Rise of the Empire

Rise of the Empire, also known as Star Wars Episode III: Rise of the Empire, is a 2002 action science fiction brickfilm by Jay Silver. It is a faux-trailer for a fictional Star Wars Episode III film, made long before the actual Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - was released. The film was created for the BrickFest 2002 Star Wars Movie Trailer Competition and won the Audience Choice award.

Upon release, Rise of the Empire was recognized as a dramatic leap forward in the use of digital effects in brickfilming. Later, upon the creation of YouTube, the film received renewed popularity via many unauthorized reuploads.

Plot
Anakin Skywalker is thrown out of the Jedi Order while Senator Palpatine declares a state of martial law. Clone troopers enforce strict curfews. Bail Organa discusses the rumors of the construction of a superweapon. Mace Windu and Yoda sense the presence of the Sith. With the Jedi hiding, Senator Palpatine enlists Anakin to find them. Padme expresses concern about Anakin, while he craves power. Count Dooku meets Boba Fett. One by one Jedi are killed off. Anakin leaves and Obi-Wan takes Padme to hide her from the clone troopers. Obi-Wan and Padme escape into the sewers but are trapped by a tentacled monster. On another planet, Anakin appears with a red lightsaber, saying "I serve a new master now." Anakin and Obi-wan fight. Yoda states: "At last, revealed, the dark side is."

Cast

 * Aimée Silver (née Surette) as Padmé Amidala
 * Dave Howlett as Emperor Palpatine
 * Brad Matheson as ?
 * Alex Kennedy as Mace Windu
 * Jay Silver as Obi-wan Kenobi, Yoda
 * Calum Johnston as Bail Organa
 * Iain MacLeod as Clone Trooper
 * Ben Jeddrie as Ki Adi Mundi
 * Josh Surette as ?
 * Mark Ruggles as Mas Amedda (Referred to as "blue guy" in production notes)

References in other media
A paragraph on and picture of Rise of the Empire were included in the paperback edition of the book Using the Force: Creativity, Community and Star Wars Fans by Will Brooker. The film was also picked as one of the top ten Star Wars spoofs in the October 2003 issue of the British sci-fi magazine SFX.