The Rise of Skywalker: Ascendant Special Edition (WIP) — Page 2

Good to hear! I’ve already started assembling the Vader AI clone. Let’s cross our fingers that it turns out well. I see no reason why it shouldn’t but you never know with technology. For example, I just tried to create the following exchange between Zorri and Poe on Kijimi:

“How long has it been like this?”

“Ever since Skywalker. But everyone’s only out for themselves. I’ve saved up enough to get out…”

This would be a perfect way to convey an uprising on Kijimi without being too in your face about it or making it too clear what’s going to happen by the end of the movie. Because if they are all resisting as one because of Skywalker on Kijimi, then Poe has no right to complain the very next second about nobody coming on Crait and thinking the same thing is bound to happen again. But if Skywalker has only made selfish opportunists (at least from Zorri’s perspective) resist the First Order, then Poe has every reason to be apprehensive.

Anyway, while the voice clone sounds identical to the actress, it can’t quite pick up that weird voice modulation effect she has. Does anybody know how exactly that could be replicated? The only alternative would be to dub all of her lines in this scene when her visor is closed, but that seems kinda disrespectful to the actress. I’d love to include this for this edit and possibly even Ascendant v5, but until we replicate it that’s probably not happening. Not a big deal either way, but would be cool:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tiDKw2bx3SstVF2k7Sr_Q4eaccAoXCwd?usp=sharing

losthead said:

Ooh, I like that one a lot. My only suggestion would be spacing it out just a bit, it feels somewhat cut up atm. Especially building up before the Vader reveal, it should have more room to breathe imo

Ordinarily I’d agree. But this is TROS we’re trying to fit into, where everything feels like it’s been cut down to the shortest possible run time. I’m aiming for around the same run time as when Rey enters Palpatine’s Wayfinder shrine - which is exactly 1 minute between the door closing on her and her falling back outside of it. Currently, just the vision part of Kylo’s scene is at 1 minutes 11 seconds, which I think matches the circumstances. We don’t want a side story like this to drag the entire plotline to a complete stop.

EDIT: Right, I should also mention that I’m trying to cut around parts where they have voice acting baked in. So the parts that are missing at the beginning are gone mostly for that reason. Although I could see about extending his wandering through the snow a bit at the very start to allow a little build up.

Here’s a random thing that I’m thinking about. I know EddieDean, in one of the previous threads, said that it shouldn’t be too clear what everyone’s respective destiny is orchestrated by Palpatine / by the will of the Force. But I genuinely think that is one of the greatest strengths here.

The reason Luke immediately gives up on Kylo, but was willing to give Vader a chance, is because he literally saw that Ben was destined to rule the galaxy as a tyrannical ruler and never be redeemed. This is why he cannot believe Rey’s own vision of her redeeming Kylo in TLJ. Which we of course know Luke was correct about in that film, at least. Furthermore, we know Rey is destined for the same dark fate due to her vision in this film.

We don’t want to deny either of these as fact, as that would mean by the end of TROS that Luke wasn’t wise enough to acknowledge the limits of foresight, acting upon a foolish notion that they are inevitable, and it would also mean visions of the future are false if you just try hard enough. None of this is particularly satisfying, since as we learned from Anakin’s story and Luke drawing his lightsaber, everything points to the idea that the more you try to resist fate the quicker it comes about. This would give Luke a reason for going to Ahch-To, because he believed that being involved in the fight would only draw that dark fate closer.

That’s why I think it’s critical to emphasize that the dyad is so powerful that it allows them to change fate itself. This means Luke was arguably justified in all his actions, and it doesn’t diminish the value of foresight in the Star Wars universe going forward. We can just make an exclusion in this case, and the fact that their bond was something created by the Force itself makes it seem like this was the wrench it intentionally threw into Palpy’s machinations so the good guys can win.

Everything also lines up with this idea. So, for example, despite Leia’s best efforts, Kylo can’t be redeemed and is going to die leaving Rey alone to inherit the throne… until Rey is somehow able to heal his fatal wound. Rey is about to slice down Palpatine in the ritual… until Ben reaches out to her through the dyad. Heck, even going back to TLJ, Snoke says that he cannot be beaten and that he sees everything that will transpire… until he gets fooled by the distraction set forth by Kylo using Rey as bait.

