Lucasfilm Unveils New 'Star Wars' Title

[Seraphim]

By ANTHONY BREZNICAN, AP Entertainment Writer

SAN DIEGO - The final "Star Wars" prequel is just "Episode III" no more. Lucasfilm announced its new title Saturday: "Revenge of the Sith."


The movie, set for release in May 2005, will link the prequels with the original "Star Wars" trilogy by showing how Luke Skywalker's father, Anakin, went from a sweet-natured slave boy to the galaxy-crushing villain Darth Vader. The Sith is the evil sect that corrupts Anakin (played by Hayden Christensen (news)) by drawing him into the dark side of the Force, the cosmic power that balances the universe.

Lucasfilm announced the new title at the annual Comic-Con International, the annual gathering of tens of thousands of sci-fi and superhero fans.

It was a risky move — some of the notoriously fickle "Star Wars" admirers initially bristled at previous prequel titles "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones."

"Star Wars" creator and filmmaker George Lucas did not attend the event, but sent fan relations chief Steve Sansweet in his place.

Sansweet announced the title by pulling off a baseball jersey to reveal a black T-shirt emblazoned with "Revenge of the Sith."

"For some time now, the naming of a new 'Star Wars' movie has taken on some special meaning among core fans who love to take part in guessing games and speculation before a title is announced," Sansweet told nearly 6,500 convention attendees. "And then (they) engage in debate once it is ... so let the debate begin."

Minutes later, a sampling of audience members dressed as Jedis, stormtroopers and other "Star Wars" characters showed they approved.

"I thought it was great, I loved it,' said Barren Wright, 35, a graphic designer from Modesto who was dressed as the green-armored bounty hunter Boba Fett. "This takes it back to the classic trilogy, It's a smart move by Lucasfilm to tie it all together since the logo and everything is identical to 'Return of the Jedi.'"

Wright said the symmetry between the titles reflects the story lines.

Anyone who has seen the original "Star Wars" from 1977 knows that the good guys — that is the Jedi — would be wiped out by Darth Vader in "Episode III" just as Vader and his evil Empire were toppled in 1983's "Return of the Jedi."

In addition to the title, Lucasfilm also sent concept artist Ryan Church to show off drawings of a Wookie tree civilization from "Episode III" and played footage of Christensen's climactic light-saber duel — minus all the special effects — with co-star Ewan McGregor, who plays Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Return of the Jedi" was originally to be titled "Revenge of the Jedi." Some advance promotional material even featured that title, but Lucas changed it later in production.

"This time, George tells us he's going to keep 'Revenge' in the title," Sansweet said.

He had one other announcement for fans: "Revenge of the Sith" T-shirts would go on sale inside Comic-Con's main hall in five minutes.

[MVSpartan117]

The new Star Wars movies don't live up to the originals at all....

I like seeing scale models blow up, not computer generated stuff!

p-)

[flickme]

The new Star Wars movies don't live up to the originals at all....

I like seeing scale models blow up, not computer generated stuff!

I agree 100%. I hate the new cg images in the new Star Wars. You cant beat the original trilogy.

[Seoulstriker]

Han shoots first!!! :bash:


I had utmost respect for Lucas after viewing the original trilogy. After seeing the special editions and the Episode 1, I realized that the people around him really did have a knack for movie making and that Lucas was just lucky to be around them. Now that he doesn't have those people (ex-wife especially), his movies have sucked.

[ChuckThunder]

Hehe. I'm going to dress up for it, always wanted to do that and this will be the last chance!

[Ratamacue]

The biggest problem with the new trilogies is the excessive use of CGI and the horrible acting. Granted, some of the actors are quite good (Liam Neeson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor, etc.) and do their best possible for the part, but people like and Hayden Christensen have made me want to puke. Lucas isn't really that bad of a director, writer, or producer, it's just that tomake the prequels live up to the Original Trilogy is a massive undertaking that probably shouldn't have been undertaken. If I were Lucas, I would have aimed to make a new trilogy back in the past of the Republic much like the game Knights of the Old Republic has done. During those times, you had massive wars between the Republic and Sith. Jedi and Sith numbered in the thousands. Would be very interesting to see a massive battle solely between two Sith and Jedi armies.

