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Stars talk Clones and Ep III
With the release of Attack of the Clones just around the corner, some of the film’s stars have begun the process of meeting with members of the press at Skywalker Ranch this week.
“I didn’t do anything like this on the original Star Wars,” recalled Director George Lucas. “Maybe I did a dozen interviews and one TV — that’s all there was. ‘The Today Show’ and then I did TIME magazine, the New York Times and a few other people, but there wasn’t an entertainment reporting business out there.”
For Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), his re-emergence into Star Wars came this last weekend at Celebration II in Indianapolis. “That was something else,” Christensen said. “It was like being a rock star for a day — it was weird. You walk out on stage and everyone starts screaming and they lose it. I’m glad I went because you realize how much these films mean to them and they’re not all nutty crazy Star Wars fans. They’re just people who want to have some mechanism for escape and I think the fantastical elements of Star Wars provides a great escape.”
The stars also had their first chance to see Episode II in final form.
“The intrigue is more intricate and gives the audience something to think about, even though we know the story,” said an excited Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu). “It’s being opened up to us and discovered. It’s still one of the most visually interesting things to sit down and watch, even though you know what’s going to happen to Anakin.”
“I’m not a Star Wars person, but I was so entertained by this film,” Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala) smiled. “It was amazing. I tend to get bored in action movies. I really think it’s going to be great for young people. Girls get the cute boy, guys get a little skin and lots of action.”
Portman is particularly satisfied with the burgeoning romance her character experiences. “I like that she comes from a place where everything is rigid and formal, so uptight. It’s such an interesting place to start from in a love story, because you have to melt her to get her in a place where she can be vulnerable. I think the first film, the mask-like façade was a really wonderful place to have continuity from because you can see she’s had this formal rigid upbringing and that changes when she meets that young stud.”
“He’s not too bad lookin’,” she laughed. “He has a passion and intensity that’s similar to hers. She’s a fixer — she’s someone who thinks she can fix the world and then she sees this young man who’s very damaged and broken. She sees he’s not beyond repair yet and it’s attractive to her to be able to bring him out of that.”
For Lucas, the time for reflection on Episode II has been short. “I’m working on writing the next one while this one comes out. I can only worry about what I’m doing today.”
The actors are eagerly anticipating what the final Star Wars chapter will bring, though thus far they’ve been kept in the dark on the details.
“I hope I die on-screen,” laughs Jackson. “We know that’s what happens. There are only two Jedi left when the first Star Wars starts, Obi-Wan and Yoda. Unless the rest of us went on vacation, we’re dead. I just hope I have a great death scene. That’s what acting’s all about — dying great!”
“George has told me nothing. Absolutely nothing,” said Hayden shaking his head. “I’ll have more mechanical parts in the next one for sure. I’m told I might get to sport the dark helmet. I’d like to kill Mace Windu. I love Sam. He’s supposed to be one of the most powerful Jedi.”
Fans enjoying Padmé’s midriff in Clones will have a different perspective in three years. “I’m going to be with child,” said Portman patting her belly. “The next one, according to George, is going to be a tragedy. It’s going to be sad, but I’m looking forward to having more to do.”
Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones opens May 16
