Claim: Natalie Portman stars in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Star Wars : Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas . It is the third installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and stars Ewan McGregor , Natalie Portman , Hayden Christensen , Ian McDiarmid , Samuel L. Jackson , Christopher Lee , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , and Frank Oz .   The film begins three years after the onset of the Clone Wars . The Jedi Knights are spread across the galaxy , leading a massive war against the Separatists . The Jedi Council dispatches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to eliminate the notorious General Grievous , leader of the Separatist Army . Meanwhile , Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker grows close to Palpatine , the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic and , unknown to the public , a Sith Lord . Their deepening friendship threatens the Jedi Order , the Republic , and Anakin himself .   Lucas began writing the script before production of Attack of the Clones ended . Production of Revenge of the Sith started in September 2003 , and filming took place in Australia with additional locations in Thailand , Switzerland , China , Italy and the United Kingdom . Revenge of the Sith premiered on May 15 , 2005 , at the Cannes Film Festival , then released worldwide on May 19 , 2005 . The film received generally positive reviews from critics , especially in contrast to the less positive reviews of the previous two prequels , including praise for its storyline , action scenes , John Williams ' musical score , visual effects , and performances from Ewan McGregor , Ian McDiarmid , Frank Oz , and Jimmy Smits . It is the final film in the Star Wars franchise to be distributed by 20th Century Fox prior to the acquisition of Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney Company in 2012 .   Revenge of the Sith broke several box office records during its opening week and went on to earn over $ 848 million worldwide , making it , at the time , the third-highest-grossing film in the Star Wars franchise , unadjusted for inflation . It was the highest-grossing film of 2005 in the U.S. and the second-highest-grossing film of 2005 behind Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . The Star Wars saga continued with the release of Star Wars : Episode VII -- The Force Awakens , the first installment of the sequel trilogy , in 2015 .