Star Wars Prequel Reboot - How would it be done?

[LAVA89]

dis time imma sirius pplz

1. Make Anakin truly tragic
I want Anakin to be a good guy and I mean a really good guy. I want people to love him by Episode 3 and not expect him to turn bad. He'll have a character flaw that will eventually undo him. Not 20 flaws like he has in the prequels. Maybe he could try to save Obi Wan from the Sith and try fighting Sidious only to have that love of his master turned against him? That's tragedy. I want him to be as tragic as a Shakespeare character. Not seem like the Jedi are just baby sitting him the whole time.

2. Ditch the "prophecy" stuff
I think the "chosen one" gimmick was just to make Anakin seem cool around other Jedi, because really, when Vader first appeared on screen, he was the first force user. Which made him seem really unique. So how do you make a character that was pretty unique in his prime still seem relevant in his youth? Give him a gimmick that none of the other Jedi have. This is supported by the fact that no where in the original trilogy is Vader mentioned as prophecied.

Instead, I'd make Anakin seem talented as a Jedi in his own right. I'd show the audience, not just tell them. It worked for Luke right? He wasn't prophesied about anything. Yet in just a few years he went from padawan to making his own light saber and kicking Vader's can down some stairs in front of his master. That's talent.

3. Keep one consistent "Sith Lord"
I think what made the original trilogy so strong, is that Vader is the consistent villain. Which allows the audience to feel an emotional response. Maybe I'd stick with Maul and just use him in the three films (maybe bring him back in the 2nd film with a waist brace and breathing apparatus, which would replace General Grievious as the proto-vader). That will not only show how cool he is (he keeps popping up and just won't die) but when Anakin finally defeats him to take his place as Sidious' apprentice, that will show just how powerful Anakin is-- that only Anakin could defeat this guy.

4. Ditch Qui Gon Jinn or reduce him to just a supporting character
I'd make Obi Wan in Episode 1 the age he was in Episode 2 and go straight to Obi Wan and Obi Wan alone as the one who saw Anakin's potential-- like it was described in the OT and make it only Obi Wan's decision to train him. Not some lame obligation to his dead master. Qui Gon was cool and all, but he just got in the way of establishing Obi Wan's relationship with Anakn

5. Ditch the separatists and just use the Sith
I think a stronger story can be told if you just set the bad guys up as the "Sith". They could be seen as terrorists perhaps? I would love to recreate the opening scene from Episode 4 with the Tantive 4, but instead a Jedi run Star Destroyer (but with a name that is much more peaceful...like Star Devastator) capturing a Sith ship and boarding it.

The lines between the Republic and the bad guys need to drawn from the get go in Episode I...so no trade disputes and Separatists makes it sound complicated (plus it makes it sound bad if people want to leave the Republic). The great thing about the OT is that they made it simple, you had the Empire and the Rebels-- easy!

6. Make Anakin older
I think Episode I's problem was that they had to show Anakin growing up as a little kid. Why? Making Anakin older by the time he meets Obi Wan just makes more sense and jumps straight into the heart of the story. In fact, I'd make him Luke's age. Then there can be a parallel between him and Luke. We can compare them and see how they were similar and how they differed. And yeah, he'd still get trained. If Luke could get trained at his age, Anakin certainly could.

Plus we can avoid the mommy issues!

7. Give Anakin a father
Maybe his father was a Jedi who got killed by the Sith? That could give him a revenge motiff that could undo him later on. Maybe his father could be there in his life? Giving him a father can only strengthen his backstory and paint a better picture of his character. Plus it can help divert from the whole messiah \ virgin birth gimmick and sell Anakin as a character for who he truly is...not as some mystical one trick pony.

8. Make Episode I about brothers
I want to see true emotion between Anakin and Owen. They would share their father's farm together but Anakin's talent could be discovered by Obi Wan and Obi Wan wants him to leave tatooine and become a jedi. Despite Anakin promising to do good for the galaxy as a Jedi, his brother Owen will have problems with this (he'd be alone to tend to the land, being a farmer, etc). This can better tell the story of why Owen will later down the line not want Luke to leave, because of the heart break it caused him when his brother left and became evil.

9. Abolish Jar-Jar Binks
Duh

Ok, enough pontificating, what do you guys want to see?

[ccgr]

remove the cheesy romantic dialogue and Jarjar

[ArchAngel]

One of the best "reconstructions" I heard about the prequel used a couple points you made. Don't kill of Darth Maul in the first, instead, have Obi-wan consistently search for the sith lord that killed his Master as his own subplot. This allows Obi-wan his own path between the light and dark side of the force, making him face his own anger. Darth Maul would serve as the face or front to the Dark side while the Emperor pulls the strings in the background.
Probably also stick with Obi-wan as the main protagonist throughout the trilogy.

