STAR WARS: Prequel Trilogy Special Editions.
General Discussion
Pages: 1
STAR WARS: Prequel Trilogy Special Editions.
So, I have considered starting threads just to discuss Star Wars before, but I never have. I don't know if I'm lazy, or I don't feel like debating the points I have a thousand times before all over again. Either way, I didn't make a thread.
So, the piece of shit thread that will most likely get one post and die down, might actually have an interesting subject... To some.
Now, I should first start off by saying I do not hate the Prequel Trilogy, at least not nealy as much as other people. Why I don't is not something I want to get into, though, I just thought it to be relevant that befoe I say anything you know where I stand, anyway...
I have decided (Not particular;y out of boredom, for it has actually been a little fun) to take the final draft of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" and re-write it as a "special edition".
I'm not re-writing the whole thing, though. I'm only witing what is in the realm of possibility for a film that has already been released. Essentially, it's like the special editions of the Origanl Trilogy, only I would be cutting as oppose to adding more. Not to say nothing will be added, but only things that can be acomplished.
Another thing I would like to not is that I cannot re-make the film. Bad writing is bad witing, and stupid plots are stupid plots. I cannot completely fix these films, but I can do what I can to make it at least a little better.
I would like to do all of the prequel films, and I am starting with the first. Also, please remember that I AM NOT ACTUALLY SHOOTING THIS. So when I talk about how things would be done, I mean this in a what if kind of way. I am only writing it.
I come to my fellow people at MKO for help.
If there is anything you think should be cut, changed, slightly altered, or added to Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, please say so. Here is my list so far. (I will provide reasons for all of the changes, please tell me if you strongly dislike any)
1: More Darth Maul Scenes
Why?: Because Maul has no presence at all. They set it up like you should fear him, and he only has 2 lines. I forget he exists until he shows up at the end. This is a shame, because I always thought thee was potential, and as a side note, I understand Lucas knew he had to kill every villain he was going to put into the pequels anyway, but why not srick with one throughout the whole tilogy? IMO this would have been loads better.
How?: While Lucas has said he has loads of different takes and even scenes, if this cannot help the case of Darth Maul, re-shooting will. Seeing as how he is a man in makeup, it wouldn't be hard to find an average joe who could act and looked enough like Ray Park. Seeing as how everyone he talks to has an obscured face, this wouldn't be hard.
2: Tweak the line that Windu has about the Sith being extinct for a hundred years to something more along the lines of: "We haven't SEEN a Sith for a hundred years.
Why?: Really, just think about it. Some things don't add up. If that is not enough for you, I would simply change it because it is yet another thing that closes doors in my imaginations in the OT, there were endless possibillities, but for some reason in episode 1-3, they made it seem like nothing cool ever really happened until just now.
How?: Dub.
3: No Midi-Chlorians
Why?: They ruin the idea of the force, and are barely mentioned in any other films, this goes inot my next point, so read on...
How?: Cutting. I have tested, and it doesn't look bad when you edit it all out.
4: Change number 3 aftermath.
What do I mean?: Yes, this means no virgin birth, and Anakin has a father (who is never mentioned or seen). This also means no chosen one. This doesn't really effect the over all plot at all. And IMO, Anakin shouldn't have been glorified. Vader in the OT seemed to bu just some Jedi who was bought to the Dark side of the force. Nothing special until AFTE he became Vader. No balancing of the force.
5: Less Jar-Jar
Why?: Less Jar-Jar
How?: Less Jar-Jar
6: Shorter Podrace.
Why?: To save time. The thing goes on foor WAY too long, and even borders on boring.
How?: Editing.
7: Basic editing of certain scenes, such as
A: The final Gungan battle scene
B: Almost eveything with a gungan in it.
C: No specific examples can be found right this second, but the boring and un neede scenes or lines. We are not moving the plot along in any way people, and sense it has already been demonstrated that you cannot give your characters personality and make me want to listen to them, they get the chopping board.
8: More Obi-Wan.
Why?: This movie has no prtagonist whatsoever. None. At all. Seeing as how Ob-Wan is the only person who actually does anything in this movie that is carried over into 2 and 3 (and of course, 4,5, and 6) and not completely ignored, he's just the man for the job.
How?: Beats me. Lets just pray that Lucas has enough cut scenes and alternate takes to fool with. If not, I hope technology is good enough to find a decent lookalike of Ewan and then add CG enhancements. If not, I don't know... Give me more time to hink, and remember, throw some ideas of your own out about this.
