The lovely 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. It is there that he will learn more about her and a reluctant love will blossom. Let’s take a look at a few scenes that didn’t make the final cut.
THE TRANSPORT TO NABOO
In the finished film, it’s established through dialogue that Anakin is plagued with dreams about his mother. Oddly, we only see him have a nightmare once while on Naboo. There was originally another dream sequence that was filmed, but ultimately deleted. It happened on the way to Naboo while Anakin, Padmé and R2-D2 were traveling disguised as refugees. R2-D2 also had a slightly larger role attaining some food for the young couple. The scene then plays out normally except for some additional dialogue while the two are eating.
The Art of Attack of the Clones and 2nd draft versions are slightly different, so they’re both included here for comparison. Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
INT. STARFREIGHTER, STEERAGE HOLD – DAY
A great, gloomy hold is crowded with Emigrants and their belongings. To one side Artoo is coming to the head of a food line, holding two bowls. With one of his little claw-arms, he grabs a chunk of something that looks like bread.Artoo slips a little tube into a tub of mush and sucks up a large quantity. A server sees him.
SERVER
Hey! No Droids!Artoo takes one last big suck and heads away from the food line. The server shouts after him angrily. The little droid moves past groups of eating or sleeping Emigrants and comes to where Anakin is sound asleep. The young Jedi seems to be having a nightmare. He is very restless.
ANAKIN
No, no, Mom, no…He is sweating. Padmé leans over to wipe some of the sweat from his forehead. He wakes with a start, then realizes where he is. Padmé simply looks at him. He stares back, somewhat confused.
ANAKIN (continuing)
What?PADMÉ
You seemed to be having
a nightmare.Anakin looks at Padmé a little more closely, trying to see if he revealed any of his secrets. She hands him a bowl of mush and bread.
PADMÉ (continuing)
Are you hungry?ANAKIN
Yeah.Padmé takes the food from Artoo and sets it on a make-shift table. Anakin rises and takes a seat as she places a bowl in front of him.
ANAKIN
ThanksPADMÉ
We went to lightspeed
a while ago.Anakin looks into Padmé’s eyes.
ANAKIN
I look forward to seeing Naboo
again. I’ve thought about it every
day since I left. It’s by far the
most beautiful place I’ve
ever seen…Padmé is a little unnerved by his intense stare.
PADMÉ
It may not be as you remember
it; time changes your perception.ANAKIN
Sometimes it does…
Sometimes for the better.PADMÉ
It must be difficult having sworn your
life to the Jedi…not being able to
visit the places you like…or
do the things you like…ANAKIN
Or be with the people I love.PADMÉ
Are you allowed to love?
I thought it was forbidden
for a Jedi.ANAKIN
Attachment is forbidden. Possession
is forbidden. Compassion, which I would
define as unconditional love, is central to a
Jedi’s life, so you might say we’re
encouraged to love.PADMÉ
You have changed so much.ANAKIN
You haven’t changed a bit.
You’re exactly the way I remember you
in my dreams. I doubt if Naboo has
changed much either.PADMÉ
It hasn’t…There is an awkward moment.
PADMÉ
(changing the subject)
You were dreaming about your
mother earlier, weren’t you?ANAKIN
Yes… I left Tatooine so long ago, my
memory of her is fading. I don’t want
to lose it. Recently I’ve been seeing
her in my dreams… vivid dreams…
scary dreams. I worry about her.Padmé gives Anakin a sympathetic look.
Here is the matching excerpt from the 2nd draft of Episode II:
INT. STARFREIGHTER, STORAGE HOLD – DAY
The great, gloomy hold is crowded with EMIGRANTS and their belongings. To one side ARTOO is coming to the head of a food line, where SERVERS are ladling out bowls of mush. ARTOO holds two bowls.SERVER
Keep moving! Keep moving!ARTOO slips tube into a tub of mush and sucks up a large quantity. With one of his little claw-arms, he grabs several chunks of something that looks like brown bread. A SERVER sees him.