And of course, get rid of Jar Jar Binks.

[JOJ650s]

That's a lot of great ideas there LAVA.

I do like the idea of having Darth Maul keep coming back in a way that makes everyone just shocked, thus making himself cooler.
Though I would still bring in General Grievious as a side enemy.

I also do like the idea of changing Anakin's character.
I also wouldn't have to hear Anakin talk so robotic like to Obi-wan in Episode 2.
"Yes master." "No master." "Yes master." >.<


Well, so I myself wouldn't know how to reboot the Starwars prequel,
so I will just go with whatever you guys come up with.


(By the way, what is it that everyone hates about Jar Jar Binks. (Am I missing something?)) XD

[TripExistence]

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace was the first movie I remember seeing in theaters, and I was Jar Jar's exact audience. I loved every second of his screen-time. Now that I'm older, I realize how ridiculous he actually is, but can't help but feeling at least somewhat fond for him, and in that way Lucas fulfilled his mission.

It was a cheap, pandering, non-artistic mission, but a mission all the same.

[Nate DaZombie]

First,

Spoiler:

Then,

Spoiler:

And then finally,

Spoiler:

You have no idea how much money I would pay to see that.

[ohnolookout]

I think the "chosen one" gimmick was just to make Anakin seem cool around other Jedi, because really, when Vader first appeared on screen, he was the first force user. Which made him seem really unique. So how do you make a character that was pretty unique in his prime still seem relevant in his youth? Give him a gimmick that none of the other Jedi have. This is supported by the fact that no where in the original trilogy is Vader mentioned as prophecied.

Instead, I'd make Anakin seem talented as a Jedi in his own right. I'd show the audience, not just tell them. It worked for Luke right? He wasn't prophesied about anything. Yet in just a few years he went from padawan to making his own light saber and kicking Vader's can down some stairs in front of his master. That's talent.

This will all probably echo what's right in the original movies.. but here goes..

I would rather have Anakin learn (much like Luke did, which creates some interesting parallels) his way up to a full fledged Jedi, because it's the learning process that the audience bonds with the character. This can coincide with the first point you made. The prequels tried (and failed) really hard to make one of Anakin's key motivations for turning to the dark side is the power he "needs" to protect those he loves.

If you don't have that connection, then he just seems a spoiled brat, and we're not too overtly concerned when he gets an arm chopped off. On the other hand, if you see the hard work he has to go through, and then he still fails (Luke getting his hand cut off, guys?) you feel much more for that character.

I'm not saying make everything like the originals.. but the original movies knew how to develop a character. The prequels didn't.

One of the best "reconstructions" I heard about the prequel used a couple points you made. Don't kill of Darth Maul in the first, instead, have Obi-wan consistently search for the sith lord that killed his Master as his own subplot. This allows Obi-wan his own path between the light and dark side of the force, making him face his own anger. Darth Maul would serve as the face or front to the Dark side while the Emperor pulls the strings in the background.
Probably also stick with Obi-wan as the main protagonist throughout the trilogy.

And of course, get rid of Jar Jar Binks.

This is a fantastic idea.

[ArcticFox]

I haven't seen a bad idea yet in these threads.

Unfortunately, there will be no reboot as long as Lucas lives. He's utterly convinced of the perfection of his movies and from what I read, is especially sensitive to criticism of Jar Jar. I read an article about him flipping out when people slammed Jar Jar during a press event about the movie Red Tails.

So in other words, this is what we're stuck with.

[ArchAngel]

I'm not sure, considering the money in it, he might have just made terrible prequels and redid the originals only to remake the prequels later and re-release the originals. For the money.

[ChickenSoup]

I haven't seen a bad idea yet in these threads.

Unfortunately, there will be no reboot as long as Lucas lives. He's utterly convinced of the perfection of his movies and from what I read, is especially sensitive to criticism of Jar Jar. I read an article about him flipping out when people slammed Jar Jar during a press event about the movie Red Tails.

So in other words, this is what we're stuck with.

ಠ_ಠ

[LAVA89]

Thanks JOJ650s!

ohnolookout: I really like your idea of Anakin's training and struggle. Now that you mention it, that is a big part of the PT's that was missing, the growth of the hero. It seemed like Anakin had more obstacles in becoming Vader from the Jedi than really obstacles in becoming a Jedi from the Sith. The series had a paint by numbers transformation....act impatient, have an attitude, kill some sand people, kill some Jedi, pledge allegiance to Sidious, fight Obi Wan, get mutilated and become Vader!

