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CNN Live Today
Interview with Jerry Penacoli, 'Extra'
Aired May 06, 2002 - 11:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The clones are coming, and so is the monster hype. "Star Wars: Episode II" hits theaters May 16, and for "Star Wars" fans, that is a collision with another force. The Box (ph), a Chicago recruiting firm, predicts 2.5 million people are going to skip work on that Thursday. The cost to the economy, $319 million Jedi. For some people, it is their job to go see the movie -- great job. They have already seen the film. The screening came at an exclusive venue, George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch.
One of the moviegoers joins us from Los Angeles. He is Jerry Penacoli, correspondent for "Extra" -- Jerry.
JERRY PENACOLI, "EXTRA" CORRESPONDENT: How are you, Daryn?
KAGAN: I'm doing great. Good morning.
PENACOLI: Good morning.
KAGAN: How about that, it's your job to go see "Star Wars" early.
PENACOLI: It's my job. It doesn't get any better than this. I tell you what, what a surreal experience to see this film.
KAGAN: What was that like, even just to go there. You didn't just go see it, you went to George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch to see it.
PENACOLI: Yes, I mean, it is a phenomenal place. If you remember the show "Falcon Crest"...
KAGAN: Oh, yes. Wine country.
PENACOLI: It is kind of like that. He has got a huge main house that is just incredible, and the actual screening room where we saw the -- "Attack of the Clones" is in what used to be a winery on the property, and either -- you just pinch yourself, because you are sitting at Skywalker Ranch in George Lucas' home, basically, and watching "Episode II." And I have got to tell you something...
KAGAN: Yes, is it -- let's get right to it.
PENACOLI: And I am not going to tell you much about the film...
KAGAN: Is it good? PENACOLI: ...but, if you are a "Star Wars" fan, and you didn't like "Episode II," and we know there is a lot of you, you are going love -- I mean, I'm sorry...
KAGAN: You mean the last one.
PENACOLI: If you didn't like "Episode I," you will love "Episode II".
KAGAN: Right. Really, they fixed a lot of problems.
PENACOLI: Absolutely love it. Yes, they fixed a lot of problems, mainly with Jar Jar Binks, who I know was the bane of many people's existence in "Episode I," and I will tell you this, Jar Jar's role -- he is in "Episode II," but Jar Jar's role is much diminished.
KAGAN: Much on the cutting room floor.
PENACOLI: Yes.
KAGAN: Now, you said if you are a "Star Wars" fan, what if you are not a "Star Wars" fan? What if you -- I don't know, I might even include me in this. You know, I grew up seeing the "Star Wars" movies, somewhere in there it kind of dropped off. Is it worth going back?
PENACOLI: Absolutely, and I will tell you why. Because you really see not only an action packed film, but you see a love story...
KAGAN: Love those love stories.
PENACOLI: Oh, well, I have got to tell you, this is really a palpable love story because you see how Anakin Skywalker, who, of course, becomes Darth Vader, how he actually meets and falls in love with the senator -- and she is played beautifully by Natalie Portman, she, of course, was Queen Abu (ph) in "Episode I," and it is just an amazing cast. It is a great story, and the digital effects -- you know, Lucas shot this entire film digitally, and the digital effects in this one are by far -- and, you know, you are talking to someone and -- to a lot of you out there -- who are so used to seeing these effects now in big block buster movies, but...
KAGAN: Still going to blow you away.
PENACOLI: They are still going to blow you away.
KAGAN: All right, Jerry, one quick box office question here. Surprise over the weekend, and that is the attack of the "Spider-Man." Spidy, just kind out of control, over $100 million, three days in the box office. Who will rule once "Star Wars" comes out? "Spider-Man" or "Star Wars?"
PENACOLI: Well, doesn't matter what I think, but I asked George Lucas, I said, Are you afraid of the competition from Spidy, and here is exactly what he told me, and you are going to hear this on our show tonight. He said, You know what, this is not a beauty contest, and I wouldn't be surprised if Episode II comes in second, third, maybe even fourth this summer. So whether he is being self-deprecating or what, I don't know. But he is not convinced that it is going to be number one. So that's interesting, isn't it?
KAGAN: Very interesting. It is interesting. Jerry Penacoli from "Extra." Great to have you with us. Appreciate it. Lucky you.
PENACOLI: All right. Thanks, Daryn. Thank you.
KAGAN: Fun trip out to the Skywalker Ranch.
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