Part 3 - Reimagining the Star Wars Prequels

 The last installment is here.

You can read part one here: http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels.html

And part two here: http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels-part-2.html

By the third episode the differences between Obi Wan and Anakin are pronounced. Anakin's lust for power an glory means he ignores the Jedi code in favour of methods that guarantee victory. Obi Wan however continues to follow the code and behave honourably, even as his friend begins to pull away from him. Naturally they must face each other, though I've changed the context from the original Episode 3. Lucas put darth vader's physical state firmly on the shoulders of Obi Wan. My version is a little different. I think Obi wan has seen vader's mask before they cross paths in episode 4 so I've addressed that here. I also thought it was important to address why Obi Wan lies to Luke, so I've tried to do something about that. 

I've also added to the Emporer's character in a way that is more fitting to the vibe of the original trilogy. The Empire always gave the appearance they were an entirely human army led by a charismatic dictator. This vibe was lost in the prequels as Palpatine's was surrounded by more colorful advisors. 

There's a neat sequence that provides some nice context to the Bobba Fett-Vader relationship too. I just thought it would be good to establish that prior to Empire Strikes Back. There's also Wookies, Tarkin and we end in a similar place to Lucas' own episode 3. Why? Cuz I actually didn't mind that part of it.

Let me know what you think.

EPISODE 3: REVENGE OF THE SITH

Over the ocean planet Mon Calamari, a star destroyer pursues a Corellian cruiser firing on it to slow it down. Fighters are deployed from underneath to engage the clone fighters. After a skirmish the star destroyer is successful in slowing the cruiser. Using their tractor beam them capture the craft and board. Anakin Skywalker leads the storm troopers in and captures the clone captain. When the captain refuses to cooperate, he uses the force to choke him into revealing the clone facility on the planet below. He reports this information to Admiral Tarkin who commences bombing of the planet. The two communicate the success of their mission to Emperor Palpatine.  

With the Clone Army fighting for survival, the Republic begins to reorganize to ensure their survival in a prolonged battle. Palpatine grants himself emergency powers to give specific orders to the military. Padme meets with Bail and Mon Motha to discuss these developments and agree to present their concerns to Master Yoda.

Anakin returns home with Tarkin and meets with Padme. The two have continued their affair in private and she is pregnant with twins. They discuss the new order and Anakin admits he is pleased Palpatine is seeking to end the war quickly. Padme worries about the direction and admits to wanting an audience with Yoda. Anakin dismisses her fears as he as fallen out with the Jedi over his relationship with Palpatine.

Obi Wan finds Anakin training with Boba Fett. Obi Wan wants a report on Anakin’s mission, which he delivers flippantly. Noticing the change in his demeanor, Obi Wan senses his fear and asks what is wrong. He rudely dismisses Fett from the room. Anakin admits to having visions of Padme’s death. Obi Wan warns him of fear, and encourages him to meditate and find his balance again. He suggests they retreat together away from the war, a suggestion Anakin resents. He complains that the council would not recongise the rank Palpatine has bestowed on him and accuses Yoda of playing favourites.

Palpatine summons Obi Wan to his quarters. There he offers Obi Wan the chance to replace Yoda as head of the order. Not willing to betray his master, he declines but realizes Palpatine attempts to use the Jedi Mind trick. Palpatine flatters Obi Wan and offers to train him so that he can stand by his side in bringing justice back to the galaxy. Palpatine orders him to track down Grevious to prove his loyalty. Obi Wan appears to accept though has been alerted to Palpatine’s use of the force.

Before his departure Obi Wan meets with Yoda and Padme. He admits to them his suspicions that Palpatine is strong in the darkside of the force. Padme tells them she has been meeting with Organa and Motha about the possibility of defeating Palpatine once victory over the clones is assured. Yoda explains that the future is cloudy and no Jedi has been able to see it clearly for sometime. Motha unveils the results of her own research  - each of the planets that have had a clone facility homes a non-human race. Each had won a defense contact, which had later been proven to clone factory, approved by Palpatine. Palpatine’s xenophobia has seen him attack only planets with alien races. Sensing a conspiracy, Obi Wan promises to bring back Grevious alive.

