Star Wars: Episode II Preview

Hopes for Episode II are shockingly high. With more than

a year until its planned release date, speculation and hype are

already high. After the disappointment many fans felt after

Episode I, hopes are high that its sequel will be a much more polished

affair. Reports from within the Lucas camp are very positive indeed. Ewan McGregor himself commented on how much better the script for this film is than the script for the first film. When storyboards that seemed to come from within the Star Wars camp leaked out, comments were similarly positive. So, what can we expect?

Storywise, Lucas has remained typically coy. What we do know though sounds very exciting. Producer Rick McCallum explains: "We meet Anakin Skywalker when he's a young boy and we watch him become a Jedi- knight, then a Jedi-master. Then on the background of the Clone-Wars, he becomes a great hero, and on that moment pride, ego and selfishness take over and he chooses to go to the Dark Side. And rest of the movie is really about the consequences of what happens when you don't take responsibilities of your own action, and when you think you're better then anybody else."

Lucas has confirmed that the next two films in the new trilogy will be very different in tone to the first one, The Phantom Menace. Much like The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, Episodes II and III will be very dark and build up to the days of the Empire seen in 'A New Hope' (Episode IV).

Other key plot points are also explained in Episode II, like why the Stormtroopers are so stupid and the origins of Bounty Hunter, Boba Fett.

The Star Wars films are noted for excellent set pieces and Episode II will be no exception. Rumours suggest lightsaber fights in the rain and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) stealing the show with his sabre antics. No doubt there will be some space combat to add spice to the action too.

Away from the plot, there are also several differences in this new film when compared to the last one. Most obviously is the absence of the annoying little kid that pretty much ruined Episode I. This time Anakin Skywalker will be played by Hayden Christian, due to the differences in age between the two films. Hopefully, the image of Darth Vader uttering the words "yippee!" and "Yikes!" will be banished from memory for good. Also, Episode II will be filmed entirely on digital film. Doing this has allowed Lucas easier integration with CG effects, and clearer presentation to the cinema audience.

On the whole, the potential for Episode II, is very promising. It looks like the problems that dogged the first in the new films have been taken out with Lucas receiving script help from Jonathon Hales and the 'just for kiddies' feel has been abandoned for a much more grown up feel. Episode II has an absolutely mammoth task to live up to, but early signs are good that Lucas has a corker in his hands to silence his critics. Here's hoping...