NEW UPDATES

Pablo update Febuary 25 2005

• Reconfirmed we'll see Anakin's dream of Padmé's death. Dream sequence will be shown in a way that we know its not real but Pabawan is not sure how.

• Darth Plagueis is not seen.

• Plagueis pronounced "Play-Gee-Us".

• Mustafar pronounced "Moo-stafar".

• Luminara Unduli is in the film for about one shot.

• Drew Struzan's final one-sheet poster is almost finished.

• The Art of ROTS book will not contain the screenplay.

• Sith having yellow eyes not explained.

• We will not see the name "Ben" used in ROTS.

• Six still-playing members of the London Symphony Orchestra recorded all six "Star Wars" films.

• The crystal worms on Mygeeto from a recent "Art of Revenge" were just a concept.

• Iinteresting moment that stays with Pablo is a bunch of clone troopers running on Mygeeto then suddenly stopping.

• There may be some digital tweak to bring the prequel trilogy all together sometime in the future, but no additional photography for Episodes I & II was shot during Episode III.

• Regarding a possible, PG-13 rating, Pablo says don't expect brutal graphic violence (but) there are major onscreen deaths and injury, including ones where body parts are separated from the whole... Jango's decapitation, almost nudged Episode II into PG-13 territory. (Plan on PG-13.

• Grievous' grotesque form is advanced enough to use lightsabers, albeit in a blunt, inelegant way.

• Grievous' face will not be revealed except what you see through mask.

• On set, John Knoll and Pablo tried to persuade George to shoot a scene of Bail getting his morning paper, looking into the sky and spitting out his coffee for insertion into Episode IV. He didn't go for it.

• Mace Windu's battle vs. Darth Sidious is somewhat longer thanks to pickups.

• Palpatine's lightsaber WAS broken during animatics phase, but not sure if it made final cut Maybe Palpatine's arm comes off instead. Palpatine does have TWO sabers. In the orginal cut it one WAS blue... After reshoots blue is no longer one of the saber colors.

• Regarding the blue lightsaber an Episode III Palpatine action figure has: Palpatine does have two sabers in the movie, but the blue one isn't one of them. It was when Hasbro started creating that figure, but the reshoots changed some of the circumstances of that scene.

• Palpatine/Sidious' age is not that far off of Ian McDiarmid's age, whatever that is, though it's not been fully established. His withered)appearance has to do with something that happens to him in Episode III.


Pablo update February 4 2005

• Quite a bit (of the story line) has changed (from how it was laid out in the script) -- (mostly) sequencing. Whole scenes (in the script get) moved around and paired with other scenes (in editing, which adds to) the surrounding drama. (Much) of the opening antics aboard the Federation cruiser (were) trimmed.

• Sifo-Dyas and (the mystery of who ordered the clones and erased Kamino) isn't addressed in Episode III. Clues from Episode II point to Tyranus and Sidious. (Read) "Labyrinth of Evil".

• Sifo-Dyas and who ordered the clones isn't addressed in Episode III. This leaves us with the clues from Episode II that point to Tyranus and Sidious being behind the story. Because of this fact, Labyrinth of Evil was able to run with this particular information, and tell the story that it did.

• Matt Stover's upcoming novelization is the best of the movie adaptations, and one of the best "Star Wars" novels (Pablo has) read.

• The March trailer isn't 100 percent done. The sound mix isn't final (among other things).

• The sound mix for the final trailer in March is not complete.

• The Trade Federation Cruiser = The Invisible Hand.

• We will see Anakin's nightmare.

• We will see Anakin's nightmare, refering to the picture of him where he wakes up in cold sweat.

• Palpatine (steals the film).

• We will see Grievous spinning the sabers like buzzsaws (like in the Clone Wars cartoon).

• The emblem on Grievous' cloak comes from Grievous' native history as a warrior. The Visual Dictionary may have more information.

• The Visual Dictionary may shed more light on Grievous's logo on his cloak.

• We won't see Grievous' face in the film.

• Grievous' face was never meant to be seen in Episode III. Regardless, it's a new, never before seen species under the mask.


Pablo update February 02 2005

• The last ten minutes or more of Episode III will be emotional and powerful. Pablo agrees with Rick McCallum's quote that it will be a dream come true. If you think the end is happy, you are probably pretty twisted.

• Clearance issues will prevent Pablo from posting any recorded material from the scoring session.

• The most significant thing that has changed about Episode III is the sequencing of events. Whole scenes have been broken down and paired with other scenes to increase the amount of drama. There were alot more antics on the Trade Federation cruiser that had serialesque cliffhanger aspects that haven't made the final cut.

• We will see Grievous doing a very similiar (to that of the Clone Wars episode) buzzsaw lightsaber action in Episode III,

• Chewbacca and Tarfful share all their scenes together, with Chewie possibily having a few more closeups than Tarrful.

• Hayden wasn't given advance warning about shooting his insert for ROTJ.

• More Post Notes from recording at Abbey Road over the next few days.

• No clips from the soundtrack, sorry.


Pablo update February 1 2005

Episode III databank entries to be updated in either April or May.

The OS is trying to get the principal actors of EIII to do some webchats, but no luck and nothing scheduled thus far.

Aurra Sing in Episode I was just there for filler. She has no connection to Zam or Episode III. Consult the EU for more on Aurra.

The webcam archives are safe for now despite any changes. If the OS plans on taking away this feature, they will let us know.

The costume test where Hayden was filmed for ROTJ, was just a costume test for Ewan and a C3P0 torso. That's all

[hr]

PAST UPDATES

• JEDI's diminishing power was mentioned in the script.

• ANAKIN is a member of the Jedi Council.

• BERU AND OWEN scenes shot different from Shepparton shoot.

• SITH HISTORY will be mentioned.

• OBI-WAN uses Jedi Mind Trick.

• QUI-GON is mentioned.


[hr]

• YODA does not learn anything about the Force or the Sith on Kashyyyk

• UTAPAU is the scene of some major fighting.

• Lots of ASSAULT GUNSHIPS in EpIII

• There is a variety of REPUBLIC CRUISERS.

• A picture from UTAPAU accidentally made it onto the OS!!!

• Total planet count sits at 12.

• Both YODA and ANAKIN will appear in holograms.

• COMMANDER BLY is with AAYLA. COMMANDER THIRE is on CORUSCANT.

• CHI EEKWAY and TERR TANEEL's lines cut.

• NUTE GUNRAY gets angry with someone.

• ARTOO saves someone's life.

• MACE WINDU's posse is explained in DH Comics.

• The CORUSCANT THEATRE has a ballet on.

• SY MYRTH likely to be in.

• No lines for AGEN KOLAR.

• SHAAK TI is not on the FEDERATION CRUISER.

• Problems between the JEDI and the CHANCELLOR have arisen about the way the war is run.

• Bana Breemu, Giddean Danu, Male-Dee, Nee Alavar, and Fang Zar are all IDEALISTIC senators.

• A personal scene exists between YODA and ANAKIN.

• NABOO SKIFF - AMIDALA's new vehicle.


• Some characters have been cut out of sequences and are slated for re-shoots.

• BERU doesn't have many lines.

• VENATOR CLASS: As you would expect, it's more of a bridge of both, with the aft section more closely resembling a Republic craft, and its mid section and front resembling more the ISDs.

• ANAKIN DIDN'T ERASE KAMINO FROM THE JEDI LIBRARY.

• ARTOO gets action hero role early in the film.

• ANAKIN and PADME are in the bedroom BEFORE and AFTER the Sleepless knight scene.

• DOOKU knows PALPATINE=SIDIOUS.

• MAS AMEDDA survives EPIII.

• 12 PLANETS currently in EpIII.

• CHI EEKWAY, played by Katie, is a blue-skinned yellow-eyed alien. TERR, played by Amanda, seems pretty human. She has red hair, and wears a black and silver headpiece.

• COMMANDER BLY and COMMANDER THIRE - new characters.

• PALPATINE will be named EMPEROR at the end of EIII.

• We see the entrance to the JEDI TEMPLE.

• KI-ADI-MUNDI is a Knight. OBI-WAN is a MASTER.

[hr]

• DIGNITARIES for Crowd on CORUSCANT shot. (possible theatre scene).

• ANAKIN and OBI-WAN are in holograms.

• FEDERATION battleships are larger than the VENATOR CLASS STAR DESTROYERS

• Several UNDERGROUND locations.

• OBI-WAN is on the Jedi Council.

• ANAKIN tries to kill a Senator...

• STASS ALLIE wears a funky hat.

• MACE comments on ANAKIN's rock star-like persona.

• MAS AMEDDA is involved in an action sequence. SLY maybe... DAR WAC is involved too.

• VADER appears on CORUSCANT.

• ANAKIN spends time in PALPATINE's ANTE CHAMBER.

• MACE doesn't fight in battle scenes.

• ORGANIC armies working with the Republic.

[hr]

• JETT LUCAS plays a Padawan.

• There are twists.

• GREVIOUS has a specific story arc

• THREEPIO starts out gold.

• More GEONOSIANS in EIII than just POGGLE THE LESSOR

• "It's in there, as is their difficulty to perceive the future through the unifying Force. At least one of the them is smartening up as to the nature of the prophecy."

• Creatures in EpIII are helpful - not harmful

• No assassination attempt during the THEATRE scene.

• BAIL ORGANA's OFFICE was a real set.

• JAR JAR is still a lead member of the Naboo delegation under the mentorship of SENATOR AMIDALA.

• Possibly, no LOYALIST COMMITTEE.

• SENATOR FANG ZAR not happy with the Senate.

• No ITHORIANS.

• Other names for "Commander Cody" are in the holonet news.

• No double bladed light sabers.

• No new planets are from the Clone Wars series

• ROYAL GUARDS have a more active role - but not fighting.

• One NEW planet mentioned in SW Insider Holonet. Some planets have changed description.

• Lines and action for KI-ADI-MUNDI

• No MADAME JOCASTA NU

• New SMALL ALIENS will have a brief but important role.

• Duncan Young or Kyle Rowling both stood in for the General.

• A VURK is with Palpatine in theatre.

• PADME and OBI-WAN are close friends.

• Spoken reference to 1138

• "Yes, but I think it's only fans who stop and think about it who will really appreciate it. Qui-Gon's unorthodox methodology has long lasting ramifications on the entire saga, and I think, really shapes who Obi-Wan is to become in the classic trilogy. There are many shades of gray between a by-the-books Padawan and a desert hermit who tells things from a certain point of view to meet his ends. As it stands right now, I have a better understanding of how that came to be. Hopefully you will too come 2005."