9: (This ones easy) More C-3PO and R2-D2.
Why?: If you are going to have the 2 characters that are partly responsible for making the OT such great films, don't just have them pissing arounnd while Jar-Jar acts "funny".
How?: Same C-3PO puppet, same R2, green screen/rebuild small portions of sets (like they did for OT Special Editions) and there you go. Maybe even give them some commentary on the Podrace. To me this seems like the perfect place.
That's all I have for now.
So, please, for anyone who read the first to wods and scipped to the bottom, throw out some suggestions for TPM, and keep in mind that I will be douing the other 2 at some point, so if you have anything about them, throw that in, too. Please make sure it is remotely possible
If anyone read this whole thing, I LOVE YOU.
So, the piece of shit thread that will most likely get one post and die down, might actually have an interesting subject... To some.
Now, I should first start off by saying I do not hate the Prequel Trilogy, at least not nealy as much as other people. Why I don't is not something I want to get into, though, I just thought it to be relevant that befoe I say anything you know where I stand, anyway...
I have decided (Not particular;y out of boredom, for it has actually been a little fun) to take the final draft of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" and re-write it as a "special edition".
I'm not re-writing the whole thing, though. I'm only witing what is in the realm of possibility for a film that has already been released. Essentially, it's like the special editions of the Origanl Trilogy, only I would be cutting as oppose to adding more. Not to say nothing will be added, but only things that can be acomplished.
Another thing I would like to not is that I cannot re-make the film. Bad writing is bad witing, and stupid plots are stupid plots. I cannot completely fix these films, but I can do what I can to make it at least a little better.
I would like to do all of the prequel films, and I am starting with the first. Also, please remember that I AM NOT ACTUALLY SHOOTING THIS. So when I talk about how things would be done, I mean this in a what if kind of way. I am only writing it.
I come to my fellow people at MKO for help.
If there is anything you think should be cut, changed, slightly altered, or added to Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, please say so. Here is my list so far. (I will provide reasons for all of the changes, please tell me if you strongly dislike any)
1: More Darth Maul Scenes
Why?: Because Maul has no presence at all. They set it up like you should fear him, and he only has 2 lines. I forget he exists until he shows up at the end. This is a shame, because I always thought thee was potential, and as a side note, I understand Lucas knew he had to kill every villain he was going to put into the pequels anyway, but why not srick with one throughout the whole tilogy? IMO this would have been loads better.
How?: While Lucas has said he has loads of different takes and even scenes, if this cannot help the case of Darth Maul, re-shooting will. Seeing as how he is a man in makeup, it wouldn't be hard to find an average joe who could act and looked enough like Ray Park. Seeing as how everyone he talks to has an obscured face, this wouldn't be hard.
2: Tweak the line that Windu has about the Sith being extinct for a hundred years to something more along the lines of: "We haven't SEEN a Sith for a hundred years.
Why?: Really, just think about it. Some things don't add up. If that is not enough for you, I would simply change it because it is yet another thing that closes doors in my imaginations in the OT, there were endless possibillities, but for some reason in episode 1-3, they made it seem like nothing cool ever really happened until just now.
How?: Dub.
3: No Midi-Chlorians
Why?: They ruin the idea of the force, and are barely mentioned in any other films, this goes inot my next point, so read on...
How?: Cutting. I have tested, and it doesn't look bad when you edit it all out.
4: Change number 3 aftermath.
What do I mean?: Yes, this means no virgin birth, and Anakin has a father (who is never mentioned or seen). This also means no chosen one. This doesn't really effect the over all plot at all. And IMO, Anakin shouldn't have been glorified. Vader in the OT seemed to bu just some Jedi who was bought to the Dark side of the force. Nothing special until AFTE he became Vader. No balancing of the force.
5: Less Jar-Jar
Why?: Less Jar-Jar
How?: Less Jar-Jar
6: Shorter Podrace.
Why?: To save time. The thing goes on foor WAY too long, and even borders on boring.
How?: Editing.
7: Basic editing of certain scenes, such as
A: The final Gungan battle scene
B: Almost eveything with a gungan in it.
C: No specific examples can be found right this second, but the boring and un neede scenes or lines. We are not moving the plot along in any way people, and sense it has already been demonstrated that you cannot give your characters personality and make me want to listen to them, they get the chopping board.
8: More Obi-Wan.
