Work has commenced on V2. I was supposed to take a longer break, but f*ck it, I’m a perfectionist and I can’t let things rest if I see potential.
The suggestions I’ve had from some of you are more than good, and there aren’t many I disagree with. I’ll go into more details before release and update,
but here’s the more major alterations:
- Cut 2 min 40 seconds from Mapuso (as suggested above). It does indeed lose some momentum, and the pace of removing the Stormtroopers taking extreme interest in Obi-Wan and Leia and all that (although a good enough scene in its own merit) does increase the flow a lot and help in the film structure.
- Reeva does now throw the knife (again), and THEN the Jedi (Nari) run like it is presented in my edit (as suggested by GLogus).
- Cut Reeva landing in her own, private ship with the Stormtroopers on Jabiim. Instead, she simply has arrived WITH her troops - and the bombardment and shooting of the Rebel Door is all increasingly dramatic and better paced, as to not waste too much time on silly shananigans (me).
- The Laser Gate on Dayiu is instantly shot at by Obi-Wan, and instantly opens. This doesn’t make the Laser Gate seem like this giant obstacle that it does in the series/film. Obi-Wan (and Anakin) used to shoot door panels all throughout the series, so this is totally in character and should actually work as a homeage of sorts (Glogus and me).
- Smoothen out audio transition with Reeva talking to her thugs (as suggested by GLogus), as some might find it confusing.
- Cut the line “The Jedi hunt themselfes” from Reeva speaking to her thugs, as I cut the Grand Inquisitor’s delivery of the line on Tattooine (this I actually had forgotten about, thank you, Glogus).
- Smoothen Haja and Obi-Wan conversation before The Alternate Rescue.
… and more, as suggested. This is just from the top of my head.
Things that will NOT be changed:
- The line “How old are you?”. Simply because it is meant to be playful, and it does create some great banter between them. In the heat of everything going on and all the questions Obi-Wan is asked from this (at the time, to him) troublesome little girl, this scene made my girlfriend chuckle a lot. This being a family saga (and a family film), I don’t find it a smart move to remove EVERYTHING that goes slightly against logic. Sometimes, a little family lightness goes a long way.
- Obi-Wan using the force on the window in the new, alternate Escape. Reason: Obi-Wan using the force in an impactful way does ruin the implication that when Obi-Wan DOES use his force powers in full (later saving Leia), is when Anakin can sense him. Therefore, Obi-Wan using the force can not be kept for reasons of believability and continuity.
- The line “Who’s in the gutter now?”. Although it’s original reference is gone, the line still holds value in the sense that it shows Reeva’s hatred for the Grand Inquisitor. Having removed a lot of the Inquisitor Banter and cringe in the film, this line serves as a nail in the coffin imo. Removing it would most likely leave certain audience members confused as to why she killed him in the first place. When she delivers the line, we will immediately ASSUME that this is the way the Grand Inquisitor has ALWAYS treated her - like a gutter rat.
@VulgarisMagistralis: I haven’t noticed anyone having issues with this, and on repeat viewings I still can’t find issue with this if I try. I think the reason Leia is running is because, for the first time in her life, she is being SHOT AT, and this is why she is running and panicking. I think it works. Thank you for your suggestion tho’.