Obi-Wan’s detective work on Coruscant leads him to believe that something is amiss on a planet called Kamino which seems to be missing from the galaxy maps and Jedi Archives. Sounds like a challenge worthy of a Jedi. Let’s look at some of the differences from the finished film.
SIDO-DYAS/SIFO-DYAS
In the finished film, there are various mentions of a Jedi Master named Sifo-Dyas. In some earlier drafts of the script, the name of this Jedi was Sido-Dyas. The details surrounding this elusive Jedi are sketchy and were changed quite a bit from development to the screen.
In the beginning, Sido-Dyas was labeled an imposter and the Jedi seem to have no knowledge of him. By the time the film was released, Sifo-Dyas (with changed spelling) became a Jedi who was killed almost ten years before the events of Episode II. For whatever reason, the circumstances surrounding the mystery of Sifo/Sido-Dyas were rearranged.
There are too many mentions of both Sido-Dyas and Sifo-Dyas in the different versions of the screenplay so I won’t post every excerpt here. I’ll try to explain what I can as easily as possible with the caveat that I’m an unofficial party and have no access to official information or people close to the production.
Keep in mind that in the 2nd draft, the name Sido-Dyas is used and in the Art Of Attack of the Clones draft, the name Sifo-Dyas is used. For common items, I won’t list anything twice – you’ll have to make the name switches yourself. I’ll use Sifo-Dyas as the default name. The first mention of Sifo/Sido-Dyas occurs in the same place in both screenplay versions, when Obi-Wan first meets Lama Su.
Excerpt Notation:
Art Of Attack of the Clones (*)
Episode II Second draft (**)
Items common to both screenplays (***)
*** LAMA SU
Please tell your Master Sido-Dyas that
we have every confidence his order will
be met on time and in full.
He is well, I hope.
Another mention of Sifo/Sido-Dyas occurs when Obi-Wan is asking about the host of the clone army. The only difference in the versions is Lama Su’s partial line at the end, denoted by the (**).
*** OBI-WAN
Who was the original host?*** LAMA SU
A bounty hunter called Jango Fett.
We felt a Jedi would be the perfect choice,
but Sido-Dyas hand-picked Jango Fett
himself.*** OBI-WAN
Where is this bounty hunter now?*** LAMA SU
Oh, we keep him here.
** After a few hundred thousand clones,
the genetic pattern starts to fade,
so we take a fresh supply.
He lives here, but he’s free to come
and go as he pleases.
Another mention of Sifo/Sido-Dyas occurs during the Tipoca City tour when Obi-Wan asks about accelerated growth. Obi-Wan’s last question is the only difference here.
*** OBI-WAN
You mentioned growth acceleration…*** LAMA SU
Oh yes, it’s essential. Otherwise, a mature clone
would take a lifetime to grow. Now, we can
do it in half the time. Those items you saw on the
parade ground were started ten years ago,
when Sifo-Dyas first placed the order,
and they’re already mature.** OBI-WAN looks at the BOY CLONE
** OBI-WAN
And these?** LAMA SU
About five years ago.
Yet another mention of Sifo/Sido-Dyas occurs during the Tipoca City tour when Obi-Wan is inspecting the embryo hatchery. Some of these lines were eventually moved up to the scene where Lama Su first meets Obi-Wan.
** OBI-WAN
(carefully) Tell me, Prime Minister, when my
Master Sido-Dyas first contacted you,
did he say the order was for… himself…or…?** LAMA SU
Himself? Of course not.
This army is for the Republic!** OBI-WAN
(astonished) The Republic?** LAMA SU
We are also very much against this Count
Dooku and his secessionist movement.
We are proud to be of help to the Republic.
When Obi-Wan later contacts Mace Windu and Yoda to tell them of what he’s learned on Kamino, there’s another mention of Sido/Sifo-Dyas.
