The
Phantom Menace Drafts
Compiled
by Twink_Kee, based on information provided by the Episode
I Insider's Guide.
The opening
crawl:
It is a time of decay in the Republic.
The taxation of trade
routes to the tiny planet of Utapau is in dispute.
Hoping
to force a resolution with a blockade of deadly Star
Destroyers, the greedy Federation of Galactic Traders has cut
off all shipping and supplies to the small, peaceful planet.
While
the Congress of the Republic endlessly debates the
alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly
dispatched a young Jedi Knight to settle the conflict....
-Presumably,
the story opens the same way as the film, except it is Obi-Wan
Kenobi alone who enters the Federation Star Destroyer. Qui-Gon
Jinn, who Obi-Wan describes as his "mentor" and "good
friend" at one point, is not present. (In the second draft,
Qui-Gon joins Obi-Wan)
-Obi-Wan
Kenobi is dressed all in black in this version (as seen in some
concept art).
-On the bridge
of the Federation Destroyer, there is Nute Gunray and Daultay
Dofine. In this version, Dofine is short and fat. Gunray and Dofine
are flanked by two tall, thin alien aides and two floating protector
droids. Dofine refuses to meet with Kenobi, because he is afraid
Kenobi will use a Jedi mind-trick on him.
-When the
Neimoidians contact Darth Sidious, and Dofine begins to argue
with him, Sidious begins choking the Neimoidian with the Force.
Sidious: "You fool, my reach is far greater than the Jedi.
Only a Sith Lord can the power of the Force over such great distance…"
-The Neimoidians order a droid named GTR-7, who is stationed on
the bridge, to use a laser cannon to destroy the Republic cruiser.
Meanwhile,
Obi-Wan is sitting in the Federation board room, meditating. He
senses the Republic cruiser in danger, and immediately orders
the captain to flee. Despite the early warning, the cruiser is
still destroyed.
-Rune Haako
appears to know much about the Jedi, much more than his peers.
He suggests that Viceroy Gunray flee the ship, as Kenobi will
be searching for him.
-Three destroyer
druids are unleased upon Obi-Wan: P-59, X-12, DD-2, and F-41.
P-59: "X-12, switch to heat. DD-2, switch to bio."
-When the Queen contacts the Neimoidians, it is GTR-7 who tells
the Neimoidians that they are receiving a message from the Queen.
Gunray tries
to sow dischord among the "people of Naboo" (though
they hail from Utapau). He tells Amidala that the Neimoidians
are "reviewing a request for aid from the liberation group
with your governing council". According to Gunray, the "liberation
group" is upset because of Amidala's unwillingness to resolve
the blockade through an agreement or treaty. This has resulted
in "chaos and starvation" for her people, according
to Gunray. Allegedly, this group has asked that the Traders "send
in troops to help quell the unrest". Amidala says he is lying
and making excuses for an already planned invasion.
Later on,
Sidious reveals...
Sidious: "I have delayed the vote on the your blockade, while
the Senate debates the plea from the Naboo people for help in
putting down the riots."
-The Traders' army descends on Utapau. Included in their invasion
force (in this version) are Platoon Attack Craft (PACs), Armored
Attack Craft (AACs), and an Armored Comand Cruiser (ACC) which
carries OOM-9. OOM-9 is assisted by a Commando Leader Captain
called 22D-R.
When he makes
contact with Gunray, OOM-9 gives this progress report:
OOM-9: "We are marching on the city of Oxon. There is no
resistance."
-Jar Jar is introduced here, and he is a "strange, giant,
frog-like creature". Though he speaks normal English, he
is very child-like and emotional. It is Obi-Wan who rescues Jar
Jar in this version.
During the
trek to Otoh Gunga, Jar Jar give Obi-Wan a little backgroun.
Jar Jar: "My people are a peaceful and kind sort."
But he also lets Obi-Wan know that his people don't like outsiders,
and they will likely throw Obi-Wan into prison.
Meanwhile
OOM-9 orders 22D-R to release "remote seekers" to search
for Obi-Wan, before the army heads into "Naboo City at attack
speed". These remotes are small, floating balls, much like
the remotes seen in AOTC and ANH. One of these seekers actually
enters into the lake.
-In this
version, the Kaadu swim-past the Jedi underwater, thus becoming
a literal "sea horse".
-Boss Nass
is known as Governor Nass, and like Jar Jar, he has an normal
English accent. All throughout the meeting, fish slip through
the room's organic wall. A young Gungan is responsible for gathering
them up and throwing them through the membrane again. In this
version, Nass agrees to help Obi-Wan contact the Naboo via the
Gungan comlink. With a push of a button, the entire dome becomes
a screen filled with static. They try different measures to reach
the Naboo via the comlink, but to no avail. Finally, a Gungan
engineer named Zem (possibly where the AOTC name "Zam"
came from) appears and tells Nass that all outside communications
have been disrupted.
-Nass goes
into detail about the core in this version. He says, though it
is the quickest way to Naboo, it is dangerous. Also, he adds that
a skilled Gungan navigator could get them through the core, but
no Gungan has done that in Nass' lifetime. Jar Jar is recruited
to navigate the core for Obi-Wan.
-Before departing,
Obi-Wan spots the seeker droid entering Otoh Gunga. He cuts the
droid in half (much like Qui-Gon does in Mos Espa in the deleted
scene). This causes Obi-Wan to realize that even the security
of the hidden city has been compromised. In this version, Jar
Jar still knows that travel through the core is like having been
sentenced a certain death. Obi-Wan uses a mind-trick to convince
Jar Jar that they will make it through the core safely. The mind-trick
wears off fast, and Jar Jar panicks again once they leave the
city in the sub. Still, Obi-Wan remains adamant that they will
be safe. Jar Jar ridicules Obi-Wan, and likens his faith to the
Force to the praying to a god called Nododo. As they enter into
an area known as "the Nocturne", the opee sea killer
attacks.
