SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 8: BERU'S KITCHEN CONVERSATION

With homely Beru Lars appearance in EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES cut down so savagely during the film's later post production editing (she has just one line in the finished film: "Hello"!) and followed by later re-shoots of material on Anakin and Padme, it would be nice if the upcoming Blu-rays could have Luke Skywalker's adopted mum to be's deleted scene with Padme, where, in the famous Homestead kitchen (painstakingly recreated by the films production designers to match the original environment conceived in 1976 by John Barry), she briefly talks about life on and outside of Tatooine...

"Would you like some blue milk?"

The Blu-ray Prequel deleted scenes for the new release total around 45 minutes, so that's probably 15 minutes for each film. A shame it all couldn't be longer, really, as there's at least 30 minutes of deleted scenes footage alone from ATTACK OF THE CLONES that is yet to be seen, with much of the final third of the film having been changed/re-worked/re-filmed in the post-production process.

CLASSIC IMAGE: LOVER'S PARADISE!

Senator in hiding Padme Amidala gets to spend a little quality time in the Naboo countryside with her Jedi protector Anakin Skywalker, in a "love haiku" scene filmed in the romantic and beautiful climes of Italy. In this image, actors Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen get ready to be photographed for their 2002 published VANITY FAIR cover shoot taken by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz.

For more detailed info on the EPISODE II location filming in Italy, Tunisia and Spain, check out our current AFICIONADO issue now available- THE BEST OF ISSUES 1-4.

To get it, head over here: BACK ISSUE PDF CATALOG

BEHIND THE SCENES: IT'S FUN TO BE A JEDI!

Confident that is he isn't "going out like some punk" death-wise in EPISODE III, Sam "The Man" Jackson has some laughs in the Supreme Chancellor's main audience chamber during an on-set filming break for EPISODE II at the FOX STUDIOS in Sydney in 2000.

THE TRUTH ABOUT POGGLE!

AFICIONADO contributor Ian Trussler recently got in touch with me about an EPISODE II related behind the scenes mystery relating to who played and voiced Poggle the Lesser. Here’s what he has to say:

“There has always been some confusion as to what Australian actor Marton Csokas did in relation to the role of Poggle the Lesser in AOTC. He is not credited on the movie itself but a couple of official publications do mention him in the role (as wel as in pre-production on STARWARS.COM in 2000) and it was generally considered that he did the voice.

This was all thrown into further doubt and confusion when Ben Burtt said in the Sounds of SW book that he used Ernie Foselius (from HARDWARE WARS) as the voice of Poggle by reording him speaking backwards and modifying it.

Well I finally got to the bottom of it when I recently met with Marton Csokas at the theatre where he was performing in TWELFTH NIGHT. Marton, who can also be seen in films like blockbuster movies like XXX, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and THE BOURNE IDENTITY, told me that he did actually perform the role of Poggle on set in Australia at the FOX STUDIOS with the other actors, much the same as Ahmed Best did for motion capture/reference purposes. He spoke the lines on set but it seems he did not record the dialogue separately.

Therefore it would seem that Marton is the embodiment of Poggle and that Foselius is the voice.

He was a very nice guy and happy to talk about the role, although he personally feels that he doesn't really know what is left of his performance on screen.”

Thanks for getting in touch and clarifying things, Ian…

CLASSIC IMAGE: RE-UNITED IN A TIME OF CRISIS

Within her triple-protected apartment on Coruscant, ex-Queen now senator, Padme Amidala, flanked by her aides Captain Typho and Handmaiden, Dorme, is re-united with her old friend, and new protector, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his "grown-up" Padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker, in this intriguing green screen scene filmed at the FOX STUDIOS in 2000 for EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

CLASSIC IMAGE: KI-ADI MUNDI

Here's a great close-in shot showing the detailed make-up on Silas Carson whilst playing the noble Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi, filming on the set of EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, at the FOX STUDIOS in Australia in 2000.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DEATH OF INNOCENCE!

Watched in sadness by his extended family and lover-to-be, Anakin Skywalker returns to the Lars Homestead with the body of his dead mother, Shmi, in this fateful scene from EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, filmed at the restored Nefta salt flats location previously used in 1976 for STAR WARS.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SITH SWORDSMANSHIP!

An interesting EPISODE II image used online for a devoted STAR WARS fans desktop wallpaper, showing Christopher Lee as the evil Count Dooku flexing two lightsabers for part of a filmed but ultimately deleted duel sequence between the Sith Lord and Yoda in the Geonosian Hangar. Let's hope that one day the entire action sequence will appear on Blu-ray.

Outside of playing Count Dooku, our best wishes go out to Christopher Lee on his accepting his BAFTA fellowship award for his life and career in movies this weekend in London. It's well deserved and great to see him properly acknowledged.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A LITTLE HELP FOR A JEDI

Two technicians make some adjustments to Ewan McGregor's make-up and costume during shooting of EPISODE II at the FOX STUDIOS in Australia in 2000. Note the lady on the right wearing a ribbed dark leather outfit that could be something worn by Darth Vader!

