A version of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy that can be watched in chronological order without spoiling any of the Original Trilogy’s twists.

I love the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but I can’t stop thinking about how awesome it would be to watch the entire Star Wars saga in chronological order and still be surprised by all the original trilogy’s twists and reveals. It would be hard to accomplish, but I want to know if it’s possible. So, I’ve been writing a rough outline of how I think a no-spoiler version of The Phantom Menace should go.

Part 1 outlined an alternative opening.

Part 2 discussed Naboo and outlined the call to adventure.

Part 3 introduced the Trade Federation and the Droids.

Part 4 focused on Mos Espa, Watto’s Junkyard and Anakin.

Part 5 involved Podracing, a slave revolt and the start of Anakin’s fall

Part 6 will take place on Coruscant; the calm before the storm.

Welcome to Coruscant

I’m not going to change the introduction of Coruscant. The actual film handles it really well: a pilot briefly tells Anakin that the planet is the galaxy’s capital and that it’s covered by one gigantic city. It’s a brief and succinct exchange that tells the audience everything they need to know, and it makes sense for the characters to tell each other.

After that, there are two plot points that need to be covered on Coruscant. First, Chancellor Valorum needs to lose office (making way for Palpatine). In the actual film, the latter involves a no-confidence vote. But I don’t want to spend too much time on political discussions; we should get to Naboo as quickly as possible. (Political scenes can be entertaining, but it needs to be balanced with action). So I’m going to change the politics a bit.

Second, Anakin needs to be introduced to the Jedi council. This can remain broadly unchanged.

Senate Corruption

Palpatine (alongside Bail Organa and Dooku) will greet the protagonists at the spaceport. He’ll explain that it’s potentially too late; the Queen was believed dead, and the Trade Federation subsequently bribed a ton of Senators to support them (this will also establish the Republic’s corruption). Chancellor Valorum, moreover, is too weak to do anything.

This should be a brief exchange and can lead to one or two short Senate scenes/snippets (the Senate needs to appear) in which Naboo’s pleas fall on corrupt ears. There could also be some heated arguments with corrupt senators.

As the Queen starts to despair, Palpatine will suggest that Naboo liberate itself. In Star Wars canon, the Battle of Naboo is a driving factor in the Separatist crisis. It demonstrates – to the exploited periphery – that they don’t need the Republic to protect them. As is, I don’t think this is particularly clear and should be emphasised more. Palpatine should inform the Queen that he’s mustered a force of exiled Naboo pilots and has the support of several peripheral senators.

Palpatine and the Queen, during a meeting of peripheral senators, can then assemble a task force of sympathetic militias and security forces. Some of the peripheral militia captains from the opening battle can reappear here. One of them should angrily declare that if the Republic won’t protect the outer worlds, they will.

To emphasise the implied political shifts, the Queen should lament that their actions will exacerbate the Republic’s internal division, though she’ll still choose her people. This is another reason for Padme to not be the Queen (it would make her directly responsible for the Separatist crisis).

The Jedi Council

Anakin’s introduction to the Jedi Council will play out similarly to the actual movie. After landing, he should have a brief interaction with Padme (emphasising their friendship) and then go to the Jedi Temple. The Council will test him, finding him to be powerful with the force, but lament that he’s too old and filled with anger and grief.

However, Yoda won’t be present, he’ll have been sidelined by council bureaucracy. This is to preserve his episode 5 reveal. A different Jedi – perhaps Mace Windu – can say the stuff about fear leading to the dark side. As the main character, Obi-Wan should interrupt that Anakin will be a great Jedi, saying that Qui Gon will help him overcome his anger and grief.

Obi-Wan and Anakin should be sent outside whilst the Council chastises Qui Gon for going outside Republic territory. They’ll lament that he holds too closely to Yoda and Dooku’s unorthodox anti-bureaucratic views. “It will lead to tragedy,” they’ll say. Qui Gon should counter that the Jedi have lost their way and that their strength in the force is subsequently declining.

Qui Gon will also report his encounter with the Sith Lord, Darth Maul. The Council should dismiss this out of hand: “The Sith are extinct, Yoda destroyed them centuries ago!” A snide reference could be made to the recently disappeared Sifo-Dyas (the Jedi who commissioned the Clone Army – sort of, it’s complicated). “He saw phantoms and threats everywhere!”

The council will ultimately inform Qui Gon that Dooku has taken responsibility for his transgressions (leaving Republic territory), saving him from punishment. Meanwhile, Anakin and Obi-Wan should be talking outside (building their friendship). It doesn’t have to be an overly complex scene, just Obi-Wan reaffirming that, under Qui Gon’s tutelage, Anakin could become a great Jedi.

Another Call to Action

The above scenes, council arguments and senate meetings should be intercut and relatively brief. It should almost be like an intermission or breather. They’re essential to the story but shouldn’t be drawn out. They could also be intercut with an occasional snapshot of the Trade Federation leaders on Naboo.

The Council meeting should be followed by Mace Windu informing Qui Gon of the Queen’s plan to liberate Naboo – without Republic assistance. Noting that “the Jedi cannot ignore Naboo’s suffering,” Windu should order Qui Gon and Obi-Wan to accompany the Queen’s forces. He’ll also reassure Qui Gon that he intends to consult Master Yoda about Anakin’s induction to the Order.

Qui Gon shouldn’t intend to bring Anakin to Naboo; there’s no reason for him to go, and he’d be safer at the Temple. But Anakin should sneak along anyway. Qui Gon and Obi-Wan will meet with the Queen’s task force to make their plans. While discussing strategy, Anakin could meet Padme again (who is also being left behind). Together, they’ll sneak aboard one of the task force’s ships. This is, again, to cement their friendship, which will hopefully make it easier to establish their romance in episode 2 (and is another reason to drop the Secret Queen plot).

The Jedi, the Queen, and the Taskforce, unaware of their stowaways, will then set off to liberate Naboo.

End of Part 6

Getting close to the end now.

Part 7 will focus on the Battle of Naboo.

See y’all then.

-Dexter