• GRIEVOUS adds to the original OT-style dialogue.

• No Grievous vs YODA fight

• 2 OT sets used in Sydney

• The JEDI appear mid-way through the opening space battle. (2,5mins).

• New "Coleman Trebor" character.

• COPORATE ALLIANCE TANK DROID is in.

• No REIKAN, DODONNA or MADINE.

• At least ELEVEN new planets.

• SIDIOUS is human.

• No HAN SOLO or DEX.

• "By the end of Episode III, you should know why some JEDI disappear and why others don't."

• EIII speeder chase not as big as AOTC chase.

• "After seeing Episode 3, will there be anything or anyone from The Phantom Menace that will be viewed in a different light?
Yes."

• Nothing mentioned in EpIII about Anti-Alien policies.

• AOTC will hold the best record for most JEDI fighting in one place. Most JEDI in EIII will be leading clones.

• New CLONE PILOT outfits.

• "Will it be explained in Episode III why we don't see the Trade Federation or any of its members in the OT?

As far as organizations like the Trade Federation, Commerce Guild, Techno Union etc. it's actually already explained in A New Hope -- or rather, in a cut scene of A New Hope. As Biggs and Luke talk, they discuss that commerce has already been nationalized in some systems. That's what happens to the mega-corporations -- they are absorbed by the Empire. That's a major reason as to how the Empire gets its vast war machine. Episode III will start that ball rolling, but it's not something that happens onscreen. "

• Grievous' ship will have quite a few tricks in it.

• Control of the war has fallen into the hands of the Senate.

• Later war scenes are all planet based.

• JEDI STARFIGHTER's have a grey underbody and the colour reflects the pilot. ANAKIN is red, OBI-WAN is blue.

• No female villians.

• No underwater lightsabers.

• No full on mountain planet.

• There is a MONTAGE shot between many planets.

• No JEDI SPIRITS in EPIII, but explanation of why some JEDI can be spirits.

• No Sith HOLOCRONS

• No major WOOKIE characters other than CHEWBACCA

• New spacecraft for the villian plus many other modes of transportation.

• No SULLUSTANS.

• Peter Mayhew, Mary Oyaya, Mimi Daraphet, Nalini Krishan, and Joel Edgerton have yet to shoot their parts

• Chioncio, Koffi, Williams and Canning passed as JEDI. Some wore masks.

• No IMPERIAL DIGNITARIES specified.

• Masa Yamaguchi was the cut STAR CAPTAIN. He will return as a SENATOR.

• CLONE TROOPERS may be from several sources.

• Four finalised CLONETROOPER designs from the Insider pic.

• We will see may locations during the CLONE WARS.

• "If the Raider slaughter bothered you, then prepare for worse."

• We will see epic ground battles between DROIDS, CLONE TROOPERS and JEDI.

• Variation in CLONETROOPER ranks through costumes.

• No more gungans.

• TUNDRA DOWMEIA is played by Jeremey Prestoe, his AIDE is played by TV Moore, and another QUARREN official is played is LUKE HINKSMAN.

• No new Force powers.

• Petty arguments between ANAKIN and OBI-WAN have become quite vocal.

• No multiple endings shot.

• Several new creatures in EPIII. Most of them helpful, some dangerous.

• NUTE GUNRAY's role is bigger than EII, smaller than EI.

• POGGLE THE LESSOR is back.

• Tusken Slaughter referenced in EIII.

• "The first 20 minutes is not all space battle. But the battle does kick off the first 20 minutes before moving into further action-packed territory."

• SLY MOORE has no lines

• Warehouse district does not return.

• Discarded DROID design to reappear.

• ANAKIN's starfighter will be cosmetically different to the other Jedi.

• No lines for ORN FREE TAA.

• PAMPY and SUPI not present during filming.

• There is no LOYALIST COMMITTEE identified in the EpIII script. "or as yet in any spin-off material." (Tern = hmm? Spin off?) There are distinct groups of Senators pursuing various agendas in Episode III.

• Two remaining cast members to be announced. One is hinted as SIO BIBBLE (Oliver Ford Davies).

• No Ice planet.

• As scripted, the DUEL "exhausts almost the entirety of the Jedi bag of tricks."

• EU character may not appear now.

• PH describes new villian as "bad mother"

• Senator ZO HOWLER not slated to appear.

• New character with 'Bowler Hat' style name.

• Palpatine's look will be explained in EpIII.

• A saber we have seen before appeared in the Web Doc #3.

• No yellow sabers.

• Jar Jar's main contribution to the story was made in AotC.

• EpIII will bring out new plot points in TPM and AotC.

• Lines for COMMANDER CODY and other clones.

• There is no teasing of the name BEN in the script...

• No DAGOBAH explination.

• ARTOO's role bigger than THREEPIO's.

• We will see distinct Capital ships; some still in their evolutionary process, others in their final form.

• PLO KOON has one line.

• "It's pretty much Republic vs. Separatists, Jedi vs. Sith, with some cultural ambiguities.."

• Wat Tambor's role the same size as in AOTC

• No Kaminoans

• We will see COMMANDER CODY's face

• One HERO is disquised.

• QUI GON not forgotten by those closest to him.

• Senator GARM BEL IBLIS not in EIII.

