Prequel News - Prequels Archive - Characters

Prequel Archive

10/03/2002 Holy Mackerel, look what I found! 7 screen caps from the still unseen Clone War trailer! Drool... Geonosian Battle...

February, 20th February 2002

CLONES, CLONES, AND MORE CLONES

You may remember a report on StarWars.Com introducing Bodie Taylor into the Episode II cast. Well now it seems that the Kiwi actor plays a whole multitude of Clones in a scene recently discovered by T'Bone source TFN_Sucks.

While Obi-Wan is taken around the cloning facility on Kamino, he is shown Clones at the various stages of development. He sees Clones being manufactured in tube-like devices, young Clones working on computer consoles (as seen in the Breathing trailer), and then a whole army of Clone soldiers eating lunch. These are the Clones played by Bodie Taylor, who is a younger version of Jango Fett, from whom the Clones were first created.

Whew! Confused? Head on over to T'Bone's for the whole article!

Sunday, 3rd February 2001

TUSKEN FEMALE: FIRST LOOK

In an auction on e-bay recently several Attack of the Clones toys were posted. Among them was a two-pack of a Tusken Raider female and child. This is the first time a female Tusken has ever been seen, and as you can see by the picture on the right (click to enlarge), they look somewhat different to males. I suppose we'll see a few of these when Anakin descends upon the encampment. And I don't think I need to explain what he's doing there!

Saturday, 1st December 2001

AIWHA CONFIRMED

Everyone who saw the recent Star Wars trailers undoubtedly noticed the flying whale-type creature that is seen flying over the waters of Kamino and bursting out of the ocean.
            Some may recognise the creature from books such as The Art of Star Wars written by Kevin J. Anderson and illustrated by Ralph McQuarrie.
            The creature was originally a concept design that was intended to be shown in A New Hope on Alderaan. As footage of the planet was never shot, the creature never made it into the film.
            Next, it was intended to be flying around the clouds in Bespin in The Empire Strikes Back, although the thranta, as it was dubbed, still didn't make it to the final cut.
            The flying whale was even intended to be the basis of Jabba's sail barge in Return of the Jedi, but the idea was scrapped.
            Around twenty years later, concept art by Doug Chiang showed an adaption of the thranta being used as Gungan warfare. That too, did not make it to the visual effects department and, as so, did not make it to The Phantom Menace.
            Now, finally the creature will see the light of day in Attack of the Clones. Some may have noticed the first clue in the Bespin databank entry under the "Behind the Scenes" subheading. It stated: "Writer / Director George Lucas has long been trying to get these whales into the Star Wars films" and "An incarnation of these whales will finally be seen in Attack of the Clones". The only thing we didn't know was if the creature would still be called a thranta.
            I just bought the Star Wars Wildlife: A Field Guide book by Bob Carrau and Terryl Whitlatch a couple of days ago when I noticed both the thranta and a new creature very similar to that in the trailer called an "aiwha" included in the book. I immediately guessed that this would be the name of the flying whale in Attack of teh Clones and I turned out to be correct when the Official Site very recently posted an article detailing the visual effects of the Obi-Wan / Jango fight scene. Here's an excerpt:
            Sheets of rain pour down from the gloomy skies, buffeting a city built on stilts over a churning ocean. A distant cry of an aiwha is drowned out by the angry hiss of a lightsaber and the shrieking reports of blaster fire as a knockdown, drag-out fight occurs between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jango Fett.
            So here we have our first full glimpse of an all new creature in Attack of the Clones. Personally, I think it look amazing in the trailers and hope that much more is shown of it in the movie.

Wednesday, 31st October 2001

SHOCKTROOPERS IN BANTHA TRACKS

Clues about the clones in Episode II may have been revealed in an old Bantha Tracks (No. 5, Summer 1979) article detailing Boba Fett's armour. The article states that Boba Fett's armour was that of ancient Imperial Shocktroopers who were destroyed by the Jedi Knights in the clone wars. Here is an excerpt from the article.

