The latest Homing Beacon has arrived, and today we get to talk about the opening sequence in Episode III. For those who do not have a subscription to Hyperspace, this article will provide you with an in-depth look at some things you can expect to see. If you do have Hyperspace, then be sure to go to the Official Star Wars Site to see actual animatic shots from the scenes they are about to describe. Enjoy!

Spoilers - Highlight to read: Episode III starts with a bang. The starfleets of the Galactic Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems are locked in a jumbled brawl of lumbering capital ships and swift starfighters, exchanging fire high in the Coruscant atmosphere.

Hundreds upon hundreds of ships are engaged in this high-stakes battle of the Clone Wars, but the audience will only really follow two small snubfighters into the thick of battle. As Obi-Wan and Anakin dive into the heart of the conflict to carry out a most important mission, they'll be the camera's guide through the chaos.

Designing the motion of the revealing opening shot fell to Animatics Artist Euisung Lee, but filling the enormous background battle in the entire scene is a group effort. "We had a brainstorming session about possible cool background battle stuff that can happen," he says. "We have a list of ideas. I don't know how many of them are actually in the movie, but we had come up with some modular background action so that we can pop them into place."

One of Lee's most intriguing contributions may be missed upon first glance, tucked away as it is in the backdrop of the action. Spoilers - Highlight to read: A triangular Jedi cruiser is locked in a deadly embrace with the much larger Trade Federation battleship, occupying the gap between the battleship's forward arms and pointing its dagger-like nose straight towards the huge central sphere.

"My thought was that maybe the clones were actually boarding the donut ship," explains Lee. "There's an opening in the waist of the Jedi ship. The middle sphere is falling apart. The idea is that they took over the whole thing, and the middle sphere is drifting away from the center."

A dry-erase board hanging in the Animatics Department serves as a recipe list for other possible mini-dramas playing in the background of the scene. Note that not all may not be in the final film. This list instead just represents some of the tantalizing possibilities:

Spoilers - Highlight to read:

• Colliding / scraping starships
• Sacrifice ship to break through blockade
• Diving formation of assault frigates to save cruiser from swarm
• Shockwave causing havoc from large explosion of ship
• Shockwave bombs across surface of larger ship causing damage
• Shockwave bomb on droid fighters
• Tractor beams picking up ships to repair / collision
• Pockets of intense debris caused by explosion that heroes fly through
• Reinforcements dropping out of hyperspace to help less-than-fortunate ship
• Launching and docking tri-fighters / clone fighters
• EMP bomb causing loss of power to large ships, out-of-control collision
• Vulture droids landing on large ships and attacking
• Leaking fuel ignited by ship passing
• Combined ray attack

I know that this opening sequence is going to grab us from the start! I just hope that after such a bang in the beginning that we do not feel let down during the middle. We all know how this movie has to end, so I am positive of a strong finish. Let's hope that the rest of the movie will be worthy of it's beginning and end.

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Hasbro has announced that the Original Trilogy Collection brings back the ultimate Star Wars vehicle! The OTC Millennium Falcon has all of its original great features with some exciting new additions. This version of the legendary spaceship includes:

• New light-up back engine thrusters
• Firing missile
• Make the jump to hyperspace with lights and sounds
• Flying and blaster sounds
• Redesigned cockpit to fit the 3 ¾” figures more easily
• And the black and silver Original Trilogy Collection package - reminiscent of the 1970’s, but with new, updated graphics.

Available for the first time since 1997, the OTC Millennium Falcon will be distributed at most major toy retailers this fall. A Special value-pack will be available at Sam’s Club.

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The Official Star Wars Site reports that the Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series will continue with five new expanded chapters beginning March 21, 2005.

Once again helmed by Genndy Tartakovsky, Star Wars: Clone Wars continues where Chapter 20 left off, but in a new format. Whereas previous installments were just three minutes long, each new chapter will be 12 minutes, promising viewers four times the excitement, adventures and intrigue as they lead into the long-awaited finale to the saga, Star Wars: Episode III.

Tartakovsky, the talent behind the critically acclaimed Samurai Jack and Dexter's Laboratory, will return as director, co-screenwriter and executive producer of the new Star Wars: Clone Wars animated mini-series. Cartoon Network will air the new chapters from March 21 to March 25 with limited commercial interruptions. These new installments are planned to appear online to members of Hyperspace: The Official Star Wars Fan Club.

This new mini-series will bring even more depth and excitement to the story of the Clone Wars and will lead viewers right into the adventures of Star Wars: Episode III.

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The Official Star Wars Site has a couple of new videos for fans with a subscription to Hyperspace to enjoy. First, members get an exclusive first look at a new trailer that details the amazing features of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD. Also, the next Episode III Webdoc has been released featuring Costume Designer Trisha Biggar as she continues to elevate the costume design of the Star Wars saga to new heights. We also get to see some new characters in the process. So log in and have a look!

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