Skyrocketing budgets? Computer-animated mutants? A Jedi craves not these things. But George Lucas does.

Managing once again to raise the bar for ridiculous production costs with the May 16 release of “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” the king of Skywalker Ranch mixes familiar characters with state-of-the-art technology in an attempt to cover up the stinky smell that was left in the air in the wake of “Episode I – The Phantom Menace.”

Lucasfilm Ltd. teamed with Panavision and Sony to devise a new system of lenses and cameras for the production of “Clones” that allowed them to push aside traditional 35-millimeter film for digital imaging. The newly adapted digital filming method added an extra $100 million to the final cost of the project, but produced an end result that is said to be crystal clear.

The only problem with this lofty endeavor is that, according to Forbes Magazine, only 50 theaters in the country currently contain digital screens, which are required to achieve the film’s maximum effect.

Aside from the use of digital filming devices, “Clones” also brings a few digitized characters to the party, which Lucas fears will be a topic of controversy among tried and true fans.

The character Yoda, who came to life in the previous “Star Wars” movies with the help of Frank Oz and a huge amount of green rubber, now is completely digitized. (Adapt your best Yoda voice at this point) Yes … true it be.

The use of such new elements for classic film motifs as protected as the ones “Star Wars” has developed leaves a few fans wondering if Lucas wouldn’t be better off leaving well enough alone.

“In my opinion, it’s pretty much like Aerosmith,” said NIU communication instructor Will Anderson. “If they would have hung it up after ‘Toys in the Attic,’ they’d be legends, but with each new release they, as well as the “Star Wars” brand, become a vapid caricature of the original.”

Although “Clones” has yet to hit theaters, stores worldwide already are stocking up on related merchandise. Figurines of Darth Vader most likely will be the most sought after, as the plot line of “Clones” revolves around the origins of the villain’s descent into the “dark side.”

In “Clones,” Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is a skillful 20-year-old who’s beginning to squirm under the watchful eyes of mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Exactly how the Jedi-in-training comes to tailor the classic black costume we’ve all grown to love is left for the film to reveal.

Only a few short weeks are left until the much-awaited revisiting of these timeless characters, so load those light sabers with D batteries and … I can’t say it … I can’t … But I must – may the force be with you.