Archived Rumours IX

• Darren Hayes in Episode II?
  Brisbane radio station B105 received an email today from Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) apologizing that he could not turn up to the station for an interview as he was in Sydney in discussion with FOX regarding an upcoming role in Episode II. The email was read out over the air.
  Brisbane is Savage Garden's home town and was read out as an exclusive. -theforce.net

• Episode II Prop?
  The photo below was taken from AICN which is supposedly from the Fox Studios in Australia. It shows what is believed to be a prop from the Episode II set.
  
  Looks like a ship or something... To discuss this, visit our message board!

• Hayden is EVERYWHERE!!
  A week after the announcement of the casting of Anakin, articles on Hayden Christensen is appearing everywhere! (Source of Articles: theforce.net) Well here are some articles:-
  
  The Associated Press reports that the forthcoming issue of Time Magazine will have an interview with Hayden Christensen. AP's short write-up offers a couple quotes from the interview. Click Here! to view the article.
  
  The man who will be Vader says he would have been happy with just the souvenirs from the audition process for the next two installments of the "Star Wars" series.
  "I got to meet George Lucas, hang out at Skywalker Ranch, and I got a couple of new hats."
  
  "It's awesome to portray a character who becomes Vader,'' he says. "I'm getting ready to go to the dark side.'' Click Here! for full article.
  
  USA Today has posted a feature article on Hayden Christensen with some interesting new facts.
  
  According to the article, Christensen believes "he had chemistry with Portman during the screen test, which was a key to his being named Anakin." Since Episode II is expected to focus on the relationship between Anakin and Queen Amidala, the importance attached to this 'chemistry' between the actors portraying both characters comes as no surprise.
  
  The official Star Wars website already told us that "Hayden is a 6-foot-1-inch athlete who has played everything from hockey to football. He plays competitive beach paddle tennis with his brother; works out on the trampoline; goes skateboarding, rollerblading and mountain biking; and has practiced stage fighting — a skill that Star Wars Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard is certain to hone even more." USA Today reveals some more details about the physical aspects of Chistensen's role: "Christensen, who intends to do most of his own stunts, will spend this month training for the physically demanding role. He will head to Australia in early June to work with Star Wars stunt coordinator Nick Gillard before filming in late June through December."
  
  How is Christensen going to play Anakin? Even though the canadian actor hasn't seen the script yet, "his first thought about how to play the complex Jedi is to incorporate the "innocence" that Jake Lloyd brought to the character in The Phantom Menace and the 'intensity' that Sebastian Shaw had as the dying Anakin in Return of the Jedi". Click Here! to read the full article!
  
  Hayden Christensen was interviewed on ET. On the show, he talked about his telling his mother he got the role of Anakin, the fact that he's going to train the summer, etc. Hayden was also on E! Daily News and other shows saying much of the same stuff. Among the interesting stuff is that he's trying to get in shape and buff up a little bit. He would also going to start taking Bo classes which is a stick fighting course. And then Ileave for Australia the end of - the beginning of June
  
  Hayden Christensen appeared Showbiz Today over on CNN. Here's a clip from it:
  HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN, ACTOR: Well, when I found out, I was actually just waking up in my apartment in Vancouver, and I just went outside completely stunned and just beside myself. My roommate started shaking me, you know, "Do you realize what's happening?" I called my mom first thing, and my roommate has the "Star Wars" soundtrack on record and he started blaring it in the background. And my mom picked up the phone and she heard the music and started freaking out. It was -- it was a good time.

• 1000 Extras Needed for Episode 2!
  According to SMH Australia, the production of Episode 2 could also use about 1,000 extras during its 10-week shoot in Sydney. To read the whole article, Click Here!

• Tight Security in Fox Studios
  Security is normally tight at Fox Studios and it shows no sign of lessening now that a 250-member construction team is working solidly on Episode II. "We're in the process of building, like, 30 sets so it's been intense," says McCallum.
  The above comes from an article from SMH Australia. To read more.. Click Here! Another interesting fact is that filming is scheduled to take only 10 weeks in Sydney when it starts late next month! The crew will then travel to Italy and Tunisia for another three weeks of filming.

