EPISODE II: A SPEEDY FAREWELL!

It was a first meeting fraught with uncertainty followed by deep personal tragedy. Now, from their homestead, the Lars Family say goodbye to their departing friends Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, in a deleted scene, sadly one of many linked to the old/new characters of Tatooine, from EPISODE II.

A behind the scenes break in filming.

EPISODE II: RETURNING HOME...

The notorious bounty hunter Jango Fett returns to his unique home facility with the clones of Kamino, his ongoing, highly paid services to them, and to the mysterious Darth Tyranus, having now endured for over ten years. His legacy work dedicated to evil and power will soon shatter a galaxy during the events of Episode II.

More terrific concept work by the ever-talented Doug Chiang.

EPISODE II: CAPTURING AN ASTEROID PURSUIT!

                                           

It's a busy time for Obi-Wan Kenobi on film as he chases after the bounty hunter Jango Fett. And it's a busy time filming the scene for actor Ewan McGregor too, in this great behind the scenes image from Episode II.

EPISODE II: POLITICALLY CHALLENGED!

Now returned to Naboo, Senator Amidala confers with the new Queen Jamillia about the state of the Republic and a place to hide from potential assassins, much to the chagrin of her Jedi Knight protector Anakin Skywalker, in a memorable moment once more filmed in Italy for Attack of the Clones.

Note the Italian background actor filling in for Oliver Ford Davies as Sio Bibble. Davies would be added to the film in Post Production.

'EPISODE III' AT TWENTY: NICK GILLARD AND THE ART OF LIGHTSABER CONFLICT!

Delivering the duel fans had waited for, Nick Gillard, with Kyle Rowling and Michael Byrne, observe Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen in posed action for Annie Leibovitz's special Episode III coverage in Vanity Fair - 2005.

With the thrilling duel between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi against the lethal double-bladed nastiness of Darth Maul, Prequel Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard delivered action not previously seen or experienced in the saga to thrilled audiences and fans worldwide. Now, with Episode III, and the eagerly awaited lightsaber conflicts detonating the end of the saga, especially the emotional final conflict between Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader and his former friend and master in Obi-Wan, the accomplished, thoughtful Gillard, with an exceptional British and Australian stunt team alongside him, as well as enthused work from stars Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor, was ready to deliver the exciting goods once again, with years of planning on his side going into 2003-2005 and an excellent grasp of the main characters, giving them their own unique fighting styles that have endured for over twenty years.

Star Wars Aficionado celebrates and thanks Nick Gillard for his iconic work. 

Kyle Rowling and Hayden go through a specialist move.

Going through the moves with Nick Gillard on Episodes II and III.

Making a point with Ewan, who took to the dance-like Lightsaber duelling with speed.

Ewan and Hayden working with Kyle Rowling on the film's opening duel with Count Dooku.

"Hayden worked really hard. He did six hours of sword fighting every day with us, and then he did two hours of training plus an hour solid of weights and an hour of cardiovascular work. And he had to eat about six times a day!"

Nick Gillard - STAR WARS INSIDER MAGAZINE - January/February 2006

"I think we both really work well off each other. He's (Hayden)  a great actor and he did a really good job in this. Yeah, I think we worked really hard on this one and we were all really comfortable."

Ewan McGregor - Unknown Internet interview quote - May 2005

The epic duel as realised at the FOX Studios, Australia, towards the end of Episode III's filming.

Nick Gillard watches the action closely.

Obi delivers a kick blow to Anakin.

Coordinating the filming of the Mustafar lave flow skiff duel scene.

On Episode II, a great posed shot with Samuel L. Jackson and Ewan McGregor.

Nick Gillard BREAKS The Internet STAR WARS Prequels MASSIVE Interview - YouTube

EPISODE II: MEETING THE NABERRIES!

Outside Padme's family home, Pooja (Hayley Mooy) and Ryoo Naberrie (Keira Wingate) enjoy the company of R2-D2 in a noted deleted scene from EPISODE II.

Taking a much welcome respite from both the darkness and important political decision-making surrounding her, Padme Amidala lets her true self show when she brings her Jedi protector Anakin Skywalker along with her to a peaceful suburban area of Naboo to meet her parents, sister and her nieces. A charming sequence, ultimately cut for ongoing problematic time and pacing reasons (filmed at the Australian FOX Studios and with location scenes at Lake Como, Italy in 2000), this would have helped further develop Padme's character whilst solidifying her own secret affection for the handsome Anakin, a fact that doesn't go unrecognised by her loving family, nor the potential building danger of her current in-hiding situation...

