offbalance (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
offbalance) wrote2011-09-16 11:40 am
offbalance) wrote2011-09-16 11:40 am
Entry tags:
Writer's Block: Lucas for a day
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What would I do?? What wouldn't I do.
For ages now, I've said that I didn't mind the prequels in theory, but they were done badly. As one person I knew said, they were likely written on a whiskey bender out at Skywaker Ranch, so I'd give the whole thing a revamp.
Notwithstanding better plotting, characterization and dialogue, the first thing I'd do is chuck Phantom Menace in its entirety.
In the first film, I'd start the action around the time of Attack of the Clones (after changing the title - Rise of the Jedi might not be a bad one, but I'm open to ideas). Annakin will be a freewheeling Han Solo type with a bit more darkness to him who is not an officially trained jedi - even though he has his own light saber. Through flashbacks, we learn that long ago, Obi-Wan, his master, and the young Queen Amidala were stranded on Tatooine. I might keep the assassination plot, actually. Obi-Wan's master is killed, the saber lost, but a young (11-12 years old) slave helps them escape. They make a huge impression on the young slave during this bit). Turns out the young slave was Annakin, and he had the saber all along. He taught himself to use it and other talents he developed along the way - he thought it came from his 'magic beam', but Obi-Wan realizes that he's a powerful Jedi all on his own. The Council is no doubt fearful of this rogue Jedi, but he quickly earns their trust by saving them (and the now-Senator Amidala) from another Sith assassination attempt. Annakin is invited to join the ranks of the Jedi and accepts, despite his growing mutual attraction with Amidala. Amidala has been his heart's desire since he was young man, and nothing will stop him from pursuing her. She's attracted, but not only is she leery of "a darkness" she senses in him, she's promised to the extremely popular senator and Naboo political leader Bail Organa, which will be a powerful political match, but not much of a love one. They are good friends, and he promises to always treat her well.
Second Movie (Battle for the Universe?) - all clone wars, with a healthy dose of Camelot mixed in. Annakin has truly loved being part of the Jedi, and has become best friends with Obi-Wan, and is striving to be the best Jedi of all time. Amidala marries Bail. Annakin does his best to be happy for the couple, but his feelings for Amidala can not be denied. Another dangerous attempt on Bail & Amidala's lives is made at the wedding reception, and Annakin volunteers to serve as guardian to the former Queen, along with Obi-Wan, who will be guarding Bail. Bail and Obi-Wan are called away to investigate further what appears to be a sinister plot within the empire (and thus preserving the only cool part of the original trilogy, the whole clone warrior mystery). Left to their own devices, Annakin and Amidala can no longer resist one another, and embark on a torrid affair. Everything comes to a head when the Clone Wars begin. Annakin saves Obi-Wan and Bail in battle, but by saving them, loses Amidala when she returns to her husband. (I'd like to make this a Casablanca ending, with Annakin making the sacrifice and telling Amidala that she belongs with Bail, telling her that he will love her and no one else always.) Obi-wan congratulates him, telling him that he now truly knows what it means to be a Jedi. Annakin confesses that his sacrifice has left him full of anger, and he feels a pull to the dark side. Obi-Wan tries to comfort his friend, but Annakin's confession fills him with concern.
Third Movie (still called Revenge of the Sith) - The War goes on, lines are drawn and crossed. Obi-Wan and Bail discover Palpatine is a sith lord, despite his rising popularity amongst the people, and discover his secret plot to take over the galaxy. Palpatine tempts a heartbroken Annakin with the dark side, breeding the already present resentment of the young Jedi's sacrifice of his true love. Amidala reveals her pregnancy to a joyous public, but secretly confesses to Obi-wan that she doesn't know if Annakin or Bail is the father of her child, and begs him not to tell Annakin. She knew it was her duty to remain with Bail, but Amidala tells Obi-Wan that Annakin was her soul mate. Obi-Wan agrees to keep the secret, after he notices a growing darkness and anger in his friend. The council tries to intervene, but it pushes Annakin further into the arms of the dark side. Amidala gives birth to twins, whom she names Luke and Leia. She knows in her heart that they are Annakin's children, but Bail does not seem to notice or care. Amidala is heartbroken by Bail's indifference, and tries to reach out to Annakin. Thinking that she wants to leave Bail and run away with him, he visits her, but when he finds that this isn't true, he flies into a rage and kills her accidentally. This sets off the chain of events that cause the destruction of the Jedi council (whom he blames for causing him to lose Amidala) and the rise of Palpatine as Emperor. In his destructive rage, he battles Obi-wan, who wins. Annakin begs his friend to kill him, to let him be with Amidala again, but Palpatine's troops intervene and Annakin is taken away to become Vader. He blames Obi-Wan for his hesitancy in killing him, and vows revenge on his former friend. Because Amidala did not have a chance to tell Annakin the truth about the children, they decide to separate them. Bail keeps Leia, hoping to groom her to be a Queen. Obi-Wan decides to take baby Luke back to Tatooine, to leave him with the kind people who helped him escape the planet all those years ago. Knowing full well Annakin would never return to Tatooine, he feels the child will be safe there, and decides that he will stand guard over him as well.