FOOD SERVER (continuing)
Hey! No Droids!ARTOO takes one last big suck and heads away from the food line. The SERVER shouts after him angrily. The little droid moves past groups of eating or sleeping EMIGRANTS and comes to where ANAKIN is sound asleep. The young Jedi seems to be having a nightmare. He is very restless.
ANAKIN
No, no, Mom, no…He is sweating. PADMÉ leans over to wipe some of the sweat from his forehead. He wakes up with a start, then realises where he is. PADMÉ simply looks at him. He stares back, somewhat confused. ARTOO fills up two bowls with mush.
ANAKIN (continuing)
What?PADMÉ
You seemed to be having
a nightmare.ANAKIN looks at PADMÉ a little more closely, trying to see if he has revealed any of his secrets. She hands him a bowl of mush and bread.
PADMÉ (continuing)
Are you hungry?ANAKIN
Thank you.PADMÉ
We went into lightspeed
a while ago.ANAKIN looks into PADMÉ’S eyes.
ANAKIN
I look forward to seeing Naboo again.
I’ve thought about it every day since I left.
It’s by far the most beautiful place
I’ve ever seen…PADMÉ is a little unnerved by his intense stare.
PADMÉ
You were just a little boy then.
It may not be as you remember it;
time changes your perception.ANAKIN
I think time has given me much
more mature feelings to enhance
my perception.PADMÉ
It must be difficult having sworn your
life to the Jedi… not being able to
visit the places you like… or do the
things you like…ANAKIN
Or be with the people I love.PADMÉ
Are you allowed to love?
I thought that was forbidden
for a Jedi.ANAKIN
Attachment is forbidden. Possession is
forbidden. Compassion, which I would define
as unconditional love, is central to a
Jedi’s life, so you might say we’re
encouraged to love.PADMÉ
You have changed so much.ANAKIN
You haven’t changed a bit. You’re
exactly the way I remember you in my
dreams. I doubt if Naboo has
changed much either.PADMÉ
It hasn’t…ANAKIN
I can’t wait to breathe the sweet breeze
that comes off the rolling hills. Whenever
I try to visualize the Force, those hills
are what I see.ANAKIN looks at PADMÉ when he says this.
ANAKIN (continuing)
I love Naboo.There is an awkward moment.
PADMÉ (changing the subject)
Were you dreaming about your mother
earlier, weren’t you?ANAKIN
Yes… I left Tatooine so long ago, my
memory of her is fading. I don’t want to
lose it. Recently I’ve been seeing her in
my dreams… vivid dreams… scary dreams.
I worry about her.PADMÉ gives ANAKIN a sympathetic look.
The photos included here are from a variety of sources including Starwars.com, the French Lucasfilm Magazine, and the Star Wars Insider. In them you can see R2-D2 getting some food for his human companions, Anakin in his bed dreaming of his mother, random shots of refugees on the ship, a few alternate angles, and I’m also including a few “behind the scenes” images just for fun.
EXTENDED ARRIVAL
After landing on Naboo, R2-D2, Padmé, and Anakin make their way from the refugee transport to Theed Palace to confer with Queen Jamillia and her staff. Most of this extended arrival on Naboo is included in the deleted scenes section of the Episode II DVD, but some parts from the original script are curiously missing. I’m not sure if the script was changed during filming or some of the dialogue was removed during editing, but there’s one line at the end that I miss. It has to do with “changing the galaxy in profound ways.” Take a look at the script excerpt and see if you agree.
On a side note, it also appears that this scene was moved around somewhat. Originally, it was supposed to take place after Obi-Wan’s meeting with Dexter Jettster. In the final script and film, however, it was moved to fall after Obi-Wan visits Yoda and the Younglings.
Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
EXT. NABOO PALACE, GRAND COURTYARD – AFTERNOON
The speeder bus pulls up and stops. Padmé, Anakin, and Artoo get out. The great courtyard stretches before them, and they see the rose-colored domes of the palace on the far side. Artoo whistles. They pick up their gear and start to cross the courtyard. Artoo trundles behind them.Anakin
If I grew up here,
I don’t think I’d ever leave.Padmé (laughing)
I doubt that.Anakin
No, really. When I started my training,
I was very homesick and very lonely.
