EPISODE III: DROID TRI-FIGHTER COMBAT!

The epic war between Republic and Separatists continues in spectacular and explosive fashion, culminating with the epic and near-decisive Battle of Coruscant, which sees the greatest array of hero and enemy combatants at conflict in the once peaceful world's skies and planetary atmosphere. How many Republic pilots will be taken out by those lethal and advanced droid Tri-Fighters, ominously seen here in this great digital image composite for EPISODE III?

'ATTACK' AT 20: THE CLONE WAR BEGINS...

The first critical battle of the infamous Clone Wars is underway, as thousands of combat trained Clone Troopers advance against Separatist legions, whose epic conflict in EPISODE II was realized in ways that surely lived up to most fans expectations after the pivotal galactic war was first mentioned by Luke Skywalker back in cinemas during 1977.

“We’ve been hearing about this clone war for years, ever since the first movie; so it had to be very big, and very Star Wars–sized.” 

Ben Snow - Cinefex magazine - issue 90 - 2002

“It’s the kind of battle we always wanted to do in Star Wars. Now I was able to really cut loose and have all those action pieces be what I’d always hoped they’d be.” 

George Lucas - 2002 interview - Total Film magazine - Issue 102 - May 2005 (Star Wars Supplement)

Clone attack staging area. Production painting art by Ryan Church.

Escaped from the Geonosis Arena, the Jedi head off to the Clone Troopers staging area.

Newly arrived at the battle scene, Mace Windu directs the Clone Trooper forces.

The Clone Troopers press on in their ground attack.

Separatist Spider Droids also advance on their enemies.

Hailfire Droids begins their bombardments. Art by Erik Tiemens.

Battle Droids and Separatist artillery go into battle. 

Under Anakin Skywalker's instruction a Trade Federation fuel cell is destroyed.

Advancing on an escaping Trade Federation cruiser pod. Production painting art by Ryan Church.

"George said that the clones were clever. He said: “They’re human, they know a thing or two. Unlike the battle droids, which are machines that just march mindlessly into gunfire, the clone troopers are like trained Vietnam fighters, with squads of guys moving around.” So there was a dichotomy there-the clash of the droids, who just march to their doom like Napoleonic soldiers versus these smarter clones moving in squads. And that changed the way we choreographed the clone war battle. We ended up with whole battalions of droids coming in one place, and squads of clones moving all over the place.” 

Ben Snow - Cinefex magazine - Issue 90 - 2002

Aayla Secura and her troops go into battle.

The Clone Troops stop an escaping Trade Federation cruiser pod.

Heavy attack from above.

Landing Republic heavy forces.

Direct hit! Art by Erik Tiemens.

Republic forces attacked. Art by Ryan Church.

Unused animatics of the battle.

Droid forces face heavy resistance.

In a storm of dust, the Clones fight on.

The same scene as rendered by Ryan Church.

Into battle with this multi-media art linked to the film's classic battle.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Production painting art of the ground forces and air support.

A selection of storyboards by Rodolfo Damaggio. More Clone Troopers attack their targets.

The Jedi go into action!

Going into battle as the Geonosians blast at them from the ground.

Marching on to battle as the ground conflict intensifies.

An enemy in retreat.

A Geonosian energy cannon.

Separatist Spider Droid conceptual art.

Separatist Hailfire Droids concept art.

Steve Gawley adjusts a collapsible Republic vehicle at ILM prior to filming. 

'ATTACK' AT 20: ENTER COUNT DOOKU!

The enigmatic but very deadly Count Dooku makes his mark in EPISODE II.

Once an esteemed and valued member of the Jedi Council, Count Dooku of Serenno shockingly abandoned the order and his long-time associates, unhappy with affairs linked to its leadership and the ongoing decisions of the Republic, to ultimately be at the forefront of a building-in-numbers opposing Separatist movement across the galaxy. With such chaos resultant from his actions, what would the consequences be for all should such a respected figure actually be a long-time convert to the Dark Side of the Force?

Early costume design ideas for Count Dooku.

Playing such a charismatic, distinguished, statesman-like figure, capable of showing intellectual superiority fused with dangerous cunning, alongside a skilful arrogance in all his endeavours, only the versatile and excellent British character actor/icon Christopher Lee could play the pivotal role of Dooku, especially with his previous connections to the saga via his dear friend Peter Cushing. Interestingly, another fine actor, Gabriel Byrne, was also allegedly considered, but when the role of Dooku was an earlier idea of being a younger man.