ArchAngel: I really like the hunt for Maul storyline (it could've replaced the whole "hunt for clones storyline"). Since in Episode 2, they pretty forgot about Maul and Jinn. I'm not sure about making Obi Wan the main character, but if it does tell a better story, I'd be for it. Better than the rather

TripExistence: I was the same way, I kind of liked Jar Jar as a kid, but when I got older I was like "yeah, the other fans were right, he sucks". Haha. He's almost like the Barney of the Star Wars films. Something you grow out of, maybe?

[ArchAngel]

After Arctic and I were going on about how great the final Luke/Vader duel was, I was thinking more about it and thought of something that might make it better.

So, in the prequels, I recognize that Lucas tried (Weakly) to parallel Luke's path with Anakins, but I think sticking to it more strongly would make the story resonate.

First, you'd have to really make Obi-wan and Anakin have a strong relationship. They'd have to be like brothers. Lucas tried to make this happen, but rather than showing it, he just tried telling us about it. "Remember when you saved me in blah-de-blah," "oh yes, but blah-de-blah." Terrible. You'd have to show in the first 2 movies the growing friendship between to and illustrate how much they'd sacrifice for each other. Drop the rivalry, these guys will have to be blood brothers, so much that Obi-wan can't even truly be the Master. They'll support each other in everything, including Obi-wan's hunt for Darth Maul (who doesn't die after killing Qui-gon, but escapes), even if it means defying the council. The two are great jedi knights, and it's important Anakin is not some whiny, insecure adolescent but a likable, honorable knight.

On top of this, I'd drop that whole virgin birth thing, incredibly weak Jesus type. Anakin has a father and he himself is a rogue jedi (not sith, but he's off on his own acting as a smuggler or mercenary). He left Anakin and his mother, for debatable reasons of being a deadbeat dad or protecting them from people who are hunting him. However, as Darth Maul continues reaking chaos across the galaxy at the Emperor's will, he kills Anakin's mother, only intensifying Anakin's and Obi-wan's search. We get a sweet duel and before Obi-wan strikes the killing blow, he lets go of his anger and instead takes Darth Maul into custody to be tried before the council, and by his word, Anakin trusts him and goes along. However, Anakin's father jumps in, pushes the two of them away and kills Maul as revenge for killing his wife/whatever they were. He was tipped off where Darth Maul was by the Emporer and here he begins his descent into the dark side. Probably keep these hidden from the audience until later (and episode 2 ends here).

Now, end of episode 3.We have Anakin, the emperor and Anakin's father, Palpatine's new apprentice. The duel between Anakin and his father we parallel closely with the final duel in Return of the Jedi. Anakin plays the high road, refusing to kill his father, fighting defensively, and appealing to his good side (he loved his wife, etc). It's not until the life of Obi-wan is threatened does he go lose it, just like Luke when Vader threatened Leia. His rage is unleashed, viciously hacking away at his Father. The very building around them is tearing apart. Let's not forget a chilling chorus in the background. He overpowers his father and kills him in his anger. Obi-wan sees this, but it's too late and Anakin leaves with the Palpatine.
Obi-wan and Anakin eventually face off and while Obi-wan defeats him, he does not kill him nor does he take him to stand before the council, but rather leaves him in defeat (and not to die, but rather an act of mercy for his old friend). Some denouement, split the twins, show Vader and the imperial fleet, then Episode 3 ends.

This, I feel, ties in Luke's and Anakin's struggle very closely, and foiling off of each other and exemplifying the importance of mercy over anger in who we are as people. Also, it makes more sense why Obi-wan let himself be struck down by Vader in Episode 4, to keep Luke from the same path as Anakin.

So, thoughts? Would it work? Any changes you'd make to this?
Maybe I'm biased, and I'm not sure, but this whole thing got me majorly stoked. It at least worked and looked cool in my head.

[ArcticFox]

That sounds like a much worthier use of my theater ticket money than the actual prequels.

Now that you mention it, the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan was the most poorly executed part of the prequels. When Obi-Wan says Anakin was a good friend, when describing him to Luke in Episode 4, he doesn't sound like he's describing the friendship we saw in the prequels at all. In Episode 1, Obi-Wan didn't even seem to like Anakin, let want to be friends with him. In Episode II, Anakin did nothing but gripe and complain about Obi-Wan behind his back, and in Episode III we finally saw a little casual friendship and warmth but it wasn't very much and still intermixed with lecturing by Obi-Wan.