Why?: This movie has no prtagonist whatsoever. None. At all. Seeing as how Ob-Wan is the only person who actually does anything in this movie that is carried over into 2 and 3 (and of course, 4,5, and 6) and not completely ignored, he's just the man for the job.
How?: Beats me. Lets just pray that Lucas has enough cut scenes and alternate takes to fool with. If not, I hope technology is good enough to find a decent lookalike of Ewan and then add CG enhancements. If not, I don't know... Give me more time to hink, and remember, throw some ideas of your own out about this.
9: (This ones easy) More C-3PO and R2-D2.
Why?: If you are going to have the 2 characters that are partly responsible for making the OT such great films, don't just have them pissing arounnd while Jar-Jar acts "funny".
How?: Same C-3PO puppet, same R2, green screen/rebuild small portions of sets (like they did for OT Special Editions) and there you go. Maybe even give them some commentary on the Podrace. To me this seems like the perfect place.
That's all I have for now.
So, please, for anyone who read the first to wods and scipped to the bottom, throw out some suggestions for TPM, and keep in mind that I will be douing the other 2 at some point, so if you have anything about them, throw that in, too. Please make sure it is remotely possible
If anyone read this whole thing, I LOVE YOU.
On the topic of Darth Maul, I'm not sure what else can be done. If you give him more lines, then he loses that quiet mystery that made him so cool. If you give him more miscellaneous actions to make him seem more impressive, such as killing of minions or what have you, he seems to stereotypical. I feel like Darth Maul was done perfectly, but not in the definition that he was a perfect character, I mean there wasn't anything more or less that could've been done. On the same note, I also understand why he couldn't leave Episode I alive. It's like Skeletor, you've got this badass looking motherfucker who's like the embodiment of evil, then he loses. Then he loses again. And again. What's left isn't sine incredible champion of evil, it's just a cool looking grunt. Like Reptile. If Maul came back in episode 2 and lost again, he'dlose what little imposition he'd have left. Killing him at the end of episode I after the best part of the movie was the only thing they could do. Sure, he's dead, but because he left such a mark, he's had plenty of face time in the EU, where he's able to be just as menacing for a myriad of reasons, such as not being bound to the laws of live action, or the lack of imagination in George Lucas. If you honestly want more Maul, just read those comics, because when it comes to movies, he's had just enough. Sorry for the long post lol
Vash_15 Wrote:
On the topic of Darth Maul, I'm not sure what else can be done.
On the topic of Darth Maul, I'm not sure what else can be done.
Actually, what I would have done, is I would have merged Dooku (and maybe even Greivous) and Maul into ONE character.
Imagine it... Darth Maul shows up in Episode 1 like a bat out of hell, scares the Jedi into a panic, and kills Qui-Gon Jinn. But, instead of dying like he did, he pulls a Vader from A New Hope (like Darth killed Obi-Wan and lived to haunt them another day).
Then, in Episode 2, he fills the Dooku role as the leader of the Sith movement, and Obi-Wan might even have had a chip on his shoulder since his master's killer was still on the loose.
Then, instead of Dooku fighting Obi-Wan and Anakin at the end, it's Darth Maul for the rematch... and they lose AGAIN. Maul slices off Anakin's arm, defeats Obi-Wan yet again, and they need Yoda to come in to save their butts. Perhaps Yoda could have injured him and forced him to retreat.
Cue Episode 3, with Maul's injuries from Yoda replaced with cybernetics (filling the Greivous role), battle-scarred and angrier than ever. Because Dooku and Grevious are combined in my take on things, I'd change things so Anakin defeats Maul... but spares him (unlike Dooku), which the Senator says is a mistake... and, sure enough, Maul manages to escape and he returns later in the film, still strong and causing trouble.
I would have had it so, after being "spared', Maul then attacks Obi-Wan and Anakin again, perhaps with Padme around, and she gets threatened or injured somehow (jeopardizing Anakin's unborn children), and Anakin realizes that his "mercy" led to his wife and child being threatened and nearly killed...
... And thus Anakin kills him. His transition to the Dark Side is made more seamless. Maul remained a powerful, fearsome, scary threat throughout the entire prequel series. The emotional stakes for Obi-Wan and Anakin are raised. There's no pointless villains (Dooku and Greivous were just there to sell more toys), and the audience actually sympathizes with Anakin for killing Maul after letting "kindness" and "mercy" affect his judgment... and the whole point of Darth Vader was he was a man whose cold judgment surpassed his emotional need to do the right thing, not the smart thing.
That's what I would have done. But that's just a fan-canon dream, since Lucas went the complete and utterly different direction and treated the characters, particularly Maul, like the equivalent of a Monster-of-the-Week from Power Rangers. He shows up, causes some damage, and dies. No stakes, no emotional or dramatic weight to the battles...
That's what the new trilogy lacked until the VERY end. When Obi-Wan fought Vader in Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, it wasn't just a battle... it was two friends turned into bitter enemies whose fates had driven them apart. When Luke fights Vader, it's a father and a son, a battle of ideologies and values. The new trilogy had NO personal stakes in the battles until the very end, and that's just boring to watch. I would have preferred three uselessly villains combined into ONE influential villain that could serve as the "Darth Vader" of his era, a foreshadow of the man Vader would become.
But, nope. Lucas is anything but subtle and clever, at this point, and it's a shame fans must settled for "what could have been" instead of what we actually have.
Garlador Wrote:
Actually, what I would have done, is I would have merged Dooku (and maybe even Greivous) and Maul into ONE character.
Imagine it... Darth Maul shows up in Episode 1 like a bat out of hell, scares the Jedi into a panic, and kills Qui-Gon Jinn. But, instead of dying like he did, he pulls a Vader from A New Hope (like Darth killed Obi-Wan and lived to haunt them another day).
Then, in Episode 2, he fills the Dooku role as the leader of the Sith movement, and Obi-Wan might even have had a chip on his shoulder since his master's killer was still on the loose.
Then, instead of Dooku fighting Obi-Wan and Anakin at the end, it's Darth Maul for the rematch... and they lose AGAIN. Maul slices off Anakin's arm, defeats Obi-Wan yet again, and they need Yoda to come in to save their butts. Perhaps Yoda could have injured him and forced him to retreat.
Cue Episode 3, with Maul's injuries from Yoda replaced with cybernetics (filling the Greivous role), battle-scarred and angrier than ever. Because Dooku and Grevious are combined in my take on things, I'd change things so Anakin defeats Maul... but spares him (unlike Dooku), which the Senator says is a mistake... and, sure enough, Maul manages to escape and he returns later in the film, still strong and causing trouble.
I would have had it so, after being "spared', Maul then attacks Obi-Wan and Anakin again, perhaps with Padme around, and she gets threatened or injured somehow (jeopardizing Anakin's unborn children), and Anakin realizes that his "mercy" led to his wife and child being threatened and nearly killed...
... And thus Anakin kills him. His transition to the Dark Side is made more seamless. Maul remained a powerful, fearsome, scary threat throughout the entire prequel series. The emotional stakes for Obi-Wan and Anakin are raised. There's no pointless villains (Dooku and Greivous were just there to sell more toys), and the audience actually sympathizes with Anakin for killing Maul after letting "kindness" and "mercy" affect his judgment... and the whole point of Darth Vader was he was a man whose cold judgment surpassed his emotional need to do the right thing, not the smart thing.
That's what I would have done. But that's just a fan-canon dream, since Lucas went the complete and utterly different direction and treated the characters, particularly Maul, like the equivalent of a Monster-of-the-Week from Power Rangers. He shows up, causes some damage, and dies. No stakes, no emotional or dramatic weight to the battles...
That's what the new trilogy lacked until the VERY end. When Obi-Wan fought Vader in Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, it wasn't just a battle... it was two friends turned into bitter enemies whose fates had driven them apart. When Luke fights Vader, it's a father and a son, a battle of ideologies and values. The new trilogy had NO personal stakes in the battles until the very end, and that's just boring to watch. I would have preferred three uselessly villains combined into ONE influential villain that could serve as the "Darth Vader" of his era, a foreshadow of the man Vader would become.
But, nope. Lucas is anything but subtle and clever, at this point, and it's a shame fans must settled for "what could have been" instead of what we actually have.
Vash_15 Wrote:
On the topic of Darth Maul, I'm not sure what else can be done.
On the topic of Darth Maul, I'm not sure what else can be done.
Actually, what I would have done, is I would have merged Dooku (and maybe even Greivous) and Maul into ONE character.
Imagine it... Darth Maul shows up in Episode 1 like a bat out of hell, scares the Jedi into a panic, and kills Qui-Gon Jinn. But, instead of dying like he did, he pulls a Vader from A New Hope (like Darth killed Obi-Wan and lived to haunt them another day).
Then, in Episode 2, he fills the Dooku role as the leader of the Sith movement, and Obi-Wan might even have had a chip on his shoulder since his master's killer was still on the loose.
