1. THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL
We know that this episode will tell the legendary story of "the Clone Wars", a series of wars between the Jedi Knights of the Old Republic and the so-called "MANDALORIAN WARRIORS", (supercommandos who wear the armour of the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett). We also know that the Jedi will be victorious, (but at what cost?)

2. INSIDE STORY SCOOP Rick McCallum in an interview with CINESCAPE Magazine explained that Anakin will become a Jedi Knight and Master because of his heroism during the Clone Wars. Of course this heroism also gets the better of his pride and begins his undoing, probably causing the beginning rift between he and Obi-Wan's partnership.

3. THE CHOSEN ONE
According to "E Online" www.eonline.com :
In a recent interview with a French magazine named Studio, Lucas has confirmed that Anakin Skywalker, not Luke, is "the chosen one."

(Although, I must admit, I personally liked the idea that Qui-Gon Jinn's error in mistaking the prophesy to mean Anakin instead of his future progeny meant the the entire galaxy would fall to the Dark Side); that would have been a very clever twist for a plotline!

4. A LOVE STORY
George Lucas himself has confirmed that thie episode of Star Wars will try and reach a female audience as well as its predominately geeky male following. (Markerting statistics seem to be rearing their ugly head yet again). In this episode Anakin will now be an adult and will fall in love with Queen Amidala of the Naboo. Could the film end with their wedding celebration? Many rumours say yes.

Hayden Christensen

5. ANAKIN ACTOR CHOSEN The role of the adult Anakin Skywalker will be played by Canadian actor Hayden Christensen. I believe it was a wise choice going with an unfamiliar non/famous actor to play Anakin. We shall see how the newcomer takes on his most daunting role. Congratulations Hayden!

6. RETURNING CAST
We also know that both Natalie Portman and a bearded Ewan McGregor will both return in their roles as the Queen and as the Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively.

Ian McDiarmid (as Senator Palpatine), Samuel L. Jackson (as Mace Windu), Frank Oz (as Yoda), Anthony Daniels (as C-3P0), and Kenny Baker (as R2-D2), are all contracted to return in the next two prequel installments. Most likely conductor John Williams will be contracted to compose a new score for the film. I think it's pretty safe to say that these one's are a give-in.

7. LUCAS'S SCREENPLAY
We also know that George Lucas is currently working on the movie's screenplay as we speak and should be finished writing by September. He will also direct this episode, and Episode III as well. Australian sound stages (Fox Studios Australia) will serve as the principal location for shooting. If any of the story takes place on Tatooine, (and most likely it will), you can be certain that Tunisia will once again be used as a backdrop for filming.

The film will most likely be filmed entirely digital with higher resolution, better quality, etc.

8. ANAKIN'S FATE We also know that since Darth Maul has been killed by Obi-Wan at the end of "Episode I: the Phantom Menace", Senator Palpatine (a.k.a. "Darth Sidious") will now be scouting for a replacement apprentice. "Always two there are, a master and an apprentice, no more, no less." (Yoda reminds Mace Windu at the close of "Episode I: The Phantom Menace").

9. THE OFFICIAL ON BOBA FETT
We know from the Official Star Wars Website from LucasFilm www.starwars.com , that this much is officially known about Boba Fett: "Fett wears the armor of the Mandalorians, a group of fearsome warriors dating back to ancient times who were defeated by the Jedi Knights."
 
"Not much is known about Boba Fett. He wears part of the uniform of the Imperial Shocktroopers, warriors from olden time. Shocktroopers came from the far side of the galaxy and there aren't many of them left. They were wiped out by the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars. Whether he was a shocktrooper or not is unknown. He is the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, and cares little for whom he works -- as long as they pay."

10. OBI-WAN ON THE CLONE WARS
We know from Obi-Wan in "Episode IV: A New Hope" (played by Sir Alec Guinness), that Anakin fought in the Clone Wars and:..."was the best star pilot in the galaxy and a cunning warrior".

11. PRINCESS LEIA ON THE CLONE WARS
Obi-Wan Kenobi was a General during the Clone Wars

Princess Leia (in "Episode IV: A New Hope") reveals that Obi-Wan Kenobi served her father, Bail Organa, Viceroy and First Chairman of the Alderaan system, years before in the Clone Wars. She initially addresses him as: "General Kenobi".

12. THE NOVELS ON THE CLONE WARS
The novel for "The Empire Strikes Back" by Donald F. Glut, has this to say about Boba Fett:
"He was dressed in a weapon-covered, armoured spacesuit, the kind worn by a group of evil warriors defeated by the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars".

13. WHAT THE ENCYCLOPEDIA SAYS
The Star Wars Encyclopedia refers to the Clone Wars simply as "...a terrible series of conflicts".