Archived Rumours VIII

• Mace Windu shows his stuff
  Many people are speculating as to how much of an "Emerging" character Mace Windu will be. Believe me, you will love the action scenes and abilities of Windu. They can't wait to let Samuel Jackson loose with his lightsaber. Article from sevaan.com

• More news on Episode 2
  Here is some news from www.sevaan.com: Script is for all intensive purposes finished. There may be some refinements in the time before principle photography but the story is there. The art department is in overdrive as we speak and people are starting to get the specific instructions for the summer. Alderaan will blow us away with its beauty and idealistic culture. My info still leads me to believe it is a one horse race for Anakin. I have been told that some of the reports about meetings and casting news is just an attempt to create interest in hopes to get a real shot at the role. Nothing is for sure in Hollywood but you can bank on several things. At the time of this e-mail, Leo has seen a good part of the script and both he and Lucas have to make a big decision "real" soon. Also, you will probably not get an announcement concerning some other interesting characters in Episode 2. One name that I'm told is very likely for a small role in Episode 2 with a larger part in Episode 3is Robert Carlyle. There is a sketch of Carlyle already. Also, we will see different abilities in the force not seen in previous Episodes. They will blow you away!!! I'm told that there have been discussions about several sites obtaining info and attempts to better control leaks for Episode 2. Anyway, I expect a report from CNN and a following press release from Lucasfilm anyday. I'm surprised something hasn't already happened. I really am! Well, the info is of as general nature but it's all I could get. -Episode-X

• Clues for Episode 2
  Something interesting is developing in Episode 2. According to theforce.net, the Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles video game for the Playstation this April and we will get to see the Jedi council members in action, here are thier moves;
  Mace Windu - Force throws his lightsaber
  Plo Koon - Uses Emperor-style lighting bolts
  Adi Gallia - Backhanded lightsaber techniques

• Greatest dishonour: To lose a Padawan
  Here's an article from jedinet.com; During a seperate exchange, Lucas began discussing Jedi battle techniques. The main point was this: The greatest dishonour to a Jedi is to lose his Padawan in battle. A Jedi will often fight more to protect his Padawan than himself. He then suggested that if you managed to kill a Padawan, you would probably want to take home a trophy to show your friends.

• Another news on casting of Anakin
  So will Anakin be Leo, Jesse or one of those Jonathans? Perhaps not according to one relatively reliable source who was patrolling the streets up at Sundance only to uncover a new piece of gossip. Seems the hot tip now for playing Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode 2" is a relatively unknown Indiana-born, Endeavour-represented actor by the name of Jeffrey Garner. Lucas has apparently NOT officially cast him yet, though as I said he's one of those very few 'up there'. The aforementioned Jonathan Jackson also should not be ruled out, telling Empire Magazine he'll be meeting with George Lucas to discuss the part sometime in the next few days. An official announcement on who'll be cast as Anakin is expected within the next few weeks. -episodeii.com

• Zeta-Jones Pregnant
  Catherine Zeta-Jones, long-rumored to appear in Episode 2 as a Sith temptress/apprentice, announced recently that she is expecting a child. Therefore, it would be unlikely that she would make an appearence in Episode 2.

• Yoda: Look no Ligtsabers!
  Yoda will not fight using a lightsaber  in Episode 2. According to Episode-X, we will know Yoda will show why he's the master in Episode 2, we now get to wait to find out how he will do it. It is known throughout the inside camp that they are doing something special with Yoda that does NOT involve  lightsabers

• Leo: I have to read the script first
  Here's something from theforce.net, IGN movies featured and interview with Leo;
  
  IGN Movies: So honestly, did George Lucas ever talk to you about being in Episode 2?
  Leo: Yeah, I have talked to him. There's no script as of yet.
  IGN Movies: Are you interested in playing Anakin Skywalker?
  Leo: I'll see when I read the script.
  

• Doug Chiang interview
  Recently, Doug Chiang was interviewed by the Yolk Magazine, here's an exerpt;
  Yolk: What can you tell us about Episode 2?
  Chiang: I won't get into specific detail, but we are trying to bridge the design aesthetic between Episode 1 and Episode 4. We're slowly starting that progression where the designs now need to look like what we've seen before perhaps and so that's kind of the area we're pursuing, but knowing George he's probably going to try something very unique in there, and I'm not quite sure what that is yet.

