Over a year ago, as some of my first posts, I created my own interpretation of what I thought the Star Wars Prequels could have been had they been made with any foresight and acknowledgement of the fanbase George Lucas had prior to 1999. While these films may sit well with you all, some of the choices and story points that are made in the Prequels are so baffling to me that they actually do require an intense amount of reworking and revitalizing that George clearly had no interest in doing, having removed from play all of the people who questioned him by the end of the Original Trilogy.
But we as fans reserve the right o be able to crave and even recount what we believe the Prequels should have been and how they should have been delivered to us. I mean, Star Wars shaped the world in a way George Lucas could have only dreamed of in the early 1970's. We have all been shaped by this series in one way or another. That is why I am returning to my older posts to not only rework George's ideas, but also some of my own ideas that I had introduced, because I think I was a little too naive to think some of my changes were improvements over even George's work. So, being a full-fledged adult now, I think I can look at the Prequel Saga with broader eyes and fashion a story that everyone could enjoy and get behind and one that would both add on to the mythos and recapture the mysticism and glory that was the OT.
#1. The Main Character: After studying the films and stories of the Star Wars saga (both EU and main story), I have concluded that for the Prequels to be along the same veins as the OT, the focus of being the Main Character should not have fallen onto Anakin's shoulders, as his characters throughout all three films changes so radically, we cannot get on his side or sympathize with him the way we could with Luke. That is why the Main Character of the Prequels should have been Obi-Wan, while the entire saga would encompass the rise, fall, and redemption of Darth Vader. Obi-Wan will be the main character of my telling of this story, so most of what happens will be told from his prospective, though Anakin and several others will still get POV scenes and have their thoughts and reasonings explained to the audience.
#2. The Main Villain: As it was with Obi-Wan becoming the Main Character, the Main Villain will be different from the saga's general villain (which is clearly Palpatine). While Palpatine will have a major role in this new retelling, the Main Villain role will be given to someone else. After debating this for quite some time, if Obi-Wan were to become a Main Character in this story, his personal antagonist would have to embody the role of villain Vader does in the OT to Luke. That is why, as awesome of a villain as he has been in the Clone Wars series and the Prequels, Count Dooku's role will be altered considerably in this retread, allowing him to be a wise and noble Jedi who has been training Obi-Wan for some time, in place of Yoda, who left on a spiritual journey to better understand the Force and will not return until Episode II. I have selected Darth Maul to be the Main Villain to Obi-Wan's hero, not only because of Maul's missed potential, but also because he could embody the very things Obi-Wan must learn to defeat in himself to better become a Jedi Master. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon's role will also be altered, becoming Obi-Wan's close friend and confidant who begins Anakin's training and after his death, passes it on to Obi-Wan.
#3. Major Setting Change: The Main Setting of the Prequels encompassed two planets mostly, Naboo and Coruscant. While I think it's great that we introduce two big new planets, I think of the two, Coruscant is the most important as it is the main hub of the Republic. Naboo will be replaced with a planet we all are familiar with in Alderaan, which will make us sympathize with the planet being blown away in A New Hope.
#4. The Legacy Revealed: The point of the existence of the Prequels is not just to tell the story of how the Republic fell into shadows and the Empire rose and exterminated the Jedi. It must also be a personal story for the friendship of Anakin and Obi-Wan, which is created, strengthened and then shattered by the events that will unfold. Both will deal with a range of personal victories and tragedies, causing both to find themselves on both physical and emotionally opposing sides in a war that would ultimately wipe away their pasts and bring about the rise of the Empire. We have to be able to sympathize with Anakin and Obi-Wan and their relationships with other people (including Padme and anyone else associated with them),otherwise there is no point in telling this story.
With that said, let's proceed with the title crawl:
For over a thousand generations, the unity between the Galactic Republic
and the fabled Jedi Order had kept peace and justice throughout the known Galaxy.
But during times of peace, corruption shadows infiltrated the peace and began
to tear apart the seams of unity and democracy all throughout the world, punctuated by the rise
of a movement of star systems leaving the Republic.