To make this idea more clear, here’s what I’m thinking.

“What are you doing here?”

“I saw myself on the dark throne. I’m never leaving this place, I’m doing what you did.”

“I was wrong. I feared I’d only push Ben toward that fate. What are you most afraid of?”

EDIT: This would then explain why we have a scene earlier of Luke talking to Kylo. He’s confronting his fear, which is the “destiny of a Jedi”. See how everything comes full circle? 😉 And it still works in the context of TLJ alone, as he wanted the Jedi to end so that the dark wouldn’t be as oppressive or retributive. Same concept, just in a slightly different context. So not a retcon, especially compared to what was there originally.

That’s interesting. I’d previously been using a lighter delivery, but my brother told me he preferred this line because he thinks he should sound more angry. I can take another look at it.

dgraham, I have some alternative lines where it sounds like he’s starting to cry a bit beneath the mask toward the end. So I guess it’s up to you guys. Do you want him to storm off angry (which we kinda see that he does) or more so in shame/embarrassment? Do we want to start to see through the cracks in his mask this early in the movie or do we want him to remain firm in his convictions?

Anyways, RL just came through with the Vader lines, and it sounds perfect. I haven’t extended out the beginning so there’s more buildup yet, but I promise I’ll get to that! I just wanted to use the project file I had saved previously:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10vIG5jzb-LXmkNBMIWUNt39CYbAYCniZ/view?usp=sharing

I know exactly what you mean about the buildup, that’s a great idea. I’ll get to both of these tests some time later today.

Your ideas in this thread really sound great and I’m looking forward to seeing them fully integrated.

The clips you shared are great as well!

One tiny thing regarding Vader’s lines. The first one sounds to me like the first part of an incomplete sentence. I think it’s because the emphasis is on “fear” while it should be on “is”.

And I do like the idea of having Vader’s first line to be spoken before we see him.

Agreed on both fronts. Here is another test:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnI8y_Diz62HWHn6T7p12_c226L4Y3Z8/view?usp=sharing

But keep in mind I’m (still) yet to add back in the part of him wandering through the snow and hearing a whisper that draws him deeper into the forest. Once that’s in I think most of the pacing issues will be gone. I’m just waiting to add that back in until we’re satisfied with the dialogue.

And here is the more “sympathetic” version of Kylo and Luke:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HgkYsih0y1d1D6N3Hfqxvf8jkaN6YCCF/view?usp=sharing

This version hints more at his eventual turn to the light, mostly due to the fact both of his comebacks to Luke are delivered more like delusions he doesn’t even want to believe himself at this point.

Jar Jar Bricks said:

Agreed on both fronts. Here is another test:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnI8y_Diz62HWHn6T7p12_c226L4Y3Z8/view?usp=sharing

But keep in mind I’m (still) yet to add back in the part of him wandering through the snow and hearing a whisper that draws him deeper into the forest. Once that’s in I think most of the pacing issues will be gone. I’m just waiting to add that back in until we’re satisfied with the dialogue.

I really dig this idea.

I think the line “you were never real” comes in a little too soon. I think it shouldn’t start until we see the the back of Kylo Ren. Otherwise it seems like he notices too soon. The previous iterations of the lines felt more straightforward.

I think it would be cool for Vader to say something like “You’re unworthy of the dark side.” Then Kylo stabs him and retorts “I’m the master of the Knights of Ren.” I think this would segue nicely to the next scene.

Yeah, like I said, once I put Kylo wandering through the snow at the beginning in, his line ideally won’t come in too soon. He hears a Sithy whisper, and this puts him on edge as he goes deeper.

A hypothetical first-time viewer wouldn’t know it at the time, but I chose “You are unworthy” because it is meant to refer to the idea that Rey is possibly the superior heir to the Sith throne, at least in Palpatine’s mind. I think it’s best to leave it vague so we can keep that.