Anakin finds out Obi Wan has been given the mission and confronts Yoda. Angry that he has again been over looked he quits the order. He goes to Palpatine who tells him that the Jedi do not see him as someone capable of wielding unlimited power. He tells him that Obi Wan is considered the successor to Yoda’s title and that he knows they plan to control the republic for themselves. Jealous, Anakin pledges his allegiance to the Emperor and swears to protect his legacy. Palpatine offers to complete his training and show him things the Jedi would not.

Anakin sends Boba to kill Grevious, telling him to stop Obi Wan if he interferes.

Obi Wan finds Gervious and after a chase through the caves is able to corner him. Grevious reveals his lightsaber and admits to having undergone Sith training. The two duel and Obi Wan forces Grevious to submit. As he loads him into his ship, Fett appears and uses a disintegrating gun to assassinate Grevious. Obi Wan chases him but Fett escapes. Furious, Obi Wan returns to Courscant to confront Anakin.

Anakin announces the defeat of Grevious. Padme is elated that Obi Wan is victorious but Anakin shoots this notion down, explaining that he had Grevious assassinated. He dismisses her optimism that Motha will now take over calling her a traitor. Angry at her weakness he force chokes her, before releasing her.

The alliance attempt to force a vote against Palpatine though he is undaunted by the rebellion. Palpatine wins when other senators refuse to vote against him. He declares there is a Jedi plot to over throw him and orders the arrest of master Yoda. He introduces his new commander, Darth Vader, who emerges dressed in a mask and black cloak.

While this is happening, assassins attempt to kills the leaders of the alliance and a number of Jedi masters. They are successful in killing most of them, though Mace Windu and Yoda evade capture. Obi Wan manages to arrive back and protect Organa and Motha- who agree to leave the planet with Yoda. Windu decides to confront the Sith Lords to aid their escape. Vader himself kills Windu after a battle in which Vader is badly burned. He requires extensive robotic surgery that Palpatine organizes.

Having successfully declared himself Emperor and defeated his local enemies, Palpatine decides to end the clone wars. He gives Vader and Tarkin the location of the final cloning facility- a planet known as Kyysshk. From their new base on Dantooee, the Organa and Motha realize Kayysshk has also received a defense factory and, antipating The Emporer's move, they send Obi Wan and a rogue squadron of fighters to Kyyyssshk to confront Vader and restore the Jedi name.

The wookies, who realise the threat posed by the invading storm troopers, attempt to defend their home planet. The Empire unleashes their walkers who attack the wookies while Tarkin’s star destroyers bomb the cloning facility. The Rogue Squadron engage the star destroyers with limited success.

Inside the facility Vader faces Obi Wan who, despite Vader's face being completely hidden by a mask and helmet,  recognises him as Anakin. Obi Wan attempts to reason with his friend but realises he is overcome with fear and hate. Vader dismisses Obi Wan for trying to soften him and taunts him for being afraid of solitude and power – a result of being abandoned as a child. He offers Obi Wan the chance to join him on the darkside. Obi retorts that his friend is dead so he is alone anyway – he will not succumb to temptation. Realizing Obi Wan will not join him Vader attacks Obi Wan. During the battle Obi Wan is successful in injuring Vader. Vader attempts to use his force lightning but is unable to do so, his physical humanity having been replaced by wires and gears. Obi Wan seizes the opportunity to remove the last of Vader’s human legs. Standing over Vader, Obi Wan admits he has been afraid. He knew Anakin was turning to the dark side but couldn’t confront him. He apologizes since Anakin’s failure to find balance in the force means he failed as a teacher and friend.

Having defeated the Rogue Squadron, Tarkin continues to bomb the facility and villages so Obi Wan escapes, leaving Vader behind. Vader recovers and is rescued by Storm troopers. The Empire wins and enslaves the wookies.

On small cruiser the principle members of the rebel alliance meet. Padme’s wounds are fatal but she asks if Anakin survived Vader’s assault. Obi Wan replies that Vader murdered Anakin. Yoda’s gaze indicates he knows this is not the truth but he nods his approval. Padme clings to life as she gives birth to twins but soon dies. They mourn Padme and Anakin. Organa agrees to take the girl of the two twins. Yoda and Obi Wan agree to watch over the male and both go into hiding in separate locations. Motha returns to Courscant to monitor the Emperor.

The Emperor, a repaired and upgraded Vader and Admiral Tarkin over look the construction of their new space station- the death star.

Obi Wan delivers the child to his childhood planet of Tatooee and watches as Owen and Beau Lars take the boy inside. He dons a brown cloak and retreats into the mountains as the twin suns set.

Reimagining the Star Wars prequels - Part 2

If you haven't read yesterday's blog which featured the rationale for remaking the prequels and the first episode then you can do so here: http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels.html

Having used the first episode to both establish the relationship between Anakin and Obi Wan, and show off Anakin's piloting abilities, it is time to show their differences.

At the end of my Episode 1, Anakin and Obi Wan are victorious. They worked together to save the day. Of course, it was Anakin who saved Obi Wan but he was unable to defeat Darth Maul who managed to escape. Publically at least they are seen as equals. However Obi Wan is promoted ahead of Anakin, a move Anakin mocks. In this Episode the goal is to show why Anakin is tempted to choose a different path to Obi Wan. The audience is left to decide which of the two has behaved heroically.

For sub-plots there is the growing relationship between Padme and Anakin, the partnership between Obi Wan and Bail Organa (which Leia hints at in A New Hope) as well as the first appearances of General Grevious and the Fetts. I always liked in Empire Strikes Back that Bobba and Vader seemed familiar with each other. Some seeds for this are planted in this episode.

The goal with these remakes is to position the characters better for the original trilogy.

Let me know what you think!

EPISODE 2: THE EMPIRE RISES

A Jedi shuttles descends to a desert planet Geonosis and lands behind a hill. Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi emerge wearing Jedi military attire. Anakin comments on Obi Wan’s new rank of general as they move into a position to observe the installation below.

Below them is a massive plant. Complete with smoke stacks, the industrial complex is used to produce clones. Obi Wan radios to their in-orbit command ship that they will move in. The two reach an air duct that will allow them to enter. Inside they are able to observe and photograph the production line that incubates clones so they are born quicker. Anakin comments on the implications of this discovery – the clones will out number the inexperienced Republic army before long.

They are detected by droids and forced from their hiding place. Surrounded, they are able to use their force powers (speed, jump and push) to escape. They agree to split up to make and rendezvous at their shuttle. Anakin runs into a dead end and is surrounded by warrior Geonosisians. He takes out his light sabre and attacks them- dismembering all so that he is able to escape into a hatch. Obi Wan is able to use his force skills to mind tricks to leave via a side door. The two reunite outside and head for their shuttle though Obi Wan falls into a pit. With droids and warriors approaching, Anakin is able to force-lift Obi Wan out of trouble and uses his force-push to knock away the approaching droids.

Following a chase the two Jedi return to their shuttle to meet the approaching lander. From the lander giant Walkers emerge to approach the complex. Obi Wan and Anakin watch from afar as the Walkers fire on and destroy the complex.

Upon their return to Coruscant they debrief with their Commander Mace Windu. Both make light of their brushes with trouble and report the success of the mission. Yoda enters and warns the two that they must remain mindful of the bigger threat- the two Sith lords who have not been seen for sometime. Anakin boasts that they would be no match for Obi Wan and himself, which Yoda does not find amusing so he mocks Anakin’s overconfidence.

