Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones

The Galactic Republic is facing a crisis ten years after the events of The Phantom Menace. The peace is threatened by a Separatist movement spearheaded by the former Jedi Master Count Dooku, also known as the Sith Lord Darth Tyranus. The Galactic Senate is debating a Military Creation Act to establish a standing army for the Republic's defense. Senator Padmé Amidala, previously the Queen of Naboo, intends to return to the Senate and vote against the Act, despite the fact that there are no longer enough Jedi to maintain peace and justice in the galaxy.

Upon her arrival on Coruscant, she barely avoids an assassination attempt that results in the death of her decoy, Cordé. Consequently, Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine requests that Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, ensure her safety.

That night, the assassin Zam Wesell makes another attempt on Amidala's life, but the Jedi thwart her plan. They chase her through Galactic City, eventually subduing her at the Outlander Club. As Obi-Wan and Anakin question her outside the bar, she is killed by a mysterious man using a saberdart, before she can reveal her employer's identity. Returning to the Jedi Temple, the council assigns Obi-Wan to find the assassin's killer. Meanwhile, Anakin is to protect the Senator and escort her back to her home planet of Naboo. Anakin is pleased with this opportunity, as he is often frustrated by Obi-Wan's criticism and looks forward to being on his own. Furthermore, he has developed feelings for Padmé and appreciates the chance to spend time with her. Junior Representative Jar Jar Binks takes over Amidala's responsibilities in her absence, even though the Senator is upset about not being at the Senate when the fate of the Military Creation Act is determined.

During his investigation, Obi-Wan discovers a mysterious planet called Kamino—which is missing from the Jedi Archives—where a secret clone army is being created for the Republic. Prime Minister Lama Su informs him that the army was commissioned almost ten years prior by Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas—although Obi-Wan believed Sifo-Dyas had died before then. A bounty hunter named Jango Fett was hired as the template for the clones. Obi-Wan encounters Jango on Kamino and suspects him of being the killer he is tracking. He attempts to capture Jango, leading to a fierce battle between them. Jango uses his blasters and missile equipment, ultimately defeating Obi-Wan by sending him falling into the sea below. Assuming he is dead, Jango leaves Kamino with his son Boba. Unable to capture Jango, Obi-Wan places a homing beacon on his ship, Slave I, and follows him to the planet of Geonosis.

Meanwhile, Anakin and Padmé spend a lot of time together on Naboo, enjoying each other's company. Anakin reveals his deep affection for her, promising to do anything she asks. However, Padmé resists, explaining that a relationship between them is impossible because she is a Senator and he is a Jedi. This angers Anakin, who experiences internal conflict between his desires and his Jedi duties.

Anakin is also disturbed by a feeling that his mother is in danger, and he asks Padmé to accompany him to his home planet of Tatooine—disobeying Obi-Wan's orders to stay on Naboo. Upon arriving, Anakin finds his former owner Watto, who tells him that his mother married a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars. They travel to the Lars moisture farm, where Anakin and Padmé meet C-3PO, and the droid introduces Anakin to his step-brother Owen. Cliegg reveals that his mother was kidnapped a month prior by Tusken Raiders. Anakin finds her tied and beaten in a Tusken camp. She dies in his arms. Enraged, he massacres the Tusken community, including men, women, and children. On Coruscant, Yoda senses a dark disturbance in the Force as the slaughter occurs (Qui-Gon Jinn's voice shouts "Anakin, Anakin, no!" during this scene). Anakin brings his mother's body back to the homestead for her funeral.

On Geonosis, Obi-Wan overhears a meeting between Count Dooku and the leaders of the commerce guilds, learning that they are behind the separatist movement and have built a new droid army. He also learns that Nute Gunray ordered Amidala's assassination to avenge the Trade Federation's defeat at the Battle of Naboo. Obi-Wan sends his findings to the Council via Anakin and Padmé's ship but is captured by droidekas before finishing his report.