During the
chase, the sub comes to a three-way fork in the caverns. As they
go through the center canyon, the sea killer shoots paralyzing
spit balls at the sub. At this point, Jar Jar is piloting the
sub, and Obi-Wan is using the Force to keep the Gungan relaxed
and calm. Like the final version, the opee grabs the sub with
its tongue, but the sando aqua monster arrives and consumes the
opee. In the revised second draft, with Qui-Gon present, there
is no "bigger fish" line. Instead, the moment Obi-Wan
seizes control of the vehicle from Jar Jar, the opee mysteriously
releases the sub.
Qui-Gon: "How'd you do that?"
Obi-Wan:
"I'm not sure."
A moment later, they see the reason, which is the sando aqua monster
consuming the opee.
-The actual
invasion of Theed (or Naboo City) is more detailed. OOM-9 and
his force approach the city undetected. When Nute Gunray gives
the order, they launch a full-scale assault
-Sidious
reveals the Amidala must have an "unfortunate accident"
once the invasion is complete. Gunray doesn't like this idea,
as he thinks he will need the Queen to keep the masses in line.
Sidious believes the droid army will be enough to control the
people.
-After the
escape from the opee, Obi-Wan gives the controls back to Jar Jar
and directs him to pilot the Gungan transport into a dark cave.
Once in the cave, he realizes that he has chosen the wrong path.
Soon after, the transport begins to lose power. When Jar Jar asks
Obi-Wan to fix the transport…
Obi-Wan: "I'm not very good with mechanical things,"
Despite this confession, Obi-Wan does manage to restore the power,
only to discover that they have been cornered by the colo claw
fish. Jar Jar immediately faints, and Obi-Wan retakes control
of the sub. As in the movie, the sub makes it's escape when the
Sando Aqua Monster makes another appearance. After the escape,
Obi-Wan gently touches Jar Jar's forhead to revive him.
-Obi-Wan
reaches the city just before the Trader's army does. He and Jar
Jar are met by a curious crowd. A group of Naboo guards escorts
Obi-Wan and Jar Jar to the palace. The tension between the Gungans
and the Naboo is obvious, as a guard tells Jar Jar he must wait
outside. Inside, Kenobi convinces the Queen to flee before the
invasion begins.
-Amidala
insists that the Naboo rulers must warn their people not to fight.
While Panaka argues otherwise, Amidala remains adamant that the
Naboo can resist the occupation, but not openly challenge the
Trader's obviously superior force.
-The Trader's
army arrives. Continuing to play the point that they are here
to help quell unrest, they play over the PA of their vehicles:
"Do not resist. We will not harm you. We have only come to
help you. We bring you peace."
The Naboo Police move to intercept the army, but are completely
wiped out.
-In the revised
second draft, Nute and Rune once again meet the Queen via hologram.
She calls Nute a "little coward".
-The Queen's
starship is not in a hangar, but rather is hidden beneath a large
fountain and rises from the water when needed. Panaka indicates,
in this version, that the ship has a cloaking device and a few
weapons systems.
-There is
more racial tension between the Gungans and Naboo. Amidala tries
to prevent Jar Jar from entering her ship. Obi-Wan argues and
wins the point, but Amidala insists that the Gungan be kept in
the droid hold. As a side note, this is probably a holdover concept
from the original drafts of Star Wars, which talked about how
the founders of the Empire incited race wars.
-In the revised
second draft, when Qui-Gon is present, he advises Ric Olie to
spin the craft, and screw up the "pulsar tracking" systems
of the Trader's destroyers. Not only is this in the novel, but
this concept is held over in the final film when Anakin does the
same thing in his N-1 starfighter (in order to screw up the pulsar
tracking)
-After repairing
the shield generator, R2 is bombarded by electrical fields on
the hull of the ship. He suffers damaged, but survives. Upon reentering
the ship, he begins repairs on the damage hyperdrive. He is again
successful, the ship has lost too much power already to make it
to Coruscant.
-As seen
in some concept art, the Queen's ship has gunports much like the
Millenium Falcon (and almost identical to the Republic Gunships
in AOTC). They use these pods to defend the repair druids, but
they are all wiped out, save R2. The droid starfighters even manage
to kill some of the gunners.
-It is OOM-9
that informs Darth Sidious of the escape in one draft. He reveals
that five ships attempted to break the blockade, and four were
destroyed. Sidious suspects the fifth to be the Queen's ship,
and he informs the Neimoidians that he will be dispatching Darth
Maul to assist them in finding her. Sidious actually sends Maul
to Naboo. In Coruscant balcony scene, Maul appears as a hologram
as a result of his location (this idea of holgram Maul is actually
held over in the novel)
-Upon Tatooine
arrival, Obi-Wan - dressed as a moisture farmer - leads the group
into Mos Espa (there is no Qui-Gon here). He is accompanied by
R2, who carries an inventory of the needed parts. Panaka suggests
that they take Jar Jar, because he is "smelling up the ship".
Padme joins the group in this version, at the request of the "Queen".
-There are
hints of a Padme crush on Obi-Wan in the revised rough draft.
When Kenobi argued with "Amidala" about Jar Jar on Naboo,
Padme was impressed that Obi-Wan was able to stand up to the "Queen".
As they enter Mos Espa, she gives Obi-Wan an adoring look. In
Mos Espa, Padme watches Kenobi with interest and respect, but
this makes Kenobi very nervous.
-As hinted
at in present versions, Padme is trained in self-defense. Entering
into Mos Espa, she is grabbed by a creature. She hits the creature,
causing it to double over in pain. Some of the merchants witness
this, and they eye the new arrivals suspiciously. Obi-Wan warns
Padme to save her skills until they are truly needed.
