STAR WARS
Episode II
THE CLONE WARS
Written by
Adam Redsell
Revised Seventh Draft
November 23, 2005
Based on the film
‘Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones’
by
George Lucas.
1 EXT SPACE
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the Main Title, followed by a rollup, which crawls into infinity.
The Republic is in tatters. The galaxy is on the brink of war as tensions rise between loyalists and separatists.
The Galactic Senate is gripped with panic as the Jedi Knights struggle to maintain peace in the galaxy. Systems secede for fear of retribution as Grievous’ clone armies swell in numbers. With the Mandalorian presence all but wiped out, the Confederacy turns it attention towards the Republic.
In a bid to unify and strengthen the Republic, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has moved the Senate to increase its military expenditure. Ever vigilant, loyalist forces lie in wait on the Republic border…
PAN DOWN to reveal fleets of REPUBLIC CRUISERS, NEBULON-A FRIGATES, and ASSAULT GUNBOATS cruising in stasis.
2 EXT CORELLIA/CHANDRILLA/KASHYYYK/MON CALAMARI/SULLUST/ITHOR – MONTAGE
BATTALIONS of REPUBLIC SOLDIERS have been deployed on the outer systems of the Republic to defend its borders from the growing Separatist threat.
3 EXT DANTOOINE – GRASSLANDS – PATROL TOWER – AFTERNOON
AT-WALKER VARIANTS patrol the grasslands of Dantooine. A REPUBLIC OFFICER looks out with his electrobinoculars from the patrol tower.
4 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – MEDITATION CHAMBER – NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN are training in the Meditation Chamber. ANAKIN uses the Force to lift large objects in the room, but he momentarily loses concentration and drops everything.
ANAKIN
Wha–?!
OBI-WAN
How many times have I told you, Anakin? Control. You must learn control…What’s wrong?
ANAKIN
Padmé’s in danger.
ANAKIN and OBI-WAN run out of the chamber.
5 INT CORUSCANT – PADMÉ’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
ANAKIN runs into the chamber, drags Padmé out of bed.
PADMÉ
(groggy)
Anakin…what are you doing?
ANAKIN runs, carrying Padmé, and OBI-WAN follows.
ANAKIN
Ugh!
They jump as the chamber EXPLODES behind them. The explosion floors Anakin, and he lands on his back. PADMÉ lands straddled on Anakin, creating an awkward situation. OBI-WAN hits the wall on the other side of the corridor. He observes Anakin and Padmé’s embarrassing situation. PADMÉ and ANAKIN stare at each other for a few seconds until they realise their embarrassment. PADMÉ rolls away from Anakin
PADMÉ
(still groggy)
Anakin…what is going on?
ANAKIN
(in between breaths)
I think…someone…is trying…to kill you.
REPUBLIC OFFICERS rush in to attend to the Queen, and to clean up the area.
6 INT CORUSCANT – CHANCELLOR’S CHAMBERS – DAY
SUPREME CHANCELLOR PALPATINE sits in his chair, gazing out the window at the cityscape, until OBI-WAN, ANAKIN, and QUEEN AMIDALA enter his bureau. PALPATINE swivels his chair around, and rises to greet them.
PALPATINE
Your Highness! Thank goodness you’re still alive…And Anakin, I am eternally grateful for your swift and heroic action.
OBI-WAN, ANAKIN, and QUEEN AMIDALA exchange bows with PALPATINE.
ANAKIN
(clearing his throat)
It was no problem, really.
PALPATINE sits down behind his desk again and gestures towards the seats in front of him.
PALPATINE
Please, take a seat. We have a great deal to discuss.
OBI-WAN, ANAKIN, and QUEEN AMIDALA sit down.
OBI-WAN
Do you have any intelligence on who may be behind this attack?
PALPATINE
The attack was no doubt perpetrated by one of General Grievous’ assassins.
OBI-WAN
But why would Grievous still consider the Queen to be a threat?
PALPATINE
The Queen remains the recognised leader of Onderon, and as long as she remains so, Onderon is officially a Republican system…She is a symbol of the Republic, and Grievous would love nothing more than to completely sever Onderon’s ties with the Republic…You must understand the seriousness of the situation. This is an act of war. I suggest that the Queen be taken to another system to lay low for a while, until the danger subsides…with a Jedi protector, yes. Anakin would be perfect for the job.
OBI-WAN
Thank you for your advice, Chancellor, but the decision will ultimately lie with the Council.
PALPATINE
(looking at Anakin)
Yes, of course. I am confident they will make a wise decision…
AMIDALA
And what say do I have in this?! This will take me away from my Senate meetings!
PALPATINE
I know this is difficult for you, your Highness, but you must understand that your safety is our primary concern at this time. I will be delivering an ultimatum to General Grievous in the next session of the Senate tomorrow. For your own safety, he cannot know that you are still alive.
AMIDALA
I know. You are right. But who will take my place in the Senate?