Arriving at the district house containing Padme's family, on the outskirts of Theed City on Naboo.

Despite their roles being cut, kudos to Prequels casting director Robin Gurland for the choice of fine local Australian talent playing Padme's family. Bar Claudia Karvan's character, the rest of the onscreen family would briefly return for their daughter's onscreen funeral on Naboo, at the end of Revenge of the Sith. 

Padme enjoys a warm reunion with her older sister.

The duo watch as Anakin enters the dining area.

Anakin meets the intrigued Naberrie women.

The playfully inquisitive Sola (Claudia Karvan) soon teases her sister Padme about the handsome young man in her life.

Anakin enjoys the family atmosphere he wishes he could've had as a child, in a lovely moment adding further nuance to his character.

Padme's father Ruwee Naberrie (Graeme Blundell) readies dinners at table.

The meal begins as curiosity about Padme and Anakins's friendship and his protectorate status are asked.

A lovely shot of Natalie Portman from the scene.

Jobal (actress and singer Trisha Noble) is worried when she hears that her daughter's life is in danger, which Padme tries to play down... 

... yet Anakin must ultimately convey the seriousness of the situation to the family to her father.

A seasoned former diplomat, Ruwee confers with Anakin about Padme's situation with Anakin, in a scene filmed on location at a luxury house and its gardens at Lake Como, Italy.

Sola sees Padme's clear affection for her Jedi protector.

A brief moment that appeared in one of Episode II's first trailers.

Natalie Portman has fun being directed on set by George Lucas in 2000.

Natalie Portman's deleted scene wardrobe as Padme.

'ATTACK' AT 20: THE SECRET WEDDING...

Newly returned to Naboo, Senator Padme Amidala and her 'Jedi escort' Anakin Skywalker (now bearing a replacement robotic hand for the one lost against Count Dooku), having finally declared their love for each other before and after the Battle of Geonosis, wed in secret at the lush Varykino safe house, with no audience to celebrate their joyful union but their faithful droid comrades Threepio and Artoo. 

As the striking sun sets in front of all of them after the newlyweds long and loving kiss, an uncertain future of war, love, secrets, and betrayal awaits Anakin and Padme, as the galaxy around them equally faces similar tests amidst the encroaching shroud of darkness...

Trisha Biggar Reflects on Star Wars: Attack of the Clones | StarWars.com

 

Natalie Portman in a stunning wedding outfit.

Sealed with a subtly passionate kiss.

The secret wedding ceremony.

Threepio (Anthony Daniels) and Artoo (performer unknown) at the wedding, a moment filmed in London and added into the movie during late post production.

Dermot Power costume design for Padme's gorgeous wedding dress.

Trisha Biggar Reflects on Star Wars: Attack of the Clones | StarWars.com

Preparing the scene, as a local Italian extra plays the wedding overseer.

A close-in look at Anakin's robot hand.

Fun on location with producer Rick McCallum.

This is the final Twentieth Anniversary celebration article on Attack of the Clones. We hope that you've enjoyed the exhaustive coverage...

'ATTACK' AT 20: DOOKU ESCAPES!

Newly arrived at the secret hangar bay with an accompanying squad of Clone Troopers, battle-ready Padme Amidala is too late to stop the confident Count Dooku's escape from Geonosis, but not for want of trying with her assured blaster fire directed at his solar sail vehicle, which soon after arrives secretly within the hustle and bustle of Coruscant. Touching down in an antiquated building within the mysterious industry area of the planet, Dooku, in his true guise as Darth Tyranus, confidently gives his master, Darth Sidious the welcome news that the galactic war has begun.

His mission of chaos accomplished, Dooku departs Geonosis.

Concept art of the Solar Sail vessel.

Count Dooku returns secretly to Coruscant...

At the secret foundry location, Darth Sidious awaits his returned apprentice.

... to inform his master, Darth Sidious, that 'the war has begun'!

The original construction for the Solar Sail vehicle amidst the secret Separatist hangar at FOX Studios, Australia, for August 21st, 2000 filming.

Ian McDiarmid takes a break on set by the Solar Sail vehicle.