<P> Set ten years after the events in The Phantom Menace, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war . Led by a former Jedi named Count Dooku, thousands of planetary systems threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic . After Senator Padmé Amidala evades assassination, Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker becomes her protector, while his mentor Obi - Wan Kenobi investigates the attempt on Padmé's life . Soon Anakin, Padmé and Obi - Wan witness the onset of a new threat to the galaxy, the Clone Wars . </P> <P> Development of Attack of the Clones began in March 2000, after the release of The Phantom Menace . By June 2000, Lucas and Hales completed a draft of the script and principal photography took place from June to September 2000 . The film crew primarily shot at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, Australia, with additional footage filmed in Tunisia, Spain and Italy . It was one of the first motion pictures shot completely on a high - definition digital 24 - frame system . </P> <P> The film was released in the United States on May 16, 2002 . Some critics hailed it as an improvement over The Phantom Menace, while others called it the worst entry of the franchise . The visual effects, costume design, musical score, action scenes and Ewan McGregor's performance as Obi - Wan Kenobi were all praised, however the romance of Anakin and Padmé, the dialogue and the film's long runtime were all criticized . The film was a financial success, making over $649 million worldwide; however, it also became the first Star Wars film to be outgrossed in its year of release, placing third domestically and fourth internationally . The film was released on VHS and DVD on November 12, 2002 and was later released on Blu - ray on September 16, 2011 . Following Attack of the Clones, the third and final film of the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, premiered in 2005 . </P> <P> Ten years after the Trade Federation's invasion of Naboo, the Galactic Republic is threatened by the Separatist movement organized by former Jedi Master Count Dooku . Senator Padmé Amidala comes to Coruscant to vote on a motion to create an army to assist the Jedi against this threat . Narrowly avoiding an assassination attempt upon arrival, she is placed under the protection of Jedi Knight Obi - Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker . The two Jedi thwart a second attempt on her life and subdue the assassin, Zam Wesell, a shape - shifter who is soon killed by her bounty hunter client before she can reveal his identity . The Jedi Council assigns Obi - Wan to identify and capture the bounty hunter, while Anakin is assigned to escort Padmé back to Naboo, where the pair develop a romantic attraction towards each other . </P>

When did attack of the clones come out