February 13 - First and foremost let me apologize for the blatant lack of updates the past several months.  Second, you are not crazy, the below updates from Dec 23 and Oct 17 were never uploaded to the site...I included them in this update, well...just because.

In EPISODE II related news...if you are still curious about those leaked storyboards (see Oct 17) then you will want to check out this link to the alleged storyboards in question.  They show the  "Rain Battle" sequence ,that we have heard so much about, between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett and the Arena Battle (which I won't describe in any more detail as it hasn't been the topic of much discussion)  BEWARE,  if these are the real deal, they are quite spoilerific.  If you ARE interested in viewing them you might want to hurry as I'm sure this link will be down soon.  Either way, rest assued, if these are authentic storyboards from Lucasfilm, then Episode II is going to kick much ass!

December 23 - Even though I never uploaded the October 17 update, I went ahead and left it in this update, so your mind is not playing tricks on you if you are confused...

Let's see, what has been going on since then...Well for starters check out the Episode II Select link above...it is by far one of the best yet...apparently showing Obi-Wan locked in battle with Jango Fett in the much heralded "rain battle".

In other news, the Star Wars Fan Club has "up and been sold" to Wizards of the Coast, makers of the Star Wars RPG.  The Wizards will be taking over the publication of the Star Wars Insider (Issue #51 should be on the way this month and all subscribers will receive an extra issue on their subscription due to the wait) and the Star Wars Online Store

We will be adding a new Episode II  section to our Multimedia/Pictures section, stay tuned...

October 17 -   Ok, let's see what's been going on since we last updated...

     First off, principal filming for Episode II wrapped up last month!

    Apparently somebody leaked out some Episode II   storyboards that made there way to the net via a couple sites, mainly NaboOnline and Aldera.net.  Lucasfilm was quite upset by this...or at least appeared to be by threatening legal action.  Read more about it here.  There is much speculation as to whether the proposed storyboards were authentic or not, or if this might even be some kind of "mis-information campaign" on the part of Lucasfilm.   Everybody loves a good conspiracy theory I guess.

     Episode II  rumors continue to fly, and some are quite amusing, but as always it is our policy not to report on rumors, only cold hard facts.  With that in mind, here is something a little more tangible courtesy of Sam Davtchi's Site...

     

    Be sure to check out Sam's site for even more great EP2 pics.

 

 

August 14 - New Episode II "Spy Photos" have surfaced on the net.   The latest set of pics show Natalie Portman in a Padme/Amidala costume somewhat reminiscent of Leia's from ESB.  Also shown are a couple of shots of aliens, one appears to be the same species as Mas Amedda (blue, horny guy from the Senate scene in Episode I) and the other is a new alien...and is VERY cool looking.  Pop on over to either TheForce.net or Sir Steve's Guide to view the full pics.

August 12 - Lots of news since we last updated...

"Spy Photos" from the set have made their way to the web.  The pics, scanned from the pages of the Daily Telegraph, show Ewan MacGregor and Hayden Cristensen, in costume, on the set.  Ewan sports a beard and longer hair and wears his standard Jedi garb.  Also shown are some extras and what appears to be a Tusken Raider (minus the mask)...the pics have been removed from the Hyperspace web site, where they were first posted, but some can still be viewed at various sites like TheForce.net.

The Official Star Wars Site has updated with quite a few "Episode II Select" pictures (see pic above) since our last update, one of which shows Natalie Portman in Padme garb sitting on part of a set which appears to be from the Lars homestead!

While rumours of Christopher Lee and Jimmy Smits proved true we still have heard nothing concerning Christopher Walken and Gabriel Byrne, in fact, in a recent interview,  Walken pretty much laid all rumours of his involvement with Episode II to rest.

A new video release of the Classic Trilogy is on the way this fall!  Amazon.com gives a release date of November 21.  It is supposed to include a 10 minute reaturette on the making of Episode II!

July 15 - Lots of Episode II news today from the Official Star Wars Site...First off, the very first photo from Episode II filming...from George Lucas himself!  In a new segment ,called "George Lucas Episode II Select" , the Official Site will periodically be posting pics from the development of the next prequel installment...and they were kind enough to let Star Wars webmasters link to it, hence the thumbnail pic above.  The shot shows Anakin in some brand spanking new Jedi garb running toward, or away, from something.  One rumour from Prequel Watch has it that  Anakin is wearing a new Jedi uniform which is issued by the Republic for Jedi fighting in the Clone Wars...the official newsletter, The Star Wars Homing Beacon, has some more casting info...confirmed for Episode II are Andy Secombe as the voice of Watto (hmmm...back to Tatooine?), Frank Oz as Yoda, Silas Carson as the Jedi Knight with the biggest head...Ki-Adi Mundi, and Pernilla August reprising her role as Shmi Skywalker. 