PALPATINE
You *could* delegate one of the regional governors…perhaps Governor Tarkin is suitable for the task…
AMIDALA
I trust in your judgement, Chancellor.
PALPATINE
Then the matter is settled. I will contact the governor immediately. Assuming he accepts the responsibility, you may confer with him via comlink at any time, but you must be discreet.
AMIDALA
I understand. Thank you for your counsel, Chancellor.
QUEEN AMIDALA, ANAKIN, and OBI-WAN rise.
PALPATINE
As long as you are safe, your Highness.
OBI-WAN
(bowing)
Thank you, Chancellor.
QUEEN AMIDALA, ANAKIN, and OBI-WAN leave the chamber.
7 INT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS – DAY
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stand before the Jedi Council.
MACE
How did the meeting go?
OBI-WAN
They believe the attack was perpetrated by one of Grievous’ assassins. The Chancellor recommends that the Queen be assigned a Jedi Guardian and taken to another system until the danger subsides.
KI-ADI
I agree. The Queen must be protected at all costs.
OBI-WAN
The Chancellor recommended Anakin in particular.
MACE
Hmmm…They are friends, and Anakin had the initial premonition of her danger. All in favour?
YODA
I agree.
MACE
Then it is settled. Anakin, you will take the Queen to Alderaan and remain there until notified.
ANAKIN
Yes, Master.
MACE
Obi-wan, you will go to the moon of Dxun to investigate the disappearance of a group of Jedi Knights.
OBI-WAN
What were Jedi doing on Dxun?
MACE
Master Sifo-Dyas led a group of Jedi Knights to fight the Mandalorians against the will of the Council…It was later we discovered that a Separatist clone army had already landed for an invasion. The Mandalorians were all but wiped out, and the Jedi have not since returned. We fear the worst.
YODA
Yes…the Dark Side we sense.
OBI-WAN
Very well. I will go to Dxun.
KI-ADI
May the Force be with you both.
8 INT/EXT CORUSCANT – JEDI TEMPLE – CORRIDOR/DOCKING BAY – DAY
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN walk through the Temple corridor towards the docking bay. OBI-WAN looks at Anakin for a while and smiles. ANAKIN looks back at Obi-wan suspiciously.
ANAKIN
What?
OBI-WAN
What? Aren’t I allowed to smile?
ANAKIN
(smirking)
That all depends…on what you’re smiling about…
OBI-WAN
(as if he’s reciting poetry)
Your first mission alone…You’ve grown so much.
ANAKIN
Ah! Knock it off!
ANAKIN pauses for a moment, then turns towards Obi-wan again.
ANAKIN
(pointing at Obi-wan, jokingly)
I know, you don’t think I can take care of myself!
OBI-WAN
No, it’s Padmé I’m worried about!
ANAKIN looks slightly annoyed.
OBI-WAN
I’m only kidding!
OBI-WAN places his hands on Anakin’s shoulders.
OBI-WAN
I trust you, Anakin. Even with my own life if I had to…but don’t do anything unless the Council instructs you.
ANAKIN
Yes, Master.
OBI-WAN
May the Force be with you.
ANAKIN
May the Force be with you too, Obi-wan.
ANAKIN and OBI-WAN turn away from each other and walk their separate ways.
OBI-WAN
(turning back around)
Anakin!
ANAKIN stops and rolls his eyes back.
ANAKIN
(turning about-face)
What now?!
OBI-WAN
Take care.
ANAKIN
(smiling, shooing him off)
Alright, alright. Get out of here, you’ve got a mission to accomplish!
OBI-WAN finally boards his fighter and sets course for Dxun.
9 INT CORUSCANT – GALACTIC SENATE
SUPREME CHANCELLOR PALPATINE stands before the HOLOSCREEN IMAGE of GENERAL GRIEVOUS. Hundreds of SENATORS look on.
PALPATINE
Today, the Republic presents you with a choice.
GRIEVOUS
Oh, how generous of you all…
PALPATINE
Stand down. Or be forcibly removed.
GRIEVOUS
Ha! Some choice! The same thing in different packages. Very clever. Tell me, Chancellor. You didn’t honestly expect me to choose between the two, did you? Very well. You back me into a corner and I’ll burrow through you. Be warned. A landing on Onderon’s soil will be interpreted as an act of war against the Confederacy of Independent Systems!
A RABBLE rouses in the Senate, then dies down again.
PALPATINE
Have no illusions, Grievous. It is your treachery that has brought this upon your house!
GRIEVOUS
Ha! Tell that to the galaxy when war is on their doorstep!
The holo-screen FIZZLES out. A RABBLE rouses in the Senate.
MAS AMEDDA
Order! Order!!
CHANCELLOR PALPATINE turns around to face the Senate.
PALPATINE
Mark my words, General Grievous will be brought to justice, and the throne returned to Queen Amidala. The people of Onderon will be liberated! It is with this resolve that I motion for military action in Onderon!
The SENATORS rise to applaud his decision.