-As seen
in AOTC, Watto's shop is more filthy. There are swarms of flies
-In the revised
rough draft, when Anakin meets Padme, there is no Jar Jar running
around, bumbling in the shop. Also, (as in the novel) Anakin tells
Padme that he will marry her somebody
-Anakin's
"fear" speech to Jar Jar is intact in the rough drafts.
Unlike the film version, the confrontation between Jar Jar ans
Sebulba takes place simply because Sebulba doesn't like the way
Jar Jar looks (having nothing to do with the "frog"
incident). Obi-Wan asks Anakin who taught him that, and Anakin
simply replies:
"No one. That's just the way it is."
-Keeping in mind that it is Obi-Wan who leads the Mos Espa expedition
in the early drafts, the scene at Jira's food stall goes differently.
Anakin doesn't have enough money to pay for the pallies. Obi-Wan
does, and he buys them...
Obi-Wan: "The pallies are on me. You've just saved Jar Jar
from certain destruction. We should celebrate. It's a small reward
for your kindness."
Anakin: "Kindness
is a joy. Why would you reward me for that?"
Obi-Wan studies Anakin for a moment.
Obi-Wan: "You have old wisdom for one so young."
-Oddly enough, Shmi's last name is Warka, and not Skywalker. I'm
not sure for the reason of this...
-When Anakin
introduces C3P0 to Padme, he is only called "See-Pee-0".
Padme tells Anakin that all protocol droids should have a number
in their name. So Anakin names him C3P0, because 3 is Padme's
favorite number (yeah, you can insert threesome jokes here from
AOTC where Anakin, Padme, and Obi-Wan are riding the Reek, but...
)
-in the revised
rough draft, Obi-Wan is obviously not present when Sio Bibble
sends the distress hologram. Amidala/Sabe sends a statement of
support. Later, Panaka tells Obi-Wan this, and Kenobi chides him,
saying that the transmission could be traced. Panaka insists that
the Traders don't have long distance tracking, but Obi-Wan reveals
that the Republic does. Obi-Wan suspects that the Republic and
Trade Federation are somehow connected in this plot.
-as it is
well known, Sidious tells Maul, "May the Force be with you"
before his departure for Tatooine. This is an interesting touch,
as we've never heard the Sith Lords say this.
-Obi-Wan
communicates with Panaka, instead of Qui-Gon communicating with
Obi-Wan on Tatooine. In their communications, Panaka tells Obi-Wan
that the Naboo fear their queen is dead.
-Shmi is
hopeful that the Jedi have actually been sent to free Anakin.
While Obi-Wan confesses that this quest has nothing to do with
the boy, Shmi gives him a Jedi-like suggestion:
Shmi:"Clear your mind, and you will see the pattern. You
are distracted, and maybe not as reflective as you should be."
-R2 makes some modifications and rewiring on Anakin's racer, which
conserve power and speeds up the response time.
-The dinner
occurrences take place differently in the revised rough draft.
While Padme, Obi-Wan, Shmi and Jar Jar eat together, Anakin is
outside working on the podracer. Padme questions Obi-wan's deciscion
to put their fate in Anakin's hands. She is obviously upset about
this, and decides to take Anakin something to eat. While she is
gone, Jar Jar says he wouldn't pilot a podracer "for all
the spice on Utapau". The dinner discussion turns to Anakin
and his abilities.
Shmi: "Anakin has a great skill. He can anticipate everything
that is going to happen, and his reflexes are as fast as any living
creature…"
Outside, Padme thanks Anakin for helping them. Anakin admits that
he was seeking a way to enter the podrace without losing his vehicle
to Watto, who can claim ownership over everything that Anakin
possesses. By this reasoning, Anakin displays more unusual wisdom
for a boy his age in saying:
Anakin: "We're helping each other. That's the natural way
of things."
Of course, this is another example of the ever-present idea of
symbiosis in TPM drafts.
Padme asks
Anakin if slavery is natural.
Anakin: "Of course not. But the stupidity of many creatures
is."
(editor's note: Ha. I like that line )
Padme confesses
that she has never met anyone like Anakin. Returning the sentiment,
Anakin leans over and gives Padme a kiss on the cheek. They then
watch the sunset together, until Obi-Wan arrives and sends Padme
inside to help Shmi set up the sleeping arrangements.
Here, Obi-Wan
takes the opportunity to learn more about Anakin. They begin discussing
the race, where Anakin admits that Sebulba is the one thing keeping
him from victory. Obi-Wan urges Anakin to concentrate on the moment,
and then asks him if he fears or hates Sebulba (a similar idea
held over in AOTC, when Padme asks Anakin if he hates the Tuskens).
Anakin answers no to both questions. Anakin describes Sebulba
to Obi-Wan:
Anakin: "He doesn't know he's bad. He is full of pain, and
I think he is afraid of me."
(editor's note: Am I the only one that thinks this could be a
description of Darth Vader himself?)
Obi-Wan retorts
to Anakin:
Obi-Wan: "The greatest challenge a Jedi must face is to resist
the temptation of fear. The fear of letting go of thing: possessions,
friends, yourself… Accepting change."
Here, Anakin seems to have little problem accepting change, although
he clearly expresses a desire to remain on Tatooine with his mother.
Also, in this conversation, Anakin reveals that he has already
encountered Obi-Wan in his dreams, where he learned that the stranger
was a Jedi.
-Obi-Wan waxes very clairvoyant in the revised rough draft. Just
before they depart for the podrace, Padme notices Obi-Wan staring
out a window of the hovel.
Padme: "You look like you're trying to solve the problems
of the universe."