• LEIA's memories may be contradicted.

• Some of the TIE entries in the databank hint at EIII material.

• SHMI is mentioned in EIII.

• There are new droids.

• The CLONE FIGTHERS have something "comforting" about them.

• NEIMOIDIAN GUNNER's outfit was originally intended to be six and was cut down to one.

• The blade colours used during production are chosen based on the colour of the blue/green screen. The red sabers are really more orange than red.

• The MON CALAMARI have no lines. Animatronics were used on the MON CAL as a test bed for the Neimoidians.

• EIII may not stand alone as the film opens.

There was some sort of report sent in by some quasi-insider who described a scene depicting Anakin hanging shit on Obi-Wan's real name of "Ben".

oh

Pablo confirms a Pudu spoiler.

I knew it!

According to PH he was playing with the wet dreams of fan boys.

Now they're gonna be pissed that they didn't get their pwecious yellow saber.

Expect petitions at the JC.

In his cahat, Nick Gillard mentioned his sabre was yellow (he has a cameo as a Jedi). sheep, naturally, went wild. Now it seems it was taking the piss all along.

I never understood the hardon some "fans" have over multicolored sabers. :jeddite:



Just load up any of the SW games if you need to see a skittles variety.





Nice little tdbits. Thanks for compiling them Ternian.

Oh man, I was really looking forward to that yellow saber too... damn you Nick!

//sarcasm

Pabs now mentions Qui-Gon will have an effect on those close to him in EPIII.

I really don't care much for the multi coloured sabres, but the red saber makes me swoon every time.

Nice screenname, btw.

so true bitch you rock!

No. Look at the table above it

I II III IV V VI and EU

EU is the colored one.

And I'm betting Palpatine is the one that mentions her to Anakin while trying to turn him against the Jedi.

What is this not standalone as a film? WTF?

does someone want to update this thread with new Pabs content?

I would if I was a hyperspace sucker. I mean member. :wink:

There are definitely scenes of large, elaborate scale in this movie, but the intriguing curveball of Episode III in this era of epic battle scenes is that the most impactful fight scene (to me anyway) involves just two combatants.

Is it possible that we may have seen some "Episode 3 elements" in the EU and for it to have gone by unnoticed?

Yes, most definitely.

Are there Cantina(s) in Episode 3?

No. Episode II is really the most "social" of the saga, what with a nightclub and a diner. Episode III does have a bit of that, but it's not what I'd call a cantina.

Pabs on violence in the SW Universe:
Some you'll see. Some you won't. Remember that the tastes and sensibilities of Star Wars are rooted in the 30s, and that might not satisfy the more graphic wants of modern audiences. That said, I was surprised by some of the things that are planned for in this movie.

There is a fair amount of variation among the clone trooper ranks.

That starfighter was developed exclusively for Clone Wars multimedia. Anakin flies one of the newer models.

Will we see any other Gungans (besides Jar Jar) in Episode III?

I don't believe so.

Will the Before the Helmet photo series continue after the George Lucas Selects return?

Yes. Both are intended to run silmultaneously.

Hey, I would like to know if we are going to see any previously unseen Force powers portrayed in Ep III.

I can't think of any.

In your opinion, do you think Anakin will have "grown up" in Episode III? Or will he still be having "petty" arguements with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi?

Those petty arguments have mostly evolved into more jocular banter. Anakin is pretty self-sure.

Will we see a naval battle in Episode III?

If by naval, you mean fleets of battleships, yes. If by naval, you mean pertaining to water... I'll skip that for now.

Some rumors have suggested that GL has shot multiple endings of certain events at the end of EIII. Is this true, and if so, how is he going to choose the final one? Will he take a poll in a private viewing? Is he looking for public reaction to rumors? Will he simply decide on the one he likes best, finally? Also, doesn't "multiple endings" make for a very complicated script for scenes after these events?

There were no multiple endings shot during principal photography. Everything pretty much went as to script, with variations in timing and performance, of course. George's approach doesn't need multiple endings. He shoots what he gets, takes it into editorial, manipulates it, and if he decides he needs to change something, he'll do it during the reshoots.

Pabs on creatures in EPIII:
There are several new creatures in Episode III, some helpful, some dangerous. Though I will say, the helpful ones outnumber the dangerous ones.

More Pabs:

Secondly, Nute Gunray is one of my favorite prequel characters. Will he have a greater role than in Ep's I and II?[/b]

I'm just eyeballing it here, but it's bigger than II, smaller than I.

[i]Is the lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin a combination of the EP1 and EP5 lightsaber duels? I mean, has the EP3 duel the acrobatic style of Meance and the dialog quality during the duel of Empire?

That's a good comparison. You'll note that the Vader / Luke one though has less dialogue than people remember. Vader says one thing at the start, goads Luke briefly in the middle, and than picks up the discussion after the duel has ended. The Ep II duel is far more chattier.

Will Poggle the Lesser have a role in the next movie, as one of the Separatists or otherwise?

Yep, Mr. Buzzylips returns.

You said in an earlier chat that there would be sort of performance art witnessed by Palpatine and his entourage. Is this musical, theatrical, or can you not say? And does it have anything to do with the Empire's rise to power?

I'll save this answer for now, since it may be the basis of the next Post Notes article.

I'm sure he's one of the busiest people working on Episode III, but if at all possible could we have a webchat with Editor Roger Barton?