In the Senate, the senator for Mustafar admonishes the decision to attack his allied system – Geonosis. Palpatine argues that anyone who aids the clones is no friend of the Republic. With an election looming his speech has taken on a strong nationalist rhetoric. Padme and Organa exchange worrying glances, as the Mustafar senator is silence by the cheering senators who support Palpatine’s campaign to be elected High Chancellor.

Later, Padme meets with Anakin and Obi Wan to catch up. While they discuss the political climate, something Anakin has little interest in, the sky turns dark. Sensing a disturbance in the force, the two Jedi take Padme to the Jedi temple and realize Pirate Clone ships have filled the sky. The Senate reconvenes. The Jedi plan a strategy as the Senate prepares an evacuation. It is decided to have Jedi accompany the Senators in their escape. Anakin accompanies Padme, and Obi Wan accompanies Organa.

Padme and Anakin use Anakin’s star fighter to escape the new blockade and escape to Naboo. Obi Wan and Bail head to Dantooee on a commercial ship. Palpatine refuses Windu’s offer to go and pledges to remain until there is nothing of Coruscant left. With a depleted reserve, and the majority of Jedi Knights elsewhere, the capital falls quickly and Palpatine goes into hiding. General Grevious, a part cyborg/alien who leads the attack, declares victory for the pirate army as they occupy the capital.

Meanwhile on Naboo, Anakin and Padme find a safe house. Padme admits her attraction to him, but Anakin is unable to reciprocate due to his Jedi Oath – whci forbids the indulgence of intense emotions including passion. An assassin eventually finds them and attempts to kill both. Anakin is able to defeat them easily though not without sustaining damage to his leg. While nursing him, Padme seduces him and Anakin willingly accepts. Knowing that they are not safe, Padme decides they must leave, as she won’t risk damage to Naboo.

At the same time Bail and Obi Wan find themselves disguised as pirates on Dantooee. Unable to remain incapacitated the two agree to see what they can find out.  They eventually find themselves recruited into a mission with a weapons expert known as Jango Fett. They journey to Yavin 4 and attend a pirate meeting. They are astonished to find a battalion of pirate clones ready for battle. There they also see plans for a facility that Jango confesses will “win the war.” The Death Star is a space station that, when built, will destroy all. Organa doubts the pirates will be able to secure the funds to build such a station but Obi Wan senses a dark presence nearby. Obi Wan recognizes Darth Maul and begins to follow him but he evades him. Deciding to return to Coruscant, the two confront Jango with their true identities and arrest him. They commandeer his ship, The Slave, and head back home. They allow his son Bobba to accompany them.

On the outskirts of the system the two parties meet with senator Mon Motha and Yoda. They receive a message from Palpatine who asks for reinforcements. Motha has gathered the remnants of the Republic fleet to take back the capital but has been unable to contact Palpatine on the surface. Anakin suggests a full assault on Grevious to bring down the army once and for all. They eventually agree on a more elusive strategy that should force them from the planet and allow Motha to restore government. Privately, Obi Wan tells Yoda of Maul and the Death Star.

They use The Slave to approach the system. Obi Wan notices the closeness between Anakin and Padme but says nothing. The plan works and they are able to land. Making their way through the Jedi Temple they find Sidious, Maul and Grevious. Sidious flees but Maul uses his force powers to bring the roof down, while Grevious throws grenades. Padme and Motha are injured, while Obi Wan is able to save Organa. Fett is killed when he attempts to follow the Sith lords. Anakin gives chase to Maul, Obi Wan tracks down Sidious and Organa tends to the injured women. Bobba and Yoda emerge from the rubble, though head in different directions. Obi wan is unable to locate Sideous but finds Palpatine imprisoned and frees him.

Finally, Anakin confronts Maul. They battle furiously with Anakin the aggressor. He succeeds in relieving Maul of his double-edged lightsaber, though Maul reveals a second spare one. Maul manages to cut off Anakin’s hand leaving him defenseless and in agony. Maul offers Anakin mercy – if he will join him on the darkside. Anakin, enraged by Maul’s renewed taunts, unleashes a stream of white lighting from his good hand towards his enemy. Maul is knocked from the platform and falls into the electrical station below. Staring at his smokey hand he realizes he has avenged his parents and collapses to the ground in tears cradling his injured arm.

