Coruscant

The kilometer-high edifices scrape the sky above the center of the known universe. This is a planet of policies and debates, of leaders and followers. Nearly all of the planet is blanketed by a seemingly unending megalopolis whose foundations were laid at the beginning of the Old Republic (more than a thousand generations ago). Some of the highlights include the Imperial City, the Palace, the Senate building and the Jedi Temple.

Climbing its way into the upper atmosphere, the capital city hosts the Palace as well as the Senate and Jedi Council. This is the hub of the galaxy - where races come together to war and make peace in debate. Eventually, the Senate would be wiped away and Palpatine would create the Imperial Palace which is taller than any other structure on the planet. It is said to be an impregnable fortress, with some areas decorated in patterns based on ancient Sith hieroglyphics.

The lowest levels of the city were abandoned long ago and now house the wrecked equipment, and the countless vermin and subhuman beings who lurk in the shadows. We recommend staying out of this area.

The Senate

Pay the admission fee (credits only please), and you'll be taken to the enormous senate room where the fate of the galaxy is regularly decided. Each planet has its delegates represented in tiny hovering disks which move to and from the center when called upon to speak. The Chancellor presides over the sessions and keeps the peace. Don't stay too long though - you might fall asleep from boredom.

The Jedi Temple

On to the next attraction - the magnificent and legendary Jedi Teemple. A series of towers and spikes, this structure houses the finest minds and high authorities of the Jedi. They send their Knights off into the far reaches of space to guard peace and justice.

In the Council Chamber, Yoda, Mace Windu, and the other Masters exchange their knowledge and wisdom. They hold special meetings in the needle which juts into the atmosphere and supports the Council Chamber. High atop the Temple, a balcony offers astonishing views of the capital city. Jedi often come here to discuss matters privately.

Creating this massive Star Wars city was no easy task for Lucas and his ILM team. It had a small bit in Return of the Jedi, where we saw the citizens celebrating the Rebel victory. The city had a different look and feel to it according to Ralph McQuarrie - the original concept artist for the classic trilogy. Now it was Doug Chaing's turn to construct Coruscant. "George liked all the different concepts, so he wanted to combine the elements into one image. It was like taking Manhattan and scaling it way, way up. All of these buildings are mile and two- mile- high skyscrapers."

Scott Squires' unit erected the Galactic Senate as an all CG environment. The senate chamber, big as the interior of a stadium, was designed with steep sides for real sky boxes, some 1500 individual detachable compartments (each capable of holding a few delegates). The unit built and shot several real-size boxes against bluescreen. Squires not only had to create most of the rest of the boxes, but also add thousands of characters. Although some CGs were used, it was much easier for the unit to shoot some costumed extras against greenscreen.