Additionally, here's a little bit of Ewan/ STAR WARS related news from the DAILY MAIL website (17/10/2010):

Ewan McGregor stars alongside his uncle Denis Lawson in his latest movie.

Ewan, 39, plays the head chef of a posh restaurant, while Local Hero star Denis is the owner in Perfect Sense.

‘It was strange sitting together in the make-up trailer,’ recalled Denis at the ITV3 Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards. ‘Ewan would say, ‘‘Morning, Uncle Denis.’’ 'I’ve directed him twice before but we’ve never acted together. It was great and I’m pleased to say he didn’t offer any constructive criticism on my acting.’

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE TWO MASTERS OF DARKNESS!

From the EPISODE II DVD special features, here's some fun images showing legendary actor Christopher Lee- Count Dooku himself- at FOX STUDIOS AUSTRALIA in 2000, getting ready to film the next part of his lightsaber duel (with double Kyle Rowling) in the Geonosian hangar for EPISODE II, and this time up against his old Jedi Master, Yoda. Only, his opponent's looking a little bit different today!

The reference Yoda dummy used on that days filming would be given some vampire fangs by the behind the scenes crew in an amusing DRACULA joke/honorable homage. Despite Lee's seriousness on set to Lucas that he didn't find the improvised visual gag funny, we secretly hope that he eventually saw the lighter side of it all!

CLASSIC IMAGE: JEDI MASTER LUMINARA UNDULI

Here's an interesting shot of the distinctive alien Jedi Master, Luminara Unduli - regularly seen in action in the animated THE CLONE WARS series - but here as she appears in her brief, but memorable, live action reality for EPISODE II, played by Mary Oyaya. This image comes from one of the films opening scenes, where the Jedi confer with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine on the recent attack on Padme Amidala, and its a shot you rarely see-it may even be a very high quality LUCASFILM screen grab from a close-up of the actress and the character that never made the completed film.

Luminara, alongside her then Padawan, Barriss Offee (Nalini Krishan), would return for the films finale, one of several hundred Jedi who storm the Geonosian arena and kick a lot of Battle Droid and insectoid life-form butt!

CLASSIC IMAGE: RETURN TO NABOO

Here's a nice shot from a partially deleted scene-I like those!! From EPISODE II, its the moment where Anakin and Padme return to Naboo and go to the Royal Palace at Theed for a conference with Queen Jamillia (just what happened to her between II and III. Not re-elected I presume? Thats politics!).

The sequence was filmed in beautiful Spain in the hot summer of 2000, and witnessed by thousands of screaming SW fans wanting cast and crew autographs, towards the end of ATTACK OF THE CLONES main bulk of Principal Photography.

SHAAK ATTACK!

In the Prequel films the noble lady Jedi Knight Shaak Ti, as played by the gorgeous Orli Shoshan,was rather shortchanged in screen time, with most of her action within the deadly Geonosis arena cut, whilst her EPISODE III death scene (filmed in two ways) would end up being regrettably relegated to the editing room floor. Thankfully, the 2003 animated CLONE WARS series from CARTOON NETWORK restored some of her adventurous glory, and it looks like the new third season of THE CLONE WARS, starting in October, will continue to do so (amongst some other exciting new faces yet to be revealed), as we finally see her realised in the CGI animated 3-D dimension (pictured above from the recent COMIC CON exclusive), this time working with the Kaminoans and their trainee Clone forces.

And one things for sure, if the Separatists decide to infiltrate or attack this critical Republic facility, this lady will be ready for them!

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: FETT EVOLUTION

2000 image from the ever talented Doug Chiang showing the costume evolutionary design process for EPISODE II's upcoming appearance of Bounty Hunter/ Clone Trooper template Jango Fett.

With thanks to Ian Trussler for the image.

SAVE OUR HOMESTEAD! ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER!

The Lars Homestead - the legendary adopted homeplace of Luke Skywalker- was originally built for location filming in Tunisia in early 1976 for the first STAR WARS film and then brilliantly, and lovingly, recreated from late Production Designer John Barry's original constructions blueprints in 2000 for EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES. It has since become a superb tourist spot since then, as fans of all ages worldwide have had the chance to recreate the classic scene where Luke looks upto the Tatooine twin suns and dreams of romance and adventure amongst the stars.

Now, that legenday location-the stuff of which dreams and legends are truly made-is under threat of extinction. A group of dedicated STAR WARS location site visiters and preservers have banded together to launch a FACEBOOK petition to try and keep the site alive for STAR WARS fans and future generations for the forseeable future. Add your voice to their cause at: 

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=136826779662292

Thanks to Linda Pellerito for the heads up.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ANAKIN ATTACK!

In a classic sequence from EPISODE II (which got lots of cheers from UK and US audiences on its premiere screening nights), though heavily truncated down from what was originally choreographed and filmed in 2000, the brave Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) goes on the attack against the fiendish Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). Note the digital face of Lee superimposed by ILM onto his excellent double, Australian stuntman and swordsman, Kyle Rowling.