Obi-Wan:
"Only our own, but maybe they will become the problems of
the universe. I don't know…"
It appears that Obi-Wan senses that this seemingly small-scale
struggle will have larger, darker ramifications for the galaxy
as a whole.
-Anakin gets the eeopies from a Mos Espa resident name Ny Connie.
She places a bet on Anakin to win the race.
-in the revised rough draft, Shmi does not watch the race for
fear of Anakin's safety. She tells him that she lacks the courage
to attend the event, but…
Shmi: "Go with all my love. I'll be waiting here for you."
-in the revised rough draft, when Obi-Wan attempts to place the
bet with Watto, the Toydarian tells him that the mother isn't
for sale. The chance cube never comes into play here, as Obi-Wan
agrees that only Anakin will be part of the bet.
-oh boy. Some of you folks are gonna like this one. In the revised
rough draft, there is no two-headed podrace announcer. Instead,
it is Jabba himself who makes the introductions and commands the
race to begin in Huttese.
-many of
the early variations to the podrace made it into the DVD, save
some names and Sebulba's flame emitter.
-After the
race, just like Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan threatens an uncooperative Watto
with the Hutts.
Obi-Wan: "You won't be making any more wagers in this system…"
He also adds that, if Watto cares to take another bet, he'll put
the boy up for his mother. Watto gives Anakin up to Obi-Wan.
-Obi-Wan comes across Anakin fighting Seek (the red-headed boy
seen in the final film), not Greedo.
Obi-Wan: "Inflicting pain is not an effective agent of change."
(editor's note: Heh. More prophetic words to the boy who will
become Darth Vader)
-again, in
the rough drafts, Shmi shows more hints of an affinity for the
Force. Another occurence of this is the scene where she says goodbye
to Anakin inside the hovel:
Shmi: "Son, it is time for you to let go...to give me up.
I cannot travel this path with you. I've told you, life is a continual
transition. You cannot hold time still, stop the sunrise, sunset,
or the flow of the Force. Every moment you must let go something..."
(editor's
note: regardless of story changes, I think this dialogue should've
been left in. Especially with Obi-Wan present in this scene, it
could've been echoed in Obi-Wan's departing words to Luke in ANH)
Anakin: "But
Watto is angry, Mom. You're in danger."
Shmi acknowledges that she realize this this, but she also admonishes
Anakin that he, too, is in danger, and they must each find their
own way to survive. She finishes up by reassuring that they will
both be fine.
-in the revised
rough draft, Anakin hasn't really finished Threepio in more ways
than one. The droid still has some off-and-on "technical
difficulties". As Anakin is saying goodbye to him, Threepio
is mute, and Anakin apologizes.
-Again, Shmi
could almost be a Jedi. When Anakin says goodbye to her outside
the hovel, Shmi senses that Anakin is afraid of losing her. She
urges him to resist the fear, and stresses that her love will
always remain with him.
(editor's
note: I think this affinity that Shmi exhibits should've been
left in the final film. I think it would justify the unusual presence
of midichlorians in her)
-There is
a scene where Watto removes the slave transmitter from Anakin.
Watto uses a handheld detection device to locate the transmitter
in Anakin's neck. He then pulls a trigger, and a loud snap is
heard. Watto pulls something out of the handheld and holds up
a thumbnail-sized chip. There is a little blood on Anakin's neck,
but Obi-Wan patches up the small wound. Before he and Anakin leave...
Watto: "Enjoy your freedom, boy. Come back someday and visit
your Mom."
-In the rough
draft, when Obi-Wan cuts down the Sith probe, he identifies it
for Anakin. Obviously, Anakin knows his Jedi history:
Anakin: "I thought all the Sith Lords had been destroyed."
Obi-Wan indicates that this has been his belief as well.
-Heh heh.
Binary will like this one. In the desert duel, Obi-Wan and Maul
exhibit more Jedi powers. They levitate objects, move extremely
fast, and vibrate to the point of becoming almost invisible. They
also leap over one another in an "incredible display of acrobatics".
Like Qui-Gon in the final film, Obi-Wan leaps onto the ship's
ramp for escape.
- Obi-Wan discusses his attacker with Panaka and Padme. He suspects
Maul to be a Sith, though they all agree that the Sith should
be extinct. Panaka wonders why a Sith would be working for the
Traders, but Obi-Wan suggests that the Traders are working for
the Sith. Again, Obi-Wan indicates that he senses the larger plot
at hand...
Obi-Wan: "There is more to this than taking over Utapau..."
Kenobi is not worried about the Sith following them once they
enter hyperspace, but he thinks that the Sith already know their
destination. To prove his point, in this version, the Sith spacecraft
is shown leaping into hyperspace moments after the Queen's ship
does.
In the revised
second draft, which now has Qui-Gon in the lead, Maul contacts
Sidious and tells him the Queen is on her way to Coruscant. He
asks if he should pursue, but Sidious tells him to return to Naboo
and await further instructions.
-After talking
to Sio Bibble, TC-3 (who would later become TC-14) tells Gunray
that he has an urgent communique from Darth Sidious. In it, Sidious
tells Gunray that his lost Queen is on her way to Coruscant.
-in many of the early drafts, the Queen had the same disdain for
strays that Obi-Wan exhibited in the film. Of course, she doesn't
like having Jar Jar on her ship. Later on, she is displeased to
have Anakin along as well (despite his help).
Amidala: "Must we pick up every strange creature along the
way? Our journey is most serious and perilous. The fate of an
entire people is at stake here."
Obi-Wan:
"I am an agent of the Republic, and the boy falls under the
same protection as you."
The Queen concedes the debate.
