Pre-production on STAR WARS EPISODE II (Lucas reportedly has a title in
mind, but it has not been released) has already begun. Shooting is set to
start in June 2000 with locations at Fox Studios Australia, Tunisia, and
Italy, and the release is scheduled for summer 2002. The story will focus
on the romance and marriage between Anakin Skywalker (the future Darth
Vader) and Queen Amidala, and the Siths' attempt to gain control of the
galaxy. Whereas the budget for EPISODE 1 was $115 million, Lucas says he
wants to keep the next film's budget under $100 million. Expected to return
are Natalie Portman as Queen Amadala, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ian
McDermott as Senator Palpatine, and Samuel Jackson as Jedi Master Mace
Windu. Jake Lloyd is expected to be replaced by an older actor as Anakin
Skywalker. Although there has been speculation about Steven Spielberg
directing EPISODE II, Lucas is expected to return as director. The film
will be shot using digital cameras, and an electronic camera system is
being developed specifically for LucasFilm by Panavision and Sony. Sony is
supplying the camera body for a 24 frames per second digital camera, and
Panavision is making the lenses and supervising the integration of the
systems. EPISODE III is scheduled for release in 2005.