How to Create a No-Spoiler Version of Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. Part 7

I grew up watching the Star Wars prequel trilogy and love them to no end, but they are flawed films and, like others before me, I’ve been working on my own fix. I’ve also become a little obsessed with creating a ‘no-spoiler’ version of the prequels that could be watched before the original trilogy without spoiling any of the twists.

The full list of entries in this series can be found here.

Obi-Wan’s Character Arc

Before continuing, I want to make a brief addition to the previous entry. Prior to the Coruscant chase scene, there’s a brief heart-to-heart conversation between Anakin and Obi-Wan that mirrors the actual film but which I did, nevertheless, alter. My version saw Obi Wan wanting to console Anakin over the death of his mother (as per my version of episode 1) but being unsure how and ultimately changing the subject.

On reflection, it seems important to emphasise this moment. It could involve, for instance, Obi-Wan physically hesitating about, say, resting his hand on Anakin’s shoulder in a fatherly way. He might also talk about how wise and understanding Qui Gon Jinn was.

In my version of the prequels, I’ve been attempting to frame Obi Wan as the main character (with Anakin as the main character of the overall saga). To that end, it seems important for Obi-Wan, in this film, to be actively struggling to fill Qui Gon’s boots. Not just as a mentor, but as a father figure. Obi-Wan, still struggling with his own guilt over Qui Gon’s death, should want to help Anakin but be generally unsure how. He may also be overprotective. In the previous monster fight, a line could be added that Obi-Wan had wanted Anakin stay behind where it was safer.

The Convoluted Mystery of Kamino

Moving on, the actual movie appears to struggle with moving from the ‘Padme assassination’ plot line to the essential ‘discovery of Kamino’ plot. It ultimately relies on a convoluted investigation of the assassination in which Obi-Wan discovers the Clone army by accident. You could probably say that it was arranged by Darth Sidious, but that’s not going to be revealed until the end of the film. To improve the viewing experience, it should make some sense even before that reveal and, at the moment, just comes off as convoluted: Obi-Wan follows a strange ladder from assassin droid to Zam Wesell, to Boba Fett, to Kamino, to Dooku; just in time to witness the formation of the Separatist Alliance. And it all hinges on a tip from Dexter Jettster. That’s a lot of lucky breaks.

There is an easier way to do this, which will be less convoluted and should free up some screen time. Two points occur to me.

First, the primary purpose of the assassination plot line is to sequester Anakin and Padme on Naboo, away from the action. The film works this into the larger story but, whilst it makes sense for the Trade Federation to want revenge, it’s not well integrated (the above convolution) and gets abandoned when the Separatist Alliance is introduced. Moreover, integrating it isn’t strictly necessary. That is, with Obi-Wan as the primary character, the assassination can be a b-plot that sets the characters in motion but isn’t the central through line; the a-plot is the escalating conflict that was highlighted in my alternative opening (the failed peace summit). The various plots are related and will eventually culminate on Geonosis but, until then, can play out separately. In a similar vein, in the Empire Strikes Back, Luke’s training and the Cloud City story lines happen independently at first and then converge at the end.

Moreover, regular assassination attempts in the context of an escalating galactic conflict, especially against prominent pro-peace senators, doesn’t require much explanation. It’s inherent to the context; the attempts on Padme’s life shouldn’t be the first assassinations to have taken place either. There are likely to be pro-war factions on both sides blaming each other for the assassinations. I’ve tried to make this point apparent throughout and, at the end of the film, Darth Sidious and Dooku should reveal that they’ve been arranging the assassinations in order to stir up tension. I digress.

Second, Kamino probably wants to be found. Even in the actual film, with the Republic debating the establishment of an army, it would make sense for the Kaminoans, who’ve been building such an army, to notice the political situation and reach out. In my version, with the war already underway, they’re practically guaranteed to reach out.

This leads me to Bail Organa. In previous entries, I introduced Bail Organa as the chair of the Loyalist Committee (Palpatine’s pro-peace advisors and supporters). I did this, primarily, so I could have Bail at the political forefront. As a close advisor to the Chancellor, potentially overseeing the militarisation debate, Bail could reasonably be the person that the Kaminoans reach out to. This can tie into the original trilogy. In the message that Leia sends to Obi-Wan during A New Hope, she notes that he served her father (Bail) during the Clone Wars. This is often referenced but never apparent in the actual films. They interact a little in episode 3, but it doesn’t show Obi-Wan serving Bail. (He does help him out a little in the Clone Wars episode Cat and Mouse, but that’s more of an Anakin event.)

Continuity and a chronological viewing order (to avoid audience confusion about the episode 4 Organa-Kenobi relationship) both demand that they interact more. Having Bail Organa get contacted by the Kaminoans, with the war already underway, can cement their relationship and explain the original trilogy line.

A Call to Action

Surprised by the Kaminoan message, Bail Organa would naturally wish to investigate the Clone army they’re claiming to have created. Given the political controversy surrounding militarisation, he should also want to keep the investigation discreet. In my version of the Phantom Menace, Bail was one of three senators/Jedi that recruited Qui Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan to rescue the Naboo Queen. Something which they did in open violation of Republic law. Given this, Bail will view Obi-Wan as the ideal person to help him investigate Kamino.

Following Zam Wesell’s failed assassination of Padme, the film should cut to a meeting in Chancellor Palpatine’s office. This should include Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, Palpatine, Bail Organa, Mace Windu, Mon Mothma, and some background extras. The scene should be brief and largely focused on the assassination attempt. Palpatine and the Jedi, represented by Mace Windu, should want Padme to leave the capital for her safety. They can note that a large number of senators have already been killed and, with this being the second attempt on her life, they have to assume further attempts will follow.

Padme will object, speculating that whoever’s responsible is clearly attempting to intensify Republic-Confederate tensions and asserting that she needs to stay for the militarisation debate (Mon Mothma should briefly reassure her that the militarisation act has been bogged down by bureaucracy and minutiae, justifying Palpatine’s later emergency powers.) Palpatine, should then order Padme’s return to Naboo, stating that he’s unwilling to risk her safety. Mace Windu should then add that Anakin will accompany her to provide security, but that Obi-Wan is staying behind due to the Jedi being overstretched. Anakin should be likewise unhappy about getting sent away from the action.

The meeting should end in short order, to avoid a long bureaucratic scene. As the attendants filter out of the room, Anakin should linger behind with the Chancellor. This is the moment for Palpatine to congratulate Anakin on his first solo assignment, stating that it’s overdue. Though Anakin should admit he was hoping for something more exciting.

Obi-Wan, meanwhile, should discreetly thank Mace Windu for sending Anakin to Naboo, noting that it will be safer there and that he was worried about Anakin’s recklessness during the escalating war. Windu can respond, in a Jedi esc way, that Obi-Wan’s concern for Anakin is justified, but that he must eventually overcome it. Obi-Wan should seem a little uncomfortable about this. At that point, however, Bail Organa can intercept Obi-Wan and, noticeably distracted, ask him to collect any information the Jedi have on the planet Kamino.

End of Part 7

There was a fair amount of character motivation and story structure to work out in this entry. Part 8 will be more story focused, covering far more actual scenes.

See y’all then.

-Dexter