Very recently, the head of LucasFilm UK was giving a small presentation to the Penguin Group. She was telling them how Episode III was going to be the biggest thing ever, partly because of it being 'real time'. "You mean, "asked a quizzical rep,"it will only cover 2 hours of Star Wars time?"

No. What she meant was that when Episode III opens in May 2005, the Clone Wars will be just finishing as the film opens. The Clone Wars last for three years. "So the Clone Wars are happening now," she said. Ergo, Episode III takes place exactly three years after AOTC.