That's a possibility, though I have a hard time imagining how he could answer a lot of your questions without giving a lot a way ("But that's the whole point,!" scream the spoiler-addicted fans)

Also, it would be cool to talk to Mr.Knoll and Mr.Coleman again now that the visucal effects department is well into the process of creating those mindblowing visuals.

Both have expressed interest in doing another chat, but both are also starting to get a lot more busy.

We know the new bad guy has a lot of screen time, a memorable role, and he is central to the plot. Do we find out anything important about his past in the film, or is it left to the EU?

You get just enough from the movies to establish his role and importance. The EU, of course, will flesh things out with George's blessing.

Hey Pabs. I'm wondering, the Darth Sidious lightsaber hilt featured in a previous BTH pic was pretty small. Was that the finalized version, or was it at a stage where more parts were still going to be added?

That was pretty much final, except for whatever that technician is doing to it.

Any chance of us Hyperspace Members getting any new "Exclusive Video" anytime soon? There are only so many times you can watch the jedi assault on the droid control ship. How about hosting the scene in the Episode III OMIT pile?

There will be some new video soon, though it may not be what you're expecting. The "scene" in the omit pile is just one shot, only 72 frames long (3 seconds!).

The reason everyone keeps asking about the Dagobah Cave in Ep III is because they don't understand it in Ep V.
I think we see Vader on Dagobah because Luke manifests him in his mind because of his fear and being in a place SO strong in the dark side of the force. Also, I believe that we see Luke's face in Vader's mask for two reason: 1) Forshadowing the climatic event of Vader telling Luke about being his father and 2) Because if Luke continues down the dark path, he will become just like Vader.
Am I correct? Am I thinking too much into it or am I missing something like so many others? Your thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated!

There is no right or wrong; or rather, that has been George Lucas' attitude about such things. He likes some things to be left open to interpretation, or mystery -- don't ever expect to find out Yoda's species or homeworld.

Is the Tusken Slaughter referenced at all in this film?

Yes.

Are there any Albino Jedi in EP3?

No.

In the set diary "King of Casting" it was said that Rohan Nichol was hired because of his resemblence to an OT character. Can we assume Rohan is playing a younger version of an OT Starship Captain?

That's a fair assumption, but there's more to this story that may prohibit looking for obvious clues.

ph

Thanks for putting that together, SI.

Something about this supposed 'albino Jedi'. I think someone probably saw Palpatine or rather Palpatine's stunt double from a distance on set with Anakin and Obi-Wan and assumed he was a new Jedi character. During their rescue mission aboard the TF capital ship I can easily see how someone could mistake Palpatine with his white hair, face and dark robes as being an 'albino' Jedi. Especially if he's hanging around with Obi-Wan and Anakin.

great stuff guys. but what the hell does this mean:

It simply means that you need to know the backstory of SW to understand EpIII. AotC, ANH etc you could watch and not need to know any of the rest of the story to get it.

That might be the best news I've heard yet.

Poor Pabs will be droppin' the kids off at the pool all day after this "Grievous" incident.

that's precisely what I'm talkin' about!

Pabs: :x

SW Fans:

I'd say it's looking like voice only for Qui-Gon Jinn.

"If the Raider slaughter bothered you, then prepare for worse.""If the Raider slaughter bothered you, then prepare for worse."

Sounds promising.
If anything I suspect this might be Anakin and Clones rampaging through Jedi Temple or Clonetroopers turning on Jedi. Either way, I'm enjoying it.

Rohan Nichol isn't Tarkin.
I'd say we can all but conclude that he's Captain Antilles of the the Tantive IV.

And all the Tarkin rumours that were flying around the place have really quietened down, none of this stuff can even be vaguely related to him. Do we think he's still in? Is there enough time to make a solid enough character out of him if they're shooting all his scenes during the next round of pick-ups (cause nobody was mentioned as playing him during principle photography right?)

It's all about Action Figures.

Of all the characters introduced in EPIII that are in the OT, Tarkin was by far the most anticipated.

he'll be there...somewhere...a small role.

damn. I was hoping for a qui-gon spirit cameo. will he be in the film at all? (a la voice like AOTC)

http://www.episode-x.com/episode3/lucas ... jedi.shtml

Qui-Gon will be there, and it will be more complicated than the "Anakin, Anakin, no!" dialogue that was just borrowed from TPM. He just won't be a ghost. He'll probably talk to either Yoda or Obi-Wan, kind of like Obi-Wan talked to Luke in ANH "Run, Luke, Run!' and of course "Use the Force, Luke."

I just wanna know who's cast to play him.

Some really interesting stuff in this lot about the Senate and the future of the commerce guilds.

More Pabs 18th Feb:

Will Red Leader from ANH, or any of the Veterans in the battle of Yavin be making an appearance in Episode III? I know it was just the novelization, but I remember Red Leader telling Luke he flew with his father during the Clone Wars.

No. That line was very consciously deleted when that scene was put back into A New Hope. A hose-toting Rebel extra was pasted on top of the scene to cover the jumpcut created by cutting out Red Leader's lines.

Pablo, will we find out what Darth Sidious' species is?

He's human.


Is Dexter Jettster in EP III?

No.


Will a young Han Solo cameo in Episode 3?

No.

