Filming on 'Episode III' is over Down Under

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 8:01 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

"It's a wrap!" That's the typical way a director signals the end of major work on a film. Not so for George Lucas and Star Wars Episode III.

Hayden, Natalie, Ewan, Sam, and the rest of the gang may have wrapped 12 weeks of principal photography on Sept. 17 in Australia for the much-anticipated film, but production is far from complete.

A full 18 months of post-production is ahead for Lucas and his Industrial Light & Magic crew in California. Digital animators, editors and famed sound man Ben Burtt have their work cut out for them in preparation for the movie's release on May 25, 2005.

And, actors, don't think you're down quite yet. Lucas may bring many of them back in for re-shoots in March 2004.