Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:01:25 PM Wikipedia source
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones is a 2002 American epic space opera film directed by George Lucas from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jonathan Hales. The sequel to The Phantom Menace (1999), it is the fifth entry in the Star Wars film series and second chronological chapter of the "Skywalker Saga". The film stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Frank Oz. The story is set ten years after The Phantom Menace, as thousands of planetary systems slowly secede from the Galactic Republic and join the newly formed Confederacy of Independent Systems, led by former Jedi Master Count Dooku. With the galaxy on the brink of civil war, Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates a mysterious assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, which leads him to uncover a clone army in service of the Republic and the truth behind the Separatist movement. Meanwhile, his apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect Amidala and develops a secret romance with her. Soon, the trio witness the onset of a new threat to the galaxy: the Clone Wars. Development of Attack of the Clones began in March 2000, some months after the release of The Phantom Menace. By June 2000, Lucas and Hales completed a draft of the script, and principal photography took place from June to September 2000. The film crew primarily shot at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, with additional footage filmed in Tunisia, Italy and Spain. It was one of the first motion pictures shot completely on a high-definition digital 24-frame system. Attack of the Clones was released in the United States on May 16, 2002. It received mixed reviews from critics; the film's increased focus on action was praised, while the characters and dialogue were regarded more critically. It performed well at the box office, making $653.8 million worldwide. Yet, it became the first Star Wars film to get outgrossed in its year of release, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2002 worldwide. Revenge of the Sith (2005) followed Attack of the Clones, concluding the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Infobox
Tables
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result |
| Academy Awards | March 23, 2003 | Best Visual Effects | Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow | Nominated |
| Visual Effects Society | February 19, 2003 | Best Visual Effects in an Effects Driven Motion Picture | John Knoll, Ben Snow, Pablo Helman, Rob Coleman | Nominated |
| Best Character Animation in a Live Action Motion Picture | Rob Coleman, Hal Hickel, Chris Armstrong, James Tooley | Nominated | ||
| Best Matte Painting in a Motion Picture | Paul Huston, Yusei Uesugi, Jonathan Harb | Won | ||
| Best Models and Miniatures in a Motion Picture | Brian Gernand, Russell Paul, Geoff Campbell, Jean Bolte | Nominated | ||
| Best Visual Effects Photography in a Motion Picture | Patrick Sweeney, Marty Rosenberg, Carl Miller, Fred Meyers | Nominated | ||
| Best Effects Art Direction in a Motion Picture | Alex Jaeger, Doug Chiang, Erik Tiemens, Ryan Church | Nominated | ||
| Saturn Awards | May 18, 2003 | Best Science Fiction Film | Richard McCallum | Nominated |
| Best Director | George Lucas | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Natalie Portman | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Younger Actor | Hayden Christensen | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume | Trisha Biggar | Won | ||
| Best Music | John Williams | Nominated | ||
| Best Special Effects | Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow | Won |
References
- As depicted in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
- Identified offscreen as the Death Star.
- As depicted in the 2008 television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
- "Star Wars – Episode II – Attack of the Clones"https://web.archive.org/web/20160102040041/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-clones-film
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Cloneshttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0121765/
- Entertainment Tonighthttps://www.etonline.com/devon-sawa-reflects-on-teen-fame-career-reinvention-and-the-role-that-got-away-exclusive-157967?amp
- Entertainment Tonighthttps://www.etonline.com/charlie-hunnam-reveals-he-was-almost-anakin-skywalker-in-star-wars-exclusive-216594
- "Topher Grace Home Economics Interview On My Screen – Deadline"https://deadline.com/2021/06/topher-grace-on-my-screen-home-economics-that-70s-show-1234769202/
- "A Reno 911! Star Auditioned to Play Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars Prequels"https://www.slashfilm.com/1805092/reno-911-star-nick-swardson-anakin-skywalker-star-wars-audition/
- BuzzFeedhttps://www.buzzfeed.com/laurengarafano/ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-puppy-interview
- CNNhttp://www.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/29/josh.jackson/index.html
- MTVhttps://web.archive.org/web/20080509054921/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/03/27/ryan-phillippe-recalls-missing-out-on-anakin-role-in-star-wars-prequels/
- Toronto Starhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/297184
- "Looking for Anakin"https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/05/07/looking_for_anakin_article.shtml
- EW.comhttps://ew.com/article/2000/02/18/all-about-anakin-skywalker-casting-call/
- Hollywood.comhttp://www.hollywood.com/news/detail/id/312150
- "Why DiCaprio turned down the chance to play Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars prequels"https://www.shortlist.com/news/dicaprio-interview
- Empirehttps://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/hayden-christensen-star-wars-interview/
- Time, Canadian Editionhttps://web.archive.org/web/20080617123459/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002326,00.html
- Daniels 2019, pp. 170–178, 266.
