Jedi Detective Work – Geonosis

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All of Obi-Wan’s detective work points him to one last planet: the rocky, bug-infested Geonosis. After this day is done, Obi-Wan will have wished he stayed home. He was having a bad enough day as it was, but add in all these deleted and altered shots and his day just gets worse and worse.

 

MASSIFF ATTACK

In the finished film, when Obi-Wan lands on Geonosis he sets off and starts to walk up a rocky incline. The scene wipes away immediately after this shot. Obi-Wan originally encountered a little more resistance while making his way to the Geonosian structures where his answers lie.

In a scene removed from the film, creatures known as Massiffs (described as “dog-sized lizards”) attack Obi-Wan not long after he lands. This was removed from the final version of the film but in some of the documentary footage on the Episode II DVD (Part 6) you can view a bit of the scene’s  filming.

On a side note, the unused Massiffs were inserted into some of the Tatooine shots where Anakin finds his mother and slaughters the Tusken Raiders. You can see the Massiffs behaving like wild dogs and chewing on bones while the Tuskens guard their camp.

Here’s an excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:

EXT. GEONOSIS, ROCK FACE TRAIL – NIGHT
Obi-Wan climbs a steep, narrow trail. Suddenly, a cry is heard close by. Obi-Wan stumbles slightly. His foot slips on the edge, sending a stream of pebbles skittering into the darkness.

Obi-Wan listens. Silence. He draws his lightsaber but does not ignite it.

He sets off again and works his way around a narrow corner, to confront a crouching Massiff (a dog-sized lizard) with slavering fangs! The beast leaps at him, and Obi-Wan ignites his lightsaber as the Massiff knocks him on his back. Its jaws open wide. Obi-Wan stabs the creature, throws it off of him, and jumps up.

A second Massiff jumps him from behind. Obi-Wan swings around and cuts it in half. The Massiff flies over the cliff, howling. It plummets to its death hundreds of feet below.

Some of the images included here are from one of the Episode II documentaries originally posted on Starwars.com but available on the Episode II DVD. I’m also including photos from the Episode II Comic Adaptation and Starwars.com’s “Image Attack” series, including a storyboard image which appears to be from this scene.

 

 

 

JEDI GADGETS

What would a Jedi be without a few good gadgets? In Episode I, Qui-Gon whipped out those slick underwater breathers on cue. He also had that cool grappling gun ready so as not to fall over that Theed waterfall (albeit in another deleted scene).

Obi-Wan came to Geonosis equipped with a pair of small binoculars that he uses on two different occasions, both of them deleted scenes.In this first scene, super-spy Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi spots some Federation Starships loading themselves up with Battle Droids. The other scene where he uses the binoculars has to do with R4-P17 being attacked by some indigenous creatures called Rogas.

Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:

EXT. GEONOSIS, ROCK FACE TRAIL – NIGHT
Obi-Wan arrives at the head of the trail. Far below, a flat plain stretches into the distance. He stops, peering into the darkness, where strange shapes loom indistinctly.

Obi-Wan takes a pair of electronic binoculars from his belt and puts them to his eyes. He sees a cluster of great towers like fantastic stalagmites rise from the plain below.

Slow pan with the binoculars, and suddenly a line of Battle Starships come into view. Obi-Wan touches the viewfinder. Between fifty and a hundred Federation Starships in neat rows. Some are on platforms that are carrying the Starships down to an underground facility. Other platforms are rising to the surface. They carry thousands of Battle Droids that step off and file into waiting ships. A fully loaded Starship takes off. Obi-Wan swings the binoculars upward, to see more Federation Starships.

I’m including some images from the Episode II Comic Adaptation that show Obi-Wan using his binoculars. The shot with Obi-Wan holding his binoculars low is from a German Lucasfilm magazine. The shot of Obi-Wan with the binoculars to his eyes is from Star Wars Insider. The “Image Attack” picture is from Starwars.com.

Check out the image of the Geonosian hangar door. Compare it to the concept art. This is what Obi-Wan sees as he’s looking through his binoculars. If you look closely you’ll see droids being marched out of the door. They’re being loaded onto the spherical Federation ships that float up to their C-shaped bodies.

I’m also including some stills of what appears to be the unused concept of Obi-Wan scaling the Geonosian towers. These are scanned from The Art of Attack of the Clones. He must have had yet another cool gadget to help with the climbing. I’m not sure if these shots were filmed. I can’t find any evidence of this scene in any script but that doesn’t mean much.

On a side note, when the film was in theaters there was a children’s role-playing action set you could buy that came with Jedi gear. Inside were Jedi binoculars that looked very much like the ones Obi-Wan used on Geonosis.