"He (Boba Fett) wears part of the uniform of the Imperial Shocktroopers, warriors from olden time. Shocktroopers came from the far side of the galaxy and there aren't many of them left. They were wiped out by the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars.
- Bantha Tracks #5
Summer 1979

Although we have seen what the clones look like, and know that they are the predecessors of the Stormtroopers, we don't yet know what they will be called. Perhaps Shocktroopers will be the official name.

Tuesday, 30th October 2001

EPISODE II TRAILER THIS WEEK

The Official Site has stated that the long awaited Attack of the Clones trailer will screen this week, attached only to copies of 'Monster's Inc.', Pixar's new animated film.

There have been many reporting of the trailer being seen by projectionists and insider sources, and no doubt there will soon be a pirated version available for download. I think it is best to wait until the official release and give Lucasfilm a bit of respect.

The message from the official sources was attached to the e-mail newsletter Homing Beacon along with a brand new image of Jango Fett using his jet-pack. Check out the image here.

Thursday, 25th October 2001

FIRST EPISODE II FIGURE

Fans everywhere have finally got their first look at what is set to be the definitive packaging for Star Wars figures.

The Official Site said that "The idea was to develop a fresh, new design that incorporates the best of Star Wars iconography and is true to the spirit of the Saga." I think that they've done quite a good job.

This is also our first look at an Attack of the Clones figure. The image features "Coruscant Chase Obi-Wan Kenobi". Notice also the droid that comes with the figure. Click on the small image for a larger version.

Monday, 22nd October 2001

EPISODE II TEASER POSTER?

Dark Horizons has released an AOTC poster featuring never before seen images of Padme and Anakin. The main giveaway that this is in fact a fan made poster, is Anakin's lightsaber, which is red rather than blue. The image is still worth a look though, because of the brand new images. Click on the small image to see it full sized.

Friday. 19th October 2001

ZAM WESELL AND JANGO FETT

Allusive bounty hunter Zam Wesell has finally seen the light on the cover of the latest Star Wars Insider magazine. She shares the cover with fan favourite and fellow hunter Jango Fett. The cover gives us the first clear look at Jango's armour as well as Zam Wesell in her entirety.

Jango seems to have the same armour as Boba Fett did in the original trilogy, but Jango's is silver and blue instead of green. It also seems that it is much more cleaner as it has no blast marks or dents in it, whereas Boba's armour looks really beaten up. This could be a sign that Boba adopted the armour of his father and gave it a new paint job.

Zam Wesell's armour is clearly derived from ancient Asian dynasty warriors, giving it a very samurai reminiscent look. Click on the small image to see a larger version.

Friday. 12th October 2001

EPISODE II OBI WAN HOLOGRAM IMAGE

A small yet recognisable image was used in the article announcing the new Message Boards at StarWars.com.

The image shows an Episode II Obi Wan Kenobi being displayed as a hologramatic image in what seems to be the Royal Starship.

Thursday, 9th August 2001

SELECT IMAGE NO. 57

This select image will be the last ever to appear on the Official Site. This image features a reflective Mace Windu (Sam Jackson) possibly worried about Obi-Wan or the fate of the Jedi Council.

Expect a new section coming soon that runs through all of the select images with a detailed analysis of each. Look forward to this!

If you have any speculation, e-mail me at [email protected]

Monday, 6th August 2001

EPISODE II TITLE: ATTACK OF THE CLONES

The Official Site has finally released the title for Episode II! The film will be titled "Attack of the Clones".

According to the site, the title was chosen because it ''harkens back to the sense of pure fun, imagination and excitement that characterized the classic movie serials and pulp space fantasy adventures that inspired the 'Star Wars' saga.''

Already fans have begun to speak out, some for the title, most against it. Personally I love the damn thing.

