'ATTACK' AT 20: CREATING THE DIGITAL YODA!

With the success of Jar Jar Binks as a digital creation, the time was right for the saga's beloved Master Yoda to gain an old/new lease of life in CGI for Attack of the Clones, especially with the film's finale, crowd-pleasing finale lightsaber duel between him and his once apprentice, Count Dooku.

“In EPISODE II I wanted Yoda to fight, to be an actual warrior, not just this sage. I obviously couldn’t even think about doing that on the other films. It wasn’t technically doable. Now I can.” 

George Lucas - TV GUIDE magazine - May 11th - 17th issue - 2002

Physical sculpt reference model, a cast presumably taken from the surviving Yoda head in the Lucasfilm Archives.

Rob Coleman and an ILM team mate observe the details on the Yoda sculpt for future CGI reference use.

Developing Yoda tests, copying a scene from The Empire Strikes Back.

Getting closer to the final version.

Rob Coleman looks at completed footage of the Yoda/Dooku confrontation.

“There were a lot of challenges and if we hadn't met those challenges I wouldn't have had a movie, especially on this one, because I had to replicate Yoda. If I couldn't replicate Yoda digitally I was in serious trouble. I couldn't have made this movie. We tried to make him digitally on the first movie and we couldn't do it, but if we hadn't accomplished it here I would have had a pretty silly end of the movie.” 

George Lucas - BBC Online interview - 2002

An image used for marketing and merchandise.

CLASSIC ART: THE BUSINESS OF WAR!

The battle between newly arrived Republic forces against the mechanical armies created by the repulsive Geonosians is in full chaotic, destructive swing, as seen in this excellent Ryan Church conceptual work for EPISODE II, an intense image captured on screen exactly as painted.

CLASSIC IMAGE: MAKING THE CONNECTION!

On the harsh and dusty Outer Rim desert world of Geonosis, lone Jedi Obi-Wan prepares to send a vital message from his starfighter, aided by droid R4, in a scene filmed in later UK re-shoots for EPISODE II -note the wig Ewan is wearing after having previously shaved his hair for the Ridley Scott action drama Black Hawk Down.

CLASSIC IMAGE: STARSHIP SENTINEL!

Filmed during London pick-ups for EPISODE II, the Artoo Detoo "suit" is later operated out of shot by regular Droid Man" Don Bies, for the moment where it picks up Obi-Wan's urgent message from Geonosis.

BEHIND THE SCENES: RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING...

Ewan McGregor endures another soggy day against green screen at the FOX STUDIOS, Australia, during 2000's filming of ATTACK OF THE CLONES, for a key scene on Kamino talking to Master's Yoda and Mace Windu. Still, at least he's got Third Assistant Director Gordon Westman to keep him company, and hold the umbrella!

CLASSIC ART: SURPRISE!

Clone Gunships make a swift attacking entrance into the heart of the Geonosian Death Arena, in this evocative 2001 conceptual art for EPISODE II by Erik Tiemens.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TO SAVE A WORLD...

Despite his reputation as a maverick, Qui-Gon Jinn, as played by Liam Neeson, remains one of the Jedi Order's finest members, as his bravery and compassion help Queen Amidala and her people win the fierce Battle of Naboo, during the Prequel launching events of EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE.

Check out the AFICIONADO ARCHIVE covering the story that ultimately leads into the events of EPISODE I, the novel CLOAK OF DECEPTION, here:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRZGZTc2RyWmllSTA/edit?usp=sharing

Note: to see the PDF in its full quality, it's best to download the file directly to your desktop.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE GERMAN 'PHANTOM'

Queen Amidala makes a distinguished impression with German STAR WARS Prequel fans as EPISODE I makes its TV debut circa 2001, in this interesting poster composition.

DELETED SCENE: A SPEAKER FOR ALDERAAN!...

The original Bail Organa, as played in EPISODE I by Adrian Dunbar.

Bail Organa of Alderaan, later to become Bail Antilles, adds his name in support to an investigation into the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo, in his short but sadly excised scene/s from EPISODE I, recently unearthed on the THE COMPLETE SAGA Blu-ray from last year.

Bail Organa and his aides watch the drama unfold in the senate chamber.

Dunbar makes his entrance. Note the Princess Leia lookalike to the left.

For the full story on Adrian Dunbar's involvement on the film, as the original adopted father of Princess Leia, check out out Ian Trussler's blog feature here: THE FORGOTTEN BAIL

For more on Bail Antilles, check out the great James Luceno novel set prior to EPISODE I: CLOAK OF DECEPTION. Visit our archive on the tale here:
http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/f/CLOAK_OF_DECEPTION_ARCHIVE_2010.pdf