It seems I may have been a bit too negative in my initial response to the Coruscant in RotJ idea. It has potential, but we really need to think it all through. What turned me off to it was the idea that the Luke/Vader/Palpatine confrontation took place in the Imperial Palace, not on the Death Star. Now, ideally that's what would have happened, but to composite Coruscant outside the windows (and making it look professional as if it has always been that way) is a massive undertaking well above and beyond any fan editor. Who knows, maybe ILM could do it in a future release, but not Starkiller Ranch. Now that that's been established, I do see possibilities here. This is of a very different line of thought than I had been following do far with this edit though.
Originally moving the beginning of RotJ to ESB was to establish continuity with the 2nd Death Star and not have it come seemingly out of nowhere in RotJ. I thought this worked well, and still do. What is the general concencus on this? Would you also agree with this alteration, or prefer the Vader scene be left for RotJ?
Once that is established, an opening for RotJ can be nailed down. The first part of the film is going to be heavily resequenced, and knowing whether or not the Vader scene is going to be in there would help tremendously.
In any case, incorporating Coruscant would require some special effects work far beyond my capability. Once again I send out an SOS to anyone who could help in the area of effects. We are in dire need.
As for the story logistics of the DS2 being in the Coruscant system, that would make its existence common knowledge, would it not? This might actually help the nonchalant attitude the Rebels have towards it in the film: they've known about it for some time. Mon Mothma's speech will need to be edited, and as stated earlier, the Mon Calamari will need their own language (dubbed and subtitled). Also, assuming we're going for the "assasinate the Emperor" objective (which I really like, btw, whoever first suggested it), is it really that big a deal if they're going to Coruscant to do it? Though playing on his reclusive nature, this could indeed be the first time the Rebels have had a chance to strike at Palpatine (not being in his palace or whatever). There's much mapping-out to be done with these ideas, but it just might work. Working Coruscant into the OT is essential to making the saga flow, and this does seem like the best opportunity to do so.
Also, what did you guys think of the suggested new ANH scene with Vader and the Emperor? Any feedback on that?