Then, instead of Dooku fighting Obi-Wan and Anakin at the end, it's Darth Maul for the rematch... and they lose AGAIN. Maul slices off Anakin's arm, defeats Obi-Wan yet again, and they need Yoda to come in to save their butts. Perhaps Yoda could have injured him and forced him to retreat.
Cue Episode 3, with Maul's injuries from Yoda replaced with cybernetics (filling the Greivous role), battle-scarred and angrier than ever. Because Dooku and Grevious are combined in my take on things, I'd change things so Anakin defeats Maul... but spares him (unlike Dooku), which the Senator says is a mistake... and, sure enough, Maul manages to escape and he returns later in the film, still strong and causing trouble.
I would have had it so, after being "spared', Maul then attacks Obi-Wan and Anakin again, perhaps with Padme around, and she gets threatened or injured somehow (jeopardizing Anakin's unborn children), and Anakin realizes that his "mercy" led to his wife and child being threatened and nearly killed...
... And thus Anakin kills him. His transition to the Dark Side is made more seamless. Maul remained a powerful, fearsome, scary threat throughout the entire prequel series. The emotional stakes for Obi-Wan and Anakin are raised. There's no pointless villains (Dooku and Greivous were just there to sell more toys), and the audience actually sympathizes with Anakin for killing Maul after letting "kindness" and "mercy" affect his judgment... and the whole point of Darth Vader was he was a man whose cold judgment surpassed his emotional need to do the right thing, not the smart thing.
That's what I would have done. But that's just a fan-canon dream, since Lucas went the complete and utterly different direction and treated the characters, particularly Maul, like the equivalent of a Monster-of-the-Week from Power Rangers. He shows up, causes some damage, and dies. No stakes, no emotional or dramatic weight to the battles...
That's what the new trilogy lacked until the VERY end. When Obi-Wan fought Vader in Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, it wasn't just a battle... it was two friends turned into bitter enemies whose fates had driven them apart. When Luke fights Vader, it's a father and a son, a battle of ideologies and values. The new trilogy had NO personal stakes in the battles until the very end, and that's just boring to watch. I would have preferred three uselessly villains combined into ONE influential villain that could serve as the "Darth Vader" of his era, a foreshadow of the man Vader would become.
But, nope. Lucas is anything but subtle and clever, at this point, and it's a shame fans must settled for "what could have been" instead of what we actually have.
ot only do you impress me when it comes to MK, but SW, too!!
Yes, I agree with everything you said, and I have too always thought that there should be one villain, and also a more legit reason for Anakin's turn to the dark side, which I think was handled poorly.
Anyway, I also somewhat agree with Vash, or at least know what you mean. But it would add more of a presence to the character. This doesn't mean him killing more people or having more lines, just a reminder that he is there, and is still a menacing villain.
Just small scenes like the one of him on Tatooine.
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0
I agree with all the things you are planning to change but I'm not sure if the movie can be salvaged. I think that the plot and characters are a mess and no amount of editing can really change that. I admire you for trying and I'm anxious to see how it comes out, but it is going to be a hard job.
May the Force be with you.
May the Force be with you.
0
A guy did something similar to this a while ago called The Phantom Edit.
You can watch it with commentary here .
Just thought you could get a few ideas or see how he did certain things.
You can watch it with commentary here .
Just thought you could get a few ideas or see how he did certain things.
McHotcakes Wrote:
I agree with all the things you are planning to change but I'm not sure if the movie can be salvaged. I think that the plot and characters are a mess and no amount of editing can really change that. I admire you for trying and I'm anxious to see how it comes out, but it is going to be a hard job.
May the Force be with you.
I agree with all the things you are planning to change but I'm not sure if the movie can be salvaged. I think that the plot and characters are a mess and no amount of editing can really change that. I admire you for trying and I'm anxious to see how it comes out, but it is going to be a hard job.
May the Force be with you.
Thanks man.
And I do understand that the movie's plot is beyond saving, but I can at least try to improve on it. The first thing I am doing is making a list, and I am working with the script, but I would like to do more then just edit what the movie offers, and maybe add some things, which is why I can't just edit the film itself.
Thanks a lot Keenan for the link!!
I actually watched a few edits of the film before, but nothing like this. I watched a version where the dude made it all about action, a version where all of the gungans were gone (which fucked up the plot even more) but this guy seems to have the same ideas and views as I do, only he is working with the film itself.
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