Sluggo said:Bingowings said:A friend of mine, who really should join up for here suggested that the body dissapearing thing should be to be an act of will.
Ben when he is cut down by Vader knows he is going to die and he knows the correct meditiation to maintain his consciousness and return to the physical world via the Force. The same is true of Yoda.
Qui-Gon and Anakin don't know the currect procedure but learn it in the afterlife because there is a need to return.
Qui-Gon needs to help the last two Jedi fix the situation caused by the rise of the Sith and Vader needs to continue his redemption by helping the last Jedi rebuild what he destroyed.
That's a good explanation but I don't know how that could be put on screen in a way that doesn't sound (if you pardon the pun) forced.
Conceptually, I really don't have a problem with Qui-gon or Anakin disappearing into the force. The bigger problem is to have it work on screen. Anakin isn't around to see Qui-gon ka-bobed, so as Vader he can still be surprised when Ben disappears. The only problem is the funeral of Qui-gon. Is there any information that is absolutely nessecary to keep? I think the 'rule of 2' can go, it was never really brought back up in the rest of the movies. Anakin's getting trained by Obi-wan can also be cut with the funeral. Yoda delivers this information in the next scene anyway.
If you can cut the funeral, there shouldn't be an issue of Qui-gon disappearing.
There is still an issue in that Qui-Gon doesn't disappear as he dies in Obi-Wan's arms (same goes for Anakin) perhaps cremation isn't a common funereal practise in the Star Wars universe and it freed the body allowing the spirit to decide it's fate in the afterlife (much as Hindus and Sikhs believe).
It could be common to the Naboo and convieniant for Luke (lots of wood and a big metal and plastic form to get rid of).
This is all academic unless there is a way of showing this on screen.
I like the two pyres (partly because it would allow for Dooku to turn up in Episode One) they book end each other but they could be trimmed bear of all that repeat exposition.
If Padme is cremated too saving that pendant and giving it to Leia (who gives it to Luke) would be a good final trigger for Vader turning on Palpatine.
It falling to the floor when Luke is shot with Force lightning would tie the first episode to the last and remind Vader that he was once little near orphan Annie.