I tried to ask Amy Allen aka Aayla Secura several questions about Aayla's role in Episode III. Several were about her fate, Jedi fighting style, etc., but none of them were answered because of the nature of the questions I'm sure. I was however, fortunate enough to get a message through to Amy asking her a question about her piloting role in Episode III, and here is what she said:

Well folks, there you have it! We know we will get to see another great space battle in Episode III, but Aayla Secura will not be flying in this one.

The Official Star Wars Site reports that this September, Topps will publish an exciting new card series that encompasses all six Star Wars movies, including a sneak peek at the forthcoming final film, Star Wars: Episode III. Aptly titled Star Wars Heritage, the series is timed to coincide with the eagerly awaited Star Wars Trilogy DVD release.

The Official Star Wars Site has announced a new online chat for Friday. Continuing the series of popular online chats, starwars.com Hyperspace welcomes Amy Allen, whose role as Aayla Secura in Episode II has made her a fan favorite.

Allen was working as a Production Assistant at Industrial Light & Magic when she was tasked to fill Aayla's boots -- a background Jedi role for Episode II that came complete with a rich history told in comics. It was a rare occurrence of a Star Wars character that was created for comic books being adapted for the big screen.

Since taking that role, Allen has made several convention appearances around the world while continuing her work behind the camera. Allen recently returned to the world of Star Wars, shooting her scenes as Aayla Secura for Episode III.

Amy Allen is scheduled to be online on Friday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time (1:30 p.m. Eastern time). Please note that last-minute scheduling changes may happen, and because hundreds of questions are submitted, not all can be answered.

These chats happen in the Celebrity Chat and Schedule forum, which is accessible only to Hyperspace members.

The Official Star Wars Site has announced that a year from tomorrow, Star Wars: Episode III will make its big-screen debut in theaters around the world. As previously reported, May 19, 2005 is the premiere date for the final film of the Star Wars saga.

The film is currently in the thick of postproduction, with the edit undergoing daily changes. With a phase of additional photography still scheduled for August, there are notable holes to fill in the edit, but animatic placeholders fill in the gaps for now.

This week, a small Second Unit will be active in Sydney, Australia, shooting a scene of background Wookiees played by towering Australian locals. Also scheduled for this shoot are individual elements of Temuera Morrison in his clone commander role.

Later in the week, intercontinental audio recording sessions will be held at Skywalker Ranch. A high-speed tie-line will connect Director George Lucas to a studio in Australia, as Temuera Morrison records his dialogue. Actor Bruce Spence is also scheduled for dialogue recording, in his role as the helpful alien, Tion Meddon.

Currently, ILM is busily working away on over two thousand effects shots. With the evolving edit, they are concentrating on those parts of the film that are locked down. The ILM Model Shop is working on two of its most colossal miniatures for Episode III -- one is an exterior environment that stands over 15 feet tall. As it stands, ILM has equaled the number of completed shots for Episode II at this same point of production, a year prior to its May 2002 premiere. Though those eager to see Episode III have May 19 circled on their calendars, ILM's deadline is April 1, 2005.

One other interesting note is the splash screen that the Official Site is currently using to advertise this article. Could this be our first glimpse into the Episode III Vader? The helmet does look a little different to me from the side. Thoughts?

The Official Star Wars Site has announced that Del Rey Books has reached an agreement with Lucas Licensing that will extend their current book licensing agreement through December of 2008.

The extension encompasses 18 new novels of fiction -- which includes nine hardcovers (to be published three-per-year) and nine original mass-market paperbacks (also, three-per-year). In the non-fiction department, the plan is for six oversized paperbacks, to be
published two-per-year.

The Official Star Wars Site has made it's fourth Episode III webdoc, Creating General Grievous, available to non-Hyperspace members.

This documentary examines the genesis of Grievous, and how the Episode III Art Department came to design the evil General of the Droid Army.

Click here to watch the video.