesday, November 10,1999

The official site writes: While George Lucas is still working on the script for the next film, and the start of general casting is still several months away, several actors are already clearing their schedules to be available for filming in Australia and on location next summer. Among them, we’re happy to confirm, is Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks, who will be rejoining Ewan McGregor (playing Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Natalie Portman (as Queen Amidala) for Star Wars: Episode II.

• Episode two will be written and directed by George Lucas
• The casting director, Robin Gurland, will start interviewing actors for Episode II at the end of September. George Lucas is not involved in the first stages of the casting process.
• Casting for the movie should start sometime January.
• Episode 2 will begin shoot in June 2000.
• John Williams will again conduct the music for Episode 2.

• The Episode Two script is expected to be ready by the end of the year.
• The script should be finished by September.

• McCallum reportedly revealed that Caserta, Mount Vesuvius, and the monastery at Assisi will be important locations in Episode 2.
• Possible filming locations for episode two include Portugal,Australia, Tunisia and Italy. 
• The Palace will be used again in Episode Two.

• Might have something to do with Qui-Gon Jinn. When Qui-Gon is killed by Darth Maul, Qui-Gon doesn't disappear like Obi-Wan Kenobi did in A New Hope. This will be cleared up in a episode two or three.
• Mount Vesuvius could be the background for the battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan. More likely in Episode 3.
• Rumor: Could end in a cliffhanger, like The Empire Strikes Back.

• Qui-Gon is correct: "Anakin is the chosen one, and he did bring peace at last with his own sacrfice. Luke couldn't kill the Emperor himself, but he could make Anakin reflect on his life and kill the Emperor."
• Will take place around 10 years after The Phantom Menace.

• George Lucas has said that Yoda will be seen fighting, proving why Yoda is a Jedi Master.
• "The reason why the stormtrooper army was created shall be told in Episode 2, but it becomes obvious to the Emperor that droids are of no use for fighting."
• The Balace of the Force will be an important theme.
• Will have much to do with the romance between Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker. Lucas has said that the next film will be a love story.
• With much of a darker tone than The Phantom Menace.
• Anakin Skywalker will definitely be a jedi in Episode Two.  Anakin is the "chosen one".
• Lucas said that "Darth Sidious takes over the Republic, turns it into an empire and controls everything. Ultimately, everybody in The Phantom Menace is a pawn. Nothing is real."
• Lucas has also commented about the whole issue of having apprentices, "Darth Sidious trying to replenish his apprentice supply, is one of the main plot points. "
• Boba Fett will be in Episode Two.
• In Episode Two, expect the character's of Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu) and Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan) to both have larger roles in Episode Two.  Samuel L Jackson was given a small role in Episode One primarily because he was cast after the script was completed.

• Regarding Darth Maul not coming back in Episode Two,McCallum said that fans shouldn't worry about that since they "...will not believe what is in store for them in the next movie ".
• George Lucas has said that Darth Maul won't be back. 

• For the rumors of Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) to write the screenplay for Episode 2, it will most likely not happen. Darabont has said that he will not be working on it.
• Episode 2 and 3 will not be filmed back to back. They were originally planned to film it back to back.