That would strengthen the “Queen Amidala is the equivalent of the Death Star plans” concept. What are your ideas?
My concept for the opening structure was something like this:
- Open the movie with Eddie’s crawl concept: the Queen is a vocal champion against corruption, the Trade Feds have invaded her planet in order to bend her to their will, the Jedi have been dispatched to bring her to Coruscant.
- Pan down to the theatrical opening shot of the Jedi transport approaching Naboo, then immediately cut to the scene of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon talking in the conference room. The shot would be flipped, and the droid’s dialogue would be changed, in order to have the scene take place on the Jedi transport.
- After Qui-Gon tells Obi-Wan to be mindful of the Force, cut to the Trade Fed flagship, and the second conversation between Gunray and Sidious. Most edits cut this scene due to being unnecessary with the theatrical plot, but it fits this altered plot like a glove due to its focus on galactic corruption and the Queen’s resistance.
- After Sidious signs out of the hologram, cut to the montage of Trade Fed ships landing on Naboo, followed by Qui-Gon meeting Jar-Jar for the first time. The audience will assume that the Jedi’s transport landed near the outskirts of the city, but the Jedi encountered resistance from the invasion army (which is why they’re split up in this scene).
- After the Jedi decide to leave before more droids show up (cutting the underwater city completely), cut to the Trade Fed army making it to Naboo. The Queen gets lectured by Gunray about the treaty she has to sign (another previously unnecessary scene that fits like a glove in the new plot), and then she gets rescued by the Jedi and Jar-Jar.
- Qui-Gon’s conversation with the Queen’s cabinet has been shortened to fit his new mission: He just says “We’re ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor. It’s urgent that we make contact with the Republic. Do you have transports?” He then convinces the Queen to come to Coruscant with them, and the movie continues as normal.