February 3, 2003

Story by Mitsy Matosis, Sydney, Australia

"It's all action - pure action!" says Tony Belatini. "Action with some romance and comedy mixed in. But mostly action."

After reluctantly agreeing to a LimpBunny interview, Italian-born Belatini is now reclining in his chair and sipping his coffee. He is filming the third installment of George Lucas's™ epic Star Wars™ series. The film, which has a simple working title Darth Vader™, takes place one year after Episode II™, and follows the journey of Anakin Skywalker™ as he falls into the depths of despair and turns to the dark side of the Force™.

We are on a sound stage in a studio in Sydney, Australia. The set, which consists of a huge blue piece of cloth hanging on one wall of the building, has taken several months and many millions of dollars to construct.

"It's all about attention to detail", says Belatini. "We spared no expense with any of the set design or the props. The cloth, for example, is the best blue chiffon money can buy. It will give the computer graphics extra texture and definition when we overlay them later."

This overlaying, done by the creative wizards at George Lucas's™ Industrial Light and Magic™, will replace the blue screen with the sensational dynamic computer generated images (CGI) audiences witnessed in Episode I™ and Episode II™.

It's time to start filming. Belatini tosses his empty coffee cup onto the floor and shouts sharp, precise orders at his assistants. His crew work frantically to prepare for the next scene. The camera operators are finally in position, and Belatini shouts "Action!". The cameras roll and the scene plays out before us. The Italian director is known for his quick temper and intolerance of arrogant or unprofessional actors. Luckily, the blue screen technique requires no actors to be on the set. They will be added later by computers. So the filming is remarkably peaceful as the cameras record the silent, motionless blue screen.

"We have three months of filming left to do," Belatini informs me after the take. "George needs the blue screen shot from several angles, and we always do a few takes of each scene, just so he has more material to work with."

And plenty of material is being created for Darth Vader, all over the world. LimpBunny recently caught up with actor John Goodman on location in Los Angeles, California. Goodman plays the role of the mature Anakin Skywalker in the new film. "I'm really excited about this role," says Goodman. "The blueberry muffins in the cafeteria are some of the best in the industry." Goodman, standing 183cm tall and weighing 196kg, dismisses suggestions he might not be the best choice for the role, which was played by Hayden Christensen in Episode II™, claiming "They will use digital effects to make my eyes the same colour".

In Los Angeles with Goodman is Jim Carey, who is starring in his first science fiction role as the evil Sith Lord, Count Moopoo. "It's really great, this movie. It's just so cool and stuff!" claims Carey. "I play a Nazgul, one of nine kings of men turned by the evil Sith Lord, Darth Sidious. We are searching for Obi-Wan Kenobi, who is carrying the One Thing, which is some sort of powerful device that can destroy Darth Sidious, I think. It's smokin'!" Jim Carey's character is brother to the Episode II™ villain, Count Dookoo, played by Christopher Lee, and also half-brother to Count Kookoo, played by a digitally remastered version of the late Oliver Reed.

Star Wars™ creator George Lucas™ himself has been keeping very tight-lipped about other details of Episode III™, but LimpBunny was lucky enough to get a copy of the seven page screen play for Episode III™ and is excited to present the following excerpt from the upcoming blockbuster!

Scene 43: (blue screen #123)

Anakin, frowning: "No. That's not true. It can't be true."

Obi-Wan, dismissively: "Yes, it is, my pantomime learner. You must be patient."

Anakin, whining: "But..."

Padmé Amidala: “Look Ani! I’ve just given birth to Luke and Leia!”

Anakin: “Come again?”

Darth Sidious, in slimy tone: "Join me, Anakin. Together, we can rule the universe ..."

Anakin, puzzled: "But ... erm."

Yoda, brow wrinkled: "Beware the Dark Side™, Anakin, it to hatred and pain leads."

Anakin: "Eh?"

Yoda: "Yes, evil it is, hmm ... Clouded your mind is."

Jar Jar Binks: "Meesir thinks Ani looks sexy in black, yessir."

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