May 2, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
By Mark Samms

LONDON, May 2, Graphic News:  A leading American company has estimated that on May 16 ÒsicknessÓ among employees across the world will leap by almost three million. It will be a one-day affliction commonly known as Star Warsitis.
On that day, the second episode of the prequel trilogy of the mighty Star Wars saga, Episode II -- Attack of the Clones, will be released in 33 countries around the globe. Merely seeing the movie is not enough for millions of fanatics; seeing it on the opening day is everything.
Creator George Lucas is well aware that the previous film in the series -- The Phantom Menace -- received a mixed reception from many devotees, who felt that plot development and personal interaction between the key players had been sacrificed on the altar of special effects.
He has been determined not to repeat the error this time round and though promising the usual quota of spectacular sequences, he has concentrated on the burgeoning relationship between the young Jedi Anakin Skywalker, his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi and the beautiful Padme Amidala.
Ewan McGregor reprises the role of Obi and Natalie Portman once more provides the love interest. But it is the casting of Hayden Christensen that has created much of the pre-release interest, and his presence is evidence that Lucas is a man of his word.
He had emphasised that the pivotal role of Anakin, who in later episodes goes to the dark side and becomes the sinister Darth Vader, would go to an unknown actor and so it has proved. Christensen, who is now just days away from worldwide fame, had previously been seen only in a few American TV movies.
But as usual with Star WarsÕ movies, it is the integrity of the narrative and the extraordinary scope of Lucas's vision on which the film will be judged, rather than the performance of the stars.
/ENDS

Sources: www.imdb.com, www.starwars.com, www.upcoming movies.com, www.theforce.net

Release dates

May 16: Aruba, Australia, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates
May 17: Belgium, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
May 18: Taiwan
May 22: Norway
May 29: Egypt
June 14: Colombia
June 20: Bolivia
June 21: Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, South Africa
June 28: Costa Rica
July 3: Venezuela
June 4: Argentina, Belize, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico
July 5: Brazil, India, Paraguay, South Korea, Uruguay
July 10: Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago
July 11: Nicaragua
July 12: Ecuador
July 13: Japan
July 18: Peru
July 26: El Salvador