** 71 INT JEDI TEMPLE, MACE WINDU´S QUARTERS – EARLY EVENING
Yoda and Mace Windu listen as a hologram of Obi-Wan stands between them broadcasting the message. The signal is very weak, the image fades in and out.** OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I’ve never heard of a Jedi called
Sido-Dyas, have you, Master?** MACE WINDU
No. Whoever placed that order was
not a Jedi, I can assure you.** OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I have a strong feeling that this bounty hunter
is the assassin we’re looking for.** YODA
Who he is working for…
discover that, you must.** OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I will, Master, and I will also find out more
about this clone army… May The Force…** The hologram switches off, and OBI-WAN fades away.
** MACE WINDU
A clone army! Ordered by someone in the
Senate perhaps… Someone’s out to start a way.** YODA
Inform the Chancellor of this,
we must.** MACE WINDU
Who do you think this impostor,
Sido-Dyas, could be?
Sido/Sifo-Dyas comes up yet again in the conversation in Jango Fett’s apartment. Taun We is the main culprit this time. Most of the lines here are the same in all versions except Taun We’s line was removed. Obi-Wan asks Jango if he knows of a Sido/Sifo-Dyas and the dialogue from the finished film ensues, except for Taun We’s line and Jango’s mention of DARTH Tyranus, as opposed to just Tyranus in the film.
*** OBI-WAN
Sifo-Dyas. Isn’t he the Jedi who
hired you for this job?
*** JANGO FETT
Never heard of him. I was recruited by a man called
[** Darth] Tyranus on one of the moons of Bogden.
*** OBI-WAN
No? I thought…
*** TAUN WE
Sifo-Dyas told us to expect him. And he showed
up just when your Jedi Master said he would.
We have kept the Jedi’s involvement a secret until
your arrival, just as your Master requested.
*** OBI-WAN
Curious…
THE TIPOCA CITY TOUR
Originally, the order of events during Obi-Wan’s tour of Tipoca City were different. Also, Taun We departed to arrange for the meeting with Jango Fett right after she mentioned it. These are minor, insignificant changes but I feel that they deserve a mention here.
In the original versions of the script, the “Clone Parade” scene, where Obi-Wan views the marching clones from a balcony, was originally the very first glimpse of the clones that Obi-Wan saw as opposed to the last, as seen in the finished film.
From there he was taken to the hatchery, the classroom, the commissary, and then the barracks where Taun We then leaves to arrange for a meeting with Jango Fett. Once again, these things deal more with editing choices than deleted scenes but they deserve a mention.
OBI-WAN CONTACTS MACE WINDU AND YODA
According to the 2nd draft of the script, the scene where Obi-Wan tells Mace Windu and Yoda about Jango Fett via hologram was to take place in Mace Windu’s quarters, early in the evening. In the Art of Attack of the Clones version of the script, it’s in Yoda’s quarters, early in the afternoon and the scene is a bit shorter.
Note the mention of Sido-Dyas (later changed to Sifo-Dyas) and also note that in the earlier versions, Obi-Wan is contacting Yoda and Mace from inside an apartment he’s staying at on Kamino and not outside in the rain as seen in the film. He stays overnight on Kamino and visits Jango Fett the next day. In the film, it’s not really clear how long Obi-Wan is there but I suppose he could have stayed overnight.
Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
83 INT JEDI TEMPLE, YODA’S QUARTERS – LATE AFTERNOON
Yoda sits with Mace Windu. Between the two Jedi, a hologram of Obi-Wan speaks.OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I have successfully made contact
with the Prime Minister of Kamino.
The are using a bounty hunter named
Jango Fett to create a clone army.
I have a strong feeling that this
bounty hunter is the assassin we’re
looking for.MACE WINDU
Do you think these cloners are
involved in the plot to assassinate
Senator Amidala?OBI-WAN (V.O.)
No, Master. There appears to
be no motive.YODA
Do not assume anything, Obi-Wan.
Clear, your mind must be if you are
to discover the real villains behind
this plot.OBI-WAN (V.O.)
Yes, Master. They say a master Sifo-Dyas
placed the order for a clone army at the
request of the Senate almost ten years ago.
