Could Star Wars episodes 1, 2 and 3 be remade?

After my last post I began reflecting on major events during my final year of high school. It was 1999 and finally, after years of waiting, George Lucas was releasing a new Star Wars movie, 'Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace'. Fans all around the world could not wait for the movie to come out. They lined up in ques weeks before the release date just to purchase a ticket. Movie theatres around the globe had cinemas booked out for days and days for the scores of fans desperate to see episode 1, the back story of the infamous Darth Vader.

At the time I had a part-time job at a movie theatre and I was just as impatient as the next fan. I would sneak into each cinema while the previews were playing, just to watch the Star Wars trailer again. When the time finally came around, I went to watch the movie with a couple of friends. The prequel to the 'Holy Trilogy'. I cheered at the start and enjoyed the whole spectacle of the event. Fans dressed in costume and everyone in a jovial mood about watching the film. Honestly, the first time I watched it, I was just simply happy to be there. Happy to be watching a new Star Wars film and I enjoyed it only for the fact that it was Star Wars. However, after time and reflection I am definitely on the team of haters for that particular film. It just didn't fulfill my expectations.

What happened next? Well episodes 2 and 3 did improve on episode 1 and were certainly more enjoyable, but they never lived up to the greatness of the original films and I don't consider them timeless like the originals.

It almost felt like the prequels were focused more on the spectacle that was Star Wars and forgot about the deep character development and strong story-line that helped to hook in loyal fans. I don't really feel like the prequel trilogy flows nicely into the original trilogy. Firstly, there is a huge gap between episode 3 and 4 that could be twenty something years! Darth Vader didn't appear in the prequel films until the end of episode 3, leaving countless possibilities for more films as his character develops into the evil Darth Vader we see in episode 4.

As the big news rolled in last year that George Lucas has sold the rights to Star Wars to Disney and that Disney were going to make episodes 7, 8 and 9, it made me wonder, could episodes 1, 2 and 3 be remade? Batman was remade over into a fantastic new series of movies, Spiderman got rebooted in 2012 and Superman has been done tons of times over if we include TV series and movies. Fans of these great superheroes came and watched all of the reboot's and can't wait for more. So, why not Star Wars?

Firstly, it would be great for the studio's, because lets face it, they would make a ton of money. The fans of Star Wars, however, could have the real benefit with the opportunity of getting the prequel story they really wanted, along with all the great special effects that the prequel movies already have.

If Disney were going to go down the reboot track, they could clean the slate. Characters like Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul and Jar Jar Binx could no longer exist. The writers  could explore the Star Wars universe from the orignal trilogies stand point and allow the storyline to flow, like the original series did. 

Here is a rough outline of what I would have loved to see from the prequel movies;

Episode 1

Much like the original episode 1 this movie should focus on the origin of Anakin Skywalker. The clones storyline should already be developing.

The general political outlook of the galaxy, should be bleak. The people of the galaxy should be in difficult economic times and several protests should be held. The Jedi should be seen as gentle, sympathic and wise to the people's cause and should assist those in need.

However, an influential speaker who is able to captivate minds appears. (The Emperor or Palpatine) The people of the galaxy begin to rally behind his radical ideology and they make a stand against the Galactic Government. This is when the Galactic Government roll out the storm troopers(Or clones) on the people. The Jedi's side with Palpatine and his followers in order to help them survive the Galactic Governments campaign of terror.

They rally the people and in a great Star Wars like battle, defeat the clone army and Palpatine begins to take hold of power.

Anakin's storyline in the film would build him up to become a big part of the final battle. He would be mentored by Obi-Wan, with the Emperor/Palpatine always whispering in his ear. At the end of the film when the great battle is won, Anakin should stand in front of the remaining clones/stormtroopers and they would look upon him as their new leader.

Episode 2

In this film, Luke and Leia should be born, maybe at the end of the film. Anakin would have had a love interest by now (Maybe Padme) and is older than the first film. Obi-Wan has realised that Anakin is going down the dark side and discovers him studying with Palpatine. Obi-Wan will alert the Jedi Council.

During this film Anakin will lead his stormtrooper army in several victories as he moves his master to Palpatine and together they begin taking over the galaxy. Anakin becomes Darth Vader more and more, often losing limbs in battles and having them replaced with robotic ones.

At the end of the film Anakin devises a theory that in order to enhance his powers with the force he needs to focus his energy not on the physical, but on the spirtual/force world. Anakin makes a conscious decision to become more robotic than man, making him an extremely powerful jedi and officially becoming Darth Vader.

The Jedi's rally against Darth Vader, trying to stop his evil power. However, they are defeated and we see the full extent of Darth Vader's power.

Obi-Wan escapes with Luke and Leia. Darth Vader's love interest is killed.

Episode 3

Obi-Wan and Yoda should be on the run from the Empire, with Luke and Leia as infants or very young children. 

Darth Vader and the Emperor cement their rule on the galaxy. The rebellion is formed as the people of the galaxy suddenly realise the ulterior motive of the Emperor. 

Throughout the film their are discussions about the Death Star. 

At the end of the film, the newly formed Rebellion mount their first large-scale attack, but are crushed due to an informant in their ranks. Several Jedi's should die in this battle.

Leia is taken to the planet of Alderaan and the Royal family of that planet, sympathetic to the rebellion, take Leia in. Obi Wan takes Luke to his Uncle on Tatooine and decides to settle there in order to keep a close eye on Luke. However, before Luke is given to his Uncle he should visit the planet of Dagobah where they will leave Yoda. This is because in episode 5, 'The Empire Strikes Back', Luke mentions that he feels like he had been there before. This was completely ignored in the real prequels.

So, there you go my brief take on what a reboot of the Star Wars prequel trilogy could look like. I know there is a lot left out, in particular side characters and how they would push the story along. However, I wanted the aim of the prequel's to be about the creation of Darth Vader and make it flow nicely into episode 4 more.

Anyone out there got a different take? Let me know. Would love to hear from other who have a different take on the Star Wars prequel's and what they would have loved to have seen.

#writing #starwars

Alex C. McDonald is the author of the urban fantasy novel, 'Jasmine Evans and the Master of the Lamp'.

Follow me on Twitter @AlexMcDauthor