I hope that the Force will be with you as the ghouls and goblins run about tonight! How many of you plan to dress up as a Star Wars character? I bet a few! Surely the 501st will be out in masses tonight.

Teen Hollywood features an interview with Hayden Christensen, which primarily talks about Shattered Glass, but there are a few Star Wars questions. Here's one of them:

TeenHollywood: You mentioned that one of the things about doing these films is that they’re so big that sometimes the performance is not the primary focus in making it. Do you feel like the third film, with Anakin’s transformation to Vader will be an exception?

Hayden: I hope so. There’s no question that there was an excitement on this film that wasn’t as prominent on the last. Particularly, George [Lucas]’s approach was much more hands on this time, And just the inherent art of what Anakin’s journey is, is more enthralling than the last [film], and there was more for me to sink my teeth into. And that final transition is one for the books. It’ll be a neat film, definitely.

Hit the link above to read the rest of the article.

TF.N has provided some more Episode III spoilers, including plenty of information on Obi-Wan. Spoilers - Highlight to read:

- Yoda vs. Sidious DOES happen. Maybe even in the Jedi Temple....maybe in the council chambers...and maybe while the temple is under attack and being destroyed...

- When Obi-Wan kills Grievous, his eyes come out of his head...very Raiders of the Lost Ark gruesome. George likes to leave no doubt that his villains are indeed dead.

- Qui-Gon definitely finds a way to communicate with Obi-Wan in the film.

- You'll empathize with Anakin for feeling neglected and betrayed by the jedi order. They really don't treat him with any respect despite his heroic actions early in the film.

- Remember the set diary where Bail is firing at unseen assailants as he gets to his speeder? Expect him to be shooting at clone/stormtroopers.

- Obi-Wan takes Luke to Tatooine because he knows that Tatooine is the one place that Anakin will never willingly return there.

The NY Daily News has a new article today on Hayden Christensen and Episode III. While little spoilerage was revealed, it is definitely a fun read. Here's a clip before you head over there for the rest:

"I had a better understanding of Anakin this time," Christensen admits. "There was more to sink my teeth into."

To preserve the film's mystique, the actor has been sworn to near-secrecy in discussing his role in "Episode III," which isn't due out until 2005.

"I can't talk much about it," says the Toronto native, who started acting in TV commercials at age 8.

But Christensen won't remain mum on his admiration for co-star Natalie Portman, who continues her reign as Queen Amidala.

"She's a real sweetie, and a good kisser," Christensen says, grinning.

"No, make that a fantastic kisser!"

Hit the above link for the full article.

As Episode III transitions from one phase of production to the next, the surprise hit of the summer -- the Hyperspace webcam -- returns. Only Hyperspace subscribers can get this live look inside the making of a Star Wars movie. If you need to register, be sure to visit the Official Star Wars Site.

This past summer, Hyperspace viewers were glued to their monitors, watching events unfold one frame every twenty seconds on the Episode III webcam. Cameras positioned at Fox Studios Australia captured and transmitted images live from Sydney. Message boards were ablaze with discussion about seeing Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor sparring, actual production on set, creature and makeup tests, and a few fun bike-riding, sombrero-wearing surprises.

The final Star Wars film is now entering its postproduction phase. The offices in Australia have been closed down, and Director George Lucas and Producer Rick McCallum have settled in at their Skywalker Ranch offices in California.

The popularity of the production webcam -- among those watching and those being watched -- proved to be completely unexpected. To meet the needs of webcam addicts everywhere, Lucas and McCallum have approved the return of the camera.

The Hyperspace webcam is currently in the Editorial Department at Skywalker Ranch. The long stretch of postproduction is quite different than the 58-day shoot that occurred in Australia, and the current webcam incarnation will reflect these differences. Right now, the camera is set up to capture images from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Pacific time, on select weekdays. Please be aware that the camera may have to be shut off on occasion as production and relocation demands require.

Other locations are currently being scouted, since postproduction is just beginning. ILM has yet to start full-scale work on their visual effects, as teams are still being assembled over the coming months. Much further down the line will be sound mixing, recording sessions, and Episode III special events -- all possible locations for future webcam placement.

The Official Star Wars Site has announced some more new figures coming in 2004, and these are from the Clone Wars mico-series! Starting on November 7, the Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series will debut both on the Cartoon Network and here at starwars.com. Starting next year, young fans and toy collectors will be able to bring the explosive action of the Clone Wars home with a series of 3 3/4" action figures based on the animated series.