- Eeggshttp://www.eeggs.com/items/34726.html
- Fantha Trackshttps://www.fanthatracks.com/news/collecting/anthony-daniels-signing-official-pix/
- Cloneshttps://web.archive.org/web/20080120133421/http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,9363,00.html
- "*NSYNC Appears to Have Secretly Ended up in A 'Star Wars' Movie"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nsync-star-wars_n_6811956
- The Things.comhttps://www.thethings.com/david-duchovny-turned-down-star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones/
- "Ray Winstone's drunk and disorderly 'Star Wars' audition"https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/ray-winstone-drunk-disorderly-star-wars-audition/
- Star Wars: Attack Of The Cloneshttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-attack-of-the-clones-hid-an-incredibly-subtle-the-matrix-easter-egg-a6735831.html
- VODzilla.cohttps://vodzilla.co/reviews/the-force-is-strong-with-episode-iis-digital-cameras/
- Kaminski 2008, p. 531.
- Bouzereau 1997, p. 196.
- Kaminski 2007, p. 158.
- Kaminski 2007, p. 162.
- State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode II DVD Special Feature, [2002]
- "We Finally Know Why Obi-Wan's Beard Looks So Strange In Attack Of The Clones' Kamino Scene"https://www.looper.com/666994/we-finally-know-why-obi-wans-beard-looks-so-strange-in-attack-of-the-clones-kamino-scene/
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/news/ewan-mcgregor-hayden-christensen-star-wars-relationship/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a826032/hayden-christensen-reveals-funny-star-wars-lightsaber-filming-faux-pas/
- Inside the Actors Studio
- Here We Go Again: The Digital Cinema Revolution Begins DVD Special Feature, [2002]
- American Cinematographerhttps://theasc.com/magazine/sep02/exploring/page2.html
- www.cinema.comhttps://www.cinema.com/articles/854/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-production-notes.phtml
- "Disney To Roll Out Pearl Harbor Again This Week"https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0087768/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/mar/20/technology.features
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-15-fi-ilm15-story.html
- ABC Newshttps://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126117&page=1
- From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in Episode II DVD Special Feature, [2002]
- Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/star-wars-yoda-count-dooku-fight-2015-5
- Cagle, Jess (April 29, 2002). "Yoda Goes Digital-and Conquers Too", Time Canadian Edition, page 48.
