Tuesday, June 27, 2000
June 27, 2000 will go down in "Star Wars" history as the opening day of production on "Episode II" of the space opera, three years to the day after production began on "Episode I: The Phantom Menace."
Much is rumored, but little is known for certain about what will happen in the fifth "Star Wars" episode. But Canadian actor Hayden Christensen, who beams out from the covers of this week's Entertainment Weekly, will play the teenage version of Anakin Skywalker, before he becomes Darth Vader.
The plot is expected to deal extensively with Anakin's move to the dark side of The Force. Early rumors have suggested Yoda will be back - and will actually be shown kicking butt - while bad guy Boba Fett will also make a return to the series.
Meanwhile, the official site, starwars.com, says spirits were high after a pre-production party, and that much of the acting is once again being done in front of a blue screen, with backgrounds and effects to be added in later.
"I felt like it was the first day of school, except I knew everyone in the class," casting director Robin Gurland told starwars.com.
Meanwhile, "Star Wars" creator George Lucas told the site he's
confused, juggling several different project at once.
"It's hard for me to remember if I'm still shooting 'Episode I," the 'Special Edition,' the DVD, or 'Episode II'."
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