As the Alderaan system teeters in it's crucial vote of loyalty or secession,
the Senate dispatches a small band of Jedi Knights to resolve the conflict peacefully...
We cut to outer space to see a ship flying onto screen, containing within Jedi Masters Dooku and Qui-Gon Jinn, and Dooku's apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. While the two Jedi Masters meditate on the brewing conflict, Obi-Wan is excited to test out his own skills as a rising Jedi to solve the problems. Dooku reminds his apprentice of the importance of the matter at hand, telling him that it is unbecoming of a Jedi Knight to seek out glory and action, even going as far as to recount the days of yesteryear when the forces of Light and Dark clashed almost daily as armies of Jedi battle their long time foes, the Sith. While Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are confident in the Jedi's victory over the Sith almost 200 years ago, Dooku remains skeptical over the shifting tides of the Force.
As the ship arrive in the Alderaan system however, we find that the planet is currently under attack, with massive warships looming over the planet. Qui-Gon tries to pilot the ship through the blockade, but the Jedi's ship gets shot down over the swampy marshlands, hundreds of miles away from the capital city of Naboo. The Jedi, finding the planet completely overrun by combat droids,
must seek the refuge of the underwater Gungan City. While Dooku tries to contact the Supreme Chancellor about the crisis, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan meet with the leader of the Gungans, Boss Nass. While Obi-Wan tries to force Nass to aid in the repulsion of the combat droids, Qui-Gon persuades the Gungan leader through the power of the Force. Boss Nass informs the Jedi that it was the Droid Armies led by Viceroy Gunray of the Confederacy and that they intend to capture the heirs to the throne, Bail and Padme Organa, and use them as leverage to force Alderaan to capitulate to their demands. While Obi-Wan praises his friend for his quick thinking, Qui-Gon sternly reminds Obi-Wan that the Force is not meant to be used to coerce those who do not deserve it. Meanwhile, in Naboo, the last of the city's defenses fall in battle with the endless waves of battle droids, prompting the King to dispatch his children, Padme and Bail, to Coruscant to beg the Senate to aid in their struggle. As the palace is captured by the Confederacy, Bail volunteers to fight with his people and sends Padme alone, telling her that if their father fell, they would need both heirs to sign away the planet into the Confederacy. Padme and a few of her protectors elude the droids and she even shoots down a couple in her way. As she arrives at the waterway, heavily disguised, a submarine comes out of the water and the Jedi emerge. She informs them of her mission, to which the Jedi agree to escort her to the Galactic Capital, but not before they must battle a few scout droids. They find an old worn-out ship to pilot and even manage to elude enemy fighters in space, but the ships old hyperdrive breaks down and forces the ship to land on the remote planet called Tatooine.
Dooku appoints Qui-Gon in charge of Obi-Wan as he sends the two out to find the part their ship needs, while he will attempt to contact the Jedi Council. When Obi-Wan asks Dooku of his real motivation, Dooku reiterates his position. Padme demands to travel with them, believing if she was to represent her planet as a senator, she needed to be able to mingle with the people. Obi-Wan mirrors her confidence in their ability to handle the situation. Qui-Gon advises Obi-Wan to keep an especially close eye on the Princess, as she would be much harder to control as soon as they enter civilization on Tatooine. Immediately as they enter Mos Eisley, the trio finds an "Astro Circus" being run by a conman named Watto, who highlights his two star attractions, two stunt pilots riding ships they built from scratch. While the pilots show off for the crowds, Qui-Gon immediately senses the power of the Force in one of the pilots and insists that they remain to speak to Watto after the show. As the ships land, the pilots are rushed by adoring and loving fans, only to show that the pilots were only boys. The lead pilot was a husky yet determined former farmhand named Owen Lars, while his partner was the dashing yet restrained Anakin Skywalker. Watto, having garnered immense funds, offers to pay for everyone to have drinks at a local cantina, but Anakin and Owen are left outside to tend to the cleaning. Qui-Gon leaves his duo to speak with Watto, leaving Padme and Obi-Wan to converse with Anakin and Owen.