• Who Were The Four Finalist?
  Just got this off theforce.net; Who were the four finalist who attended the screen test with Natalie Portman at Skywalker Ranch last weekend?
  A source close to the Ranch says finalists included Ryan Phillippe, Roswell's Colin Hanks (yes, Tom's son) and, strangely enough, Paul Catermole, a member of Brit boy band S Club 7.

• starwars.com: Hayden Christensen is Anakin Skywalker!
  Well, after weeks of speculations, looks like the insiders got the word out first... Hayden Christensen is Anakin Skywalker!
  
  Here's what's posted on the official site:
  
  "Everyone was so nice last weekend that they made me feel at ease," Christensen says. "It was like a big field trip going to the Ranch."
  
  "I'm very excited about the challenge it's going to present and really looking forward to working with a lot of good people," he added. "It's especially exciting to work with actors such as Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor whom I've really admired. And I get to use lightsabers... and the Force!"
  
  Here's a comment from Lucas:
  
  "I'm looking forward to working with Hayden," Lucas said. "He did a great screen test with Natalie last weekend. He is very talented, has a great command of his craft, and I know that he has the physical and emotional attributes to play Anakin Skywalker at perhaps the most complex stage of Anakin's life."

• More Articles on Anakin Casting
  Salon.com has an article out regarding the casting of Anakin! Click Here for the article!

• MSN has jump on the bandwagon with Christensen casting and posted an article on the topic. Click Here! to view the article.

• Here's an interview with Hayden's Agent which appeared in the Toronto Sun. Click Here!
  

• Official Site Getting Ready for Episode 2!
  The official site is getting ready for updates on Episode 2!! Want proof? The image on the left is from the official site but it's not up yet... the url: http://www.starwars.com/img/ep2.jpg Obviously an Episode 2 update is on the way. Probably the announcement of the cast is coming.

• E2W's Sith Week!
  Well, for those of you who missed our Sith Week, Click Here! Features including the history of the sith, the sith lords, their culture, powers and even a timeline!

• Updates from starwars.com
  Producer Rick McCallum called May 1, 2000 a "big, big day" in the life of Episode 2. In Australia, Production Designer Gavin Bocquet’s team took control of the main stage at Fox Studios Australia on Monday. This means that the Episode 2 production now has total control over all of the studio’s stages. "Right now we have a total of 32 set designs," said McCallum. "We’ve started construction on our first twenty that we’re really going for." Also on Monday, screenwriter Jonathan Hales began his first formal day on Episode 2 helping George Lucas to refine the final stages of the script. His work begins with several days of story conferences with Lucas. David Dozoretz, returning from Episode I, and his small team also began their first work this week to produce video animatics which will help to shape and pre-visualize the action of the new film.

• It's Official: Hayden Christensen's agent Closed Deal Today !
  It's official. Hayden Christensen's agent (he's with the Gersh Agency in California) closed the deal today for him to play Anakin in Star Wars Episode 2 and Episode 3. No word on the final payout, but that's expected since he literally signed early this morning. There's already literally a manhunt for the new Anakin, with magazines and newspapers like Time and Newsweek all wanting to get the first cover or the big interview. Of course, Lucasfilm is in control now, so we'll have to see how the mainstream press reacts in the coming days. Of course, we'd love to see official confirmation on this, but as far as we know, this is legit. Finally. We're very suprised to see this leak out so quickly, especially since Lucas would have certainly put a "no comment" alert out to everyone.
  -theforce.net

• The force will be with Hayden Christensen!
  According to theforce.net, there's a news item on Variety by columnist Michael Fleming: With George Lucas closing in on the start of his second installment of the “Star Wars” prequel, the buzz swirling around Hollywood Wednesday was that the force will be with Hayden Christensen, a young actor whom Lucas is close to naming to play Anakin Skywalker. They also noted the following: Christensen’s credits include a role on the Fox Family Channel series “Higher Ground” and a supporting role in the recent telepic “Trapped in a Purple Haze.” His appointment was shrouded in a purple haze, as his agents at Gersh did not return phone calls. The Lucas camp could not be reached for comment either.

