Finally, someone called Lucasfilm about the fuzzy footage rumor instead of writing the report without checking the news out as they should have learned in journalism school. Hunter sent us the following report from a radio show. The radio program was The Kevin & Bean Morning Show on KROQ 106.7fm.:

A local Los Angeles radio station (KROQfm) contacted Lucasfilm to ask about the "fuzzy footage" rumor that has be going around. The contact at LF called herself Karen, and this is basically what she had to say. The rumor is "absolutely not true" she claims to have sat in on a meeting with GL and personally asked him about it. Mr. Lucas called it a "viscous rumor" most likely based on the production cost exceeding what he had mentioned in an earlier interview. Apparently Lucas' take on the rumor is, let them talk about it, in the least it gets word out about the film. She also said Lucas actually likes the rumors, but she didn't give a reason. Probably because it diverts attention from actual facts about the film.

Other interesting points she mentioned were that, aside from the effects work, Episode 1 is finished, and Lucas has started writing Episode 2. She claims all filming for Ep. 1 is done, no mention of pick-ups though. She says she has seen posters and clips from the film that are awesome, some with completed special effects (trailer bait?). She also described the "bad guy" as having horns and red eyes... Darth Maul?

Some of this stuff sounded new to me so I thought I would drop you a line. If nothing else, I hope it at least backs up some of the other reports you've heard about the film. In any event, keep up the good work!

It's probably safe to say now that this old report was bogus:

7/8/97 - This is a bit old, and comes from Harry's site, but it keeps popping up, so we figured it was worth a mention:

"At the beginning of the film, the galaxy is at peace. Coruscant is a virtual Utopia. Then something is... orchestrated... to break that peace, and the galaxy is suddenly plunged into conflict. The diabolical scheme has been hatched to deliberately break the Jedi ranks, divide them, to make them easier to take out. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker's family are settling on Tatooine at a time when there's a great expansion out of the known galaxy. New world's are being settled the whole time, and Jedi are being sent along as sort of "escorts". They haven't been on the planet long when Tatooine's indiginous life takes a dislike to the settlers, and there's a battle. It's during this initial conflict, which involves settlers, Sandpeople, and a pair of Jedi (Neeson and McGregor), that young Anakin endears himself to Kenobi, and the pair form a bond."

11/15/97

A short time ago, I received a message from our source known as Brantol. Brantol had been giving us information from two seperate sources inside the production. When I said that Brantol was extremely reliable the other day, I was saying that knowing of only one of the sources of information...and unfortunately the other source has turned out to be feeding Brantol incorrect news. Here's the rotten stuff--not to be confused with the rest of Brantol's stuff which IS verified by our other sources and can be trusted:

There is no such character as "Senator Brantol".  Therefore Brian Blessed does not play that character

Therefore there is NO scene involving that character at the Jedi Council (although the Council DOES exist and is at least one important scene).

Ric Olie does not suffer the fate previously described in spoiler text...in fact his fate is more exciting than that!.

8/12/97 - We were cleaning house today and decided to throw some of the casting rumors into the trash. Some of these people may have been considered at one time, but it seems clear now that they don't have roles in the Episode 1, at least. Anyway, here's the garbage in it's original form:

7/9/97 - We were curious about Harry's rumor about David Warner, so we hit the Internet Movie Database. Turns out you probably know who David Warner is, you just don't realize it. He has been in a couple of Star Trek movies, he'll be in Titanic at Christmas, he has done a zillion cartoons from Batman (as Ra Ah Ghul (sp?)) to Spiderman to Gargoyles to Freakazoid, and a lot of TV. But I'll always remember him for the role he played in the picture below. Recognize the movie?

Just in case you're uncultured, it's TRON. Just remember, this is all still rumor.

7/8/97 - Just to get you up to date on some of Harry Knowles' rumors, he stated earlier last week that David Warner was talking about playing "a high ranking officer for a certin evil dude". He also stated that Tim Roth (Roby Roy) begged for a part ala Samuel Jackson. We'll have to see!

Update - The Prequel Watch Page and our page have been hearing reports that Claudia Ramirez will definitely be in the prequels. Apparently, some Mexican TV show said it was a done deal. Is this another case of the media blowing rumors out of proportion or is it the real deal? We'll find out soon! One of the people that reported this was The Star Wars Prequel Pic Page by Ari Peskoe

5/28/97 - CASTING RUMOR UPDATES - This is to bring you up to speed on all the rumors floating around about Casting at the moment. Most of these come from Harry Knowles unless otherwise noted:

Marie Gillian - Harry states that this French actress is to play Lady Organa, a small role as a relative of Bail Organa (not Leia's adopted mom). Our thoughts? Possibly. She's an unknown who can act, but will Star Wars have an actress with a French accent?

We got these pics from La Page Marie Gillian Oui! Also, check out what the Internet Movie Database has on her.

Claudia Ramirez - Harry, Veruca1138, and the Prequel Watch folks have all heard rumors concerning this Mexican Soap Opera actress. They state she's up for the part of Lady Kenobi, a relative of Ben's. What do we think about this? Well, it's possible, but we're not quite sold on it yet, though our buddies assure us it is reliable. It would be good to have an ethnically diverse cast. An entire Universe full of white guys and a few women? Not much fun, even with X-Wings to fly.

Here's what the Internet Movie Database has on her.

Irene Jacob - Harry reports that this actress, who was in OTHELLO and several other recent movies, will play Mon Mothma. But don't you think she looks a little like Carrie Fisher in the above picture? Ah, well, she's too old for that part. Anyway, Harry says there may be a few contract details to work out before she is or isn't added.