I was under the impression he was killed
before that. Did the Council ever
authorize the creation of a
clone army?MACE WINDU
No. Whoever placed that order
did not have the authorization of
the Jedi Council.YODA
Into custody, take this
Jango Fett. Bring him here.
Question him, we will.The hologram of Obi-Wan fades.
YODA
Blind we are, if creation of
this clone army we could
not see.MACE WINDU
I think it is time to inform the
Senate that our ability to use
the Force has diminished.YODA
Only the Dark Lord of the Sith
knows of our weakness.
If informed the Senate is,
multiply our adversaries
will.
Here’s the excerpt from the 2nd draft of Episode II:
71 INT JEDI TEMPLE, MACE WINDU’S QUARTERS – EARLY EVENING
Yoda and Mace Windu listen as a hologram of Obi-Wan stands between them broadcasting the message. The signal is very weak, the image fades in and out.OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I’ve never heard of a Jedi
called Sido-Dyas, have you,
Master?MACE WINDU
No. Whoever placed that order was
not a Jedi, I can assure you.OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I have a strong feeling that
this bounty hunter is the
assassin we’re looking for.YODA
Who he is working for…
discover that, you must.OBI-WAN (V.O.)
I will, Master, and I will also find
out more about this clone army…
May The Force…The hologram switches off, and OBI-WAN fades away.
MACE WINDU
A clone army! Ordered by someone
in the Senate perhaps…
Someone’s out to start a war.YODA
Inform the Chancellor of this,
we must.MACE WINDU
Who do you think this impostor,
Sido-Dyas, could be?YODA stares back at MACE WINDU, then slowly shakes his head.
It appears that this was filmed since a few pictures have surfaced depicting Mace Windu behind a desk in what we assume to be his quarters. Yoda is present in the scene and is seated in a chair on the other side of the desk, as pictured in the Episode II Comic Adaptation. I’m also including images here from Starwars.com, the Mighty Chronicles mini-book, and Star Wars Insider.
JANGO’S APARTMENT
There isn’t much to say about this uneasy meeting of Jedi and bounty hunter. It’s definitely one of my favorite scenes in the film and thankfully, they didn’t mess with it too much. There are some mentions of Sido/Sifo-Dyas and a few other small bits of dialogue were removed as well. There’s also the open ended question of whether or not Obi-Wan actually saw Jango’s armor in his bedroom before Boba closed the door. In the screenplay, it’s clear that Obi-Wan sees it but in the film it could go either way.
There’s one other small change to note. When Jango asks Obi-Wan if he likes his army, Obi-Wan’s original reply was removed. According to the 2nd draft, he tells the bounty hunter, “Seems to me it’s your army – considering they’re all clones of you.”
The placement of this scene depends on the version due to the fact that the scene was moved around a bit. In the Art of Attack of the Clones version, it takes place after Anakin’s Shaak ride on Naboo. In the 2nd draft, it takes place right before Anakin and Padmé meet Watto on Tatooine.
Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
TAUN WE
This is Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
He’s come to check on our progress.JANGO FETT
That right?Jango Fett’s eyes fix coldly on Obi-Wan.
OBI-WAN
Your clones are very impressive.
You must be very proud.JANGO FETT
I’m just a simple man, trying to make
my way in the universe, Master Jedi.OBI-WAN
Aren’t we all?Obi-Wan eyes the half-open bedroom door, through which a couple of pieces of body armor can be seen on the floor. Jango Fett registers Obi-Wan’s look. He moves in front of him, blocking the view.
OBI-WAN (continuing)
Ever make your way as far into
the interior as Coruscant?JANGO FETT
Once or twice.OBI-WAN
Recently?JANGO FETT (eyes Obi-Wan carefully)
Possibly…OBI-WAN
Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas?JANGO FETT (in Huttese)
Boba, close the door.Boba Fett moves to close the bedroom door. Jango Fett smiles thinly at Obi-Wan.
