As soon as work completed on Episode I, it started on Episode II. In various sessions at TalkCity, producer Rick McCallum has talked a bit about what is going on with the new film, and some hints of what to expect. Also, both George Lucas and McCallum spoken in interviews briefly about the whole Star Wars saga.
The new film is scheduled to come out in the summer of 2002.
Episode II takes place about 10-12 years after Episode I. That would make Anakin 19-21 years old, and Padmé/Amidala 24-26 years old. Where Episode I showed a growing relationship between the two, Episode II is more a love story.
Certain familiar characters from the original trilogy will be introduced in Episode II. Among them is Boba Fett, who is the bounty hunter who finds Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back.
What about Darth Maul? Will he return? According to McCallum, not likely. But the Dark Side has lots of characters. Asked about the possibility of a female Jedi, McCallum replied, "Good question. Good idea. Perhaps. I hope so. Maybe. Wait and see."
Many of the characters will return. Ewan McGregor will again play Obi-Wan Kenobi. Natalie Portman will again play Queen Amidala. However, the story calls for a much older Anakin Skywalker.
Rumors have been flying about Leonardo DiCaprio playing Anakin. (DiCaprio opposite Portman?) More recently, there have been rumors of Anakin will be played by Ray Park, who played Darth Maul in Episode I.
However, in a TalkCity chat on June 3, asked about DiCaprio, McCallum stated that casting hasn't even begun yet for Episode II, and won't until September or October.
How does one get casting information for Episode II? According to casting director Robin Gurland, the best way is to check www.starwars.com, the official Star Wars website, which will tell when casting calls will be out.
The script for Episode II is not finished yet. George Lucas is still writing it, and probably won't be finished until September. (He is about half-done.)
In the meantime, pre-production work has started. The art department at Lucasfilm has been meeting about the film. Costume designs and vehicle designs are coming out. Locations are being scouted for the new film.
Lucasfilm has a reputation for pushing the art and technology
of film-making. Episode II is expected to be shot digitally
instead of on celluloid.