The four action figures from Wave 1 are styled in the designs developed by the Cartoon Network's Genndy Tartakovsky and Paul Rudish. This first set includes three heroes and one villain. They will be available exclusively at Target stores in the beginning of 2004. Be sure to click here to see all the great new figures!

The Official Star Wars Site has announced some cool new figures coming in 2004! If you've been holding off creating that Jabba's Palace diorama because you don't have enough action figures, Hasbro Inc. will be offering up five new basic figures and two new ultra figures next Spring based on everyone's favorite piece of worm-ridden filth and his pals. With a Ultra figure three-pack thrown in the mix, it's a total of nine new figures from Return of the Jedi, from the main cast of characters to the obscurest of the obscure. Be sure to click here to see all the great new figures!

Spoilers for the end of Ep3: Spoilers - Highlight to read:

As part of Anakin's seduction, Palpatine makes implications that he knows of ways to cheat death.

After the duel: Obi-Wan flees with Padme, Anakin is pulled from the lava by Palpatine's henchmen. Palpatine is also present as this is the scene where he gives him the name Darth Vader.

Source: TF.N

Episode-X has provided some spoiler information with a vivid description of the location in which 'The Duel' will be fought. Spoilers - Highlight to read:

For military matters, there is a War Room in an underground fortress. The war room is a mass of glass enclosures, electronic wall displays, monitors, and computer control stations. Military aides of various ranks crowd the room, which holds a giant display of the galaxy. Small symbols flash on and off over various portions of the big board.

Now what's interesting is that the War Room is located on the "eerie, reddish-yellow planet" Aquilae. Here's some more information on Aquilae:


There is a secret entrance to the hidden underground fortress that is located in a small desert canyon surrounded by steep cliffs and broken boulders. There is a maze of large boulders to follow to a sheer rock face. A large section of the rock slides away, revealing a well-lit corridor carved out of the rock. Two guards are on duty there. The secret rock door silently slides closed. The Underground Fortress also contains a Med Vac Emergency Room, staffed by several doctors.

George had the following old ideas in mind.

1. "Aquilae is an eery, reddish yellow planet that has an underground fortress, a MedVac facility and a War Room."

2. "I once toyed around with the idea of having the final duel of Return of the Jedi take place in an underground throne room located at the capital of the Republic, which I now have named "Coruscant". There would have been rivers of lava flowing around to make it look cool."

3. "I want Anakin to fall into some lava. I've always wanted that."

TF.N has some interesting news concerning updates for the DVD release of the Original Trilogy:

Apparently, subtle changes have been made to this print of A New Hope. This is leading us to believe that yes, additional work is being done on the Classics. We're hearing rublings thoughout the company, but not much has come forward so far except that work IS being done. Here is what may be the first step:

Today I attended a screening of ANH SE at the City of Angels Film Festival at the Director's Guild. This was the screening where it was first announced as a non-SE print. It wasn't. It was the standard SE print from 97. But here's the freaky part. When it got to the Obi-Wan/Darth Vader lightsaber fight, the lightsabers had been fixed!

Both Obi-wan and Vader's sabers had enhanced glows and brighter colors. Even the shot where you can see Obi-Wan's saber pointed at the camera -- it was fixed. Best of all, Vader's saber as he walked toward the hanger with the blast doors closing -- FIXED! Red, glowing, perfect. Several people around me noticed. The guy next to me said, "did you see that?" I don't know when ILM would've done it because the print looked like an old print. The good news is that it appears that when ANH hits DVD, the sabers will be fixed!

Excellent news! I've always noticed how obsolete that particular lightsaber duel looks. I hope they also fix the problem with saber shadows, which abound in the film.

TF.N has provided some more spoilers for Episode III, including some Episode III/ROTJ similarities. Spoilers - Highlight to read:

Some spoilers have indicated that Anakin literally stabs Mace Windu in the back. This could not be further from the truth. Windu and Anakin duel, and (while it is not an even fight, with Sidious helping Anakin) Anakin wins. Simple. However, look to see some elements of the Return of the Jedi in there, when Mace uses the Force to summon his lightsaber, and Anakin springs to the Chancellor/Emperor's defense. Remind you of a similar way to start the Episode VI duel?

Also, Anakin does not literally go in there and take out all the Younglings with his saber. The destruction of the Jedi Temple is aided by him, certainly, but he does not go from room to room slicing down Padawans. There are elements of that, but with older Jedi (probably this is to keep it at a PG rating).