Jar Jar Bricks said:

Yeah, like I said, once I put Kylo wandering through the snow at the beginning in, his line ideally won’t come in too soon. He hears a Sithy whisper, and this puts him on edge as he goes deeper.

A hypothetical first-time viewer wouldn’t know it at the time, but I chose “You are unworthy” because it is meant to refer to the idea that Rey is possibly the superior heir to the Sith throne, at least in Palpatine’s mind. I think it’s best to leave it vague so we can keep that.

The thing about the insecurity of Rey being a worthier Sith heir wouldn’t land with either Kylo Ren or the audience given that as far as he and we are concerned, at this point of the story the Emperor just wants to have her killed. The drama is that instead of doing that he’s planning on having her side with him. It is not revealed till later that Palpatine wants her as the heir. Therefore I think leaning into that at this point of the story is a bit premature.

On another note, there’s an old concept I brought up at the Ascendant thread but it wasn’t executed properly because I didn’t have a good enough Vader clone. Sounds like you have figured it out.

The idea was this:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gjKx7o3NC9aTZX1nDYD8ItbkJ6xn8BSp/view

Basically, it’s sort of a way to create a tenous link between the Wayfinder and Vader given that it’s his and it’s in his castle. Also reestablish who Kylo’s grandfather is before the Emperor brings him up and adds a little bit more of set up to the reveal of “I have been every voice you have ever heard of inside your head.”

As an added benefit for this particular edit, it would make their confrontation and Vader’s ‘killing’ more cathartic imo.

krlozdac said:

Jar Jar Bricks said:

Yeah, like I said, once I put Kylo wandering through the snow at the beginning in, his line ideally won’t come in too soon. He hears a Sithy whisper, and this puts him on edge as he goes deeper.

A hypothetical first-time viewer wouldn’t know it at the time, but I chose “You are unworthy” because it is meant to refer to the idea that Rey is possibly the superior heir to the Sith throne, at least in Palpatine’s mind. I think it’s best to leave it vague so we can keep that.

The thing about the insecurity of Rey being a worthier Sith heir wouldn’t land with either Kylo Ren or the audience given that as far as he and we are concerned, at this point of the story the Emperor just wants to have her killed. The drama is that instead of doing that he’s planning on having her side with him. It is not revealed till later that Palpatine wants her as the heir. Therefore I think leaning into that at this point of the story is a bit premature.

That would be the case in Ascendant, but not here. The only reference to Palpatine wanting Rey dead in this edit will be at the very beginning. And honestly, it’s not like he’s stating that’s the only way it can go down - “[The Final Order] will be yours, if you do as I ask. Kill the girl. End the Jedi. And become what your grandfather Vader could not. You will rule the galaxy as the new Emperor.”

Everything after “if” is only what is possible should he succeed, it’s not necessarily the only way Palpatine meets his goal here. Kylo’s line of “Palpatine wants you dead” will be replaced with “Palpatine wants me to fight you”. We have to imagine that after Kylo asked “Who is she?” Palpatine clarified that he just wants the two of them to fight to the death for the throne. So, yes, he would be aware of what’s really going on in this scene.

I’d be interested in possibly slotting Vader’s voice onto Mustafar. I think it might need to be a little more subtle than that, though.

Oh you guys are completely right. I read the original itent some days ago and forgot about that aspect. Sorry!

No problem! Hey krylozdac, would you mind drafting up those same tests with these lines instead? I just want to see how it would sound.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HkIoQzFIqkMwVeJ9Hl-k3Q_zAmiOhREA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ciu5FBt4cltg0hBY4MVA48r_Y7wVw57y/view?usp=sharing

But Luke says “like it failed my father” and Kylo responds “Anakin was weak”. That’s a dead giveaway right there (no pun intended).

Jar Jar Bricks said:

No problem! Hey krylozdac, would you mind drafting up those same tests with these lines instead? I just want to see how it would sound.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HkIoQzFIqkMwVeJ9Hl-k3Q_zAmiOhREA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ciu5FBt4cltg0hBY4MVA48r_Y7wVw57y/view?usp=sharing

Oh does sound good! I’m gonna try to send it tonight when I’m free.

Btw, what are you using to train the voice?