JANGO FETT (continuing)
Master who?OBI-WAN
Sifo-Dyas. Isn’t he the Jedi who
hired you for this job?JANGO FETT
Never heard of him. I was recruited by a man
called Tyranus on one of the moons of Bogden.OBI-WAN
No? I thought…TAUN WE
Sifo-Dyas told us to expect him. And he showed
up just when your Jedi Master said he would.
We have kept the Jedi’s involvement a secret until
your arrival, just as your Master requested.OBI-WAN
Curious…JANGO FETT
Do you like your army?OBI-WAN
I look forward to seeing them in action.JANGO FETT (grinning)
They’ll do their job well, I’ll guarantee that.OBI-WAN
Thanks for your time, Jango.JANGO FETT
Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.
You get a feeling that from the moment Obi-Wan meets Jango Fett, he’s found his man. He needs just a little more convincing, it seems. In another deleted scene, Obi-Wan Kenobi does a little reconnaissance and sneaks his way into Fett’s apartment to snoop around. Noticing the two Fetts via viewscreen trying to hightail it off Kamino, he heads outside for a “rumble in the rain”.
In some of the original versions of the screenplay it’s Lama Su, not Taun We, who saw Obi-Wan to the door on his way out and delivered the line about the first battalions being ready. This directly precedes the “snooping” scene. Obi-Wan pretends he’s leaving but heads back inside when no one’s looking.
Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
86 INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR – DAY
Obi-Wan enters cautiously from outside. Ahead, the corridor is deserted. He moves down it.87 INT. TIPOCA CITY, CORRIDOR OUTSIDE FETT APARTMENT – DAY
Obi-Wan arrives at the door to Jango Fett’s apartment. He reaches up and runs his fingers along the door, locating the locks. The door slides open.88 INT. TIPOCA CITY, FETT APARTMENT – DAY
Obi-Wan walks in to find the room in complete disorder. The bedroom door is wide open – clear signs of a hurried departure. All of the Fetts’ personal belongings are gone.Obi-Wan goes to an ultra-thin computer screen. He punches up an onscreen picture of Jango Fett and Boba Fett unhitching the lines securing their ship on the landing platform. Jango Fett is wearing his armor and rocket pack.
My good friend Greg Rossiter attended a seminar where a short clip of this scene was shown. He has posted a description on his site.
THE RUMBLE IN THE RAIN
The Episode II crew jokingly called the fight between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett the “rumble in the rain,” and rightly so. For the most part, this scene kept to its scripted form (the pre-visualized version was quite longer) but there were obvious bits that had to be moved or trimmed for various reasons. In the UK prints of the film, the head-butting shots were removed for ratings reasons as well.
Action scenes always look good on paper but many alterations shaped this duel from the version in the early drafts, to the version in the Art Of Attack of the Clones book, to the theatrical version.
I’ll post an excerpt from the 2nd draft since the Art Of Attack of the Clones version seems to follow the theatrical version for the most part. Note the mention of the Kyber Darts.
Here’s the excerpt from the 2nd draft:
EXT. TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO LANDING PLATFORM (RAINSTORM) – DAY
JANGO FETT picks up a case and swings it up to BOBA FETT, who stows it inside the ship. JANGO FETT picks up another case and is about to swing it, when:BOBA FETT
Dad!!JANGO FETT turns to see OBI-WAN charging out of the tower toward him. As he runs, OBI-WAN draws his lightsaber from his belt. It flashes on.
JANGO FETT draws his gun and fires at the charging JEDI. OBI-WAN deflects the blast and swings at JANGO FETT.
The bounty hunter rockets up and over OBI-WAN, landing behind him. He fires a thin wire from his wrist pack, trying to entangle the Jedi.
JANGO FETT fires several Kamino Kyber Darts from his elbow launcher. OBI-WAN deflects them back at JANGO FETT, but they strike harmlessly against the bounty hunter’s armor.
IN THE COCKPIT of Jango Fett’s ship, BOBA FETT grabs the controls of a laser gun and swings it to aim at OBI-WAN.