This city and my Mom were the only
pleasant things I had to think about…
the problem was, the more I thought
about my Mom, the worse I felt.
But I would feel better if I thought
about the palace – the way it shimmers
in the sunlight – the way the air always
smells of flowers…Padmé
…and the soft sound of the distant waterfalls.
The first time I saw the Capital, I was
very young… I’d never seen a waterfall before.
I thought they were so beautiful…
I never dreamed one day I’d
live in the palace.Anakin
Well, tell me, did you dream of power
and politics when you were a little girl?Padmé (laughing)
No. That was the last thing I thought of,
but the more history I studied, the more I
realized how much good politicians could do.
After school, I became a Senatorial adviser
with such a passion that, before I knew it,
I was elected Queen. For the most part it
was because of my conviction that reform
was possible. I wasn’t the youngest Queen
ever elected, but now that I think back on
it, I’m not sure I was old enough.
I’m not sure I was ready.Anakin
The people you served thought you did
a good job. I heard they tried to amend
the Constitution so you could stay in office.Padmé
Popular rule is not democracy, Annie.
It gives the people what they want,
not what they need. And, truthfully,
I was relieved when my two terms were up.
So were my parents. They worried about me
during the blockade and couldn’t wait
for it all to be over. Actually, I was hoping
to have a family by now… My sisters have
the most amazing, wonderful kids…
So when the Queen asked me to
serve as Senator, I couldn’t
refuse her.Anakin
I agree! I think the Republic needs you…
I’m glad you chose to serve. I feel things
are going to happen in our generation that
will change the galaxy in profound ways.Padmé
I think so too.
On of the pictures included here from Starwars.com’s “Image Attack” series features a shot cut from the film. I’m assuming this is part of a scene where Anakin, Padmé and R2-D2 depart the refugee spacecraft, even though they are not seen in the photo. Also notice the shot fom the Episode II Comic Adaptation. This seems to suggest that the scene went on a little longer than we thought.
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Download: Clip of the extended arrival on Naboo, as seen on the Episode II DVD. (Courtesy Dylan McDermond) |
MEETING WITH THE QUEEN
We know from a deleted scene on the Episode II DVD that the walk Anakin and Padmé take to the Naboo Palace was cut down in the finished film. In a similar fashion, the scene that follows in Queen Jamillia’s throne room was also trimmed down a bit. There isn’t anything extremely exciting here. It’s just a few lines of dialogue that were deleted, perhaps to speed up the pace and/or remove any references to Padmé’s family since those scenes were also ultimately deleted from the final cut.
Here’s the corresponding excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
54 INT. NABOO PALACE, THRONE ROOM – AFTERNOON
Queen Jamillia is seated on the throne, flanked by Sio Bibble and a couple of advisers. Four handmaidens stand close by, and guards are at the doors.QUEEN JAMILLIA
We’ve been worried about you.
(takes her hand) I’m so glad you’re
safe, Padmé.PADMÉ
Thank you, Your Highness.
I only wish I could have served
you better by staying on Coruscant
for the vote.SIO BIBBLE
Given the circumstances, Senator,
you know it was the only decision Her
Highness could have made.QUEEN JAMILLIA
How many systems have joined
Count Dooku and the separatists?PADMÉ
Thousands. And more are leaving
the Republic every day. If the
Senate votes to create an army,
I’m sure it’s going to push us
into a civil war.SIO BIBBLE
It’s unthinkable. There hasn’t been
a full-scale war since the formation
of the Republic.QUEEN JAMILLIA
Do you see any way, through
negotiations, to bring the separatists
back into the Republic?PADMÉ
Not if they feel threatened.
The separatists don’t have an army,
but if they are provoked, they will
move to defend themselves. I’m
sure of that. And with no time or
money to build an army, my guess
is they will turn to the Commerce
Guilds or the Trade Federation
for help.QUEEN JAMILLIA
The armies of commerce!