Clone troopers find the weakened Anakin and attack him. Anakin is able to hold them off, using Maul’s second lightsaber, but finds himself cornered. When he nudges them away using the force, Bobba appears and distracts the clones. Anakin beheads them. He gives a knowing wink to the young boy as they leave the area.

Palpatine uses Anakin’s exploits and “promotes” him to Jedi Master. Anakin, a hero of the battle, stands at the side of Palpatine as he wins the election when Mon Motha concedes defeat. He describes the republic as an unbreakable empire that will now crush the clone menace. Yoda, Obi Wan and Mace exchanged concerned looks as Padme looks into Anakin’s eyes across the great hall.

Reimagining the Star Wars prequels

I don't usually write fan fiction. The very phrase carries with it a plethora of connotations - most of them involving weird sex (think very carefully before you click that link).

But after watching Red Letter Media's Plickett reviews of the Star Wars prequels I did jot down some ideas. (If you haven't seen the reviews set aside a couple of hours and click on that link. It is worth it.)

So I had a little crack at rewriting the prequels based around the following problems:

• There is no protagonist in The Phantom Menace. 
• There is no likeable protagonist in any of the films. Obi Wan just does dumb things that he learned from his dumb master. 
• Having C3-PO and R2-D2 around causes more plot headaches than it is worth. 
• Jar Jar Binks exists. 
• There is actually little action and lots of talking about trade federations and blockades and midichroleans. This stuff, coupled with some really dull characters and directing choices, makes the movies boring.

What had me most excited about the prequels were some of the insights we received from Obi Wan in the original film (A New Hope). This was all we had about the time before Luke found the droids. He spoke of nobility when discussing the Jedi and provided two important pieces of information about Anakin Skywalker - he was "the best star pilot in the galaxy" and he was "a good friend." Well the prequels as they exist don't show us any of this. Being able to race pods makes him the best pilot? Strange, especially when Obi Wan isn't even present for the whole sequence. For my remake the story centers on Obi Wan and Anakin's friendship - from meeting to disintegration.

I didn't think too much about it so many of the planets and characters from the available prequels still appear. I've also tried to show that Leia's father (Bail Organa) served with Obi Wan in the Clone Wars since this is the only reason she messages him in the original film anyway. I've kept Darth Maul and Padme (though her character is much more straight forward). What I did axe was some of the characters who appeared far too often (the trade federation, Count Douku) or in roles they were ill suited (Yoda should not wield a lightsaber. Ever.) There's no droids, Jar Jar or Chewbacca. But there are Wookies and some more background on Boba Fett (though not in the episode below). There's no Han Solo but there's pirates. And a clone war that actually appears in the films - not an accompanying animated series.

What follows is a really rough outline for a remade Episode 1. I'll post the other episodes over the next few days too. Comments and crticisms are more than welcome.

EPISODE 1: THE BALANCE OF THE FORCE

Above Naboo, a Mon Calamari cruiser is attacked by a pirates. On board is teenager Anakin Skywalker and his parents. The pirates face off against the security squad of Senator Palpatine of Naboo. Specifically the leading pirate wears a black, hooded cloak that hides his face. The pirates are successful in subduing the bridge and begin to clear the decks, looking for the senator. While ransacking guest quarters, they are stopped by the Skywalkers who are killed in front of Anakin. Anakin escapes to the dock and commandeers one of the pirate star fighters. He attacks the pirate ship is able to out maneuver their fighters. His piloting appears to be on instinct and he is successful in disabling the pirate ship. Escape pods manage to get away. The lead hooded pirate escapes without the senator and watches the space battle from the outskirts of the battle. As a new starship enters the system from hyperspace he orders his pilot to leave.