(editor's
note: Though it doesn't specify this, I think it is safe to say
that the Queen and Padme are two seperate people in some of the
early drafts. However, it could be Padme disguising her concerns
on getting Anakin involved in all this mess to the Jedi)
-in the revised
rough draft, Qui-Gon Jinn is first introduced on the landing platform
on Coruscant, alongside Palpatine and Valorum. Obi-Wan introduces
Anakin and Jar Jar to Qui-Gon. When describing Jar Jar to Qui-Gon...
Obi-Wan: "He is a Gungan who has been very helpful to me".
In introducing Qui-Gon to his companion, Obi-Wan says,
Obi-Wan: "He is my mentor and good friend."
-Valorum
names the Republic as "the Reublic of Independent Systems"
-the original
Jedi Council consisted of only three Jedi elders: Mace, Yoda,
and Ki-Adi-Mundi. When Obi-Wan goes to report to them, he is accompanied
by Qui-Gon, Anakin, and Valorum.
-The Jedi
Council agrees to test Anakin, but Yoda warns Obi-Wan that, although
the boy's existance was forseen, he is too old and his future
is "blank" and dangerous. Qui-Gon takes Anakin to "the
tower" for testing, while Obi-Wan continues to converse with
the elders.
Mace Windu: "Anakin will be returned to you after the test.
He is your ward now, Kenobi. You realize there is little chance
he will be accepted. You must decide what is to be done with him."
-Jar Jar accompanies the Queen, Palpatine, and Panaka in the senate
box. But they all keep their distance from the Gungan.
-the Senate
proceedings are little more in depth and detailed in the revised
rough draft. In order to bring attention to his congressional
box, Palpatine presses a button on his desk, and several lights
on avery big board behind Valorum light up. Palpatine's words
are broadcast by a "mic droid". Palpatine demans that
the Queen be allowed to address the Senate, but the Senator from
Malastare objects, citing that motion should be deferred until
the vote on Resolution 127 has been completed. Valorum disagress
with the Malastare Senator, prompting that representative to "evoke
the Mon order" and call for a "ni vote" on the
issue. As the senators vote, the results are tabulated on the
screen behind Valorum. he then views the outcome, and announces...
Valorum: "The nays have it. The issue will be sent to Committee."
-though the Senate never helps the Naboo, Valorum is still not
removed from office during the Coruscant scenes. It is only revealed
in the end of the film that Palpatine has replaced him, but is
never revealed how.
-Anakin's
Jedi tests are not shown in the revised rough draft. Instead,
he, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon discuss the tests briefly on a landing
platform outside Palpatine's apartment. Anakin admits that he
did not understand the tests.
Qui-Gon: "You were not meant to."
Obi-Wan tells Anakin that the Council will review the results
and decide if he should be trained.
-before the
return to Utapau, there is a strategy session on Coruscant, involving
Amidala, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Palpatine, Panaka, and Eirte (a handmaiden).
The Traders have imprisoned all government officials, and both
food and supplies are running dangerously low. Palpatine also
fears that some senators will continue to try and block Amidala's
appearance before the Senate, thus stalling any action. Qui-Gon
tells the Queen that both he and Obi-Wan have been reuinted in
an effort to protect her. Finally, Amidala decides that she and
her followers will attempt to retake possession of Utapau. Her
plan is to organize the populace and attack the Traders in any
way possible. Nearly everyone disagrees with the course of action,
including Obi-Wan. He points out that the Naboo are untrained,
poorly equipped, and unprepared to fight the droid army. Amidala
partially agrees, but she also stresses that her people must fight
if they are to survive. There is no other alternative. Palpatine
wants Amidala to stay until the Senate comes to a decision, but...
Amidala: :"The Senate is full of self-interest and petty
squabbling. It is no longer unified by the common goal of justice."
With that, she decides to return to Utapau.
-Amidala
and Jar Jar have a more in depth discussion about the Gungan/Naboo
relations. They both admit that they don't know where the disagreement
between the two came from. Jar Jar thinks that his people maintain
their army to protect them from the Naboo.
-Palpatine
informs Valorum that the Queen has decided to return to her home
and attempt to take it back by revolution. Valorum thinks the
Queen is "very reckless" in doing this, but Palpatine
retorts that she is merely "bold". Frustrated, Valorum
resolves to "force the Senate to take up this issue before
it turns into a disaster" for Palpatine and his people. This
confrontation with the Senate, however, eventually leads to his
removal from office by the end of the story, and Palpatine replaces
him.
-Maul and
Sidous confer after the Queen leaves Coruscant. Sidious orders
Maul to follow the Queen to Utapau and "finish it".
Also...
Sidious: "If you can't destroy the Jedi, avoid them."
Maul: "I
have no doubt now that I am stronger than the Jedi. They will
be destroyed."
-On board
the starship, Amidala orders Jar Jar to appear before her. She
wants him to take her, and her entourage, before Boss Nass. Jar
Jar is relucant, because he fears he will be execute if he does
this. Amidala promises to offer what little protection she can,
but Jar Jar only agrees to it after Anakin promises to defend
his new friend.
(editor's
note: I like that. Definately should've been left in there, IMO
)
-When the the Queen's ship returns to Utapau, the entire Trader's
blockade is still there. In order to avoid the battleships, Obi-Wan
proposes...
Obi-Wan: "Come out of lightspeed between the blockade ships
and the planet."
Both Panaka and "Captain Obvious" argue to Obi-Wan that
such a feat is impossible, because, according to Obvious Ric...
Ric Olie: "The calculations are too infinite even for the
most advanced computer."
Maybe, but Obi-Wan believes it would not be impossible for one
Anakin Skywalker. He believes that Anakin's innate connection
to the Force will enable him to "sense the proper moment
to come out of lightspeed."
(editor's
note: another concept held over to the AOTC novel)
Anakin takes
the co-pilot's seat and straps himself in.