   In other casting news, Aint-it-Cool News has posted a rumor we have all heard before concerning the casting of perennial bad guy actor Christopher Walken.  According to AICN, Walken, who was up for the part of Han Solo in ANH (long, long, ago) will be cast as Darth Bane.  This character pops up in the novelization of Episode I in a brief history of the Sith.  I won't get into it here, you can read it for yourselves, but Darth Bane is pretty much the "Father of the Sith".  If this rumored casting is true (which if you believe the AICN spy's claim of having seen the page from the Official Site, which he says will be posted in a few days) will this mean we will see some sort of flashback on the history of the Sith?  Stay tuned on the whole Christopher Walken saga, stranger things have been happening the past couple of weeks...after all it was AICN that first broke the news on other recent castings.

July 12 - WOW!  Looks like my "(snicker)" yesterday was a little bit off the mark!  Hot on the heels of the official Christopher Lee announcement comes, get this, the announcement that Jimmy Smits HAS been cast!  The former N.Y.P.D. Blue and L.A. Law star will portray none other than Senator Bail Organa, future foster father of Leia!  What can I say?  I retract my (snicker) and fully expect Gabriel Byrne to be announced any day now :-)  Read all about it at the Official Star Wars Site

July 11 - IT'S OFFICIAL!  Looks like the rumors were true about Christopher Lee (see June 12).  The Official Star Wars Site has announced the casting of the legendary Mr. Lee in the role of a "charasmatic separatist".  So what about Jimmy Smits and Gabriel Byrne?  (snicker).

July 7 - Hot on the heels of the official announcement that Owen Lars will not only appear in Episode II, but has also been cast, the Official Star Wars Site has announced the casting of Owen's better half, Beru.   Bonnie Piesse is the lucky actress cast to portray the  blue milk advocate and future crispy critter's younger self.  The site only refers to the character as "Beru" and not "Beru Lars"...will we witness Luke's future guardians jumping the broom in Episode II?

June 29 - Finally some news you can use...Owen Lars (Luke's "Uncle Owen" and often rumored brother of Obi-Wan...I guess we'll see) will be in Episode II .  This has been officially announced on the Official Star Wars Site.  The character of Owen Lars has been cast for the next installment of the saga.  The actor portraying the crusty old moisture farmer's younger self is Joel Edgerton...(yeah me either)

June 24 - For some non-rumor cast members check out the Official Star Wars Site for some news on recently cast characters...one of which, Leeana Walsman, is cast as a "skilled bounty hunter"...Aurra Sing perhaps?  Check it out.

June 12 - First Jimmy Smits, then Gabriel Byrne, now...Christopher Lee?  That's right, Dracula himself is the newest rumored cast member of Episode II.  If the folks at Aint-it-Cool News are to be believed, and usually they are (though not always), then Christopher "@#$-ing" Lee (as they call him) has most definitely been confirmed for a role in Episode II ...stay tuned gentle reader, remember all those Kenneth Branagh and Leo DiCaprio rumors?

June 3 - Rumors, rumors rumors...yesterday first Jimmy Smits and now Gabriel Byrne (End of Days, Usual Suspects, etc.) is being rumored for a part in Episode II.  This rumor is apparently coming straight from the horses mouth though...Byrne himself says he has been contacted by Lucasfilm.  Read more about it at TheForce.net.  

Speaking of rumors and Episode II, check out this link.   There are some old rumours concerning the casting of Anakin, but what is really interesting is the bit about Boba Fett's "Wookie Scalps".  The theory that these could wind up being Jedi Padawan braids is rather interesting don't you think?  I do seem to remember reading some where that the "Mandalorian Supercommandos" were supposed to help hunt down the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars...would kind of fit, and even though Boba Fett's trophys have been reffered to as Wookiee scalps, I can't say that I have ever seen an "Official" mention of them being that...

June 3 - Several sites are reporting on the rumor that Jimmy Smits, of NYPD Blue and L.A. Law fame, will be cast in both Episodes II and III.   Apparently, in a role somewhat like that of Samuel L. Jackson, Smits will appear briefly in Episode II and then have a more substantial part in Episode III.   Read more about it at Aint-it-Cool News.   There is also a blurb about Hayden Cristensen getting some Tae Kwon Do training as well.  Stay tuned and we will see what happens....

June 1 - TheForce.net is reporting that Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu) is making preparations to head to the land downunder this month to begin shooting Episode II.

The Official Star Wars Site has opened up a new series on "The Urban Legends of  Star Wars".   Heard the one about the missile firing Boba Fett figure?  How about Luke shouting "Carrie!" as he disembarks from his X-Wing after nuking the first Death Star?  Get the straight dope on these myths from the Official Source.

