Replying here to something from the general thread because it’s relevant and something to consider for this project.
Here are some of the ideas I had written down.
Some thoughts on the Kijimi sequence: Kijimi in Revolt, 3PO’s Irreversible Sacrifice, and Poe’s Past.
- Add details to Kijimi to establish that it is revolting.
- Add graffiti to one of the walls of the Kijimi streets. Rebel symbol, crossed-out stormtrooper helmet, or Luke posing like the original Star Wars poster, with lightsaber overhead.
- While they’re sneaking around, add civilian protest shouts in the distance, maybe something like, “For Skywalker!” Maybe then we could hear blaster shots or an explosion.
Do we have any concept art or anything for the graffiti that was to be painted on Coruscant for DOTF? Perhaps simply (ha!) tracking and comping that onto some wall someplace could be a nice hint at a suppressed sense of rebellion. (Can’t tell from memory but maybe the wall Poe is up against during some of the long shot of him scouting the area after landing on Kijimi.)
Making the Dagger an Ancient Artifact
- In order to make the dagger distinctly ancient, redub Red-Eyed 3PO to give a new translation of the dagger. Instead of giving the exact coordinates, the new translation instructs the wielder to hold the dagger and embrace the darkness it holds. If they accept this “test”, the dagger will show them the way.
- Cut Finn saying, “The Endor system? Isn’t that where the last war ended?” This will be pushed to later. They don’t have time to react to the translation, because the First Order shows up.
- After Rey senses the dagger on the ship, cut Poe asking why they need it, and Rey saying, “A feeling.” The new translation makes it clear that they need the dagger to find the Wayfinder.
- When Rey picks up the dagger and stares at it, she begins hearing whispers/screams and eventually sees a quick glimpse of the Death Star ruins. Kylo Ren interrupts her right after this moment. (This would tie in well to the whispers guiding her to vault on the Death Star, as Ascendant currently has it.)
- At the beginning of the scene with Rey and Finn fixing the Falcon, add a part of Finn’s earlier line, “The Endor system? Where the last war ended?” (Either sentence, both likely won’t fit). Rey continues “All that matters is finding the Wayfinder. Finding Exegol.” Adding the line here helps clarify that Rey told them about her vision of the Death Star after they regrouped, and now they are heading there.
That dagger redub idea is great! You seem to have thought of its implications and addressed these. It’d help sell the mystical dagger idea for sure. I’m sure someone around here could record and process the lines. It won’t be authentic Anthony Daniels, though of course it was distinctly different from his usual voice. I would say ideally someone could do a fair impression of 3PO’s Sith voice and process it, matching the tone and substance of the original performance. (Attempt to match it but it need not be perfect since it’d be the only occurrence of the voice.) It’d be a tough job, though, because the audience’s ears will perk up to really take in the unique moment and attend closely to the delivery and sound design.
But man, that could be glorious.