What you described there makes much more sense and would have made the breakup of the friendship much deeper. As it stands now, it didn't feel like much of a tragedy because the two never seemed to get that close to begin with.

[LAVA89]

I like your ideas Arch, especially with Anakin helping Obi Wan in the hunt for Maul. I also agree with them making them very close, in fact that's what I'd use to illustrate Anakin's tragedy-- when Obi Wan is in danger he acts in haste. I guess the difference between my take and yours is that mine is a tad more optimistic with Anakin's relationship with his father.

Here's some of what I'd do with the prequels.

Opening Crawl for Episode I:
There is unrest in the Galactic
Republic. Several thousand solar
systems have left and declared
open war on the benevolent
Galactic Republic.

This separatist movement,
lead by the SITH, has
made it difficult for the limited
number of Jedi Knights to maintain
peace and order in the galaxy.

Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi
pursues a suspicious starship,
escaping a routine checkpoint
that are conducted to find terrorists.

--------------------------------------
The opening scene would be a reverse of the Ep 4 scene (a Republic "Star Govenor" capturing a Sith ship), or just an all out space battle. Either way, its all happening above Tatooine and Obi Wan has some reason to go down there (maybe get resources or repairs for a war-damaged ship). He meets Anakin, who does Pod Races or some other kind of Pilot skill. But he's Luke's age and not a slave, but a farmer. He meets Obi Wan maybe in some kind of market? (possibly picking up power converters?). Obi Wan gets a feeling about him and gets to know Anakin while he's on the planet and meets Owen. Obi Wan is impressed with Anakin's skills.

When Obi Wan is able to leave he invites Anakin on some "foolistic crusade" and become a Jedi. Anakin tells Owen he is going with him, who is heart broken, but Anakin promises to do good for the galaxy and that he would make their late parents proud. There's some kind of space battle at the end and Anakin is drafted in the Republic army (like Luke was with the Battle of Yavin) to help fight the Sith. At the end Anakin is recognized for his efforts and his training begins.

Also, I'd have a Maul \ lightsaber fight in there, with Obi Wan defeating Maul by either wounding him or cutting him in half. I don't think it would be appropriate for Anakin to help with this battle since he wouldn't even be a padawan. Much like how Luke didn't fight with a light saber until Episode 5. And oh yeah, Obi Wan would be the Han Solo of the Prequel Trilogy (not mimicking him, but laid back). Obi Wan was a rough dealin' dude in Ep 4, not cautious like he was in the Prequels.

Episode 2 would be the gist of Anakin's training and the start of clone wars (maybe the clones might be used by the Sith? since they'd need a bigger army to fight the Republic which would have greater numbers from drafting people and I dislike using droids in warfare). Anakin would start his romance with Padme and Anakin's respect with the Jedi grows. Maul returns, this time being a proto-Vader with a double bladed light saber. Anakin and Obi Wan could pursue him, resulting in a saber fight, much like the one in the Phantom Menace. Maul wins by cutting off Anakin's hand and Obi Wan being captured by the Sith.

Episode 3 would probably start with Anakin graduating to Jedi Knight and leading the squad to rescue Obi Wan. Meanwhile, the rest of the Republic fleet is directed by Palpatine to crush the remaining Sith stronghold (leading them to a trap). Anakin is ambushed, but finds a way to track Obi Wan's trail. Ironically, this trail leads him to the capital building of Coruscant. By then its starting to look alot like the Empire. Anakin comes to a throne room of the Emperor. Sidious taunts him with Obi Wan's capture. Anakin acts in haste and tries to fight Darth Sidious. But he is pushed back by his lightning, so he tries to attack Maul who is also in the room. They battle it out and Anakin finally wins. He takes the final blow and finally kills Maul. Darth Sidious applauds, and Anakin tries to attack Sidious, this time not defending himself. However Anakin is overwhelmed by the Dark Side, and is knighted, as Darth Vader. Obi Wan is released from a different chamber and he dukes it out with Anakin, who stands in his way from escaping....over a pit of lava (I had to find to some way to bring it in there). Obi Wan wins, but Anakin slips on the walkway over the lava, Obi Wan shows him mercy and pulls him up, but its too late and Anakin's feet are burned away. Before Obi Wan can do anything more, Stormtroopers come in and Obi Wan has to make a getaway. Obi Wan escapes the planet, while it pans out with the Republic looking just like the Empire. Meanwhile, the Republic space fleet has been destroyed (they were the most loyal to the former Republic). Vader aids Sidious in killing the rest of the Jedi.

Sorry....this was long...LOL