Update on 'Episode III' with its release only a year away

Posted Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 2:26 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Exactly 365 days from today, Star Wars Episode III will debut in theaters across the world. We figured this was the perfect time to check in for an update.

According to the official Star Wars web site, most of the photography is in the can but some additional shots will take place in August. This week, a crew Down Under will film -- digitally, of course -- a scene involving very tall Aussies in Wookiee (you know, Chewbacca) costumes. They'll also get shots of Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett from Episode II) for his role as the clone troopers.

The crew is deep in post production. Audio recording happens this week with actors in Australia, directed by George Lucas at the Skywalker Ranch in California. They'll be connected via high-speed tie-lines. Lucas' Industrial Light + Magic (ILM) is busy working on over 2,000 effects shots for the film. They are on target for their April 1, 2005 deadline.

What can we expect from the Star Wars crew this year? Very little in regard to the final prequel. Of course there's the Sept. 21 release of the original trilogy on DVD. It will contain a behind-the-scenes looks at Vader's costume for Episode III and interviews with George about the storyline. We can also expect the first teaser trailer and the film's poster before year's end.

There are already rumors of the movie's title. The Sun in Britain reports that "The Birth Of The Empire" is the expected title. There are even production photos on the Internet of a very visibly pregnant Natalie Portman. (Remember, she gives birth to very special twins in this installment.)

What other surprises lie in the year ahead? Only time will tell, but one interesting thing to note is that certain roles remain shrouded in secrecy. In the official cast list for Episode III on starwars.com, along with a few other character name holes, the role immediately below Chewbacca is empty. Of course, everyone knows that Han Solo goes with Chewbacca like salt and pepper. Are they saving a spot for him? Will we see a prequel glimpse of a young Han Solo? Only George Lucas knows.

All in all, fans are in for a painfully long wait as May 19, 2005 seems like a date far, far away.