<P> After Samuel L. Jackson expressed interest in appearing in a Star Wars film, he was approached by casting director Robin Gurland to play Windu . Ray Park, a martial arts champion with experience in gymnastics and sword fighting, was originally a member of the stunt crew . Stunt coordinator Nick Gillard filmed Park to demonstrate his conception of the lightsaber battles . Lucas and McCallum were so impressed with the test tape that they gave Park the role of Maul . His voice was considered "too squeaky" and was dubbed over in post-production by Peter Serafinowicz . Keira Knightley's parents tried to convince her not to audition, but the teenage actress still sought a role since she was a Star Wars fan . The casting was influenced by Knightley's remarkable similarity to Natalie Portman, with the actress admitting their mothers could not tell each other apart . Knightley was reported to have "cried every single day" due to finding the wardrobe uncomfortable . </P> <P> Silas Carson was cast as Nute Gunray because another actor was uncomfortable with the costumes used by the Trade Federation characters, which were hot, exerted a lot of pressure on the bearer, and took about 15 minutes to apply . Hugh Quarshie considered the part of Panaka as "a good career move" and a production that would be fun to make . Brian Blessed originally auditioned for the role of Sio Bibble, the Governor of Naboo, for which he was considered "too loud". Casting director Robin Gurland approached him to play Nass because it was a "bigger than life" character with "a kind of bravado". Blessed described Nass as a "reluctant hero", and a fun role to play . Sofia Coppola, daughter of Lucas' long - time friend and creative partner Francis Ford Coppola, considers Lucas as "like an uncle to me". As she prepared the script for her directorial debut The Virgin Suicides, Sofia heard Lucas would make a new Star Wars film and asked him if she could accompany him during filming . Lucas offered Coppola a role in the royal entourage, which she accepted because it "seemed like a good vantage point to watch without getting in the way". </P> <P> Filming began on June 26, 1997, and ended on September 30 of that year, primarily taking place at Leavesden Film Studios in England . Leavesden was leased for a two and a half year period so the production company could leave the sets intact and return after principal photography had been completed . The forest scenes on Naboo were filmed at Cassiobury Park in Watford, Hertfordshire . Pick - ups were shot between August 1998 and February 1999 after Lucas screened a rough cut of the film for friends and colleagues in May 1998 . Most of the action and stunts were filmed by Roger Christian's second unit, which worked alongside the main unit instead of afterwards because of the high number of shots to be completed daily . </P> <P> The Tunisian desert was again used for the Tatooine scenes; Mos Espa was built outside the city of Tozeur . On the night following the third day of shooting in Tozeur, an unexpected sandstorm destroyed many of the sets and props . The production was quickly rescheduled to allow for repairs and was able to leave Tunisia on the date originally planned . The Italian Caserta Palace was used as the interior of the Theed City Naboo Palace; it was used as a location for four days after it had been closed to visitors . Scenes with explosions were filmed on replica sets in Leavesden . </P>

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