Obi-Wan: "Think of yourself racing...take the controls. We're
heading toward a planet... Concentrate. Stop right before the
surface."
Anakin closes his eyes and does as he is told; when he pulls back
on the controls, the starship exits lightspeed just above the
surface of the planet. The amazed Obvious flies the ship into
Utapau's atmosphere and, at Obi-Wan's suggestion, uses the cloud
cover and the cloaking device to conceal their landing.
(editor's
note: Again, I think that should've been left in the film)
-as indicated
earlier in the rough draft, the Queen's ship can go underwater.
It heads into the lake that shelters Otoh Gunga, and "settles
into one of the large, glowing bubbles" of the underwater
city. The Queen and her crew are mt by Gungan soliders, but they
back off when they see the Queen and Jar Jar exiting the ship,
arm-in-arm. In this draft, the Trader's army has yet to discover
the city, and Nass is confident that his warriors could repel
an invasion. Amidala warns that, though the Naboo can call their
allies from outside the system for help, the Gungans have no such
support. Nass pauses in thinking, which gives Jar Jar the opportunity
to speak:
Jar Jar: "I have spent some time with the Naboo. They are
like us... in some ways. I have traveled far. I have seen many
wonders. We must become a part of the universe. In isolation,
we will die."
Nass considers this for a moment, and finally agrees to join forces
with the Naboo to repel the Traders.
(editor's
note: Okay, regardless of settings or speech patterns, I think
Jar Jar's "diplomatic" speech should've been in there.
It would be a nice little setup for his AOTC senate speech)
-In the revised rough draft, "Padme" is not present
during these scenes. Instead, she is portraying Queen Amidala
herself. There is no hint that she has been doubling at the point,
but this secret is revealed later on when her group meets a small
force of Rebels hiding in Theed.
-In the revised rough draft, Sidious actually travels to Utapau.
He meets with Gunray on a hidden landing platform behind Theed,
and tells Gunray that Amidala has returned. Gunray assures him
that the Queen's ship has been destroyed, but Sidious remains
skeptical.
-The Queen's
ship actually lands directly into one of the Royal Palace's courtyards.
A Trader droid squad, led by commando 044, searches the starship,
but they find nothing. Evidently, the Queen had abandonded the
starship near Otoh Gunga, then programmed the autopilot to fly
to the palace. Later, Nute reveals that the Trader's forces have
located the "life pods" which the Queen and her crew
used to escape.
-The heroes
plot the battle against the droid army in a Gungan war room. Nearly
20 Gungan generals are present. The highest-ranking general, Tobler
Ceel, reports...
Ceel: "I can field three hundered batallions."
(note: Ceel is a holdover in TPM novel)
The Gungans
also have disruptors and defense shield generators. Although the
Gungans have no spacecraft, Panaka indicates that the Naboo can
launch fifty squads of starfighters. Like in the film, the Gungans
are intended to draw the droid army away from the city while the
strike teams infiltrates Theed. There, the troops will capture
the main shield generator and support stations.
(note: Hmm.
Sounds like an amalgamation of the ANH and ROTJ battles)
-Before the Gungans and Naboo part ways before the final battle,
Jar Jar and Anakin say their goodbyes.
Jar Jar: "I will miss you. You're a wonder, and most amusing."
Soon after, Governor Nass promotes Jar Jar to General, and gives
him command of the "fifth barrage". When Jar Jar protests,
Nass reassures him...
Nass: I understand from the Jedi you're a great warrior, Binks.
I know you will do your position proud."
The Gungans organize in a large square in Otoh Gunga. It is indicate
that the army consists of thousands of Gunga troops wearing battle
geat. They use "Cadu", bizarre two-legged creatures
as mounts.
(note: Of
course, the "Cadu" are called "Kaadu" in the
final film. It is also interesting to note that, in this draft,
the "Cadu" are shown swimming much like in some of the
concept paintings)
When the
Gungans receive the signal from Panaka, Ceel orders Jar Jar to
take his troops to the surface (mounted the swimming Cadu)
-According to Nute, the Gungans are "assembling in the swamp
near the Valker border..." He orders OOM-9 to move the army
near the swamp's edge.
-By the time the Gungans engage the Trader's army, the Jedi and
Panaka's forces are positioned on a rocky outcropping overlooking
the battlefield. The plan, as revealed here, requires Obi-Wan
and Qui-Gon to activate a "shield generator" while Panaka
and his troops capture the palace. The deflector shield generator
is designed to cover the entire planet and protect ground forces
(in this case, the Gungan army) from aerial attacks.
(editor's
note: I'm actually glad this idea was scrapped. While it may sound
cool, it also sounds like a plothole to me. If the Naboo had a
planetary shield generator, why wouldn't they use it to repel
the invasion landing? But, then again, while they may have suspected
an invasion, they didn't know exactly when until it was too late.
I assume, at least at this point in AGFFA, running a planetary
shield generator at all times would've been inefficient and costly,
especially for a blockaded planet)
-the heroes
meet with a small group of "Rebels" prior to the final
battle. This meeting takes place in a hidden Rebel headquarters,
and is attended by Anakin, R2, Padme, Eirtae, Amidala, Obi-Wan,
Qui-Gon, and Panaka. It is also attended by the Rebel leaders
Captain Autter and Captain Ural. During this scene, Padme steps
forward and revals...
Padme: "The Queen has been using her surrogate on this trip."
In this hidden base's conference chamber, the heroes plan to attack
Theed's central hangar and reclaim their stargfighters. During
the meeting, Anakin suggests that the freedom fighters find a
way to disable the central control system that broadcasts commands
to the Trader's droid army. According to Panaka, this course is
unwise because...
Panaka: "The main control is in one of the orbiting blockade
ships."
Also, Panaka reveals that the Trader's have a hidden backup system
somewhere in Theed.