“I didn’t want to keep creating bigger monsters (to become Sith Lords). I decided to make him (Count Dooku) an old gentleman-go more into the elegant mode than a monstrous mode. I just felt it was more right for the part. It’s not as jazzy as other things, but it seemed to fit better.” 

George Lucas - The UK Star Wars Magazine Issue 39-July/August 2002 

On Geonosis, Dooku makes pacts with the Banking Clan and the Techno Unions to overwhelm the currently limited in numbers Republic forces.

“Dooku is a Jedi. And not very many Jedi have turned their back on the Order. He is the latest one to do so. But he is human and speaks and behaves as one in that galaxy far far away. He has supernatural powers. Both Saruman (of The Lord of the Rings) and Dooku have great powers of magic. But that’s the only similarity between the two. Dooku makes his appearance for the first time in five films. That’s very important to me as an actor. All of a sudden he is there. Who is this man, where does he come from? He’s very much a man of mystery.” 

Christopher Lee - Internet interview (source unknown) - 2002

Now on Geonosis, Obi-Wan hears of the plans and warns the Jedi before ultimately being captured by enemy forces.

"I talked to George Lucas about the character. He is a battle-scarred Jedi. The word 'Dooku' is Japanese for 'Poison'.

Christopher Lee - BBC TV interview - 2002

Dooku unsuccessfully tries to convert the captured Obi-Wan Kenobi to the Separatist cause, but not before fusing lies within deep truths about the Republic and the Sith influence.

THE CLONE WARS: EVIL-DOERS!

On the bridge of a rogue Trade Federation vessel, the evil Count Dooku and his key associates in terror and carnage - Wat Tambor, General Grievous and Nute Gunray - plan their attacks at the start of the now infamous Clone Wars, in this great moment from the montage beginning to The Clone Wars animated movie of 2008.

Why Star Wars’ Christopher Lee Hesitated Dubbing Dooku in The Clone Wars Film

CLASSIC ART: THE SKY'S AFIRE!

In a battle unlike anything seen before by the people of Coruscant since the starting reign of the Old Republic, the Jedi and the Clone space fleet engage sneak-attack enemy Separatists who have achieved the seemingly unthinkable- capturing the noble Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, as seen in this great fan art evoking the heady atmosphere space dogfights that will start EPISODE III.

CLASSIC IMAGES: FUTURE PLANS INITIATED...

Retreating hastily back to the Outer Rim world of Utapau, General Grievous discovers the next phase of Darth Sidious's cruel plans for the galaxy, and the future for a certain Jedi, in a scene from EPISODE III.

CLASSIC IMAGE: MASSACRE ON MUSTAFAR!

Trapped in the control room of their secret Mustafar base, the Trade Federation and Separatist enemies of the newly established First Galactic Empire are swiftly wiped out by the proclaimed Emperor's lethal man servant, the shrouded identity hidden Darth Vader, in this great moment from EPISODE III.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SEPARATIST WAR MACHINES!

In the hostile wilderness of Geonosis, the Separatist Droid army is on the march in its thousands, as all shapes and size of machine automate terror unleashes its firepower on the approaching Jedi and Clone Trooper battalions, in this memorable shot from EPISODE II.

CLASSIC ART: BROTHERHOOD OF THE FORCE!

Our favourite family heroes and villains pose, lightsabers ready, against the backdrop of intergalactic war and emerging tech firepower, in this fine saga bridging art by Matt Busch for a STAR WARS GALAXY card series from a few years back.

CLASSIC IMAGE: INTO THE FRAY!

In their sleek Starfighters, Jedi heroes Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi navigate the perilous upper atmosphere close-quarters combat between Separatists and Republic vessels, during the memorable sequence of galactic chaos and carnage that would launch EPISODE III.

THE 'SITH' AT 10: CLOSE-QUARTER CLONES

Making the most of their surprise attack against Grievous's forces on Utapau, Commander Cody and his bold Clone Troopers press on with their advantage, in this visually memorable sequence from EPISODE III.

A 'SITH' AT 10: GRIEVOUS GETAWAY!

Unwilling to be taken prisoner by any "Jedi scum", the hideous leader of the droid armies, General Grievous, makes ready to bring destructive chaos in his escape wake, during this exciting scene from EPISODE III.