 

 

 

“GUIDING LIGHT TO OLD FOLKS HOME”

In the 2nd draft of the film, Obi-Wan contacts the Chancellor’s office and gives a full report of the events happening on Geonosis to everyone in the room including Bail Organa, Palpatine, Yoda, Mace Windu and a few others. He agrees to find out some more information before reporting back again and ends the transmission. As we know, Obi-Wan never gets to call back and asks Anakin to retransmit the message for him, stating that his long-range transmitter has been knocked out. In the early drafts, the reason for this was because Obi-Wan’s droid was attacked by some creatures called Rogas (another deleted scene). In the finished film, the receiver simply isn’t receiving a return signal.

In the end, it appears that this whole conversation was rewritten and combined with the scene where Anakin and Padmé watch the hologram from the cockpit of her ship. It was a good way to save time, combining all the dialogue and the retransmitting of the message into one sequence. This way you have Obi-Wan reporting in, the Senators and Jedi discussing the politics of war, Anakin and Padmé watching and transmitting Obi-Wan’s message, Obi-Wan’s capture and Mace Windu’s instructions to Anakin all in one series of shots.

Here’s the excerpt from the 2nd draft of Episode II:

EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA – NIGHT
OBI-WAN comes running back to his ship and climbs into the cockpit. He settles into his seat. His ARFOUR DROID beeps a happy greeting. OBI-WAN switches on his comlink.

OBI-WAN
“Guiding light” to “old folks home.”

EXT. CORUSCANT, REPUBLIC EXECUTIVE BUILDING – DAY
LOW ANGLE. A line of reflecting pools with splashing fountains flanked by statues on each side leads to the main entrance to the awesome building.

INT. CORUSCANT, CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE
A hologram of OBI-WAN flickers in front of a group, made up of Jedi (YODA, MACE WINDU, and KI-ADI-MUNDI) and Senators (BAIL ORGANA, ASK AAK, LUMINARA, and JAR JAR). PALPATINE and MAS AMEDDA are in the middle of the group, watching with growing concern.

OBI-WAN
…Starships from the Trade Federation and
the Commerce Guilds are taking deliveries
of battle droids from the foundries
on Geonosis.

BAIL ORGANA
That’s outrageous! The treaty forbids
the Trade Federation from building
up an army. What are they doing?!

OBI-WAN
The droid foundry seems to be working at
full capacity. I am going to go down and
investigate. I will bring Jango Fett
back home for interrogation.

PALPATINE
Those Geonosian foundries are part of
the Techno Union. We will call in their
representatives and ask them a few
very pointed questions.

OBI-WAN
One more thing. Jango mentioned he was
recruited by someone named Darth Tyranus.
Any idea who that might be?

YODA
With the forename Darth,
a Sith he must be.

MACE WINDU
Our missing apprentice.
They are playing their
hand at last.

OBI-WAN
Do you believe he could be the mysterious
Sido-Dyas, who made the deal for
the clone army?

YODA
Perhaps too many pieces are missing
from this puzzle, there are.

MACE WINDU
Be careful, Obi-Wan. This investigation
is becoming less than routine.
Do you need help?

OBI-WAN
Let me see if I can figure out
what’s going on first.

The hologram of OBI-WAN fades off. PALPATINE stares at the spot where the hologram was in disbelief.

 

 

THE CONFERENCE ROOM

Once Obi-Wan gets inside the Geonosian structures, he finds enough information to make some conclusions. Most of this information is culled from what he witnesses in a conference room where the leaders of the Separatist Movement are discussing their treaty with Count Dooku.

A few changes were made to this scene, including dialogue and character replacement. For example, Senator Toonbuck Toora’s entire head was replaced with that of another, more menacing alien. The dialogue is what we’ll concentrate on as it was changed quite a bit and certain lines were totally left out of the finished film. Also note that Jango Fett was originally part of the scenery here.

Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:

INT. GEONOSIS, CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
Poggle the Lesser, and his two aides are at one end of a large round conference table.

COUNT DOOKU
Now is the time, my friends.
The moment when you have to decide
between the Republic or the Confederacy
of Independent Systems.

Count Dooku is at the head of the table. Jango Fett stands behind his chair.

In addition to the original group, there are also three opposition Senators, Po Nudo, Tessek and Toonbuck Toora, and a Commerce Guild Dignitary, Shu Mai and a member of the Intergalactic Bank Clan, San Hill.

COUNT DOOKU (continuing)
As I explained to you earlier, I’m quite
convinced that ten thousand more systems
will rally to our cause with your support,
gentlemen. And let me remind you of our
absolute commitment to capitalism…
of the lower taxes, the reduced tariffs,
and the eventual abolition of all trade barriers.
Signing this treaty will bring you profits
beyond your wildest imagination. What
we are proposing is completely free trade
(looks at Nute) Our friends in the Trade Federation
have pledged their support. When their
droid battalions are combined with yours,
we shall have an army greater than anything
in the galaxy. The Jedi will be overwhelmed.
The Republic will agree to any
demands we make.

Passel Argente, the Corporate Alliance Representative, stands.

PASSEL ARGENTE
I am authorized by the Corporate
Alliance to sign the treaty.