May 12 - NEWS FLASH - It's official!!!!!  Hayden Cristensen HAS been confirmed as Anakin Skywalker in Episode II.  Read all about it at the Official Star Wars Site's new Episode II page.  Told you to stay tuned.

May 12 - A year ago today my then 4 year old son and I stood in the blistering Texas heat waiting in line to buy Episode I tickets, quite a father/son moment of bonding.  Today we sit in the air conditioned comfort of our home and watch the video.  On this anniversary of ticket sales for The Phantom Menace, the question of the day is..."To be or not to be?"  Is Hayden Cristensen to be Anakin Skywalker in Episode II?   While Georgr Lucas' lips are sealed for the time being, the rest of the world seems to think he is "to be".  Even MSN has picked up on the story...read the article HERE and stay tuned for more info....

May 7 - Gosh, where to begin...How bout with a link to a kick ass little site   .  Ever wanted to be on, Who Want's To Be a Millionaire?  Ever laughed at all those choads who miss the really easy Star Wars questions?   Pop on over to Scott O'Hair's Hyperspace and have a go at his cool as all get out Shockwave game, Who Wants To Be a Jedi?   Chock full of Star Wars trivia, with the original WWTBAM music to boot, instead of playing for money each correct answer takes you through the chain of command of the Jedi Council...from the lowly, wannabe Anakin up to Jedi Master Yoda himself.   Very fun, good job Scott.

     Speaking of cool games, be sure to check out the R2-D2 game over at Star Wars Kids.   A cool kind of  "Lemmings-ish" game.  Don't let the "Kids" part of the name fool you, be sure to check out the whole site...it is very well done.

     In film related news, there is a lot of hype surrounding an actor named Hayden Cristensen (yeah me either) as being cast as Anakin Skywalker in Episode II.  Though we do not usually spread unwarranted rumors, there is a LOT of talk about this guy...apparently he is on some show called Higher Ground (yeah me either) that airs on the FOX Family Channel.  Anyway, stay tuned, an official anouncement is "supposed" to be made soon.

March 19 - Countdown to Episode II has posted some great, never before seen, behind the scenes, photos from Episode IV.  Pretty cool stuff.

Rebelscum.com has posted a preview (of sorts) of the newest issue of the SW Insider, as well as a sneak-peek at the Art of Episode I book that will come with the Widescreen Edition of Episode I.

March 9 - TheForce.net is reporting that, in an interview with EON Magazine, Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu...the Jedi whose wallet says "Bad Mother F#(*!)!" on it) has confirmed his return to the SW Universe in Episode II and that he should be shooting this summer.

March 7 - Lucasfilm hosting FREE Star Wars Fan Websites?  You better believe it...especially if you got here from Star Wars Fan Homepages.  Yes folks, Lucas Online, with the aid of our old friend Homestead, is offering a free,16MB, home for your fan page!  Will we be jumping over to SW Fan Homepages you ask?  We are already there (sort of).  So now you can reach BiLLy Ray's at our normal Homestead address or at http://fan.starwars.com/billyrays.  So what are you waiting for?  Go make your own site, it's free...just don't forget to link to us here at BiLLY Ray's :-)  Read more about it at the Official Star Wars Site.

March 4 - Only 1 month to the day untl Episode I comes out on video!  April 4th is the big day, the hardest part about the whole thing is deciding where to pre-purchase the video. With a whole lot of pre purchase bonus offers and promotional items to choose from from so many different stores the question is not HOW to get the video, but WHERE.  

February 25 - WHOOPS!  My bad!  Turns out Hugh Quarshie has NOT been confirmed yet for Episode II.  See what happens if you start believing rumours.   We apologize for any undue excitement this may have caused.

February 18 - Actor Hugh Quarshie has been confirmed for Episode II.  What does this mean?   Uhhhh....it means Captain Panaka will be in Episode II (unless they got him to play somebody else).

January 8 - Finally...OFFICIAL news from Lucasfilm concerning the Episode I VHS release...April 4 IS the day!  In a worldwide release, It will only be available in VHS format but will be available in "pan and scan" (formatted to fit your screen) or letterbox (in a nice sounding gift set) editions.  Price will be $24.98 (U.S.) for pan and scan and $39.98 (U.S.) for the Widescreen Collectors Edition (which comes with some pretty nice goodies)  Check out the Official Site for more info.

Physsion Communications has posted an animated version of Shadows of the Empire using footage from the original trilogy and...Kenner Star Wars Action Figures.  Having dabbled in a little stop motion animation myself (using SW figures), I can't even begin to tell you how much work these three guys (Jeff Hendricks, Bob Branch,   and Chris Garrison) must have put into this.  You've got to see this to appreciate it.