- American Cinematographerhttps://theasc.com/magazine/sep02/brave/page2.html
- "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones"https://web.archive.org/web/20080214142437/http://www.starwarsthemusic.com/music/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones
- "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"https://web.archive.org/web/20071202075936/http://www.sonyclassical.com/music/89932/
- Across The Starshttps://web.archive.org/web/20080213001032/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/release/trailer/5.html
- Classicalitehttp://www.classicalite.com/articles/38467/20160229/star-wars-attack-clones-being-released-limited-edition-vinyl.htm
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, Ben Burtt,
- The Dalhousie Reviewhttp://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~anne/clones.html
- /Filmhttps://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-james-bond-connections/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2002/may/12/features.review37
- "Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones as a tribute to the films of Ridley Scott"https://www.ralphehanson.com/2012/03/09/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-as-a-tribute-to-the-films-of-ridley-scott/
- "Cinematic Swipe: Attack Of The Lawrence Of Arabia Clones"https://www.filmbuffonline.com/FBOLNewsreel/wordpress/2010/06/02/cinematic-swipe-attack-of-the-lawrence-of-arabia-clones/
- "The Beginning" Making Episode I Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace DVD documentary, [2001]
- CNNhttp://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/05/star.wars.trailer/index.html
- "Three Star Wars Trailers on the Way?"https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/19/three-star-wars-trailers-on-the-way
- "'Star Wars' trailer will show Sunday on Fox"https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-star-wars-trailer-wi/156777623/
- Hollywood.comhttp://www.hollywood.com/news/detail/id/1105739
- Episode IIhttps://ew.com/article/2002/03/04/sneak-peek-next-episode-ii-trailer/
- "Will 'Star Wars' clobber business?"https://money.cnn.com/2002/05/06/news/companies/darthvirus/
- CBS Newshttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/star-wars-attack-of-the-toys/
- New York Posthttp://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/my_tribeca_film_festival_robert_Y6d2qzc3mUugrl2ks6eGjL
- "The Children's Aid Society and The Tribeca Film Festival to Co-Host The... – re> NEW YORK, April 10 /PRNewswire/"http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-childrens-aid-society-and-the-tribeca-film-festival-to-co-host-the-new-york-city-premiere-of-star-wars--episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-on-may-12th-76909357.html
- "'Star Wars' premiere to raise money for kids of 9/11 victims"https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal-star-wars-premie/143428892/
- Festival de Canneshttp://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/3173338/year/2002.html
- "Star Wars: Episode II | Making it BIG: Episode II — The IMAX Experience"https://web.archive.org/web/20041023103030/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/feature/20021011/indexp2.html
- "Star Wars 'Clones' Showing Up On Web"http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/1120771
- The Financial Expresshttp://www.financialexpress.com/news/Malaysian-Clones-Attack-Star-Wars/46489/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/clones-set-for-dvd-1117870649/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2002/film/news/clones-dvd-a-hot-seller-1117876001/
- "DVD Review – Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones"http://archive.thedigitalbits.com/reviews2/starwarsepisode2.html
- "Episode II: Unlocking the DVD"https://web.archive.org/web/20080105043647/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/release/video/f20021008/index.html
- "R2-D2: Beneath the Dome DVD"https://web.archive.org/web/20080108005407/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/release/video/news20021223.html
- Lucasfilmhttps://web.archive.org/web/20081026032957/http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html
- "Pre-order Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray Now!"http://starwars.com/shop/video_and_music/complete_saga_blu-ray/index.html
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673
- Comicbook.comhttps://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10
- Deadlinehttps://web.archive.org/web/20190414084638/https://deadline.com/2019/04/star-wars-franchise-coming-to-disney-within-first-year-after-launch-1202594388/
- io9https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774
- Star Warshttp://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2012/08/28/3d-attack-of-the-clones-revenge-of-the-sith-jumping-off-in-2013
- Cinema Blendhttps://cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-Attack-Clones-Revenge-Sith-Won-t-Getting-3D-Re-Releases-35358.html
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2013/01/exclusive-no-more-star-wars-3d-prequel-releases-lucasfilm-passes-to-focus-on-new-trilogy-414739/
- "Focusing on Episode VII, Lucasfilm Postpones Episodes II and III 3D"https://web.archive.org/web/20130131095414/http://starwars.com/news/focusing-on-star-wars-episode-vii-lucasfilm-postpones-episodes-ii-and-iii-3d.html
- "Exclusive Attack Of The Clones 3D Screenings At Celebration Europe"https://web.archive.org/web/20130607134405/http://starwars.com/news/exclusive-attack-of-the-clones-3d-screenings-at-celebration-europe.html
- "World-Exclusive Screening of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones in 3D at Star Wars Celebration Europe"https://web.archive.org/web/20130808225946/http://www.starwarscelebration.eu/Whats-Happening/Events-A-H/Attack-of-the-Clones-in-3D/
- "SWCE 2013: Opening Day Highlights"https://www.starwars.com/news/swce-2013-friday
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_ii_attack_of_the_clones
- Metacritichttps://metacritic.com/movie/star-wars-episode-ii---attack-of-the-clones
- CinemaBlendhttps://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487295/yep-rise-of-skywalkers-cinemascore-matches-my-theaters-reaction-to-star-wars-movie
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20080321153248/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie000033752may13%2C0%2C3427362.story
- "Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones"http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020510/REVIEWS/205100305/1023
- Corliss, Richard and Jess Cagle, (April 29, 2002). "Dark Victory", Time Canadian Edition, p. 49.