(editor's
note: This idea was held over in a cut scene from AOTC. During
the arena battle, Plo Koon and Ki-Adi Mundi lead a Jedi raid on
the droid control ship, but it turns out there is a backup switch
elsewhere)
Panaka: "It would be impossible to knock out both systems."
After this meeting, Anakin and R2 enter the droid storage area
within the hidden base. Here, they discover several Trader's droids
that have been disable by the Rebels, and R2 removes a chip from
a droid's severed head. Anakin and the droid then use this chip
to locate the "main droid controls", which are hidden
in a command spacecraft parked on a nearby platform. Armed with
this new info, Anakin and R2 slip away from the Rebel base.
-in the revised
rough draft, the Gungan army is 10,000 strong.
-When the droid army begins penetrating the Gungan shields on
foot, General Ceel warns his troops...
Ceel: "Their heavy armor will come through first. Position
the disrupter rays to knock out the gravity pulses."
The disrupter rays, emitted from devices carried by the fambaas
(the giant, dinosaur-like creatures seen in the final film), cause
the approaching Traders' tanks to crash.
-When Anakin and R2 finally make their way to the secret central
hangar, they find it well-defended by battle droids. After contemplating
the situation, Anakin tells R2...
Anakin: "Wait here for my signal, then send a flare down
the street toward those fuel tanks."
He then moves quietly towards one of the hangar's entrances. Once
in place, he motions his hand, and R2 fires a flare from his domed
head. A huge explosion erupts in one of the side streets, and
the droid guards rush to investigate. Anakin uses this to sneak
into the hangar.
Elsewhere,
realizing that his ward has disappeared, Obi-Wan begins searching
for Anakin in the base.
Qui-Gon: "We don't have time for him now."
(editor's note: interesting to note how Qui-Gon's and Obi-Wan's
attitudes switch in the final film)
Meanwhile,
as Anakin infiltrates the hangar, he finds it housing a vast array
of Naboo starfighters, as well as a row of Traders' "transports
that look similar to the Millenium Falcon". Anakin makes
his way to these transports, being careful to avoid the remaining
personnel. R2 continues to launch flares into the hagar, which
ricochet and disrupt the guards. When the battle droids come looking
for the culprit, R2 falls into a junkheap and pretends to be out
of service. Anakin has entered into a computer room inside the
Traders' starship. He pulls a panel from one of the consoles and
begins replacing the computer's chips. However, the Traders will
only resort to this backup system aboard this transport if the
main controller aboard one of the blockade ships is somehow destroyed.
After exiting
the ship, Anakin and R2 are cornered by battle droids, led by
a "sergeant" named 2-17B. As the droids escort Anakin
to a holding area, and explosion distracts the Traders' forces.
Anakin then leaps onto the back of the nearest droid, knocking
him into the next droid, who falls onto the next droid, and ultimately
creating a domino effect. The droids wind up in a large heap.
Anakin learns that the mysterious explosion was cause by the group
of approaching freedom fighters. Obi-Wan is in this group, and
he immediately expresses anger to Anakin over his choice to go
solo.
Obi-Wan: "You are not following the obedient path of a Jedi..."
Despite this scolding, Obi-Wan recognizes Anakin's ability and
allows him to participate in the battle later.
-Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon rush to raise the planetary deflector shield
in an effort to protect the Gungans from aerial assault. They
are successful, and Obi-Wan breathes a sigh of relief...
Obi-Wan: "I hope we were in time..."
An evil figure emerges...
Darth Maul: "...In time to meet your own destruction."
The Sith ignites his lightsaber (which only has one blade in this
revised rough draft), and a fierce battle begins.
-There is
a Gungan general named "Yoss". As the Gungans wait at
the edge of the swamp for the Jedi to activate the shield generator,
Yoss warns that the army should move out of into the open plains
before the Traders' army reaches their position, and thus destroys
the swamp in the ensuing conflict. However, General Ceel maintains
that they should hold until the shield has been raised. Otherwise,
the Gungan army will be decimated.
-In the revised rough draft, Jar Jar is an intentional hero during
the battle. He leads his troops with courage and displays quick-thinking.
At one point, Binks finds himself face-to-face with a destroyer
droid. Jar Jar reaches for his pistol, but the weapon is knocked
from his hands before he can fire it. The Gungan resorts to grabbing
a handful of mud and throwing it at the droid's single eye. While
the destroyer is blinded, Binks makes his escape.
-As indicated earlier, Obi-Wan and Padme agree to allow Anakin
to participate in the battle. Padme invites Anakin and R2 to join
her in 2-person starfighter. While Anakin familiarizes himself
with the controls, Padme flies them into the battle. But, when
Anakin spots the massive Traders' Star Destroyers, Anakin voices
his doubts about the attack.
Padme: "We will disable them or drive them off. If we don't
our ground forces will not succeed..."
When Anakin asks her how such a feat is possible, she replies
by telling him that they will rely on faith.
-Before the Jedi even activate the planetary defense shield (as
explained in a previous post), they encounter a detail of about
fifty battle droids guarding the installation. This detail is
also supported by several transports and armored attack craft.
When the Jedi approach, Kenobi boldy confronts the leader of the
unit, a droid named 4G-TU. As a representative of the Republic
of Independent Systems, Obi-Wan invokes Senate Measure 12-38 and
declares the invasion an "unlawful occupation". He orders
the battle droids to lay down their weapons, and return to their
ships. Of course, the droids are uncooperative and open fire,
but the Jedi ignite their lightsabers and deflect the shots. In
the crossfire, the Jedi are able to reflect some of the laserfire
into a nearby attack vehicle, and it explodes. When Darth Maul
sees this, he immediately moves to stop them.
