Well, he wasn't actually canned. He apparently didn't want to do it this time out. He still headed up the pre-viz teams, however, so he DOES have a hand in how the movie is cut in that respect, but it wasn't that he got fired, he apparently declined to handle the editing this time out, instead choosing to concentrate of pre-viz and sound effects editing.

I do agree that a lot of the prequel's problems have to do with his editing..although he's not editing in a vacuum, either. Lucas is right behind him as well, even if Lucas doesn't get an "edited by" credit.

BUT: The Imax edit of Attack of the Clones GREATLY improved that movie, and that was ALL Burtt. He did that edit by himself. So he does have some talent. But I'm not sad to see he stepped away from the duties on this movie. I think him handling pre-viz, as well as the sound department ON TOP of editing the films, meant one of those three had to suffer. looks like it was the editing.

Roger Barton, who edited Pearl Harbor and Gone in 60 Seconds, is editing the film. Say what you will about Pearl Harbor--but I always thought the editing was good. Actually made a Michael Bay movie look semi-restrained.