I know we are going to keep the Nemoidians in there for this edit depends on them as the Main Badguys.
But just HOW -- well, I like the possibilities of staying with the Jedi and hadn't thought of it.
I know the invasion is going to happen more swiftly after Gunray talks to Amidala-- I'll be at the drawing board...
Edited: By the way, C3PX-- have you heard the Nemoidian dubs InfoDroid did? That stuff is pitch perfect. Nute Gunray is going to be a badass and he sounds like one now.
Nute is going to be aching to battle the Jedi-- itching for a fight, feeling up for killing two Jedi this morning. It's his underling who prevents this battle from occuring.
So I don't know if we can construct Nute as tough enough if we don't see him-- but maybe if the over the shoulder shots come sooner, building up to a reveal of Nute. It's worth looking at.