• Weekend in Skywalker Ranch!
  Here's something from Dragonstar:
  ' This weekend Skywalker Ranch played host to a handful of candidates for the role of Anakin. A "source" has this to say about the Anakin casting: "Here is what I'm told: An Anakin has risen from the readings and I was told it's not Paul Walker, he wasn't even there. I'm also told that is was NOT Colin Hanks. I know several sites has confermed that Colin is signed on as Anakin and he was at the reading. But I can't get a confirmation on him being there but I was told he definatly did not sign. I'm told Anakin is cast and something is planned before it leaks out so get ready for something from a spokesperson from Lucasfilm. Also Josh Hartnett was ruled out over 2 mounths ago and Paul Walker wasn't really told. No word yet on whether Ryan Phillipe was there. Many sites are saying that Colin is Anakin and my sourse says he's not so we'll see whose wrong very shortly.' Thanks Dragonstar!

• Paul Cattermole in Final Audition?
  theforce.net has a report about Paul Cattermole from S Club 7, being possibly one of the actors screentesting with Natalie. Someone who is a friend of a member of the UK pop group 'S club 7' said that one of the members, Paul Cattermole, is up for the the last auditions for Anakin!!!! According to thier source this didn't impress her much, being SW, so she didn't know much about it. All she knew was that he'd just been in LA recording the latest series of their TV show and at the same time had auditions for the Anakin part. She then said that they had since got back to the UK WITHOUT Paul because he was staying for more auditions.

• Sansweet: Forget everything you knew about Boba Fett
  The Official Star Wars website updated tonight with a new question for the Lucasfilm Jedi Council. It relates to Episode 2 and Boba Fett, so read carefully:
  Q: I'm excited that Boba Fett is going to be in Episode II. Are we going to get more details about how he was once Jaster Mereel and killed another Journeyman Protector on the planet Concord Dawn before becoming a bounty hunter?
  Answer from Steve Sansweet: Highly unlikely. My advice: Forget everything you knew, or thought you knew about the origins of Boba Fett. While none of us have seen a script of Episode 2 or have an idea of the direction in which George Lucas is taking the character, it's fairly safe to say that he won't be held to any of the back stories that have arisen over the years to try to explain the roots of this strong, mostly silent type. If there is any hint of Fett's beginnings, it will be all George. -theforce.net

• Facts from Natalie Portman
  Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne had an intrerview with Natalie Portman, as she tours about the Where the Heart Is press tour. Here is the part relating to Episode 2:-
  - She will spend this summer among the kangaroos in Sydney, Australia, filming a little movie called "Star Wars: Episode 2." She clears up a few rumors. Episode 2 and 3 will not be filmed at one time. "That's absolutely not true," Portman says. "We're doing the second one this summer and the third one in 2002," she says.
  - As for her Anakin co-star, she throws her hands in the air. Despite a slew of high-profile names that have been floated to play the older Anakin Skywalker, Portman cries, "I'm going to be meeting with potential Anakins at the end of this month to screen-test them. I think it's for George to see chemistry between us."
  - As for plot specifics, she cries, "I don't know anything else! People tell me nothing because they know I'll blabber." "I do know it will be a romance between Anakin and Amidala. Ewan McGregor and Sam Jackson are confirmed to return, too."

• Looking for Anakin in Down Under
  The following story is from the Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne, Australia:
  Wanted: an Aussie Jedi knight By FIONA HUDSON
  22apr00
  CASTING agents for the next Star Wars blockbuster are scouring Australia for an actor to play hero Anakin Skywalker. Filming of the $120million Star Wars: Episode 2 will start at Sydney's Fox Studios in June. Big name actors ruled out for the role of Anakin so far include Leonardo DiCaprio, James van der Beek and Tom Hanks's son, Colin. Insiders said good-looking Australian hunks about 20 years old have as much chance as a Hollywood star of getting the plum job. Anakin was introduced to fans as a little boy in the recent hit Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Young Anakin eventually grows up to become intergalactic villain Darth Vader in Star Wars. Star Wars creator George Lucas has said fans would be shocked by the choice of actor. "The chances are extremely good that whoever gets cast as Anakin is somebody nobody has ever heard of before." Insiders said yesterday casting director Robin Gurland would arrive in Australia soon. Producer Rick McCallum confirmed Mr Gurland would be considering a local for the role of Anakin. He said most bit parts in the movie would also be filled by locals. About 150 production crew were already on the ground, mostly building sets, he said. The shoot, staffed by a mainly Australian crew, is expected to take about 13 weeks. Filming will take place at Fox Studios and on location in Tunisia and Italy. The film is scheduled for release in May 2002. -theforce.net

