Here’s a (possibly?) controversial decision I’ve made. I’m keeping the Leia flying into the Raddus stuff. Poppa’s edit removes it, but I really think it works quite well in novel form for the following reasons:
- There are multiple pages beforehand devoted to what Leia learned from Luke about the Force in her training.
- No wonky CGI effects that make her look like Mary Poppins.
- Descriptions of what’s going on with her body while she’s out in space which imo makes things more believable.
Honestly, the only reason I don’t like Leia flying in the movie is because of the CGI. I don’t dislike the idea in general (especially since it’s built up in the novel), so I think this works fine.
I second this decision. Cool concept on paper, bad execution on screen.
Leia’s brush with death also works as a precedent for her ailing strength and eventual passing in Episode IX.
The problem I had with that elevator scene before is that all troopers at this point should know about the infamous FN-2187. And the novelization explains that the walls of the elevator would cause a ricochet effect killing everyone inside. So it makes sense they would receive orders (muffled by their helmets) to hold off their attack until later.
Maybe you could reframe the elevator scene to make it more serious. Show that Finn feels recognized but for whatever reason the troopers don’t shoot him on the spot. Maybe they could even be the ones who contact Phasma, it might feel less contrived than the theatrical where they are caught by a random BB unit.
Also I don’t think Jannah should be there, it would only bring unneeded complications to the scene. If there´s any TROS characters that should be included or mentioned it’d be Pryde or the Knights of Ren.