It goes without saying that many Jedi lost their lives during the course of Episode III. Palpatine and his dreadful Order 66 saw to that. Let’s discuss the deleted or modified deaths of some of the more prominent Jedi. Read More
Tag: anakin skywalker
The Rescue and the Transformation
It’s true that Anakin Skywalker technically became Darth Vader before he was so badly disfigured on Mustafar, but most people associate Vader with the black suit. That final transformation took place after Palpatine’s search and rescue mission was a success. Vader was rebuilt, and the rest was cinematic history.
Meanwhile, Back on Coruscant…
Episode III turned out to be one of the most galaxy-spanning films of the series, mostly due to the fact that the Clone Wars were still happening. Meanwhile, the puppet master and phantom menace himself, the soon to be Emperor Palpatine, was cementing his place of power on Coruscant, the heart of the galaxy.
To Mustafar and Back
Much like Tatooine, Mustafar was a seemingly insignificant planet, yet it would become the location of galaxy-defining events. Drenched in deep reds and molten imagery, it provided the rich, hell-like backdrop needed for Anakin’s final fall into darkness.
Tainted Love
George Lucas has stated many times that he feels the Prequels are more than just the story of Anakin Skywalker and his fall, but also a true love story, albeit a tainted one. Let’s explore this tainted love story a little more closely through some deleted material.
The Politics of Rebellion
One of the subplots that was almost entirely removed from the film has to do with the beginnings of the Rebellion. The seeds of that organization started by Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, Padmé Amidala, and a secret group of other senators were originally supposed to be planted in this film.
Rescuing Palpatine
You have to hand it to Palpatine. Organizing his own capture and rescue was a stroke of evil genius. Poor Dooku probably thought so too until he had two lightsabers crisscrossing his neckline. What we saw in the finished film was a trimmed down version of his rescue.
Return To Tatooine
The Star Wars films frequently bring us back to the first major planet we encountered a long time ago: Tatooine. In Episode II, Anakin travels to Tatooine after being haunted by disturbing nightmares of his mother. While he’s there, Anakin will not only find his mother, but learn some more about his family, leaving him a changed man. The anger, fear, and aggression that lead to his eventual downfall will take root here, setting the scene for the tragic events of Episode III.
Anakin and Padmé to the Rescue
After a distressing message from Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin and Padmé decide to depart Tatooine and aid their friend. Unfortunately, this results in the two of them getting captured, put on trial, found guilty, and tied to execution posts, right along with Obi-Wan.
Aggressive Negotiations
In Episode II, Anakin mentions “aggressive negotiations” while telling a story to Padmé. When she inquires as to what that means, he replies, “Negotiations…with a lightsaber.” Many such negotiations took place in the film, and many shots ended up trimmed or deleted from the final cut.
The Battle of Geonosis
The Battle of Geonosis was technically the first big battle of what would become the Clone Wars. This was the first big test of the clone army, created specifically to fight wars and serve as the Grand Army of the Republic. If the clones failed their first test, the war might have ended right then and there. There were many changes from script to screen, so let’s just take a look at some of the major things that were deleted or altered during the battle.
To Kill a Senator – Part Two
Five minutes into Attack of the Clones, one thing is perfectly clear. Someone is trying to kill Senator Amidala. Two major attempts to assassinate her are made early in the film. The second takes place in her Coruscant bedroom. The ensuing chase leads the Senator’s Jedi protectors through various areas of Coruscant, eventually ending up in an alley outside of a nightclub.
IMAX Cuts & The Original Ending Sequence
In November of 2002, Episode II made its way to the large screen format known as IMAX. At the time, IMAX film differed from regular film in a number of ways. Read More
The Naboo Lake Country
When her life is threatened, Senator Amidala feels it’s wrong to turn around and hide, but reluctantly agrees to do it at the urging of the Queen of Naboo and others. Anakin Skywalker, her Jedi bodyguard, accompanies her to the Lake Country Retreat, a place of the Senator’s choosing. It is there that a dangerous and forbidden love will take root.
The Arrival on Naboo and Meeting the Family
The senator (and former Queen) from Naboo is in mortal danger. After an assassination attempt on Coruscant, it’s clear that someone wants her dead. Her Jedi protectors order her into seclusion against her wishes. Young Anakin Skywalker, no longer a boy but not yet a full Jedi Knight, is to escort her to Naboo and keep her safe.