Originally posted by: Commander Courage
As for the scene of Obi-Wan surveying the Clonetroopers, I would use the most alternate version of the Imperial March that you can find (nothing too different, but a littel variety is in order as the first full blown version should be saved for the end of the film). The "KOTOR March" that Weezer mentioned is a great piece of music, but for something as iconic as our first glimpse of the Stormtroopers, I think it calls for the iconic theme of the Imperial March.

I'm writing here in response to the overall dilemma of the musical treatment for the clonetroopers. I really think the huge iconic statement of the Imperial March should be saved for ROTS when Anakin and the troops march into the Jedi Temple. "The Arena" sounds good, but really, it isn't thematically appropriate, and it doesn't do the scene justice in its emotional context. I strongly recommend saving the big IM statement for that. Now, you could use the Imperial March in SOTDS, but I think it would be better if there was original music for the clones/stormtroopers. There was the Imperial motif from ANH. It's interesting, because Williams originally composed something different for the finale where we see the troopers loading up. There is actually an Across the Stars music video or something that has the last second or two of the original piece. The Imperial March from the end is an insert, recorded (I think) at the request of Lucas. When you hear the clip, it is highly possible that Williams recorded a grand statement of the ANH Imperial Theme. It's sad, because I think that Williams was really hampered in the way of thematic continuity and connection in the PT.

Now, how you handle the music is going to have to do with how you're wanting to handle the story. Trooperman, say someone has never seen the Star Wars movies, and knows nothing about who does what or anything. Are you trying to keep the turn of the clones a surprise for ROTS? If so, then it would be highly preferable to avoid the Imperial March. You could still use something with a somewhat--or even just potentially--menacing undertone, but make it more of a grand fanfare for this army that--in the end of the movie--will end up saving the day. If you use something that is sort of on the fence like that, where you aren't sure whether they will end up good or bad--because at this point, there's still a mystery afoot, and we don't know what's going on--then that sort of tone with a balance of excitement and possible threat is there, then you're wondering until the end, and you THINK you know they're good, and BAM! That sets you up for a shock in ROTS. If you want to go that route, then the Imperial March will give it up right away. On that note, the Trade Federation march would also be bad for that approach. If not, then there is more freedom there, and if you want the Imperial March, hey, go right ahead. No problems there.

If you want to save it, then I think that KOTOR march is a great option. It's still got an exciting feel to it, but kind of teeters between benevolence and malevolence. And it would underscore that grand moment.

Food for thought.