Thursday, 3rd August 2001

SELECT IMAGE NO. 56

This week's select image features a lightsaber battle in the Geonosis hangar between Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku. Notice that Dooku's hilt is not parallel with his blade, confirming that he is using the 'scimitar' saber. Notice also that they are fighting in front of Dooku's ship.

If you have any speculation, e-mail me at [email protected]

Thursday, 26th July 2001

SELECT IMAGE NO. 55

This week's select image features the chest of an armoured person, possibly the bounty hunter Zam Wessel.

Tuesday, 24th July 2001

STAR WARS: CONNECTIONS PICS

           

Jimmy Smits in costume as Bail Organa.

Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and Natalie Portman as Padmé Amidala (is that Owen Lars in the background?)

Jango Fett giving us the thumbs-up.

Thursday, 19th July 2001

SELECT IMAGE NO. 54

The Official Site has updated their Episode II Select image with the 54th image since the beginning. This image shows two hooded men in what has been confirmed to be the Coruscant Nightclub (Read Nightclub article below for more).

CORUSCANT NIGHTCLUB

The Official Site has posted a new feature article detailing some of the design work that went into the Coruscant Nightclub. The images in the article titled "Hitting the Club Scene", has confirmed that the select image above is indeed of the nightclub. Here's a short excerpt:

"With the nightclub we're actually seeing environments that showcase the social life of Star Wars," says Bocquet. "It's quite nice to move into those sort of worlds and see how people enjoy themselves in our mad universe out there."
Often, Bocquet and his crew build designs originating from concept sketches and models crafted by the Art Department. For the nightclub, the Art Department did indeed contribute detail and atmosphere sketches, but the shape of the place came from Bocquet's crew. "That's the set that really came from our end" says Bocquet. "There was concept work of environments and what may be in them -- things like travel tubes and gaming tables -- but there was nothing architecturally, so we sort of started from scratch."

Definitely something to look forward to!

Monday, 16th July 2001

BODIE TAYLOR TO ACT IN EPISODE II

The Official Website has updated their Episode II news introducing a new actor to the cast. Bodie Taylor will be another New Zealand actor to join the cast, along with Temuera Morrison. Taylor is said to be playing an army captain, although sources say that he may be a clone of Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison). The news item briefly outlines an effects sequence that both Taylor and young Boba Fett Daniel Logan take part in. Here's an excerpt from the article:

"One scene, requiring coverage from multiple takes and angles, called for Taylor's character to take a bite of some futuristic-looking food. The Kiwi actor had never tried soy-based protein before, but was willing to do whatever it takes for the film."

Why would a scene where Taylor bites into some food require 'coverage from multiple takes and angles?' Hmm... Here's some more from the article:

"Under the careful of eye of Visual Effects Supervisor Pablo Helman, the actors were each involved in unique effects sequences requiring precision camera movements and detailed choreography not practical to attempt during the regular unit shooting."

Why would an 'army captain' and a young Boba Fett be involved in a scene requiring 'precision camera movements and detailed choreography?' Hmm again...

Friday, 13th July 2001

EPISODE II SELECT IMAGE NO. 53

The Official Site has updated their Episode II Select image. This week's image features Anakin Skywalker resting his head on what looks like Obi Wan's legs.

Sunday, 8th July 2001

THE RISE OF JAR JAR

I was recently looking at the html code from the Official Site's home page and I noticed something very peculiar. One of the keywords listed was "The Rise of Jar Jar". I tested this out by doing a general search for the phrase and the Official Site was the first to pop up.

Now, I don't know if the webmasters down at Star Wars are having a bit of fun with their html coding, but I certainly hope that this is not the long awaited title for Episode II!

Here's a quick copy and paste I did of the coding:

<meta name="keywords" content="Star Wars, Episode I, Episode II, Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, The Rise of Jar Jar, The Official Site"

If you have any comments or rumours you've heard, don't hesitate to contact me at:

[email protected]