SWTR Before being in a SW movie, what were thoughts about Star wars?

M.Oyaya I did not watch them that much. But then after EP I I got hooked , went out and borrowed all of them . I became very enthusiastic about it. So, when they told me that I had gotten a role in Star Wars it was like a dream.

SWTR And after SW what kind of changes occur in your life?

All of a sudden people I did not know started to send me e-mails to ask if I can
appear at conventione , or just askin me about myself and wanting to know about my experiences on set. I also met so many fans when I started to do conventions. I have to say I have a lot of fun at conventions.


SWTR Do you have any moment that you never forget on the set?

M.Oyaya  The fight scenes in the arena and working with the other new Jedi in Ep II .


SWTR As a female Jedi, what are your feeling about the Jedi and the Order?

M.Oyaya  I think it is wonderful to finally have a few jedi masters who are ladies since star wars is full of action. We can also be warriors! I am proud to be one of the girls!

SWTR What can you tell us about Unduli?

M.Oyaya She is a serious warrior and very political . she is very fast with her saber and the force is very strong in her.

SWTR Do know any stories involving Unduli apart from the movie, and if there is, which is your favorite one?

M.Oyaya  There is a book “approaching Storm” by Alan Dean Foster that gives the reader a good picture of Luminara and Barriss Offee. I also like the Darkhose comic “Star Wars Republic #81 The hidden Enemy 1-3”. This is where Luminara Unduli and quinlan Voss arrive in Kashyyyyk with the clone armies to protect the wookies. Then there are the clone wars cartoons and comics too.!
I like them all.


SWTR As an actrist you played a character that requires a lot of make up and different unique costumes ? While getting prepared for your role did you have any other motivation elements?

M.Oyaya  By the time I did Ep III , I had done so many conventions and interacted with many fans. I knew how people responded to the character and that they actually made replicas of the costume! So, by the time I wore that costume I knew the character better and who she was. It had a lot of meaning to me then.

SWTR There are lots of characters that are very important for the fans yet we don't get to see them in the movie much. How was their(your) mood during shooting, were there any differences?

M.Oyaya Yes. EpII I did not have much information on the character and did not think she would really be noticed by anyone. But when I did EP II I did not want to let down any fans , so I did my best to portray her as she is as much as I could though she was not featured much.

SWTR While playing Unduli did you add something to character from yourself, or did anything about Unduli herself help you to play the role?

M.Oyaya In Ep II I added some fighting tactics of my own from my training in Chinese sword fighting and some of my own modified moves!! But in Ep III I had read the approaching storm and watched the clone wars cartoons …so it helped me to understand the character better.

SWTR What is your message to Turkish Star Wars and Unduli fans ?

M.Oyaya Keep supporting star wars no matter what because it is great!! To all Luminara fans, she loves you back....It’s wonderful to see fans making her costumes and meke-up , websites and keep the force alive!! Maybe one day they will get a chance to see Luminara Unduli eye to eye in her full costume!!
Lotsa love Mary

© 2006 Star Wars TURK