• New costumes in Episode 2
  There was an interview with Iain McCaig, who mentioned that they will be needing some costumes from the exhibition in the shootings for Episode 2. He said: "We are going to make some new costumes, but since we're going back and forth in time, we will need the old costumes, too." -episodeii.com
  Back and forth in time? Flashbacks?
  

• Interview with Rick McCallum
  theforce.net posted up an article from TV Week, Australia. Here's the questions Rick McCallum answered about Episode 2:
  TV Week: How long will you be working in Australia?
  Rick: From June until the end of August, and then we’ll take the Australian crew to Europe. We’ll finish shooting in September and then have 18 months in post-production.
  TV Week: Will Episode II be more of a love story between Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker?
  Rick: That’s one aspect of it. The interesting thing about it is that we’ve met Anakin as a little boy (in Episode I) and we know he becomes Darth Vader by Episode IV (which was the 1977 film Star Wars). We don’t know yet how and why, and the drama in Episode II and Episode 3 will show that downward spiral from good to bad.
  TV Week: Will there be roles for Australian actors in the film, considering that it’s being made here?
  Rick: Yes. It’s basically an Australian crew – and for continuity purposes, there will be some actors from the previous film who will be working on this one, too.

• Talk with Ian McCaig and Lome Peterson
  SidiousNews.co.uk told JediNet.com about his trip to The Art of Star Wars Exhibition at the Barbican center in London. There he was able to attend a talk hosted by Anthony Daniels, with Ian McCaig (one of the concept designers of the prequels) and Lorne Peterson (in charge of the model deprtment).
  Here's his comments: It was a great talk, very entertaining, particularly when Anthony revealed that he had broken a piece of the second Death Star 18 years ago, and offered it to Lorne, and when Iain was explaining how he was worried that George would not find his designs high tech enough for Star Wars, and thus ept adding floating pods to all his concepts. McCaig stated one very interesting thing though. Apparently he finished work on Episode 2 a month ago! Strange, considering the script was supposedly completed only a few days ago. Unfortunately, when asked whether or not Episode 2 would feature a new Sith Lord, he only answered that Star Wars was like "a christmas present which he did not want to unwrap too soon". Lorne Peterson had more interesting stuff to say about Episode 2 however. Apparently, 80 people worked on models in Episode 1, and that number has increased in the past two years. This obviously means there will be a more extensive use of models in Episode 2. Star Destroyers?? TIEs?? Also, when asked why ships in Episode 1 looked much more refined than the originals, Peterson answered that "something horrible must happen in Episodes 2 and 3, something similar to a Nuclear winter" -episodeii.com

• Natalie Portman Interview!
  Natalie Portman was recently featured on Entertainment Weekly was interviewed and here's the part regarding Episode 2:
  
• - EW: How are you preparing for Episode 2 ?
  - NP: I've already gone through 10 hours of costume fittings within two days. And I'm going to have more costume fittings. And I'm going at the end of the month for screen tests with the boys -- which they won't tell me anything about. I'm very sore about it. They're like, How are we going to get you to come out here if we tell you who it is? So I'm like, [feigns crying] You're mean. You're torturing me. I'm very excited to be in Sydney for the summer, and I'm working on getting some friends out there with me. I had a hard time doing the last one because I was away from home, and I didn't have people with me. It was fun being in a foreign city, but I'm at the age where I need friends to support me and keep me interested in my days.