COUNT DOOKU
We are most grateful for
your cooperation Chairman.

Shu Mai, the Commerce Guild Representative, stands.

SHU MAI
The Commerce Guild do not at this time wish
to become openly involved. But we shall support
you in secret – and look forward to doing
business with you.

There are chuckles around the table. Count Dooku smiles.

COUNT DOOKU
That is all we ask.

San Hill, the banker, stands.

SAN HILL
The Intergalactic Banking Clan will
support you wholeheartedly,
but only in a non-exclusive
arrangement.

Wat Tambor, the Techno Union representative.

WAT TAMBOR
The Techno Unions are at
your disposal, Count.

INT. GEONOSIS, STAIRS – DAY
Obi-Wan pulls back from the archway.

You can see from the excerpt that much of the dialogue was left out of the theatrical version of the film and some of Dooku’s long opening speech was moved around a bit. You don’t get a good look around the room at some of the other Separatists either.

In the photos included here from Starwars.com and the Episode II Comic Adaptation you can see Obi-Wan spying on the Separatists, the original Senator Toonbuck Toora, the alien that replaced Toora, plus Senator Passel Argente and his aide. In the Comic Adaptation version of the scene, notice that the flow is slightly different. Also, take a look at the top left corner for a panel of Obi-Wan that looks a lot like the other image included here of him spying in the shadows.

 

 

 

ATTACK OF THE ROGAS

Rogas are creatures native to Geonosis. According to concept art from Starwars.com and The Art of Attack of the Clones, they are six-legged insect-like beings with two long feelers coming out of their heads. They also have have suction cup tips on the ends of their legs.

In the 2nd draft of the script, these Rogas attack Obi-Wan’s starfighter and his droid, R4-P17. According to Starwars.com, this scene (which originally took place after the Conference Room spying scene) was deleted very early on.

Here’s an excerpt from Starwars.com that explains why the droid is permanently fixed to the Jedi Starfighter:

In early iterations of the Episode II script, R4-P17 was to have a scene wherein it wandered away from the landed Jedi starfighter and was attacked by weird insectoid creatures called rogas. The scene was never filmed — in fact, the droid’s full body look was never finalized. The concept artists developed a tiny body for the droid that would accommodate its placement aboard the starfighter. When this scene was scrapped, it was decided that R4-P17 would instead be a permanent fixture aboard the ship.

Here’s an excerpt from the 2nd draft of Episode II:

124. EXT. GEONOSIS, LANDING AREA – DAY
The canopy of OBI-WAN’S starship is covered with SMALL CRAWLING CREATURES. The ARFOUR DROID WHIMPERS as the CREATURES back the little droid against a rock wall.

125. INT. GEONOSIS, STAIRS AND WINDOW – DAY
OBI-WAN hears the DROID WHIMPER through his comlink. He starts up the stairs, coming to an outside window. OBI-WAN takes out his binoculars as he talks into his comlink.

OBI-WAN
Arfour… Arfour… Where are you!?

THROUGH THE BINOCULARS, OBI-WAN sees the DROID being chased off by the CRAWLING CREATURES, (ROGAS). He puts the binoculars away and climbs the stairs.

Included here are images from The Art of Attack of the Clones and Starwars.com In then, you can see some nice concept art of the Rogas attacking. They seem to be more crab-like or spider-like in these original drawings. In the other photos, you’ll see the changes from bug-like to a more alien look. The final maquette looks really interesting. I’d love to have seen them walking around.

 

 

 

OBI-WAN CONTACTS R2-D2

In the finished film, Obi-Wan has R4-P17 send out a message to Anakin on Tatooine. The general idea in the film is that R2-D2 receives this message and brings it over to everyone during the “graveyard” scene.

In the early versions of the script, however, Obi-Wan directly contacts R2-D2 and tells him to relay the message. In the second draft, Obi-Wan does this from the top of a stalagmite and not from his ship using yet another funky gadget from his utility belt.

This was also originally the scene where Obi-Wan is captured, oblivious to the shadows passing over him while conversing with R2-D2.

Here’s the excerpt from the 2nd draft of Episode II:

126 EXT. GEONOSIS, TOP OF STALAGMITE – DAY
OBI-WAN arrives at the top of the stalagmite. The view is staggering. He pulls a length of wire from his utility belt and attaches it to a small chrome ball that takes the wire high into the air. He clips a little booster device to the wire. A SHADOW passes over him. He doesn’t notice.

OBI-WAN (into comlink)
Artoo Detoo… Artoo Detoo.
Do you copy?
This is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Switch to low band.

OBI-WAN listens for a moment then hears a little BEEP.

127 INT. COCKPIT, NABOO STARFIGHTER – DAY
In the ship, ARTOO BEEPS as he receives the message.

OBI-WAN (V.O.)
Record this message and take it to
your mistress, Padmé… and the Jedi Skywalker…
“Anakin, my long range transmitter is knocked
out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant.”

 

 

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