Jedi Knights arrive from hyperspace to arrest the pirates and find the Senator. After hearing details of Anakin’s exploits, the two Jedi request a meeting him. Believing Anakin to be strong in the Force they offer to take him with them to Coruscant. He is skeptical, claiming he was lucky in attacking the ships, but accepts when Palpatine also offers his support.

On Coruscant Anakin is taken to the Jedi Temple to meet Master Yoda and his pupil, Obi Wan Kenobi. After testing him with a Jedi Mind Trick, Yoda allows Obi Wan to train him. That night, Anakin is invited to a reception hosted by Palpatine, which Obi Wan attends as well. There they meet Padme Amidala, an ambassador from Naboo and Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan. Organa expresses his concern at the rising number of pirate attacks on peaceful systems. Palpatine advocates for a stricter response which the others disagree with. Both Anakin and Obi Wan take a liking to Padme, though Obi Wan reminds Anakin of the Jedi oath he will take tomorrow.

Before Yoda and Mace Windu, Anakin takes his Jedi Oath. He begins his training with Obi Wan on an isolated part of one of Coruscant’s moon. The training comprises of both physical challenges and mental puzzles. Anakin is successful in anticipating threats, such as rocks hurled at him by Obi Wan, but struggles to manipulate other objects such as the entrance to an ancient temple. At night they discuss fear, as Anakin admits his frustration at not being able to save his parents. Obi Wan reveals that he was orphaned as a boy. He resented his parents until a Jedi taught him how to find balance in the force. Anakin hopes he can find this inner peace.

Elsewhere, the planet Kemino comes under attack from a pirate army. It is unusual for pirates to attack an entire planet. Obi Wan is sent to investigate and takes Anakin with him. A pirate army blockades the planet. Obi Wan is unable to sense their thoughts. Knowing of Anakin’s exploits above Naboo he entrusts the piloting to Anakin to is able to breach the blockade and evade the enemy fighters. Landing on Kemino, they make their way to the capital with Anakin flying through the difficult terrain and avoiding ground-to-air cannons.

Upon reaching the parliament they realize why they could not sense their thoughts- the pirate army is made up entirely of clones. They appear to be under the command of the hooded pirate whom Anakin identifies, and Obi Wan realizes (from the insignias on his tunic), is a Sith Lord.

They retreat to contact Yoda and Palpatine. Palpatine sends Padme to negotiate but she is captured upon entry into the system. Obi Wan and Anakin see this from their hidden ship and re enter the capital to save her.

Meanwhile on Coruscant the clone army arrives and blockades the planet. A second Sith Lord, identifying himself as Darth Sideous, attacks the High Chancellor and assassinates him. Mace Windu arrives with the Royal Guard and the army retreats. Under attack from Republic Navy reserves, the Clones retreat from the system.

On Kemino the Jedi are successful in freeing Padme and rescuing the Prime Minister. The reserve navy arrives and engages the clones in battle. The clone army promptly retreat. As they try to escape, the hooded pirate reveals himself. Darth Maul confronts the Jedi and Padme. Obi Wan attempts to hold them off and draws Maul into another room. Maul destroys the door control before defeating Obi Wan with his double edge light sabre. Obi Wan is injured and left unconscious. Frustrated and sensing Obi Wan’s pain Anakin angrily uses the force to open the door. Anakin picks up Obi Wan’s light sabre and attacks Maul fighting him to a stale mate. Maul taunts Anakin telling him that his parents died because they were weak and that true power comes from true hate. He uses the force to block Anakin’s path and fires a lightning bolt towards Anakin. Anakin anticipates the attack and the bolt misses though Maul escapes. He reunites with Padme as Obi Wan regains consciousness and the arriving Jedi rescue them.

Having returned to Coruscant, the two Jedi are awarded honours by Organa and Palpatine for saving Padme. Anakin smiles, pleased with the recognition, while Obi Wan remains stoned faced and neutral, his emotions balanced in the force.