Why has nothing been done in the
Senate to restrain them?PADMÉ
I’m afraid that, despite the Chancellor’s
best efforts, there are still many
bureaucrats, judges, and even
Senators on the payrolls
of the Guilds.SIO BIBBLE
It’s outrageous that, after all of those
hearings, and four trials in the Supreme
Court, Nute Gunray is still the Viceroy
of the Trade Federation. Do those
money mongers control
everything?QUEEN JAMILLIA
Remember, Counselor, the courts
were able to reduce the Federation’s
armies. That’s a move in
the right direction.PADMÉ
There are rumors, Your Highness,
that the Federation Army was not
reduced as they were ordered.QUEEN JAMILLIA
We must keep our faith in the
Republic. The day we stop believing
democracy can work is the
day we lose it.PADMÉ
Let’s pray that day
never comes.QUEEN JAMILLIA
In the meantime, we must
consider your own safety.Sio Bibble signals. All the other advisers and attendants bow and leave the room.
SIO BIBBLE (to Anakin)
What is your suggestion,
Master Jedi?PADMÉ
Anakin’s not a Jedi yet, Counselor.
He’s still a Padawan learner.
I was thinking…ANAKIN (nettled)
Hey, hold on a minute.PADMÉ
Excuse me! I was thinking I
would stay in the Lake Country.
There are some places up there
that are very isolated.ANAKIN
Excuse me! I am in charge
of security here, M’Lady.Sio Bibble and Queen Jamillia exchange a look. Something is going on here.
PADMÉ
Annie, my life is at risk, and this
is my home. I know it very well…
that is why we’re here. I think it
would be wise for you to take
advantage of my knowledge
in this instance.ANAKIN (takes a deep breath)
Sorry, M’Lady.QUEEN JAMILLIA
Perfect.
It’s settled then.Anakin glares at Padmé. Then Queen Jamillia gets up, and they all start to leave.
QUEEN JAMILLIA (continuing)
Padmé, I had an audience with
your father yesterday. I told him
what was happening. He hopes you
will visit your mother before you
leave… your family’s very
worried about you.PADMÈ
Thank you, your Highness.Padmé looks worried. They all exit down the main staircase.
There may have been a brief series of shots (or perhaps at least one shot) of Anakin and Padmé making their way to the throne room. The script passage above suggests that the two have just walked into the room as opposed to the finished film where everyone is already seated and the dialogue starts a little further down the script.
The image of the male adviser to the Queen (Graf Zapalo) is from one of the foreign Lucasfilm magazines and this angle is not seen in the finished film. The tight shot of the Queen was a tricky one to check. I’ve watched the film various times and there isn’t a shot this tight on her from this angle that I can see.
I’m also including a “behind the scenes” image from Starwars.com. Oliver Ford Davies, who plays Sio Bibble, couldn’t make the shoot the day they filmed this scene. They ended up shooting the scenes without him and then filmed him separately against bluescreen on a later date. This image shows the set with an empty chair in his place.
Trivia fans will enjoy knowing that Graeme Blundell, who played Ruwee Naberrie (mostly on the cutting room floor) was the stand-in for Davies on that day and spoke his lines off camera to keep the actors in time.
MEETING PADMÉ’S FAMILY
After meeting with Queen Jamillia, Padmé brings Anakin home to meet the family and retrieve a few of her things. This lengthy deleted scene helps make a little more sense out of Padmé’s conflicted feelings about Anakin. It’s a little easier to formulate an opinion on where she’s coming from.
According to early drafts, there are quite a few extra lines of dialogue we didn’t see in the deleted scene that was included on the Episode II DVD. Take note of the inter-cutting taking place between the ladies in the house and the men walking in the garden. These short scenes with Anakin and Ruwee aren’t very revealing, but show that Ruwee trusts Anakin enough to confide in him.
At one point, Starwars.com posted a feature article on the Naberrie family. Here’s an excerpt featuring Graeme Blundell (Ruwee) talking about his deleted scene with Anakin and his role as a stand in for Sio Bibble:
Blundell’s involvement in Episode II lasted longer than [Claudia] Karvan’s, as a very brief scene of him walking with Anakin outside the Naberrie family house necessitated a trip overseas. “I went to Lake Como, Italy, just for one scene that was cut, and I filled in for an actor, Oliver Ford Davies, who didn’t arrive, who was in Tokyo doing a play. So, I stood in for him vocally, going to Caserta, and having a fantastic time. George said to me at the ending of shooting the last scenes at Caserta, ‘was that worth an around-the-world ticket’?”