I actually didn't mind the changes made in the Special Edition. Yes, the Han/Greedo scene is a stupid change but let's be reasonable: it hardly makes or breaks the movie. The special effects in the Special Edition (which was released 2 years before The Phantom Menace and 5 years before Attack of the Clones) are actually much more realistic-looking in my opinion than those in The Phantom Menace (1999) or Attack of the Clones (2002). And even with that, the models and effects used in Return of the Jedi still look the best and most real. One thing I will say about the prequels though, is that the lightsaber battles are amazing. I'm not just talking about the Yoda fight, but the choreography in the Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon/Maul duel was amazing (not to mention the badass factor when Maul bradished his double-bladed saber).

Hopefully the darker theme of Revenge of the Sith will make it seem more serious, the movie doesn't rely so much on CGI, and Hayden Christensen has actually learned how to act during the film production. And even though the title sounds corny, I think that Lucas has intentionally done that, as every single Star Wars movie has had a pretty stupid title.

[flickme]

I had utmost respect for Lucas after viewing the original trilogy. After seeing the special editions and the Episode 1, I realized that the people around him really did have a knack for movie making and that Lucas was just lucky to be around them. Now that he doesn't have those people (ex-wife especially), his movies have sucked.
I wouldnt say that. Yes, the new star wars movies are no wher as good as the original, but i still have respect for him as a film maker. I just dont think the movies are on the same track as the originals(kinda corny if you know what i mean).

[StarvingStudent47]

How about this title:

Star Wars Episode III: SS47 Won't Be in the Audience

[ChuckThunder]

The music has always been cool no matter what you say.

[Romulus]

Way to release the Fanbois Seraphim! ;)

[StarvingStudent47]

The music has always been cool no matter what you say.

Even the music was better in the originals. "Dual of the Fates" was cheezy and over-the-top, like it was trying to emulate Carmina Burana. You can't beat the music from the originals, though (especially the opening theme, the Imperial March, and the Throne Room theme from the end of Episode IV).

[Bulkowski]

I'll go see it, I like the star wars films, not the first and second so much, but the action in them was good. Obviously they will never be better then the originals, but they are still good movies. The music in them is great, not over the top at all. It fits well.

[Romulus]

(especially the opening theme, the Imperial March, and the Throne Room theme from the end of Episode IV).

Yeah, I like the old music too. I was actually going to play the Imperial March at my wedding when my wife was walking down the aisle. After she threw threats around of a knife and my gut, I had to rethink that one.

[Seoulstriker]

The music of the originals was incredible.





And is Star Wars: ROTS an indication of what is to come? ;)

[Mark Sman]

Meh, I'll catch it whens its released on DIVX. Probably be a waste of HD space anyway.

[Innoxx]

Yeah, the old Star Wars was about ****ing muppets taking out imperial stormtroopers with bows and spears. The new movies are done too seriously.

http://www.jsonline.com/enter/sw/images/ewok.jpg

C'mon, even Jar-Jar doesn't live up to that.

[StarvingStudent47]

(especially the opening theme, the Imperial March, and the Throne Room theme from the end of Episode IV).

Yeah, I like the old music too. I was actually going to play the Imperial March at my wedding when my wife was walking down the aisle. After she threw threats around of a knife and my gut, I had to rethink that one.

I would have expected her to be more tolerant. After all, she DID marry a guy who owns ass-less leather pants.

[garyfanclub]

I'm going to see it as long as Natalie Portman is in it.

[usa320]

The first 3 star wars movies were good.

THe new ones suck ass.

[Seraphim]

Whats this Han shoots first stuff.

[Ratamacue]

Whats this Han shoots first stuff.
Remember in the first movie when Han is tracked down and confronted by Greedo, a bounty hunter? Originally, Han slowly and stealthily pulled his blaster out of its holster while talking to Greedo and shot him. In the Special Edition, Greedo shoots at Han and misses, so Han shoots back and fries him.

[Seraphim]

Whats this Han shoots first stuff.
Remember in the first movie when Han is tracked down and confronted by Greedo, a bounty hunter? Originally, Han slowly and stealthily pulled his blaster out of its holster while talking to Greedo and shot him. In the Special Edition, Greedo shoots at Han and misses, so Han shoots back and fries him.

Ah I see. I dont have the original version so...

[FallenAngel]

The only good think about the "prequels" is the lightsaber duels. Everything else blows.

By the way, Darth Vader is still probably the most badass villian ever in the history of SciFi

[Ballistic]

Sweet, best title so far from the prequals. :) I'm a Star Wars fan so frankly, I dont care if the acting is terrible and half arsed, I'll watch it and enjoy it for what it is.... fun.

[Innoxx]

The only good think about the "prequels" is the lightsaber duels. Everything else blows.

By the way, Darth Vader is still probably the most badass villian ever in the history of SciFi

I know what you mean. Yoda kicked ass in the last film.

[Ratamacue]

The Yoda duel was cool, but honestly was a bit over the top for me. I still think that the battle with Maul was the best in all the Star Wars movies. I would have liked to have seen Anakin fight more with two sabers during his duel with Dooku though.

[Gringo]

The new Star Wars movies don't live up to the originals at all....

I like seeing scale models blow up, not computer generated stuff!

p-)

yeah, the models look better and more realistic then computer generated ****. Even though you can say "the computer generated graphics were pretty good", the problem being that you can tell it is computer generated.

[Seraphim]

The new Star Wars movies don't live up to the originals at all....

I like seeing scale models blow up, not computer generated stuff!

p-)

yeah, the models look better and more realistic then computer generated ****. Even though you can say "the computer generated graphics were pretty good", the problem being that you can tell it is computer generated.

But you can also tell that they are crappy puppets...

[Herrmannek]

How about this title:

Star Wars Episode III: SS47 Won't Be in the Audience

and Hermi will just p2p this to get know that he was right by not buying a ticket...

[Gringo]

The new Star Wars movies don't live up to the originals at all....

I like seeing scale models blow up, not computer generated stuff!

p-)

yeah, the models look better and more realistic then computer generated ****. Even though you can say "the computer generated graphics were pretty good", the problem being that you can tell it is computer generated.

But you can also tell that they are crappy puppets...

who said anything about puppets. I said models.

[Ballistic]

The new Star Wars movies don't live up to the originals at all....

I like seeing scale models blow up, not computer generated stuff!

p-)

yeah, the models look better and more realistic then computer generated ****. Even though you can say "the computer generated graphics were pretty good", the problem being that you can tell it is computer generated.

That will change in time. Stop motion animation is too time consuming to use, yes it does look slightly better, but the animation is not smooth and it's an obsolete method of special effects. ILM have done amazing work over the years, not only on Star Wars but on countless other movies. As technology gets better, so will CGI.

[ShadowNeo]

Episode 1 was crap, Episode 2 I found interesting (was always wondering about Stormtrooper Origins). Episode 3 is looking good so far, more evoluton of the Clonetroopers into Stormtroopers, rise of the Empire, Birth of Darth Vader, good stuff :).

[Gringo]

I'm trying to figure out what was worse; Episode 1 or 2?

[king_nothing100]

By the way, Darth Vader is still probably the most badass villian ever in the history of SciFi

Nah, Dark Helmet is:

I always have coffee when I watch radar, you know that!

Sir! the radar, Sir! it appears to be... jammed!
Jammed!... Raspberry

Now you see that Evil will always triumph because Good is dumb.

At last! We meet for the first time for the last time.

[Gringo]

I always have coffee when I watch radar, you know that!
"Of course I do Sir!"
"Everybody Knows that"
"Of course we do Sir!"


Sir! the radar, Sir! it appears to be... jammed!
Jammed!... Raspberry
"And there is only one man who would dare give me the Raspberry........ Lonestar!!!!!!!! OW!!!!!"

[Scrim]

The new ones have been **** so far, Ill still go see it though. CGI blows. What was up with Count Dookies gay ass bent light saber?

[Midav]

Dark Helmet: Careful you idiot. I said across her nose, not up it!
Laser Gunner: Sorry sir. Doing my best.
Dark Helmet: Who made that man a gunner?
Major Asshole: I did sir. He's my cousin.
Dark Helmet: Who is he?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole sir.
Dark Helmet: I know that!....What's his name?
Colonel Sandurz: That is his name sir, Major Asshole
Dark Helmet: and his cousin?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole too sir: Gunner's mate, first class, Philip Asshole
Dark Helmet: How many assholes we got on this ship anyhow?
The Crew: YO!!!!
Dark Helmet: I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes
[Dark Helmet pulls his mask down]
Dark Helmet: Keep firing assholes!!

[Merik]

What kind of f-ing gay ass title is that? Revenge of the Sith????!!!!! Booooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cut]

Dark Helmet: Careful you idiot. I said across her nose, not up it!
Laser Gunner: Sorry sir. Doing my best.
Dark Helmet: Who made that man a gunner?
Major Asshole: I did sir. He's my cousin.
Dark Helmet: Who is he?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole sir.
Dark Helmet: I know that!....What's his name?
Colonel Sandurz: That is his name sir, Major Asshole
Dark Helmet: and his cousin?
Colonel Sandurz: He's an asshole too sir: Gunner's mate, first class, Philip Asshole
Dark Helmet: How many assholes we got on this ship anyhow?
The Crew: YO!!!!
Dark Helmet: I knew it, I'm surrounded by assholes
[Dark Helmet pulls his mask down]
Dark Helmet: Keep firing assholes!!

lol that was on tv at about 2am yesterday

[Gringo]

Are Cif sponsering this film?

