I was going over your cultist and had an idea again. One your cut list you are removing the whole attack of the temple and the events surrounding that. I will say that would be a bit too much, since it complicates later scenes with Yoda and Obi-Wan going back to the temple.

What I would do is yes, remove Palp’s/Sidious’ order for Anakin to attack the temple but do keep the order to go to Mustafar. However, keep pretty much everything else associated with the attack on the temple (minus anikan marching with troops). This includes the scenes with the Temple burning … Bail visits the Temple to see whats going on AND Padme’s scene with Anikan.

The events of the Jedi Temple being attack/burning, etc. should occur AFTER Palp’s gives the Order 66 and those scenes that follow. This connects the dots on why the temple is attacked and is occupied with troopers.

Here what this allows. Number one, the Jedi temple is attacked due to Order 66. Also, by not showing Anakin there leading the attack, it does help add weight and truth to Obi-Wan’s words in a New Hope about Vader “hunting down the Jedi”. Specifically focusing on “Movie Cannon,” this can leave the audience to assume that some other Jedi (asides from Obi & Yoda) escaped from the temple or survived the Purge. That would be reinforced by keeping Obi-Wans actions of changing the distress signal at the temple to a “stay away” message.

Granted, we know Obi-Wan is a liar in A New Hope, but this adds a bit more truth in his words BUT also does not make the audience have SO MANY dots to connect with Vader and Anikan before The Empire Strikes Back.

Of course one would need to edit A New Hope A BIT to help sell the point, which is not the purpose of this edit since it is for Episode 3!

Food for thought.