Surprise!

V4.3 announced. With my program, Final Cut Pro 7, no longer being able to run on a modern OS, it is time to revisit the prequel trilogy… one final time. After all the time and effort put into it so far, I think it is worthwhile to give it one more pass before placing it permanently out of my reach. I’ll edit the subtitles, chapter stops, and commentary tracks to maintain sync so nothing will be lost.

The sources used will be the same: Blurays for Episodes I and III, and schorman’s HDTV preservation for Episode II.

Intended changes

(Most of these changes are reinstating minuscule things that were cut with no clear reason, not contributing anything other than making the edit unnecessarily jarring.)

Brand new, gorgeous, incredible crawl footage from Sir Ridley:
Episode I

CLOAK OF DECEPTION

The Republic is in decay. After centuries of peace under the guardianship of the Jedi Order, a menace lurks in the shadows of the galaxy.

Attempting to capitalize on the government’s complacency, the greedy TRADE FEDERATION has surrounded the small planet of Naboo with a blockade of deadly warships.

With the newly crowned Queen desperate for help, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights to settle the conflict…

The Neimodians will no longer be substantially trimmed to attempt (mostly in vain) to make them more threatening. These changes don’t really amount to much other than causing slight jars. [Original version of opening cockpit interior with the Jedi asking to board, Sidious dialogue including “I will make it legal,” and “This is getting out of hand; now there are two of them!”]
Viceroy tells the battle droid to be on the lookout for the Jedi on the ground (it’s why the droid later tells them they are under arrest)
Sio Bibble saying “They wouldn’t dare.”
Reinstate Jabba the Hutt at the podrace. Despite what I may have said, my real intention was to preserve the reveal of his appearance in ROTJ, going against the project’s goals. I don’t mind the Jabba cameo, so I think it deserves to be put back in for this final version.
Reinstate Sebulba skidding to a stop rather than implying his death.
Possibly reinstate Anakin’s full line to his mother, “I hope so… yes, I guess” and her response.
Reinstate Boss Nass’ “Yousa no tinkin’ yousa greater than the Gungans?”
Reinstate “…this is too close.”
Brand new, gorgeous, incredible crawl footage from Sir Ridley:
Episode II
THE APPROACHING STORM

In the decade following the invasion of Naboo, dissidence has fragmented the galaxy. Over a thousand solar systems have revolted against the Republic.

This separatist movement, under the leadership of the mysterious Count Dooku, has made it difficult for the limited number of Jedi Knights to maintain peace and order in the galaxy.

Senator Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, is now the Senate’s leading advocate for diplomacy, and stands against growing calls for an ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC to counter the Separatists…

Attempt to find a different establishing shot of the Senate building rather than using Palpatine’s office twice
Delete line “And you will learn your place, young one.”
I will attempt to add Anakin laughing a little as he nosedives the speeder in pursuit of Zam. (There is a stretch without any dialogue or characterization other than a dry chase.)
Possibly add the end of Anakin’s line “this is a shortcut… I think.”
Reinstate dialogue between Obi-Wan and Lama Su, the removal of which makes it unclear what is going on. (Still removing discussion of specific unit numbers.)
Reinstate Anakin and Padme’s “You?” “Of course not me.” “But someone.”
Ask lovely forum members for help getting the day-for-night scene looking better.
As Obi-Wan reports to the council in the rain, reinstate Yoda’s line “Do not assume anything, Obi-Wan.”
Reinstate Yoda’s line about visiting the cloners on Kamino.
Brand new, gorgeous, incredible crawl footage from Sir Ridley:
Episode III

LABYRINTH OF EVIL

After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. The fragile government is crumbling under attacks from the ruthless Count Dooku.

In a stunning move, the fiendish cyborg leader, General Grievous, has swept into the Republic capital and captured Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Galactic Senate.

As the Separatist forces attempt to flee the besieged capital with their valuable hostage, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker lead a desperate mission to rescue the captive Chancellor…

Reinstate “My powers have doubled since the last time we’ve met, Count.” “Good. Twice the pride, double the fall.”
Reinstate “Is he bringing additional warrious?” “He didn’t say.”
Follow suit of virtually every other fanfix Ep3 edit by implementing the quick jump and slice ending to Obi-Wan and Anakin’s duel. It’ll be smoother, given that “I have the high ground” has to go.
See if anyone here has the ability and interest in making this mockup of the Death Star scene a reality: