Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is an American science fiction/fantasy film written and directed by franchise creator George Lucas. It was released theatrically in the United States on May 16th, 2002. It is the fifth film in the Star Wars feature film franchise and the second installment of the series' prequel trilogy. It follows the 1998 prequel film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and was succeeded by the 2005 film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The novelization of the film was written by R.A. Salvatore and published by Del Ray on April 23rd, 2002. As with the other films in the series, the music score was composed by Academy Award-winning composer John Williams and featured on the Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones soundtrack. Like the novelization, the soundtrack was also released on April 23rd.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones takes place ten years after the events of Episode I and twenty-two years before the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. A former Jedi named Count Dooku leads a secessionist movement against the Galactic Republic and has formed the Confederacy of Independent Systems. However, Dooku is just a pawn of the mysterious Sith Lord Darth Sidious and the brewing conflict is all part of Sidious' plot to form a massive Grand Army of the Republic. Anakin Skywalker is all grown up and working side by side his Jedi mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Following a failed attempt to assassinate Senator Padmé Amidala, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine assigns Anakin and Obi-Wan to investigate the matter. Their mission leads Obi-Wan to the planet Kamino where he learns that the Republic has been secretly creating a clone army. Anakin meanwhile, continues to wrestle with the dark impulses welling inside of him - impulses that are fueld after he suffers through a great personal tragedy. As the galaxy readies itself for war, Anakin takes one more step towards the Dark Side.

Production

 * Pre-production on Attack of the Clones began on June 26th, 2000. Principal photography concluded on September 20th.

Notes & Trivia

 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released to DVD in both full screen and widescreen formats on March 22nd, 2005 by 20th Century Fox. It was also included as part of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy DVD boxset, which was released on November 4th, 2008.