There was also another mention of this scene in the middle of their Celebration II coverage that included some quotes from co-screenwriter Jonathan Hales about Episode II and what happened during the writing process. Here’s an excerpt:
“There was a sequence where Anakin and Padmé go back to her home on Naboo to see her mom and dad and sisters,” he recalled. “That showed another side of her — where she came from and what her family life was like. Anakin and her dad had a little talk. It wasn’t quite, ‘ Hello young man, what are your intentions toward my daughter? ‘ but it was almost in that area. That is no longer in the picture, I believe. Not necessarily because it didn’t work, but the story had to drive on. It frequently happens that things get lost due to the necessity of the telling the total story.”
Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
EXT. THEED, RESIDENTIAL AREA, SIDE STREET – AFTERNOON
People are passing through the little street, old men are sunning themselves, women are gossiping, kids are playing. Anakin, Padmé, and Artoo turn onto a side street. Anakin is back in his Jedi robes. Padmé wears a beautiful simple dress. She stops, beaming.Padmé
There’s my house!Padmé starts forward; Anakin hangs back.
Padmé (continuing)
What? Don’t say you’re shy!Anakin (untruthfully)
No, but I…Suddenly, there are shouts from two little girls, Ryoo (age 6) and Pooja (age 4). They come running toward Padmé.
Padmé
Ryoo!! Pooja!!Padmé scoops up Ryoo and Pooja and hugs them.
Padmé
Go wake up Artoo.Ryoo & Pooja
Artoo!!!As they see the droid, they hug him. Artoo whistles and beeps. Padmé laughs. Anakin and Padmé go on toward the house. The girls stay and play with Artoo.
INT. PADMÉ’S PARENTS’ HOUSE, MAIN ROOM – AFTERNOON
Sola, Padmé’s beautiful older sister, comes in from the kitchen carrying a big bowl of food.Sola (over her shoulder)
They’re eating over at Jev Narran’s
later, Mom. They just had a snack.
They’ll be fine.Sola puts the bowl down on the table, where Anakin, Padmé, and Ruwee Naberrie (Padmé’s father) are coming into the room.
Sola
Padmé (hugging her) You’re late.
Mom was worried.Padmé
We walked. Anakin,
this is my sister, Sola.Sola
Hello, Anakin.Anakin
Hello.Sola sits, as Jobal Naberrie (Padmé’s mother) comes in with a heaped bowl of steaming food.
Padmé
… and this is my mother.Jobal
You’re just in time for dinner.
I hope you’re hungry, Anakin.Anakin
A little.Padmé
He’s being polite, Mom.
We’re starving.Ruwee (grinning)
You came to the right place
at the right time.Everyone sits, and starts passing food.
Jobal (to Padmé)
Honey, it’s so good to see
you safe. We were so worried.Padmé gives Jobal a dirty look. Ruwee smiles as he watches.
Ruwee
Dear…Jobal
I know, I know… but I
had to say it. Now it’s done.Sola
Well, this is exciting! Do you know,
Anakin, you’re the first boyfriend
my sister’s ever brought home?Padmé (rolls her eyes)
Sola!! He isn’t my boyfriend!
He’s a Jedi assigned by the
Senate to protect me.Jobal
A bodyguard?! Oh, Padmé!
They didn’t tell us it was that serious!Padmé
It’s not, Mom. I promise. (glances at Jobal)
Anyway, Anakin’s a friend. I’ve known him
for years. Remember that little boy who was
with the Jedi during the blockade crisis?They nod.
Padmé (continuing)
He grew up.Jobal
Honey, when are you going to settle down?
Haven’t you had enough of that life?
I certainly have!Padmé
Mom, I’m not in any danger.Ruwee (to Anakin)
Is she?Anakin
…Yes…I’m afraid she is.Padmé (quickly)
But not much.EXT. PADMÉ’S PARENTS’ GARDEN – AFTERNOON
Anakin and Ruwee are walking.Ruwee
Sometimes I wish I’d traveled more…
but I must say, I’m happy here.Anakin
Padmé tells me you teach
at the university?Ruwee (nodding)
Yes, and before that, I was a builder.