Will the Jedi-disappearing technique be explained explicitly in Episode 3, or will it be up to the audience to infer their own meaning (akin to the Dagobah cave in TESB)?

By the end of Episode III, you should know why some Jedi disappear and why others don't.

Why was the decision made to move the pick-up shooting back to April? Will this effect the pick-ups scheduled for November?

It's just a matter of organizing everyone's schedule. April made the most sense.

Is the chase sequence with Bail Organa as big as the Speeder chase in AOTC?

No. The Ep II chase is much bigger.

After seeing Episode 3, will there be anything or anyone from The Phantom Mencase that will be viewed in a different light?

Yes.

Having seen the Jedi Temple in Episodes I and II, will we be seeing a "Sith Temple" in Episode III?

Nope.

About the new jedi starfighters, will they be shiny like the N-1 or will they be dulled like X-wings?

Dulled. A few scuff marks duller than the Ep II fighters.

The anti-alien politics of Palpatine has been a well covered topic in the EU, but it has never been explicitly addressed in the films. The Empire was obviously run, both in the government and the millitary, by humans in the original trilogy. Will Episode III address this topic of racism? I can imagine Palpatine using the Neimoidians, Geonosians, etc. of the CIS as scapegoats for his ascendancy. Or will this topic be left for future novels and comics?

No. Nothing in this movie will specifically address this. I can imagine the EU finding areas to explore this, just as it did in the original trilogy.

Since there were 1.2 million Clonetroopers basically ready for fighting as of AOTC (judging by Lama Su's comments anyway), has that number increased at all by Episode 3? Is there any mention of Clonetrooper/Stormtrooper numbers in the script or by Lucas himself?

Thankfully, no. The military math in these movies tends to be as plausable as the physics.


Will the "evolution" of the clone/storm trooper uniform be explained in Episode III?

No. No one with a pointer comes out and says, "Hey, what's with that fin on the head? I'm giving you 20 years, tops, to get rid of that."

What is your favorite thing about the whole "I get to imerse myself and be around the whole making of Star Wars" issue? I.E. Watchng a pivitol scene being filmed, or setting up the webcam locations, or interacting with the actors? Or something not mentioned here.

None of the above, actually. It was working alongside the crew. The webcam probably ended up being the biggest pain of last summer! But hey, the show must go on.

Is Palpatine human?

He's human.

Approximatly, what is the largest number of jedi seen in one single shot with their lightsabers ignited in Episode III? At least according to what the script requires since much is CGed afterwards.

Not that many. They've got their clones now, so they don't need their numbers to fight en masse. Episode II will keep the distinction of having the most Jedi fighting in one place.

Hey Pabs, we've seen the new clone trooper outfit in the Insider wich look great! My question to you: "Are we soon going to see new clone pilot outfits and are there pilots in EP III who are going to be in a black uniform?"

There are new Clone Pilot uniforms as well. I've only seen the unpainted gray CG models, so I don't know what their final hue is, but I think it's more in line to the Clone Pilots of Episode II than the pilots of IV.

Will it be explained in Epi III why we dont see the Trade Federation or any of its members in the OT?

As far as organizations like the Trade Federation, Commerce Guild, Techno Union etc. it's actually already explained in A New Hope -- or rather, in a cut scene of A New Hope. As Biggs and Luke talk, they discuss that commerce has already been nationalized in some systems. That's what happens to the mega-corporations -- they are absorbed by the Empire. That's a major reason as to how the Empire gets its vast war machine. Episode III will start that ball rolling, but it's not something that happens onscreen.

How long was George's rough cut of the movie? Also, how many more rounds of filming have been scheduled at this point?

I don't know the count, but he's aggresively aiming for the two-hour mark.

Will the firepower of the new bad guy's spaceship outshine Slave 1? (Besides seismic charges, nothing beats those!)

I would say no -- but we really don't see it in the same kind of action. It may have some hidden surprises up its sleeves, but the EU will have to paint that in.


Oh, and is there any chance we'll see Kit Fisto showing off those pearly whites again in Episode III?

Slim chance, and his teeth have gone to hell. Seriously, he's got some pretty rotted chompers this time around. War is heck on dental care, apparently.

Christopher Lee mentioned in his book that he had a role in Darth Maul's murder. Will this be explained in Episode III?

I'd be curious to see a direct quote, since that doesn't make much sense at all. Dooku had no direct role in the death of Maul.

Just tell us the title to Episode 3! Start the hype machine now!!!! You guys always wait too long! Thanks.

What can I say? 2004 is going to be an annoyingly long year for the impatient, just as 2001 was for Episode II, complete with online bickering, inter-fansite-drama, and surprising twists and turns. In other words, great online entertainment.

It really isn't until the time the trailer comes out in the fall that Episode III begins to enter the larger world. Remember, the title for Ep 2 didn't come out until August 6 of 2001.

Hey pablo, do we get to see that beloved 3po clumsiness in eppy 3?? Thanks!!

No. The best spills happened between takes.

Princess Leia's message to General Kenobi in ANH says: "Years ago, you served my father in the Clone Wars." Do we see any specific way in which Obi-Wan serves Organa or is it just that Bail is a Senator and the Jedi served the Senate (kind of a Leia POV)? Is Bail directly involved in any Clone War skirmish?

Nothing specific, though it is understood that the handling of the war, such as it is, has fallen to the Senate. For a while, anyway.

