Although the first scene filmed was the final scene to appear in the film ( shot during the filming of '' Attack of the Clones '' in 2000 ) , principal photography on the film occurred from June 30 , 2003 to September 17 , 2003 , with additional photography occurring at Shepperton Studios and Elstree Studios in London from August 2004 to January 31 , 2005 . The initial filming took place on soundstages at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney , although practical environments were shot as background footage later to be composited into the film . These included the limestone mountains depicting Kashyyyk , which were filmed in Phuket , Thailand ( they were later damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami ) . The production company was also fortunate enough to be shooting at the same time that Mount Etna erupted in Italy . Camera crews were sent to the location to shoot several angles of the volcano that were later spliced into the background of the animatics and the final film version of the planet Mustafar
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith