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CNN Live At Daybreak

London Gets Early Premier of "Attack of the Clones"

Aired May 15, 2002 - 05:57   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The countdown to the Clones is almost over now. Fans of the force have been waiting in line for days and weeks, even some for months to see the new "Star Wars" flick: "Attack of the Clones." Those pictures taken in Chicago.

Finally, many theaters will screen the movie for the first time tonight at midnight. In fact, "Star Wars" fans will be gathering in force for tomorrow's opening of "The Attack of the Clones."

Our Diana Muriel reports thousands of British fans got an early look at Episode II.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A galaxy of stars for the London premiere of the latest edition to the "Star Wars" staple: "Attack of the Clones." While the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra struck up in the background and a bodyguard of storm troopers took up their positions, the fans gathered to welcome the sci-fi heroes of the silver screen. Among them: "Star Wars" creator and director, George Lucas.

GEORGE LUCAS, CREATOR, "STAR WARS": All the "Star Wars" fans kind of approach it differently, you know? I know that the younger "Star Wars" fans that, you know, are coming to this for the first or second time are going to love it.

MURIEL: Lucas certainly hopes so, after the criticism that met his previous "Star Wars" offering: "The Phantom Menace." But the cast believes the magic is back.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON, ACTOR: It's closer in spirit to the original. It's high adventure. There's a lot of intrigue. There's a bit of romance here. And the battle scenes are every bit as epic or bigger than all the other battle scenes combined.

ANTHONY DANIELS, "STAR WARS: EPISODE II": We're back on track. Some of the things we'll remember from the old style of the movies, you know. And the digital effects are seamless in this.

MURIEL: Filmed on location in Australia, Italy, Tunisia and at the L Street (ph) Studios in London, the Australian scenes from the movie were satellited to the Skywalker Ranch in California, headquarters of Lucas Film. That meant any changes could be re-shot quickly on set. But the film was only finished three weeks ago, which explains why some of the cast had yet to see it.

CHRISTOPHER LEE, ACTOR: To be a part of this, to be a part of cinema history, is very important to me. And I'm looking forward to seeing it, because I haven't seen any of it.

MURIEL: In London, this was the fan's reaction.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was brilliant, absolutely amazing. So much better than the first.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On a scale of one to ten, a nine.

MURIEL (on camera): The previous "Star Wars" films account for four of the 13 top-grossing movies of all time in the United States. But "Attack of the Clones" is up against "Spider-Man", which broke box office records in the U.S. on its opening weekend. So for George Lucas and his team, in the immortal words of the "Star Wars" movies: "May the force be with you."

Diana Muriel, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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