• Episode 2 script completed!
  Today Los Angeles' KROQ radio station had an interview, over the phone, with George Lucas. Lucas announced that he has finished the script for Episode 2. He jokingly admitted that he gets to race in the Toyota Grand Prix as a treat for finishing the script. He also mentioned that he will head on down to Australia in about 8 weeks to begin filming Episode 2. -episodeii.com

• What we know so far...
  Here's a list of the facts and rumours that has been floating around so far. Click Here! to view. Thanks to Alex for the compilation.

• Unconfirm Rumour: Mark Hoppus in Episode 2
  I've recieved a report that Mark Hoppus from Blink182 (the bassist) is going to be in Episode 2 as a jedi knight. He will be wielding a lightsaber and is good friends with Obi-Wan. He will not be a huge character, but will get many lines and wield his lightsabee in action possibly the clone wars and a key sequence. To see a picture of Mark, Click Here!

• Anakin Skywalker rumour from BBC
  Tom Hanks' actor son Colin is the latest name to be linked with the much sought-after role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode 2. Hanks, 22, has confirmed he has had talks with George Lucas' casting director Robin Gurland, along with several other young actors. He is currently starring in the TV series Roswell, as Alex Whitman.

• Episode 2 to be Filmed Digitally.
  The Official Star Wars site has made a press release confirming that Star Wars Episode 2 will be filmed digitally. Check out the official site for more detail.

• Gillian Anderson: Love To Play a Jedi
  This is obtained from a recent AOL Live chat with Gillian Anderson. Someone shot out an episode ii question
  Question: Hi Gillian. Can you tell us if there is any validity to the rumors you may be in Episode 2 of Star Wars?
  Gillian: Not so far. I haven't been approached. I would love to play a Jedi, but there is no validity as of yet. But, you're welcome to push for it for me... LOL
  -theforce.net

• Casting Info from USA Today
  American actors need not apply for supporting roles in Star Wars, Episode II, which starts shooting this summer in Australia, Italy and Tunisia. Casting director Robin Gurland plans to cast "secondary" and non-recurring roles with Australian actors, says Lynne Hale, director of communications for Lucasfilm. (Yanks didn't have much better luck with Episode I, which was shot largely in England and used English actors in the smaller roles.) Casting for the second prequel - scheduled for a May 22, 2002, release - is well under way, even though director George Lucas is still working on the script (with no co-writers). As for casting Episode II's Anakin Skywalker, Shane West (Once and Again), Eric Christian Olsen (Get Real), Joshua Jackson (Dawson's Creek, The Skulls), Paul Walker (The Skulls), Colin Hanks (Whatever It Takes) and Devon Sawa (Final Destination) have gone on record about talks with Gurland.

• Locations for Episode 2
  Samuel L. Jackson was recently on MTV's Total Request Live, when he revealed where he will be going to shoot Episode 2. One guy asked Jackson what was going on with Episode 2? Jackson replied, "Yeah I'm heading down to Australia, Tunisia, and France this summer."

• George Lucas on Episode 2
  Finally, news on Episode 2 from George Lucas himself. This is an interview from E! News daily. Here's the summary of the interview:
  - Leo is Not Anakin...George said "I don't cast Movie stars." He said he was looking for someone younger around 20...he said Leo's an old man. He's interviewed a dozen actors and he said he'll see about a dozen more and then they'll start to see who is Anakin.
  - Not a shocker, but while talking about John Williams he said "He'll be back for the next two."
  - Jules asked about Jet Li in the next film and George replied "No...uhhh...No." He chuckled at the end of that.
  -theforce.net

• Site Update: E2W moved to Australia and TPM video release!
  E2W has moved to Australia! With that, we hope to bring you the lastest news regarding the filming of Star Wars: Episode 2.
  The other news is TPM video release is due on April 5th in Australia.

• What are they looking for in Anakin
  Here's an update from starwars.com and a question was directed to Star Wars prequel casting director, Robin Gurland:
  Q: When casting Episode II's Anakin, how closely will you try to match Jake Lloyd's physical appearance?
  A: General coloring and eye color - along with a facial structure likeness will suffice.

