Cameras roll on final Star Wars movie

The Herald-Sun ^ | 30jun03 | MICHAEL OWEN-BROWN

[yankeedame]

Cameras roll on final Star Wars

By MICHAEL OWEN-BROWN
30jun03

THE republic is crumbling, the forces of evil are massing and a legion of science-fiction fans are quivering in anticipation.

The last chapter of Star Wars starts filming today at Sydney's Fox Studios.

Almost 1000 crew will work on the $173 million production, which stars about about 60 Australian actors. Fans can watch parts of the filming on webcam.

The film, due for release in 2005, will focus on young Jedi warrior Anakin Skywalker being seduced by the dark side of the Force on his way to becoming Darth Vader.

Also, Senator Palpatine orders the destruction of the Jedi order on his way to becoming emperor.

Lucas said the film was darker than the others.

"Let's face it, all the bad guys win in the end, all the good guys are dead except for a couple, so it doesn't have a happy ending," he said.

The film stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen. Australians Joel Edgerton, Jay Laga'aia, Genevieve O'Reilly, Bruce Spence, Kristy Wright and Warren Owens also feature.

[LanPB01]

I haven't read any of the books in the past few years, but I read them all up to Zahn's last two books (can't remember the titles now).

[LanPB01]

Ping

[Dr. Frank fan]

The funny thing about the Star Wars movies is that I agree with pretty much every criticism I see of the acting, the plot holes, the dialogue, the characters, etc. People can write all they want about the stupid love story (I agree), Jar Jar (irritating), the clunky dialogue (you bet).

And yet, I have to say, I still like these movies.

They're critic-proof.

[Green Knight]

Saying that that love story is "needless" is like saying that the one in Terminator is needless. Without Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor having sex, John Connor wouldn't exist, which obliterates the entire premise of that movie. Without Anakin Skywalker and Amidala having babies, you don't have Luke and Leia Skywalker in the first 3 movies. Where's the "needless" in this?

Anyway, I got the first two DVD's for my birthday the other day (I would've preferred to have gotten the first seasons of "24" and "The Shield", but what're you gonna do?). On second viewing, the movies are pretty good. Of course, with a DVD, you can zoom right past all the Jar Jar scenes in the Phantom Menace as if they didn't exist, as well as the painfully written love scenes of Anakin and Padme. Scenes which, after viewing it again, weren't all that bad. The scene where they're on the couch next to the fireplace made me cringe the first time I saw it and it still does, but subtract it from the viewing and the rest, with the exception of the occasional line here and there, is fine. Same goes for Anakin's supposed whinyness. There's really only one scene where he really whines and he's grating on the nerves (It's when Padme comments on how mature he becomes, at which point he starts to whine, whine, whine). Other than that, he's a good character. Upon a second viewing, watching it just by myself, I liked Anakin a lot better. And the rest of the movie is damn fine Star Wars viewing. From Jango Fett, to Yoda and Mace Windu, to Obi-Wan's mission, to the Clones, to the beginning of the Clone War, Palpatine's machinations, Count Dooku, etc.

The movies have problems, no doubt about it. Jar Jar being the #1 problem of TPM (I also would've liked some backstory on Darth Maul. That scene where they're separated by the force fields would've been a great opportunity for them to talk, but so much for that), and the occasional Anakin or Anakin/Padme scene. But overall, I think they're damn good movies.

Though thinking about it, there's one element that these movies are lacking that the first ones had. There's no roguish type. In the first three you had Han Solo, who was a good guy, but he was a merc, too. In these, either everyone's squeaky clean, or everyone's the epitome of all evil. There is no grayish, morally ambiguous character like Han.

As for the last movie, here's hoping George Lucas doesn't repeat the mistakes which he made in the first movie. And here's hoping that Jar Jar gets what he deserves in the last one. I want to see that filthy bastard DIE!

[Grando Calrissian]

"Spectre of the Past" & "Visions of the Future" Zahn's a great author.

All will reevaluate their opinion of Star Wars after my appearance in Episode III.

[Green Knight]

I heard that he got into an argument with Liam Neeson because in the scene where Qui-Gon is taking away Anakin, he puts his hand on Shmi to comfort her. Lucas didn't want him to put his hand on her, while Neeson said something like "He's about to take her son, away. Wouldn't he at least put his hand on her to comfort her?". Don't know if it's true or not, but if it is, it's damned nuts. I noticed, though, that my favorite Star Wars movies are the ones which he doesn't direct. For the third one, he really needs to hand the directing reigns over to someone else, and CO-write the script. Have someone else go over it and keep the clunky dialogue to a minimum.

[LanPB01]

I anxiously await the introduction of black lightsabers and Sith Witches.

[Green Knight]

Can Mark Hamill come back, though? Last I saw him, he was a bit on the chunky side...

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

His books were pretty good, and did revive the franchise in the 90s before the hype of the Special Editions and the Prequals took over.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Can Mark Hamill come back, though?

From the very first time I'd heard the format was to be 456, 123, 789...I knew there would have to be a whole new cast for 789. Harrison Ford!? Oh, please.

[LanPB01]

Ford has repeatedly said he will not revise the role of Solo, even if offered the chance. He says the character no longer interests him.

[Sofa King]

" At this point, all I want is the original theatrical trilogy on dvd minus any of that awful special edition crap. I know I'm not the only one: www.originaltrilogy.com"

Don't hold your breath. Lucas is a spiteful bastard who doesn't care what the fans want. Why else would Jar-Jar even have been MENTIONED in AotC?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I am not possessed. I am a Dark Lord of the Sith, fully aware of all my capabilities.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

He says the character no longer interests him.

I don't think he'd be interesting in the role, period.

He's gotten a bit long in the tooth and no longer has what it takes for that type of role. Of course, just my opinion.

[roadcat]

"I assumed that Palpatine didn't realize he was possessed (which would explain why the Jedi are so confused as to why they can't detect the presence of the Sith; doesn't explain why they couldn't detect Darth Maul, though), but after the Republic crumbled, the Sith spirit just took control full time."

Time to spice up the movie - a cameo with Michael Jackson playing Darth Barf (no acting necessary, just be himself) who invites the child Palpatine to visit his digs... No fancy explanation after this scene as to why Palpatine is possessed.

[Tunehead54]

Such interesting keywords! Can we still tell who added them?

---

Hee hee! I have several suspects but ... oh wait there is no such thing as an Admin Mod. - - kinda like the Easter Bunny.

But wait! There was a thread where Katherine Hepburn's first name was mispelled in the thread title and magically it was fixed. So maybe there is a Santa Claus ... or even an Admin Moderator?

[Teacher317]

Now to end all limits on hunting those furry little muppets on Endor, so that the entire series can end on a high note, instead of being all maudlin. Plus, I have some special Vivid Video style plans and music for the cute little Naboo chick and Princess Leia.....

Oooh! Okay. Now where do I send campaign contributions? Leia IS in the GOLD bikini of course, right?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Gold thong....

[strela]

After 1, 2 and 3 there was supposed to be Episodes 7, 8 and 9 that chronicled the further adventures of Luke Skywalker et. al.

Doing what? "Star Wars 8: Luke Enjoys Prune Day At The Nursing Home"?

[Teacher317]

*writing more checks*