Journal banky's Journal: fixing Star Wars 10
On the topic of movies lately. Here's what my *rough* plot outline for what the first movies would have been.
The Phantom Menace
- Start 'in media res' WRT the Clone Wars, only don't call it that yet. Kenobi is still just a Padawan apprenticed to Jinn.
- Amidala is one of the senators trying to bring more systems to the aid of the Republic. One must assume that there are in fact 3 factions: Republic loyalists, the Separatist movement, and loads of undecided systems. Because there are 2 wars - one on the battlefield, one political - Amidala is targeted for death by the Separatist movement. Jinn and Kenobi are assigned to protect her while she's on her diplomatic mission(s).
- The whole Palpatine/Sidious and Darth Maul thing can basically remain intact; Palpatine needs Amidala to run around being a goody-goody but he also needs to whack her.
A large battle takes place. In this battle, basically everyone is saved at the last second by a young pilot, named Anakin Skywalker. It is discovered that he is the one from the prophecy, etc etc. All he wants to do is "do his part", then go back home to Mom (who is not a slave). Jinn insists on training him; he's too old; etc etc. Final fight, Jinn is killed, Kenobi takes Anakin as his Padawan when he is granted Knighthood after killing Maul.
Attack Of The Clones
Things are looking grim. The Separatist Movement has gained considerable strength in the few years since TPM. (Note: just a few years, not 10; we're talking 3-4 here). They are now in a position to really make a go of it; think the Allies attacking Normandy. A full-scale invasion of core Republic systems is at hand.
Kenobi and Skywalker are part of a number of Jedi assigned to scout out where and when the attack will take place. Amidala, in the mean time, has retired from politics after her missions failed (or so she thinks). It is she who uncovers the Jedi who "bought" the clone army. She must race to get the info to Kenobi and Skywalker, and the Council, so that the systems on the front won't be overrun.
In the meantime, Kenobi and Skywalker learn that one of the places to be attacked in Skywalker's home system. It is targeted for destruction, to set an example.
Cue Amidala arriving. A suprise attack puts Skywalker and Amidala close; you get that Keanu Reeves/sandra Bullock "falling in love under duress" thing. Amidala is put in grave danger, Anakin must save her. In doing so, he and Kenobi damage their space ship. They now cannot get the message to Coruscant that Anakin's homeworld (which isn't Tatooine, BTW) will be razed.
Work in Dooku somehow. Doens't matter; just get another nice lightsaber duel in there.
Anyway the Clones get in the fight, but not in time; dozens of systems are razed. Palpatine/Sidious uses the PR to blame the Jedi for the deaths.
The Rise Of The Empire
Anakin's in love with Amidala but has grown bitter. He blames Kenobi and the Jedi for the death of his mother. Sidious gives him the push needed to turn to the dark side. He begins to hunt down the Jedi.
Kenobi seeks to hide the kids.
The Clone Army "defeats" the Separatist movement, but Palpatine declares himself Emperor and turns the army against the rest of the Republic. He begins construction of the Death Star.
A little mix-up (not really, Sidious engineers it, blames it on Kenobi) gets Amidala killed. He goes full-bore against Kenobi. They fight, Anakin falls in lava, Kenobi saves him from death only to realize that his transformation is now complete, Anakin "died" in the lava. He is Darth Vader.
It ends with the ruins of the Republic, and the beginning of the construction fo the Death Star.
Thoughts?
Kenobi abandons Anakin (Score:2)
In the vast final battle Anakin, who has been claiming to still be with the Jedi, is caught assassinating a Republic general by Kenobi. Awash with feelings of guilt, he fights, with Kenobi talking all the time about "trust us. the jedi can forgive/heal you. I will not abandon you."
Anakin, in a moment of doubt, slows down. Palpitine, in hiding, warps an action of Kenobi's that sends Anakin into a warp core/whatever just as the main battle is getting under way.
Kenobi thinks that Anakin is dead, makes brief statement of "I hate to leave your body like this but hundreds of star systems await my actions." and goes
Anakin awakes, in agony, and is saved by Palpitine who convinces Anakin that he has been shown that he can never again show mercy towards the Jedi; they are betrayers and liars
Anakin make brief but spectacular appearance in battle, blasting out and killing hundreds of Jedi in moments and collapses into Dark Side hands. The sight of Anakin decimating the best of the Republic demoralizes the remaining Republic forces and they are torn down and destroyed.
Re:Kenobi abandons Anakin (Score:2)
. . .
Anybody know Lucas' phone number? That is perfect. You sent Anakin to the Dark Side, while maintaining the core of who the characters are. The good kid Anakin is wavering, might come back to The Light, but when he is betrayed, the kid in him lashes out at what hurt him. What he thinks hurt him.
That gets my vote for Switch Scene. (pun intended)
My 2 Cents (Score:2)
I think trying to film things like the "Clone Wars" takes away from the mystique built in A New Hope. I remember as a kid trying to imagine what the Clone Wars were like and how Jedi would fight, etc... And as good as AOTC was, it was still a let down (with the exception of seeing Yoda kick some arse).
Take it for what it's worth...
On a side note: I watched A New Hope this weekend on a local station and I'm still convinced that George went WAY TOO FAR with the added Hanger Scene in which Solo talks to Jabba. It is flat-out lame and the part where Solo walks across his tail is just plain dumb.
**Now climbing down off my soap box.**
Other than that, I like your ideas. I think a lot of people (including me) are waiting to see just exactly how Skywalker falls and becomes Vader. Although, I'm not looking forward to seeing Mace die (I personally think he is one of the all-time best Star Wars characters... Jedi Knight meets Shaft... shut your mouth!).
Out.
Mace Windu (Score:2)
Re:Mace Windu (Score:2)
My name is-
My name is-
(DJ scratch)
Mace Windu.
Good lord, how would you even PARSE Yoda making such a request?
"Call a quarter pounder with cheese in Europe, do they?"
We blew-up planets already (Score:2)
Like it never happened before.
Hence it can't.
Re:We blew-up planets already (Score:2)
Re:We blew-up planets already (Score:2)
Thats what I meant.
Also I'm just talking about razing it; orbital bombardment and the like. We can't actually obliterate them until the Death Star is created, else we break continuity.
I still think that would detract from Alderain. As they made a big deal about it being destoried. They could invade and destroy the major cities. Killing his mom and everyone he knew.
Plus I'd also like to give him a father. I find the whole Immaculate Conception thing is a little disturbing.
Re:We blew-up planets already (Score:2)