• Vacation to the Episode 2 Set Giveaway!
  Here's an article from theforce.net:
  Let the Star Wars, Episode 2 hype begin! Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm and Fox Home Video are giving away a vacation worthy of a Jedi Knight: a trip to the Episode 2 film set. The next chapter of the Star Wars saga will be filmed in Australia, Tunisia and Paris for an anticipated spring 2002 release. Cartoon Network will air a toll-free number from 4 to 6 p.m. ET/PT April 3-7 for a chance at winning the family trip to a galaxy far, far away.

• Filming for Episode 2 to begin in June 6!
  This is something from a source in Australia. According to him, he was at Fox studios in Sydney and managed to find out that filming for Episode 2 begins on JUNE 6. George Lucas will arrive in the next week or so to start pre-production. Moulin Rouge with Ewan mcGregor. He added that Lucas has 4 years at Fox studios in Sydney. Please note that this is an unconfirmed report.

• Joshua Jackson: I am not in the running!
  Here's a report from theforce.net. Dawson's Creek star Joshua Jackson's recent interview on radio station WZTA's morning show, stated that he was not in the running for the casting of Anakin and was interested for the role. When asked if he send a resume or talked to George Lucas, he replied, 'I talked to the casting director once, that is as far as I got. As much as I would love to play that role, there is no way I would get the part. They said that there is a certain type that they are looking for, and I guess I am not it.'

• Jet Li: Would love to play Boba Fett
  Jet Li stated that he had read about the rumors that he was playing Boba Fett in Episodes 2 and 3 but he has not been approached although he would still love to play Fett.

• Preliminary test for Episode 2
  This is taken off from theforce.net: As you've reported on earlier last week, they are doing tests with the new digital cameras. But here's the good part: there beginning to work with blue screen now. ILM guys are dressing up in costumes and doing blue screen/green screen work during the test run. Then the footage is being uploaded and composited against the background plates of the Phantom Menace to see how it looks. This is one of the preliminary tests for Episode 2.

• Obi Wan: Jedi Knight of the Millenium
  According to the E2W poll, Obi Wan has been voted Jedi Knight of the Millenium with 46% and Luke Skywalker came in second with 27%. To view the results, click here!
  The E2W poll can be found on the bottom right of this page and this month the poll is on the best Star Wars movie!!

• Jeff Garner as Anakin?
  So, when George Lucas said he'd be casting an unknown for Anakin... did he mean it? If so, then this tall kung fu practicing farm boy stock broker weekend theater acting dude named Jeff Garner is looking like he's the guy in black. He fits the age range, the physical prowess and has an alleged history with Ray Park. -Episode-X@ sevaan.com

• Testing of digital camera
  Another article from theforce.net, I saw the report earlier about tests going on at Fox Australia with the digital cameras for Episode 2. Tests have already been going on at ILM for a couple of weeks now with the new cameras. It'll take a while to get the bugs out. From what I hear, it's so far so good, but there's still lots of testing to be done.

• Casting for Anakin underway!
  Here's an article from theforce.net. The interesting part is that Lucasfilm spokeswoman Jeanne Cole is quoted as saying that Anakin casting is underway, Gurland's met with hundreds of actors last month but they haven't made a decision yet. That's the same thing Lynne Hale told that soap magazine in early January.

• Update: Set construction to begin in March
  Here's something from GS, who has a cousin in Sydney working as a set carpenter on films there. According to him, work is set to begin in MARCH on the sets of Episode 2.

Rumour Highlight

Hayden Christensen IS Anakin Skywalker

the production of Episode 2 could also use about 1,000 extras during its 10-week shoot in Sydney.

George Lucas. Lucas announced that he has finished the script for Episode II


Episode II Information

'From June until the end of August, and then we’ll take the Australian crew to Europe. We’ll finish shooting in September and then have 18 months in post-production.'
-Rick McCaLLUM on how long will the Episode II crew be in Australia

'Highly unlikely. My advice: Forget everything you knew, or thought you knew about the origins of Boba Fett....'
-Steve Sansweet on the origins of Boba Fett

Episode II Spoiler

Geonosis is a rocky planet covered in strange geologic formations. It is inhabited by the Geonosians, a race made up of workers, warriors, flyers, and more. They are the creators of the battle droids