Now aware of Dooku's army, Jedi Master Mace Windu leads a battalion of Jedi to Geonosis. Unbeknownst to them, Anakin and Padmé also travel there to rescue Obi-Wan. Meanwhile, Representative Binks calls for Chancellor Palpatine to be granted emergency powers, enabling him to deploy the newly discovered clone army into battle.

On Geonosis, Count Dooku attempts to persuade Obi-Wan to join him, arguing that the Republic and Jedi have lost their way and must be opposed. Obi-Wan refuses, stating that Dooku is wrong about the Republic and Jedi and that Qui-Gon would not have joined Dooku. Anakin and Padmé arrive but are captured by Jango Fett and sentenced to death, joining Obi-Wan in the Geonosis arena. Before heading outside, Padame and Anakin confess their love to each other. Count Dooku, Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, Poggle the Lesser, Jango Fett, and Boba Fett watch the start of the planned execution. The trio must battle a reek, a nexu, and an acklay while chained. Mace Windu arrives with his Jedi strike team, and they battle Dooku's droid army in the arena. Jango Fett engages Windu but is killed when his jetpack malfunctions. The Jedi are eventually overwhelmed by the Droid Army, but Yoda arrives with the Republic's clone army, though only a few Jedi have survived.

A larger battle erupts between the Republic's clone army and the Droid Army of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Nute Gunray and Rune Haako retreat in Gunray's ship. The Clone Army gains the upper hand, leading to the Droid Army's retreat. Poggle the Lesser gives Count Dooku the early plans for the Death Star. Dooku tries to escape, but Obi-Wan and Anakin follow him to a secret hangar. Anakin disobeys Obi-Wan's orders and attacks Dooku, who uses Force lightning to knock him unconscious. Obi-Wan fights Dooku, but he is defeated. Yoda appears as Dooku is about to escape, and they engage in a fierce battle. Dooku attempts to drop a pillar on Obi-Wan and Anakin as a distraction. While Yoda saves them, Dooku flees in his solar sailer. He meets Darth Sidious, who is pleased that the war has begun.

In the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan, Mace, and Yoda discuss Dooku's warning about Darth Sidious controlling the Senate. Yoda is hesitant to believe this but agrees that they should monitor the Senate. Meanwhile, Chancellor Palpatine oversees the launch of the clone trooper forces.

Back at Naboo, Anakin, with a new mechanical arm, and Padmé have a secret wedding, witnessed only by C-3PO and R2-D2.

John Knoll shared with Star Wars Insider that the adaptation to digital cameras posed the most significant hurdle for his team as production commenced on Attack of the Clones. Nevertheless, Knoll recognized the advantage of digital cameras, which allowed for immediate playback of footage, and he thoroughly enjoyed filming with them. In a 2005 interview with Temuera Morrison on The Tem Show, Rick McCallum mentioned that New Zealand was initially considered as a filming location before Australia, but the concurrent filming of The Lord of the Rings films in New Zealand presented complications. Despite the challenges of filming in New Zealand, Lucasfilm Ltd. casting directors still scouted the country, selecting several actors, including Bodie Taylor and Daniel Logan.

In December 2001, rumors circulated that members of *NSYNC were filmed as extras in Attack of the Clones. The story gained traction, with reports indicating that Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick were cast as Jedi and Naboo citizens by producer Rick McCallum. Lucasfilm later confirmed the news but denied that George Lucas had done it as a favor to his daughters Katie and Amanda, who were fans of the band. Justin Timberlake clarified that he and Lance Bass were not involved, but Joey Fatone's brother Steven Fatone was. Many Star Wars fans reacted negatively, viewing it as further evidence of Star Wars "selling out," similar to reactions to Jar Jar Binks or the Ewoks. On January 12, 2002, a Saturday Night Live sketch satirized Attack of the Clones, depicting the movie pausing for *NSYNC to perform "I'm a Jedi Knight in these Jedi Days." Joey Fatone later stated that the singers' parts were cut due to negative fan reaction. However, Lucasfilm's Lynne Hale denied this, stating that Lucas made the final decisions.

Leading up to the release, Lucasfilm launched another series of web documentaries and experimented with promotional tools like Episode II Select and Ahmed Best's on-set videos. On May 11, 2002, TV Guide released three different covers to promote the film.

Sony released the film's soundtrack on April 23, 2002.

R. A. Salvatore wrote a book version of the movie, including scenes unique to the novel. The prologue describes Anakin having a nightmare of his mother turning into glass and shattering. The book details Shmi Skywalker's capture by Tusken Raiders and Cliegg Lars's loss of his leg. It provides more insight into Shmi's life and relationships with Cliegg, Owen, Beru, and C-3PO. It also includes scenes of Senator Amidala on Naboo discussing retiring from politics and receiving reports about unrest among spice miners. The book delves deeper into the father-son relationship of Jango and Boba Fett. (However, it contains inaccuracies concerning Jango, such as referring to his armor as grey.) The first of the Boba Fett series of young adult novels draws upon this material.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released on VHS and DVD on November 12, 2002. The VHS included deleted scenes and a segment of Star Wars: Connections. Attack of the Clones was the final VHS release for Star Wars in the United States. The DVD contains elements edited or added by George Lucas.

• Disc 1 DVD Menu themes based on planets from the movie: Coruscant, Kamino, and Geonosis Available subtitles: English Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 EX), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) Commentary by writer-director George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, animation director Rob Coleman, and ILM visual effects supervisors John Knoll, Roger Guyett, and sound designer Ben Burtt DVD Credits with Blooper reels DVD-ROM content including website archive of HoloNet News[15]

• Disc 2 Main DVD Menu's theme is based on the Jedi Library Eight exclusive deleted scenes with introductions of George Lucas, Rick McCallum, and Ben Burtt "From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in Episode II": all-new full-length documentary about the creation of digital characters in Episode II "State of the Art: The Previsualization of Episode II": witness the vital role of the animatics team "Films Are Not Released: They Escape" sound documentary Three featurettes examining the story line, action scenes, and love story through behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and filmmakers 12-part Web documentary "Across the Stars" music video: an original composition by John Williams crafted exclusively for this DVD Exclusive production photos One-sheet posters International outdoor campaign Trailers and TV spots "R2-D2: Beneath the Dome" mockumentary trailer ILM visual effects breakdown montage Exclusive DVD-ROM content Production photo gallery College Want Ads Campaign gallery Easter egg (enhanced DVD-ROM multimedia content when you click on the weblinks of any of the posters in the image gallery, featuring downloadable wallpapers and messenger icons)[15] DVD-ROM content includes a free trial of Hyperspace

The film was released on Blu-ray in September 2011.

On April 7, 2015, the Walt Disney Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Lucasfilm jointly announced the digital releases of the six released Star Wars films. As Lucasfilm had retained digital distribution rights to Episodes I through III and V through VI, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released Attack of the Clones for digital download on April 10, 2015.

Despite the Walt Disney Company's 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm Ltd. and the release rights to all future Star Wars films, Fox was to retain original distribution rights to Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, which they co-produced and co-financed, in perpetuity in all media worldwide. Fox was also to retain theatrical, nontheatrical, and home video rights worldwide for the franchise's five subsequent films, which Lucasfilm produced and financed independently, through May 2020, at which time ownership was to transfer to Disney. This complex relationship between Fox and Disney, particularly in regards to Fox's perpetual rights to Episode IV, was to create an obstacle for any future boxed set comprising all nine films. On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced that it was acquiring most of Fox's parent company, 21st Century Fox, including the film studio and all distribution rights to A New Hope. On March 20, 2019, the deal was officially completed. On April 12, 2019, a Blu-ray box set containing the nine main instalments of the Star Wars saga remastered in 4K was reportedly announced to be in development for a 2020 release.