(editor's
note: At times, I think this element of the story should've been
left in the film. It would explain the locale of the final duel
a little more clearly, and would add some more tension to the
Gungan battle.)
-In order to defeat the Trader's army, Padme and Anakin realize
that they must first find and destroy the battleship responsible
for emitting the signals to the droid army. When Trader's starfighters
surround the Naboo starships, Anakin realizes that this situation
is extremely dangerous.
-Joining GTR-7 on the bridge of one of the Traders' battleships
is a pilot droid named EEM-4. On GTR-7's command, EEM-4 prepares
to bombard the Gungan army. Fortunately for the Gungans, by now
the Jedi have activated the shield that envelops the entire planet.
-When Ric
Olie spots Anakin's starfighter, he does not know that it is piloted
by a young boy. Instead, he calls the ship "Rogue Two"
and orders Anakin to "form up". When he question's the
pilot's identity, Anakin tells Ric that he is just "someone
trying to help".
-the duel
that takes place in the shield generator complex has a near identical
locale as the film (catwalks and all). However this installation
does not have the laser gates which become vital late in the duel
in the film version.
-Qui-Gon
confronts Darth Maul alone when Obi-Wan is pushed off the gantry.
As Kenobi hurries to rejoin the fight, the energetic Maul quickly
wears down Obi-Wan's mentor. Eventually, Qui-Gon slips and is
cut down. Obi-Wan and Maul then clash in the complex. Battle droids
attempt to enter into the facility and aid Maul, but Kenobi uses
the Force to "slam the door shut, crushing several droids
in the process". Throughout the battle, the two warriors
use the Force to hurl objects at one another. Eventually, the
battle droids do make their way into the facility. Distracted
by these new arrivals, Obi-Wan is nearly killed by Maul.
Darth Maul: "You're finished, Jedi, and this is the beginning
of the end for all Jedi."
(note: I like that line, though. Prophetic)
When Maul
attempts to cut Obi-Wan in half, the Jedi leaps right into the
midst of the battle droids.
(note: Similar
idea was cut from AOTC, when Mace Windu leaps into the midst of
super battle droids in the coloseum stands to avoid an attack
by Jango Fett)
Soon afterwards,
Padme and Anakin destroy the primary droid control ship, and the
battle droids in the generator area begin running into the walls.
As Maul wades through the droids, cutting them down in his quest
to kill Kenobi, the Jedi uses the Force to hurl droids at his
enemy. Finally, they stand face-to-face...
Obi-Wan: "Your style of fighting is old, but I understand
it now..."
Darth Maul:
"You learn fast."
Obi-Wan:
"You don't bother to learn."
Maul: "I
don't have to..."
Before Maul can act, Kenobi lashes out and cuts the Sith warrior
in half. He studies his fallen enemy and says...
Obi-Wan: "Learn not...live not, my master always says."
(editor's note: Kinda humorous, but rather anti-climactic)
-In the revised
third draft, it is Qui-Gon - and not Obi-Wan - who nearly falls
to his death in the melting pit. While Obi-Wan watches helplessly
from behind the laser gates, Maul catches Jinn by surprise and
knocks him into the pit. The Jedi Master loses his grip on his
lightsaber, but uses the Force to retrieve the weapon before leaping
from the pit. When Qui-Gon lands behind Maul (just like Obi-Wan
did in the film), it seems as if he will be victorious. But the
Sith makes a sudden move and slays Obi-Wan's master.
-Meanwhile, Anakin and Padme spot on heavily-armed battleship,
and believe it to be the command ship. They prepare to attack
the pilot's tower, but the tower's deflector shields prove incredibly
strong. Padme orders two pilots, Teeter and Potts, to attack the
ship's shield generator. They are successful in damaging the shields.
Then, while Anakin pilots the ship, Padme serves as gunner. Despite
the heavy flak surrounding them, Padme remains focused on her
objective. As the deflector shield fluctuates, she fires several
missiles, which destroy the control tower and cause the chain
reaction that obliterates the command ship.
-With the
primary command ship disabled, Gunray immediately orders his followers
to activate the backup droid command ship. Moments after he gives
the order, Panaka and his troops surround the Viceroy. Because
Anakin has previously replaced all the battle droid commands,
the Traders' troops begin running in circles, bumping into walls,
and falling over.
-In the revised third draft, Anakin doesn't land inside the control
ship. Instead, after Bravo flight disables the control ships shields,
he joins in with the other pilots in concentrating firepower on
the control bridge. A direct hit causes the bridge to explode.
-Yoda and several other Jedi arrive to mourn Qui-Gon's death.
Padme expresses her sympathies, but Yoda...
Yoda: "A Jedi he was. One with the Force is he now."
Moments later, the funeral pyre is lit.
-Again, as I stated in a previous post, it is really unclear as
to how Palpatine became Supreme Chancellor in the revised rough
draft. Padme merely addresses him this way at the end of the story,
with no explanation.
-There is no dissent among the Jedi to train Anakin in the revised
rough draft. Immediately after Qui-Gon's funeral, Yoda calls the
boy forward. Mace Windu announces...
Mace: "The Council has decided to allow young Skywalker to
ve trained as a Jedi."
At Windu's command, Anakin kneels, and each Jedi comes forward
to touch the boy's forhead. When he stands, there are tears in
Anakin's eyes.
(note: the
"touching" thing takes root in several traditions. Regardless,
I think this would've made a good scene, particularly Anakin's
reaction)
-In the revised rough draft, Gunray and Haako are forced to be
present at the victory parade. Standing in front of the royal
viewing platform, they are in chains, surrounded by Gungan guards.
Amidala doesn't hand over a "Globe of Peace" to Governor
Nass, but it is clear that the Naboo and Gungans have settled
their differences.
Star
Wars: The Lost Episodes
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