Here's what the Internet Movie Database has on her. We got these pics from The Irene Jacob Page.

Larisa Oleynik - Harry says she's one of three up for the role of Beru Lars. Apparently she is a pacifist married to Owen later on. No word on if she even got the part. We got this pic from Harry, it was the only one we could find. Hey? Isn't that the girl in those computer commercials?

Here's what Internet Movie Database has on her.

Finally, Harry has reported that Lucasfilm was signing on Harry Connick Jr. Now I liked him in COPYCAT, INDEPENDENCE DAY, and MEMPHIS BELLE. My sister-in-law even met him last month in Austin and said he was real cool. However, I don't think he fits the profile of who they are looking for. I don't think he's up for any part, but that's just my opinion.

Harry also reports that they are trying to get Charleton Heston for a small role as a Jedi Master. I think that again, he does not fit in with this film. If he were in it, I almost feel he would take away from the story. So, if he is in it, I'll have to bend my Wookiee.

Rumors are still floating around about the following actress, but she seem to be a sure thing for the prequels. Read more here:

Kate Winslet

5/7/97

HOWARD ANTONY

The following report is from Harry Knowles.

"Well finally a certified unknown name is here for a part in Episode One. Howard Antony, who plays Alan Jackson on the British soap opera THE EASTENDERS is signed up for a part in Episode one. He will be leaving the soap, which he has been a part of for 4 years now, at the end of this summer. Remember Mark Hamill was a soap opera boy way back when."

Antony Howard is a true unknown. This is the only site where we could find anything on him - http://users.vnet.net/emmett/people/alan.html. And no, he's probably not going to be Lando's Pa, so forget it. :)

Also Check Out the Internet Movie Database's File on Howard Antony

It is rumored that Russell Crowe is also in the running for a part, but which one is unknown. UPDATE - Harry Knowles is reporting that Russell Crowe is now out of the running for any parts./P>

BIJOU PHILLIPS - Note that Lucasfilm has vehemently denied this one.

NINA BROSH- Steve Sansweet also strongly denied this one.

Unconfirmed and speculative is the rumor that Eric Lloyd (Tim Allen's son in The Santa Clause) could be the front-runner for the Anakin role. The story goes that Lucas himself asked for a personal casting call from the young actor - however Lucasfilm remains tight-lipped about any casting operations.

Winona Ryder will play Mrs. Skywalker in the Prequels. This was reported in a German Magazine called TV Spielfilm. We think she's too well known.

Carol Channing (of Hello Dolly) will be in the new films as a Moffina--a female Grand Moff--and will sing an Imperial song. (This one's pretty sad.)

Lucas talked to Michael Jackson about appearing in the new films. (Obviously, started by some die-hard Trekkies who wish Michael would appear in a ST film)

Just to update you on what has been debunked officially lately...

• The title of the film is not Balance of the Force.
• The Emperor's Coronation is not being filmed at Caserta.
• There is no fight scene being filmed at Vesuvio in Italy.
• Steven Spielberg will not direct one of the films.
• The August 1997 Issue of the Star Wars Insider did not have pictures of the CGI Yoda, only the clay model the CG one was made from.
  

We received a rumor saying that Yoda would be entirely CGI, no puppets. This ended up to be false! Look for Oz doing proctology with Muppets in the new films!

Earlier, I made the statement that Charleton Heston will have no part in the prequels. I pointed out the several McCallum interviews as proof. However, as many alert fans have pointed out, McCallum only said Heston would not do the voice of Yoda, not that he would have no part in the prequels. So, Heston having some sort of role has not been officially denied by Lucasfilm. Stay tuned!

We were told that Official Casting News from Lucasfilm would be made on May 25th. Well, it did not happen. Bummer, eh?

The title of the Episode 1 is not BALANCE OF THE FORCE or CHILDREN OF THE FORCE.

First off, Obi Wan will not be played by Kenneth Branagh. This comes from the Friday, Jan. 10, 1997 issue of the Houston Chronicle

OBI WAN MEETS SHAKESPEARE? by Louis B. Parks - For years there has been a rumor that Kenneth Branagh, the famous Shakespearean actor of HENRY V and HAMLET, would be Obi-Wan Kenobi when George Lucas does his new STAR WARS trilogy starting this year. (The new trilogy would take place before the time frame of the original films.) When Branagh was here to promote HAMLET, Iasked him if he would be with the Force. "It's just a rumor," he said. "I don't know how it started, but it's been persistent over the past couple of years." But Branagh does not rule out possible interest. "I'm an actor for hire at the moment, so if George chooses to give me a call, I'll be all ears," he said.

Next, Obi Wan will not be computer generated (DUH!). This is from the March 1997 issue of Disney Adventures (sent by Gil Varod). It's an interview with George Lucas: " Q: What's the funniest thing you've read on a Star Wars Web site? A: Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of free time to surf the Net. One of the funniest rumors I heard was that I was going to take Alec Guiness's face from a 40-year-old movie and put it on an actor playing young Obi-Wan in the new movie. " Want to know how this rumor got started? Just Click Here!

Oh, yeah, and Macauly Culkin will not be in the new trilogy. Thank the Maker!

Lucasfilm is producing a television series BEFORE the new trilogy. NOT TRUE. Kevin J Anderson told us that he and Fox approached Lucasfilm with a proposal for a Young Jedi Knights TV Cartoon Series and Lucasfilm declined saying they didn't want to do any more new projects till after the new trilogy. (We still think its a great idea!!!)