Ahem. Anyway, that's how I would have done it.
What would I do?? What wouldn't I do.
For ages now, I've said that I didn't mind the prequels in theory, but they were done badly. As one person I knew said, they were likely written on a whiskey bender out at Skywaker Ranch, so I'd give the whole thing a revamp.
Notwithstanding better plotting, characterization and dialogue, the first thing I'd do is chuck Phantom Menace in its entirety.
In the first film, I'd start the action around the time of Attack of the Clones (after changing the title - Rise of the Jedi might not be a bad one, but I'm open to ideas). Annakin will be a freewheeling Han Solo type with a bit more darkness to him who is not an officially trained jedi - even though he has his own light saber. Through flashbacks, we learn that long ago, Obi-Wan, his master, and the young Queen Amidala were stranded on Tatooine. I might keep the assassination plot, actually. Obi-Wan's master is killed, the saber lost, but a young (11-12 years old) slave helps them escape. They make a huge impression on the young slave during this bit). Turns out the young slave was Annakin, and he had the saber all along. He taught himself to use it and other talents he developed along the way - he thought it came from his 'magic beam', but Obi-Wan realizes that he's a powerful Jedi all on his own. The Council is no doubt fearful of this rogue Jedi, but he quickly earns their trust by saving them (and the now-Senator Amidala) from another Sith assassination attempt. Annakin is invited to join the ranks of the Jedi and accepts, despite his growing mutual attraction with Amidala. Amidala has been his heart's desire since he was young man, and nothing will stop him from pursuing her. She's attracted, but not only is she leery of "a darkness" she senses in him, she's promised to the extremely popular senator and Naboo political leader Bail Organa, which will be a powerful political match, but not much of a love one. They are good friends, and he promises to always treat her well.
Second Movie (Battle for the Universe?) - all clone wars, with a healthy dose of Camelot mixed in. Annakin has truly loved being part of the Jedi, and has become best friends with Obi-Wan, and is striving to be the best Jedi of all time. Amidala marries Bail. Annakin does his best to be happy for the couple, but his feelings for Amidala can not be denied. Another dangerous attempt on Bail & Amidala's lives is made at the wedding reception, and Annakin volunteers to serve as guardian to the former Queen, along with Obi-Wan, who will be guarding Bail. Bail and Obi-Wan are called away to investigate further what appears to be a sinister plot within the empire (and thus preserving the only cool part of the original trilogy, the whole clone warrior mystery). Left to their own devices, Annakin and Amidala can no longer resist one another, and embark on a torrid affair. Everything comes to a head when the Clone Wars begin. Annakin saves Obi-Wan and Bail in battle, but by saving them, loses Amidala when she returns to her husband. (I'd like to make this a Casablanca ending, with Annakin making the sacrifice and telling Amidala that she belongs with Bail, telling her that he will love her and no one else always.) Obi-wan congratulates him, telling him that he now truly knows what it means to be a Jedi. Annakin confesses that his sacrifice has left him full of anger, and he feels a pull to the dark side. Obi-Wan tries to comfort his friend, but Annakin's confession fills him with concern.
Third Movie (still called Revenge of the Sith) - The War goes on, lines are drawn and crossed. Obi-Wan and Bail discover Palpatine is a sith lord, despite his rising popularity amongst the people, and discover his secret plot to take over the galaxy. Palpatine tempts a heartbroken Annakin with the dark side, breeding the already present resentment of the young Jedi's sacrifice of his true love. Amidala reveals her pregnancy to a joyous public, but secretly confesses to Obi-wan that she doesn't know if Annakin or Bail is the father of her child, and begs him not to tell Annakin. She knew it was her duty to remain with Bail, but Amidala tells Obi-Wan that Annakin was her soul mate. Obi-Wan agrees to keep the secret, after he notices a growing darkness and anger in his friend. The council tries to intervene, but it pushes Annakin further into the arms of the dark side. Amidala gives birth to twins, whom she names Luke and Leia. She knows in her heart that they are Annakin's children, but Bail does not seem to notice or care. Amidala is heartbroken by Bail's indifference, and tries to reach out to Annakin. Thinking that she wants to leave Bail and run away with him, he visits her, but when he finds that this isn't true, he flies into a rage and kills her accidentally. This sets off the chain of events that cause the destruction of the Jedi council (whom he blames for causing him to lose Amidala) and the rise of Palpatine as Emperor. In his destructive rage, he battles Obi-wan, who wins. Annakin begs his friend to kill him, to let him be with Amidala again, but Palpatine's troops intervene and Annakin is taken away to become Vader. He blames Obi-Wan for his hesitancy in killing him, and vows revenge on his former friend. Because Amidala did not have a chance to tell Annakin the truth about the children, they decide to separate them. Bail keeps Leia, hoping to groom her to be a Queen. Obi-Wan decides to take baby Luke back to Tatooine, to leave him with the kind people who helped him escape the planet all those years ago. Knowing full well Annakin would never return to Tatooine, he feels the child will be safe there, and decides that he will stand guard over him as well.
Ahem. Anyway, that's how I would have done it.