[GrantT]

I don't really know what people expected with Episode 1, it's the movie that introduces the new trilogy and obviously won't have the strongest plot and won't be that exciting, it's the same with A New Hope. I've enjoyed all the Star Wars films and will make sure to see the first screening of Episode 3.

[carpandean]

Honestly, Episode I would have been a good movie without Jar-Jar and with a little less pod-racing. I think the kid actually acted better in Episode I than Aiden did in Episode II. Episode II was good for history/story development, but that was about it ... well, except Natalie Portman.

As for special effects, I think that the remastered end of A New Hope (first movie made) was the best. The closest/main models were the original physical miniatures with lots of detail and real shadows/colors. These were then augmented with CGI ships in the background (not seen in the original version) and a few other details. The result looked very real - not as limited as just the models, but more "real" looking than burrent CGI which is just too perfect.

[ronin2172]

the main problem is Lucas is heavy handed...when it comes to input on things....case in point for the upcoming Indiana Jones movie a script was done which all the principles loved (Ford, Spielberg) and production was ready to go, but Lucas canned it (as executive producer that's his right) and didn't say why. When the sreen writer and Spielberg asked what the problem was and offered to make changes, he just said he hated it and wanted an entirely new script, now noone is sure when production is gonna start and Ford and Spielberg were not too happy.

I have read plenty of stories which dealt with the fall of the republic and the rise of the emperor from minor senator to ruler of the universe and they painted a much more vivd picture than lucas did, but he doesn't want to use any one elses ideas. But it's his baby and his right to do whatever he wants

[StarvingStudent47]

"Just what we need, a Druish princess."
"Funny, she doesn't look Druish to me..."

[Ratamacue]

The new ones have been **** so far, Ill still go see it though. CGI blows. What was up with Count Dookies gay ass bent light saber?
Count Dooku uses an ancient lightsaber fighting form designed solely for combatting other Jedi, and the form is more effective using a curved design.

[Gringo]

"Just what we need, a Druish princess."
"Funny, she doesn't look Druish to me..."

"I'm a Maog; half-man, half-dog. I'm my own best friend."

[Scrim]

Thanks Rat, but its still "gay".

[Roger Rabbit]

[SPACEBALLS MODE] This is the virgin alarm, designed to go off before you do[/SPACEBALLS MODE]

[Viktor_s]

That will change in time. Stop motion animation is too time consuming to use, yes it does look slightly better, but the animation is not smooth and it's an obsolete method of special effects. ILM have done amazing work over the years, not only on Star Wars but on countless other movies. As technology gets better, so will CGI.

I agree... it's sooo eighties and well passed its sell by date!

[FallenAngel]

The new ones have been **** so far, Ill still go see it though. CGI blows. What was up with Count Dookies gay ass bent light saber?
Count Dooku uses an ancient lightsaber fighting form designed solely for combatting other Jedi, and the form is more effective using a curved design.

I believed its form II (out of VII for those keeping score at home). Its derived from a fencing style of attack/defense rather than the others which are commonly used with things like broadswords and katanas.

But yes, it's gay. :D

[Ratamacue]

The new ones have been **** so far, Ill still go see it though. CGI blows. What was up with Count Dookies gay ass bent light saber?
Count Dooku uses an ancient lightsaber fighting form designed solely for combatting other Jedi, and the form is more effective using a curved design.

I believed its form II (out of VII for those keeping score at home). Its derived from a fencing style of attack/defense rather than the others which are commonly used with things like broadswords and katanas.

But yes, it's gay. :D
Yeah, I read an article awhile back on the different lightsaber forms. I knew it was Form II but I felt it wasn't necessary to go into too much detail. ;)

[molly747]

The new movies have lost their heart. When you watch 4-6, you actually feel the excitement and love that went into making those movies. It was about the storyline and the characters, that's why we grew to love those movies. We connected with Luke, Han, and Leia and cared about them. Now, it seems to be "How much CGI and effects can we cram into one movie?" It feels crass and greedy, detached from the original movies. I was so disappointed in 1 and 2.