I also worked for the Refugee Relief
Movement, when I was very young.INT. PADMÉ’S PARENTS’ HOUSE, MAIN ROOM – AFTERNOON
Padmé, Sola, and Jobal are clearing the table.Sola
Why haven’t you told
us about him?Padmé
What’s there to talk about?
He’s just a boy.Sola
A boy? Have you seen the
way he looks at you?Padmé
Sola – stop it!Sola
It’s obvious he has feelings for you.
Are you saying, little baby sister,
that you haven’t noticed?Padmé
I’m not your baby sister, Sola.
Anakin and I are friends… our relationship
is strictly professional. (to Jobal)
Mom, would you tell her to stop it?Sola (laughing)
Well, maybe you haven’t noticed
the way he looks at you.
I think you’re afraid to.Padmé
Cut it out.Jobal
Sola’s just concerned…
we all are.Padmé
Oh, Mom, you’re impossible.
What I’m doing is important.Jobal
You’ve done your service, Padmé.
It’s time you had a life of your own.
You’re missing so much!EXT. PADMÉ’S PARENTS’ GARDEN – AFTERNOON
Anakin and Ruwee are walking in the garden. Ruwee stops and faces Anakin directly.Ruwee
Now tell me, son. How serious
is this thing? How much danger
is my daughter really in?Anakin
There have been two attempts on
her life. Chances are there’ll be more.
My Master is tracking down the assassins.
I’m sure he’ll find out who they are.
This situation, won’t last long.Ruwee
I don’t want anything to
happen to her.Anakin
I don’t either.
Most of the images here are from Starwars.com other various sources. There’s one tight head shot of Anakin that I’m not sure belongs in this section but since I see green in the background, I’m placing it here. It looks like it could be a publicity still, but you never know.
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Description: Clip of the “Padmé’s Parents House” deleted scene, as seen on the Episode II DVD. (Courtesy Dylan McDermond) |
PADMÉ’S BEDROOM
Padmé needs to pack for her stay in the lake country and here, in her bedroom, we see Anakin and Padmé bond a little. There’s some more of Padmé’s back story included in this scene. The hologram pictures are a great little visual effect. Minus a few small differences, this scene almost exactly matches the written version.
Here’s the excerpt from The Art of Attack of the Clones:
INT. PADMÉ’S PARENTS’ HOUSE, PADMÉ’S ROOM – AFTERNOON
Padmé throws some things into a bag.Padmé
Don’t worry, this
won’t take long.Anakin
I just want to get
there before dark.Padmé goes on packing. Anakin looks around the room.
Anakin (continuing)
You still live at home.Padmé
I move around so much, I’ve never
had a place of my own. Official
residences have no warmth.
I feel good here. I feel at home.Anakin
I never had a real home.
Home was always where my Mom was.Anakin picks up a framed hologram.
Anakin (continuing)
Is this you?The hologram shows Padmé at age seven or eight surrounded by forty or fifty little green creatures. She is holding one in her arms. They are all smiling hugely.
Padmé
That was when I went with the Relief
Group to Shadda-Bi-Boran. Their
sun was imploding, and the planet was
dying. I was helping to relocate the
children. See that little one I’m holding?
His name was N’a-kee-tula, which means
sweetheart. He was so full of life.
All those kids were. I did everything I could
to save him, but he died… they all did.
They were never able to adapt…
to live off their native planet.Anakin picks up another hologram. It shows Padmé at age ten or eleven. She is wearing official robes and standing between two robed legislators. Her expression is severe.
Padmé (continuing)
My first day as an Apprentice
Legislator. Notice the difference?Padmé pulls a face. Anakin grins. She continues packing. Anakin sets the two holograms down side by side – the beaming little girl, and the stern, unsmiling adolescent.
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Description: Clip of the “Padmé’s Bedroom” deleted scene, as seen on the Episode II DVD. (Courtesy Dylan McDermond) |