OUTSIDE, in the driving rain, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT circle each other, sizing each other up – feinting.
IN THE COCKPIT, each time BOBA FETT is ready to fire, JANGO FETT blocks his view of OBI-WAN.
OUTSIDE, OBI-WAN makes a sudden attack, swinging at JANGO FETT, who deflects the blows. One slices off a piece of the bounty hunter’s shoulder plate. JANGO FETT rockets into the air and hovers above OBI-WAN. The Jedi spins as:
IN THE COCKPIT, BOBA FETT fires.
OUTSIDE, the laser shell streaks past OBI-WAN to strike the edge of the tower. JANGO FETT fires down at OBI-WAN. The Jedi deflects the shots back, but JANGO FETT evades them. Then he swoops down, swinging around OBI-WAN. As he shoots past, he kicks the lightsaber out of the Jedi’s hand.
The lightsaber skids across the wet surface of the landing platform. OBI-WAN dives after it. JANGO FETT zooms in front of him and grabs the lightsaber. OBI-WAN punches it out of his hand.
IN THE COCKPIT, BOBA FETT watches as:
OUTSIDE, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT grapple and fight, punching, kicking, grabbing hold, and throwing each other around. OBI-WAN grabs JANGO FETT tightly, and JANGO FETT rockets up into the air and kicks OBI-WAN loose. OBI-WAN crashes to the deck and slides toward the edge. He grapples desperately for a handhold on the slick surface.
JANGO FETT rockets down to kick at him. OBI-WAN hauls himself up. JANGO FETT zooms to the far side of the platform.
OBI-WAN uses Jedi powers to pull part of the structure loose. It hits JANGO FETT, who loses his balance, teetering on the edge. OBI-WAN charges across, dives, and grabs hold of JANGO FETT just as he falls over the edge.
Locked together, OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT plummet down toward the raging ocean. At the last moment, JANGO FETT fires a cable out of his backpack that shoots upward and locks onto a metal strut on the underside of the platform. OBI-WAN and JANGO FETT swing and CRASH onto one of the stilts.
OBI-WAN is knocked clear and drops onto a SMALL SERVICE PLATFORM just above the waves. He hauls himself to his feet. JANGO FETT hovers in mid-air opposite him, as a HUGE WAVE crashes over OBI-WAN. When it subsides, the Jedi has disappeared.
JANGO FETT rockets up to the landing platform, where he drops down beside his ship. He clambers inside the cockpit and settles into the pilot’s seat. He punches buttons. The engines ROAR.
OUTSIDE, Jango Fett’s ship lifts off from the platform and heads up into the lowering sky. It disappears. Lightning flashes. Rain lashes the tower and streams across the surface of the platform, to where:
A HAND suddenly clutches at the very edge of the platform. A moment later, ANOTHER HAND grabs hold.
Issue #68 of Star Wars Insider magazine contains an article about the pre-visualization of Episode II featuring an interview with the head of the pre-visualization department, Dan Gregoire. In the article, Gregoire talks about some of the shots that were lost in Episode II. Here’s an excerpt:
“That was originally a 20-minute sequence, so it got cut down considerably,” Gregoire reveals. “It went through three complete revisions by our department. We started our pre-vis by motion-capturing some people doing the broad moves, including WWF stuff – flips, back crackers, suplexes – but a lot of those gags are gone. There were also a lot more gags in the original cut involving the jetpack, Obi-Wan losing his lightsaber and using the Force to to accidentally pick up a broken pole instead. Silly stuff like that which made it longer but didn’t have any true impact on the nature of the fight. But that’s what we do – we put everything George wants into the bag and let him pull out what he wants to keep.”
On pages 112-113 in the book Mythmaking: Behind the Scenes of Attack of the Clones, there are even more images from this sequence, including some storyboards that were leaked via the internet long before the film’s release. Check out the image of Obi-Wan on his back. This one made its way into the Episode II Comic Adaptation so perhaps it was in the film at one point.