• Scenes would be filmed on the Como Lake
  According to theforce.net, this information comes from 20th Century Fox Italy, "Despite the secrecy surrounding the subject and the script of the new Star Wars episode (Episode 2), it seems that some scenes would be filmed on the Como Lake. The place, chosen by Lucas, would be Villa Balbianello."
  From the pictures of the location posted on theforce.net, if this info is accurate, this location would make a great Alderaan.
  

• Rumour: Carrie Fisher as Mon Mothma!
  According to Darth Valta, Sith Lord, Carrie Fisher will play Senator Mon Mothma. This is in contradiction with earlier rumor that Gillian Anderson was rumored to play Mon Mothma too... Well, only time will tell

• Leo as Anakin: Latest!
  George Lucas might be keeping his mouth shut about the next 'Star Wars' installment , but that isn't stopping Leonardo DiCaprio making a pitch for work. That's right, just when you thought rumours about the beautiful one's involvement in the franchise had died down, he goes and stirs them up again. DiCaprio is currently doing the press rounds for his new film 'The Beach' and has revealed that 'Star Wars' is very much on his future agenda. Here's a excerpt of Leo's statement:
  "I did talk to George about Star Wars, but he didn't have a script at the time," DiCaprio said. "I don't know how much I'm allowed to say about our conversation, but we did talk about my playing Anakin Skywalker."
  "I don't know where I stand for that project because I haven't heard from George since our initial discussion." -Episode-X
  

• WooHoo!! Gillian and Episode 2
  This comes from Dark Horizons;
  'I asked her if the following were true,' reports the spy, 'According to rumor, Gillian would be playing a Jedi Council Member who is newly appointed to the Council and was trained by Qui-Gon (and may have been more to him). As I asked her this, she just smiled and didn't say a word! She did say she though she would be filming a movie outside the United States around the time Episode 2 will be shot.
  
  Here's another rumor regarding Gillian Anderson from Episode-X, According to their source, he mentioned that everyone was quite open about a substantial female role in Episode 2 and some clothing and sketches were tossed around. The role of jedi doesn't sound right though because he mentioned grand clothing and something else that he can't quite remember specifically but led him to believe the role was not a jedi. He is just speculating here, but Gillian looks a lot like a young Mon Mothma doesn't she?

• Catherine Zeta-Jones and Episode 2
  The Daily Record is reporting that Zeta-Jones has quit the film Beyond Borders in which she would co-star with Kevin Coster, and is chalking up her leaving the project due to the upcoming wedding between Jones and goldie-oldie Michael Douglas.
  Now, here's the kicker, the filming for Beyond Borders is scheduled to begin the last week of May 2000, while the wedding date is rumored to be scheduled for September 25, 2000. One insider that the Daily Record quotes states that Zeta-Jones "did not have the time to film it and plan her wedding."
  However, one might (and its a mighty hefty might folks, so don't get your bowels in an uproar) think that Catherine has infact cancelled her involvement in Beyond Borders so that she may pursue a role in Episode II which is slated to begin filming this June. -jedinet.com

• Set construction to commence in August
  "One of our own scoopers wrote in today and told us what they've heard from a friend who is involved in the marketing side of Fox's Sydney Studios. Set construction for Episode 2 is scheduled to commence in August, and 250 carpenters have been hired for a six month contract starting that month. Get ready for a lot of hammering and sawing to be heard coming from the ultra top secret sets late this summer." -theprequels.net

• Sketches of new Darth?
  Here's something from Episode-X's source, 'There are many sketches that are starting to appear in house of what looks to be another Darth. The picture I have seen is not of a female and he does not have facepaint. Now remember these sketches can be altered and even abandoned during the process. The character does have something of a weird belt attachment that stands out. Also much buzz is circulating about the role of Princess Leia's adopted father Bail Organa'

Rumour Highlight

We will get to see the Jedi council members in action in Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles for Playstation;
Mace Windu - Force throws his lightsaber
Plo Koon - Uses Emperor-style lighting bolts
Adi Gallia - Backhanded lightsaber techniques

Carrie Fisher will play Senator Mon Mothma


Episode II Information

Set construction for Episode 2 is scheduled to commence in August 2000, and 250 carpenters have been hired for a six month contract starting that month.

'...we are trying to bridge the design aesthetic between Episode 1 and Episode 4. We're slowly starting that progression where the designs now need to look like what we've seen before perhaps and so that's kind of the area we're pursuing...'
- Doug Chiang on Episode II

Episode II Spoiler

Kamino is a water planet that is ravaged by harsh storms. The cities on the planet are tall structures supported by columns in the water. The planet is inhabited by tall, thin, pale aliens with oval shaped eyes