Unrelated to the current discussion, but a random idea occurred to me. One issue with TPM I have is Qui Gon sensing Anakin has some connection to the force, yet we the audience don’t really see much of it until the pod race. When trying to find some way to add it I thought, hey, what if I tried to indicate that Anakin somehow unknowingly uses a mind trick on Sebulba when he attacks Jar Jar, which is what draws Qui Gon’s attention to him? (Both shows Anakin being force sensitive much earlier, and is a nice little parallel to ANH)
Currently have a sort of test edit of the idea I have in mind, though it’s still not perfect, I feel it’s not obvious enough, but can’t for the life of me find a way to rewrite the dialogue to fit the idea more.
A few things, first to this: How about this dialogue…
Anakin: I’d hate to see you crushed before our next race, Sebulba. I’ve heard this one’s pretty big in the Republic. You don’t want to hurt him.
Sebulba: I don’t want to hurt him. But the next time we meet, Skywalker, this worthlesss slime will pay. And so will you.
Second: I am with those that we shouldn’t be looking at trying to stick to any particular time length. Whatever works pacing/cut-wise is what matters.
Finally, for me it’s important that TPM begins with Obi-Wan and his name being said because HE’S our link to the OT so that first scene MUST begin there. Personally, anyway.