Obi-Wan is a little jealous of all the glory Anakin is receiving, even noting how Qui-Gon was quick to forget what he was sent to the city to find. Anakin, seeing that Obi-Wan is a Jedi, almost fanboys out on him, telling him he's always wanted to be a Jedi Knight and fight to protect the Republic, but without the means to travel to Coruscant on his own, he could never get there. Obi-Wan is relieved initially, but even more distraught when Padme tries to convince Anakin to continue to fight for his dream. To add insult to injury, Qui-Gon emerges from the Cantina with a drunken Watto and tells him that they will spend the night in a hotel so he could continue business with Watto. As the group heads for the hotel, Obi-Wan contacts his master about Anakin, but Dooku only tells him to keep an eye on Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon gauges Anakin's desires about becoming a Jedi and after a quick test of his reflexes and intuition, recognizes his hunch. Padme, Owen, and even Obi-Wan have to admit that seeing Anakin this powerful without even the slightest amount of training is almost too incredible to conceive. Watto, however, sees nothing but opportunity in Anakin and decides to name him the top act in his show and refuses to let him leave his contract. Qui-Gon then makes a wager with Watto: if Anakin was to win the Boonta Eve Classic (a race across the canyons surrounding Mos Eisley), he was allowed to leave with them, but if they lost, Qui-Gon would remain behind and help Watto with his circus act as the Master to Anakin's apprentice. Watto sees no way he could lose, though he sabotages Anakin's ship before anything could happen. Noticing the change, Owen fixes up the ship and helps Anakin as his pit crew and ensures Anakins victory. Utilizing the massive amount of money won in the race, Qui-Gon buys a new hyperdrive and secures Anakins freedom. Qui-Gon offers to buy Owen as well, but Owen insists he will remain behind, citing that his family is still here on Tatooine and he would find them in time. Qui-Gon then officially takes Anakin as his new apprentice. Padme, though pleased for Anakin, decides to comfort Obi-Wan and tell him that he and Qui-Gon would always be friends, no matter how much time he needed to train Anakin.
Back on Alderaan, the King is executed in front of his people and the Confederacy, led by the ruthless Viceroy Nute Gunray. Gunray demands Bail sign the planet into the Confederacy, but Bail reminds Gunray of the bylaw that requires ALL of the King's heirs to sign off the Kingdom and should anything happen to him or Padme before the signatures, the Republic will immediately take action. An enraged Gunray contacts a mysterious figure called Darth Sidious with this information, but Sidious calms his ally and reminds him that he has "him" tracking the runaway Princess and that he will not only bring her back, but wipe out her Jedi Protectors.
Dooku chastises Qui-Gon for taking on an apprentice without the approval of the Council, but the duos argument is cut short by the arrival of a wave of combat droids, led by the devilish Darth Maul. Maul engages Dooku and Qui-Gon in a duel, while Obi-Wan and Anakin escort Padme safely aboard the ship. As the Jedi Masters begin to feel fatigued by the onslaught of this surprise assailant, Anakin takes control of the ships guns and fires at Maul, wiping out his droids. Maul retreats, but places a tracker on the ship as Anakin and Obi-Wan manage to launch the ship into space and back on track to Coruscant.
As the ship arrives on Coruscant, they are greeted by Jedi Master Mace Windu, Minister of the Interior Palpatine, and Supreme Chancellor Valorum. As the trio is informed of what has occurred, the Chancellor offers Padme the opportunity to speak her part in front of the Senate. Padme eagerly accepts and is whisked off to the Senate, but not before a heartfelt farewell to her protectors, including Anakin. Anakin is obviously smitten with the Princess, but Dooku warns him to keep his emotions under control while he is being spoken to at the Council. While on their way back to the Temple, Dooku recounts to Windu both the discovery of the Dark Jedi and of his inability to locate the famed Jedi Master Yoda, whom had disappeared into isolation several years ago and left the bulk of Obi-Wan's training to Dooku.