Will the webcam move when the pick ups begin?

That's the plan. This week involves investigating what it will take to get the camera there and running.

Love the idea for this thread. How much red tape do you have to go through to answer these questions with out revealing too much?

None whatsoever.

There was a scene in the third "making of" doc where we saw Obi wan on a creature mount talking to (i assume) Commander Cody or some other Clone Trooper , and then say something like "lets get going we still have a battle to win.." does this take place on the same planet "mountainous" I'm trying to describe?

No. I wouldn't categorize that setting as mountainous. Quite the opposite, actually.

Will the Duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan happens on a new planet, never seen before?

Yes, but it's long been the stuff of legend, so obviously those who have been following the saga from its earliest days have some idea of what it will be like.

ph

Who is that/are these tool(s) and where can I kick his/their ass(es)?

What is your complaint, exactly?

Thats one way of confirming that its a "sinkhole" planet.



Love it.

It's also one way of confirming that it's a water planet but.....

I dare say it's something like this though:

http://www.ralphmcquarrie.com/ralph/boo ... nt/53.html
http://www.ralphmcquarrie.com/ralph/boo ... aw/31.html
http://www.ralphmcquarrie.com/ralph/boo ... aw/32.html
http://www.thehollywoodstore.com/ralph/ ... aw/33.html
http://www.thehollywoodstore.com/ralph/ ... aw/34.html

I can't believe no one asked if Obi-Wan Kenobi was going to make an appearance in the film.

Actually, it really is a sinkhole planet. The inhabitants built their cities into the sides of the walls.

Only water in the movie is on Kashyyyk.

Updated. Nothing really new...

Anyway, it's meant to set the stage so you understand which ships are fighting which, where they're fighting, and the scope of the battle. As for establishing who-is-who, that doesn't really happen in the first shot. The hero starfighters come in near the middle of it, we follow them through some action, but we don't get really close to them until the end.

If they do this shot the same way its in my brain....wow, its gonna be epic.

I don't remember every saying that. Just like I don't remember writing that Kit Fisto falls through a trap door or that Amy Allen plays a blue-faced Senator, but the internet is often one big game of telephone.

Heh, so much for trap door death. :P

Will the Corporate Alliance Tank Droid be making its debut in this Episode?

Unless it gets cut again, yes.

Easily some of the coolest stuff cut from Ep 2.

Each episode in OT had some prominent small aliens (4-Jawa, 5-Ugnaughts, 6-Ewoks). The PT so far seems to be dominated by the tall ones (like Neimoidians or Kaminoans). Will Ep3 introduce any new shorties?

Yes. They have brief but important roles.

He is referring to the short looking "grey" types that are on the planet the twins are delivered on.

...and that would be NOT Mustafar or Alderaan?

More Pabs:

What is the timeframe of the 'Creating General Grievous' webdoc? The events in the film occurred how many months before shooting?

I'll have to check with Ghent (he goes to these meetings, not I), but January and February of 03 seems right.

Did the 'evil child' Grievous concept art make it's way into Episode 3 in some manner?

No.

Will we see another jedi of Coleman Trebor's species?

No plans for a Jedi, but a Vurk is seen keeping company with Palpatine at one point, during the theater scene.

And will the voice of Grievous in the Clone Wars cartoons be the same as in the movie? or is still a work in progress?

No, but I'm a fan of the actor who's voicing him in the cartoon. You'll find out more this week.

Pablo, very little is hinted about the relationship between Obi-Wan and Padme: Are they friends in Episode III or is their relationship one of animosity?

They are close friends.

It was mentioned by Steve Sansweet that there will be numerous old ideas resurrected for Episode 3 such as legendary planets. The reason I say this is because you mentioned that you recently spoke of one of the new planets in the Holonet news and the only one that stood out to me was Corellia. Is it one of the new ones in episode 3?

Corellia isn't in Episode III.

Will there be any new types of Republic capital ship in EP III?

Yes. Several.

Is there going to be an 1138 reference in episode III from what you've read and seen?

There's a spoken one in the script.

Are voice actors included in casting announcements?

No.

Where else will we see General Grievous in action before Episode 3, besides episode 20 of the Clone Wars.

He'll make his way to all forms of publishing before Episode III.

OK, I'll try cracking this "Jedi spirits" nut in a different way.

In the "Star Wars Annotated Screenplays," George Lucas said, "One of the things that will never get explained in the films is how Ben was able to retain his identity, because it happened somewhere in between the third and fourth movies. I set up that this is a discipline that he learned from Yoda...(snip)...We don't ever get to see how he does it, but the idea of retaining your identity after you've passed on is something that Ben learned as a Jedi."

Alrighty...the "Scripts" book was released in '97. How much of that quote remains true in Episode III?

Everything except the word "never."

How many Behind the Helmet photos can we expect? How many Select photos will be? Any new HS features we can look forward to?

Probably around 70 BTH pics. Hopefully as many Selects as you got before -- it's just starting later. And there's a new image series in the wings that's unlike anything else out there. But that's all I can say right now.

Since General Grievous has been revealed, can we expect to have his databank entry in the next couple of weeks (or months)?

You should get it before April 8.

Pablo, what do you like most about General Grievous?

His dialogue. Or at least the way Duncan Young read it on stage. I don't know who'll do the voice in the final.

Will the new Star Wars Shop ship outside the USA ?