- Total Filmhttps://gamesradar.com/the-total-film-interview-ewan-mcgregor/
- Reelviewshttp://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw2002.html
- "Sadly, 'Clones' repeats flaws of its predecessor"https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-herald-sadly-clones-repeats/156833973/
- Knight Ridder Newspapershttps://www.newspapers.com/article/centre-daily-times-episode-ii-not-for/156515574/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-13-et-turan13-story.html
- p. 1322 of 2004 editionhttps://www.amazon.com/reader/0451209400?_encoding=UTF8&query=clones#reader_0451209400
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/20/movies/not-bad-clones-but-watch-spidey-s-legs.html
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-18-et-natale18-story.html
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/17/attack-of-the-clones-posts-best-ever-thursday
- "'Matrix' Loads Massive Opening Day"https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1031013380/
- Wall Street Journalhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1021677547994556160
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-23-et-boxoffice23-story.html
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-21-et-boxoffice21-story.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/marvel-ous-x2-opening-1117885660/
- "The Sum Of All Fears takes US box office by storm"https://www.screendaily.com/the-sum-of-all-fears-takes-us-box-office-by-storm/409485.article
- Box Office Mojohttps://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars2.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm
- "'Attack of the Clones' Conquers the World with $179 Million Opening"https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2071200772/
- "Attack Of The Clones opens new episode in international box office records"https://www.screendaily.com/attack-of-the-clones-opens-new-episode-in-international-box-office-records/409333.article
- "Mixed reception for Star Wars: Episode II in Eastern Europe"https://www.screendaily.com/mixed-reception-for-star-wars-episode-ii-in-eastern-europe/409431.article
- "Send in the Clones: UK box office under attack"https://www.screendaily.com/send-in-the-clones-uk-box-office-under-attack/409357.article
- Screen Internationalhttps://www.screendaily.com/uk-proves-perfect-platform-for-finding-nemo/4015385.article
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/o-seas-b-o-phenom-1117867289/
- "Episode II sets new all-time opening record in Japan"https://www.screendaily.com/episode-ii-sets-new-all-time-opening-record-in-japan/409911.article
- "Winners: Big upsets"https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110531042/winners-big-upsets/
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scienceshttp://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2003
- "2003 MTV Movie Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20080421195306/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2003/
- Golden Raspberry Award Foundationhttps://web.archive.org/web/20130729084720/http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=110
- Golden Raspberry Award Foundationhttps://web.archive.org/web/20140415013413/http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=115
- visual effects societyhttps://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ayear/1st-annual-ves-awards
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/movies/nimona-nd-stevenson-inspirations-star-wars-dungeons-and-dragons/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/movies/nimona-nd-stevenson-directors-journey-to-screen-netflix/
- The Mary Suehttps://www.themarysue.com/noelle-stevensons-boba-fett-headcanon-combines-jango-fett-zam-wesell-and-our-dreams/
- LA Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-11-05/netflix-she-ra-princesses-power-nonbinary-double-trouble
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2023/06/nimona-team-challenge-annecy-1235417963/
- Archivariahttps://www.archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/13189/14455
- Archivariahttps://www.archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/12532/13670
- Archival Sciencehttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02435623
- Archivariahttps://www.archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/13187
- The American Archivisthttps://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article/69/1/19/24067/Embracing-the-Power-of-Archives
- The American Archivisthttps://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article/70/1/13/24038/Janus-in-Cyberspace-Archives-on-the-Threshold-of
- The Dalhousie Reviewhttps://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/63479/dalrev_vol82_iss2_pp235_253.pdf
- Primushttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10511970601126860
- New Review of Film and Television Studieshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17400300701432894
- Star Wars, Episode II – Attack of the Clones (Junior Novelization)https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/49622734
- "Episode II Novel Paperback Edition"https://web.archive.org/web/20071116215808/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/release/publish/news20021205.html
- "Episode II Adaptation & Free Comic"https://web.archive.org/web/20050402113305/http://starwars.com/episode-ii/release/publish/news20020305.html