Just tried the new arrangement, and I think it works better. I did have to remove a few lines of dialogue from Anakin and Palpatine’s conversation about how trustworthy Padme is, but that’s about it. I’m going to try watching the edit sometime in the next few days to see if it works, but I’m hopeful that we’re reaching the end of the cutting stage.

With that said, I still have a lot to take care of. I’ve got a lot of transitions, edits, and wipes to add. The new blu-ray source has a miserable purplish tint that could use some color grading. And I think this one may require more sound editing than even Episode I. So I still have a lot to take care of, but I think the first stage is close to complete.