Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, continuing his consolidation of power, authorizes the creation of a Great Army of the Republic to assist the overwhelmed Jedi.

Against this troubling setting, our familiar heroes Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker are thrown together for the first time since the conflict between the Trade Federation and Padmé's home planet, Naboo. Anakin has grown into the accomplished Jedi apprentice of Obi-Wan, who himself has transitioned from student to teacher, while Padmé, the former Queen of Naboo, is now a distinguished Senator. Anakin and Obi-Wan are assigned to protect Padmé, who is targeted for assassination.

As Obi-Wan investigates the mystery behind the threat on Padmé's life, he travels to two disparate worlds on the galaxy's outer rim. There, he encounters a fearsome bounty hunter whose role in the mystery extends far beyond Obi-Wan's initial suspicions. Obi-Wan also crosses paths with a once-revered, but now disillusioned Jedi Master who leads the separatist movement.

With Obi-Wan away on his vital mission, Anakin is left to guard Padmé, first on Naboo and then on the young Padawan's home planet of Tatooine, where he makes a fateful discovery. Growing closer, Anakin and Padmé find themselves torn between duty and honor and a love that is forbidden. As powerful forces prepare to collide in epic battle, they and Obi-Wan face choices that will impact not only their own fates, but the destiny of the Republic.

Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones was written and directed by George Lucas, co-written by Jonathan Hales, produced by Rick McCallum, and stars Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, and Samuel L. Jackson. Additional cast members include Ian McDiarmid, Christopher Lee, Temuera Morrison, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels and Frank Oz.

Attack of the Clones is rich with themes we've come to recognize in all of the Star Wars films: continual discovery, personal aspirations, heroism, duty and honor. EPISODE II of George Lucas' six-chapter epic features passion, love, adventure ... but most of all, fun. Interwoven with these familiar themes is one new to the saga - forbidden love - as well as the notion of Jedi heroism on a scale previously unseen in any Star Wars film: In one sequence, hundreds of Jedi battle powerful and seemingly innumerable forces.

The title itself hearkens back to the sense of imagination and excitement that characterized the classic movie serials and pulp fantasy adventures from which the Star Wars saga draws inspiration. "Attack of the Clones is a big, wide-eyed adventure film in the tradition and celebration of the Saturday matinee serials of Hollywood's golden age," says Lucas. "They were unpretentious and designed to thrill with lots of energy, suspense and excitement. You went to those movies to escape and enjoy yourself, and that's what I wanted to capture with Attack of the Clones."