At the Jedi Temple, Anakin is praised for his potential, though many of the reserved Jedi Masters begin to question whether he was too old to begin training at fourteen. While Qui-Gon insists that he would make a wonderful Jedi, Dooku questions his already fueled emotions and warns that many Jedi who allow emotions to carry their thoughts often fall prey to the Dark Side of the Force. When asked of his opinion, Obi-Wan (simply studying the situation) more or less promotes Qui-Gon as a mentor over Anakin as a potential apprentice, prompting the Council to allow his training. Obi-Wan confides in Palpatine his jealousy Anakin and Qui-Gon's brewing friendship, allowing Palpatine to give wise council (though he begins to see Obi-Wan as a potential ally)
In the Senate, Padme reveals the plight of her people and the dangerous threat the Confederacy makes on her homeworld and to the Republic as a whole. But Palpatine quietly warns her that many of the Senators in the Senate have been bought off by the Confederacy and will keep the Republic out of war until it is too late for them to win. Valorum calls for a vote on whether or not to act on the Invasion of Alderaan, allowing Padme to sigh in relief. Palpatine again warns her that the vote will likely be split and her planet will succumb before it's too late. Padme, fearing this as an inevitability, quietly leaves the senate to return to Alderaan.
With her disappearance, the Council appoints Qui-Gon and Anakin with locating her, while Obi-Wan volunteers to aid in the conflict. The Jedi Master and the two apprentices find Padme on her landing platform, but after Padme gives the Jedi a speech about her determination, they elect to travel with her to resolve the conflict. As the ship lands on Alderaan, they find the Gungans are already rallying to the defense of the planet, having heard Padme's impassioned plea to the Senate.
With an army at their disposal, Boss Nass leads the charge while Anakin, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Padme, and her bodyguards fight their way upwards towards the palace to confront the leader of the armed forces on Alderaan. To their surprise, they find the same Sith Lord from Tatooine, Darth Maul. With highly powered Magna Guards at his disposal, Maul demands their surrender. While the Jedi and bodyguards battle the Magna Guards, Padme and Anakin escape down a secret pathway. When a droid tries to shoot Padme, Anakin takes the laser bolt for her.
With the Magna Guards disposed of, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon engage Maul, but the Sith Lord is once more too powerful for them to conquer. Obi-Wan is blasted backwards by a Force Push from Maul and is trapped under a fallen pillar, leaving Qui-Gon alone to battle Maul. An injured Anakin and Padme return to the throne room and find Obi-Wan trapped. A weakened Anakin taps into his power and allows the pillar to roll off of Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan darts back towards the fray, but is too late to stop Maul from impaling Qui-Gon. Enraged, Obi-Wan lunges at Maul, but Maul deflects his arrogance away and prepares to kill him as well. But as he prepares to finish Obi-Wan, Anakin brings Qui-Gons lightsaber to life and prepares to defend Obi-Wan. Maul laughs off the threat and engages Anakin, quickly overpowering him. Given time to recover, Obi-Wan protects Anakin defeats Maul by slicing him in half and blasting him down a chute with a Force Push. The trio laments Qui-Gons death, including Obi-Wan, whom the dying Jedi Master requests to train Anakin. Though he is still jealous of Anakin, Obi-Wan agrees.
With the Gungans overwhelming the Droids in Naboo and the Republic's Armada achieving victory over the Confederacy, Gunray retreats the planet and Chancellor Valorum arrives to see Bails coronation as King of Alderaan and inform Padme and Bail of the Republic's declaration of war against the Confederacy. Padme and Anakin have a fond farewell, as Anakin and Obi-Wan leave to begin Anakins long training as a Jedi Knight.
Meanwhile, in a secret lab, Darth Maul reawakens and discovers his legs have been replaced with mechanical ones. He then finds his master, Darth Sidious overlooking him and telling him of the news that "The Wars" have begun and that the twilight of the Jedi is upon the galaxy. While Maul begins to work out his new legs, Sidious begins to ponder what would become of Obi-Wan, his next planned apprentice...
