I’ve become a little obsessed with figuring out how to create a no-spoiler version of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy that a new fan could watch before the original films without having any of the twists or reveals spoiled. I’ve already made an outline for the Phantom Menace, and am now working on Attack of the Clones.

Part 1 was basically a preamble, setting up some basic rules and goals. In part 2, I’m going to start on the actual story.

How to Start

The George Lucas version of Episode 2 starts with an assassination attempt on Padme. Her ship arrives on Coruscant ahead of a crucial vote on the military creation bill, a key plot point in the film. (Padme, believing the bill will push the Republic and the Confederacy into war, is the leading opponent.) Her ship explodes right after landing; Padme survives due to a body double. Afterwards, she speaks to Chancellor Palpatine, who insists that she needs Jedi protection.

Right off the bat, I’m going to change this scene. There will still be an assassination attempt (conforming to George Lucas’ version), but the nature of the attack should be altered. The opening scene, including the attack, is an opportunity to set the stage and do some world-building in an entertaining way.

I’ve previously seen it suggested, in Belated Media’s reworking of Episode 2, that the film should feature a peace conference on Alderaan. I like this idea. It will help to explain the conflict in a less exposition-heavy way whilst giving the audience a chance to see Alderaan before its destruction in Episode 4. That said, I have a different idea about how the conference should play out.

As stated in Part 1, the Republic and the Separatists should already be at war when the film starts. It’ll be a low-intensity conflict, fought between militias, but both sides will be terrified of escalation. This will be reflected at the peace conference. It should be a tense and, ultimately, unsuccessful event.

Politics can be fun to watch, but a lot of the political scenes in the prequel trilogy are generally quite dull and subdued. They can be made more entertaining, I think, by having the politicians be violently opposed and constantly at each other’s throats. This will help to demonstrate the extent of the conflict and can introduce the significant factions. Some corporate leaders can be present, and the Geonosian senator as well.

The Peace Conference

As the film starts, the camera should pan down on an Alderaan city where the conference is taking place. To establish that an assassination is imminent, and add some tension, the conference will initially be seen through a Sniper scope. Perhaps with a few comments, by the assassins about “the target”, as the scope focuses on Naboo Senator Padme Amidala.

The scene can then cut to a heated argument between Republic and Separatist politicians. This should be kept brief and to the point, though. In summary, the Separatists can demand Republic recognition of the separatist Confederacy, which the Republic loyalists should condemn for attacking border worlds. The Separatists should hurl back the accusation and, in turn, accuse the Republic of escalating the conflict through the creation of a Federal Military.

The Separatists will say, as well, that the formation of a Republic army will leave them with no choice but to form a pact with the Droid armies of the Mega Corporations. The Republic Senators will be outraged, accusing them of hypocrisy: “You accuse us of corruption and then seek an alliance with the Trade Federation!” It should be a brief and angry discussion which, whilst providing vital information, hopefully won’t feel like a lore dump.

Padme should intervene as a voice of reason. She wasn’t the queen in my version of the Phantom Menace; she was still a kid, the same age as Anakin. This scene, set ten years later, will reintroduce her as a main character. She needs to be played here as competent and persuasive. Her intervention in the argument should temporarily calm the two sides.

She’ll object that the Republic has not created a Federal Military yet and that, as a key opponent of the bill, she has every confidence of preventing escalation. She can say that her world, Naboo, knows the horrors of war, and that it also knows the harm that Mega Corporations can inflict (that’s why it remains in the Republic). Again, this should be kept fairly succinct. The purpose of this scene is to establish Padme’s character, not to do a lore dump.

The Separatist response should be fairly measured; something about respecting Naboo and its post-episode 1 influence over large stretches of the mid-rim (okay, maybe a tiny bit of exposition). But, they’ll also comment that Naboo should understand the Republic’s inadequacies. “It was the Confederacy’s head of state, Count Dooku,” they can say. “That stood for Naboo in its hour of need. Not the Republic.” Count Dooku appears in my version of The Phantom Menace. Before Padme can respond, another Republic senator should decry Dooku as an opportunist. The meeting will descend into angry yelling again.

Padme, leaving that particular discussion, can then talk to Bail Organa and Mon Mothma at the edge of the conference hall. Bail will observe that the peace conference isn’t going well and Padme will ask what they think of the Republic’s proposed militarisation (because it’s a real sticking point for the Separatists.) Mon Mothma should oppose it, and Bail Organa should be reluctantly in favour. He wants a peaceful resolution and organised the conference, but fears for the Republic’s safety. “The militias and the Jedi will not be able to stop a Corporate Droid Army.” His views on militarisation will come up again later.

Padme and Mon should also ask if ‘reluctant militarisation’ is the official party line.

In the actual Star Wars films, Padme, Bail and Mon Mothma were members of the loyalist committee. A political faction created by Palpatine. They’re loyal to the Republic’s constitution and desire a diplomatic end to the war. Eventually, the membership turns against Palpatine, forming the Delegation of 2000 and eventually the Rebel Alliance. I want to emphasise this element a bit more, making it an actual party. I also figured I’d make Bail Organa the party chair for reasons that will, again, come up later.

Bail will reassure Padme and Mon that they’re not expected to support the military creation act. The loyalist party, he’ll comment, is loyal to the constitution, which outlines no defensive strategy. Mon Mothma should comment that the militarist party thinks otherwise, to which Padme can say that the militarists (another Star Wars political faction) that the militarists are not in power. And speaking of the militarists, this would be a good time to see Tarkin again.

I briefly introduced a young Wilhuff Tarkin in the Phantom Menace. He appears as a Republic Militia captain, complaining about the lack of a professional army. I did this to set up the military creation dispute in Episode 2. I want to give him another cameo now. He’ll interrupt their discussion, stating that the Republic needs an army to deal with the Separatist threat (gesturing at various politicians); Padme will make an excuse to leave, working on a speech or something.

That was a fair bit of politics and exposition, I’ll admit, but I think it was necessary. There’s a lot that needs to be set up. If everything’s kept clear and succinct, then it should play alright. The failing peace conference backdrop means the relevant issues can be discussed naturally in an emotionally charged situation. The threat of an assassination, immediately set up, should provide some tension.

As Padme walks down the corridor towards her quarters, we can return to the assassin’s point of view (watching through a Sniper scope). The assassin can comment that “the Senator is moving” and instruct an accomplice to “prime the explosive with a five-second timer.” Fortunately, at the last moment, Padme will realise she forgot something, pause, and quickly head back down the corridor. Saving her from the explosion. She’ll be knocked down by the blast, but won’t be hurt. Bail and Mon will check she’s alright and then order their guards to search the grounds.

End of Part 2

Part 3 will focus on the immediate aftermath of the attack. I will reintroduce Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.

-Dexter