Yes. And, let me point the curious as well as Hyperspace users to a rather informative interview that Ghent did:

http://www.galactichunter.com/special_r ... ensint.asp

Some great questions from the folks over at Galactic Hunter. It goes a long way to dispel some myths about Hyperspace too.

Since this is the last movie a lot of us were expecting "STAR WARS"not "star wars." This is George's movie, and he can make the film he wants but, with all these reported cuts, it seems like there might be a lot of disappointed fans come May 2005.

Disappointing? Only to those few who know and have aggrandized what may have been there to begin with. I doubt there were "a lot" of disappointed fans in 77 when they realized a trench run, a meeting with Jabba and a reunion with Biggs was cut. People instead took the theatrical film for what it was, not for what it wasn't. This is the double-edged sword we risk whenever we report on process, and part of the reason we need to be cagey about some things when reporting it.
It's a process of editing. An iterative process of whittling away what doesn't work or what can't work in time. Every movie undergoes it. There's no need to panic. It'll still be big.

Was that first webcam shot of Anakin an actual production picture or was it some sort of screen/make up test?

It was what the actual HD cameras captured when shooting a take. The webcam was pointed at one of the plasma screens on set.

In the BTH pic, ?Seasoned By Combat?, Anakin is holding what looks like a version of his lightsaber that is more slender and compact than the one seen in ANH-TESB. Is this how it?s going to look all through Episode 3, or was that just a special prop being used for that shot?

No, that's the stunt version of the saber. The hero prop looks different.

Qui-Gon's character had the largest screentime in EpI, unlike the other 5 episodes, which have about three equally important characters. Apart from "discovering" Anakin, do Qui-Gon's actions and choices in TPM shape the events of the saga in such important ways that he needed to be the central character in TPM? At the expense, say, of developing the Anakin/Obi-Wan dynamics?

Yes, but I think it's only fans who stop and think about it who will really appreciate it. Qui-Gon's unorthodox methodology has long lasting ramifications on the entire saga, and I think, really shapes who Obi-Wan is to become in the classic trilogy. There are many shades of gray between a by-the-books Padawan and a desert hermit who tells things from a certain point of view to meet his ends. As it stands right now, I have a better understanding of how that came to be. Hopefully you will too come 2005.

Pabs, Is this picture here: http://www.starwars.com/community/askjc ... 10219.html
original concept art or unused EP2 concept art, and will we be seeing anything similar to this in EP3?

That was an early sketch of Episode I's Sith Infiltrator. I suppose if you take off your glasses and squint, you'll see something similar to that in Ep III, but it was not the source of any new designs.

Episode III will be dark, but does this affect the humour or Fun typically associated with Star Wars?

I wrote in one of the Set Diaries how one particular story thread stays very true to the fun serial inspirations of Star Wars (and, of course, Indiana Jones). Grievous contributes to that, actually, as well as part of the darker moments in Episode III.

Any chance of some Noghri in E3?

Zilch.

About how tall is Grievous? Is he short and mean, tall and menancing or average hight and above average deadly?

Tall. 1.905 meters... or so.

Will we learn in the movie (or perhaps the CW cartoon) how Grievous came to hold such a loft position in the Confederacy seeing as he was not seen or mentioned in AotC?

Much of that will be handled by Licensing. Remember, no one knew the Separatists even had an army in AoTC, much less a General.

ph

So GG is comedy relief now. Great.

*cue Benny Hill theme song*

GG bumps his head as he's entering his starship. It's L O L funny.

*A user asked if Lucas has changed his mind about Threepio and Artoo having their memories wiped. Pablo then said that he believes Lucas only said that Threepio had his mind wiped.

Pablo was mistaken. The quote is indeed in relation to both droids:

http://www.episode-x.com/episode3/lucas ... lems.shtml

I let Pablo know. Hopefully he'll make mention of it in the next update.

Didn't GL say in one of the TPM/AotC commentaries that both droids get their memories wiped? I'd be far more satisfied if Artoo didn't lose his memory because he'd the only one of a cast of thousands who knows the entire story from woe to go. But then I guess he needs to not recognise Obi-Wan on Tatooine in ANH so.....


*For his last battle, Mace is accompanied by some allies. Mace is the last of these to die.

4 Jedi walking through the foyer of an office as per the set report.....


*Yoda has more than one action scene.

Kashyyk escape with Chewie.
What else?
Escaping Coruscant with Bail (as Darth Hade has mentioned in the past)?


*Keisha Castle-Hughes is the Queen of Naboo in EIII. She probably won't be cut from the film. However, the amount of screentime she has is not the reason that she is likely safe from being cut.

Sounds like she's either got something important to do or something important happens while she's in a scene. I'd be guessing that Padme is trying to convince Naboo not to go along with Palpatine anymore....or something.

I'm completely ambivelant on the memory wipe thing, but why would R2 recognize the older Ben kenobi?


He'd changed quite a bit in twenty years.




Edit:

Isn't there also supposed to be a showdown between Yoda and the emporer?

Yay! My Amidala Leaving Safety question was answered!!! Yippee!

However, Pable got my Luke and Leia one wrong. The OT never states that Palpatine knew Padme was pregnant - it simply states he didn't know about the twins.

I wrote back:



EDIT:

As for Queen Hughes...very interesting. I wonder if Naboo will feature in some type of Imperial take over?