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Post #442266

Author
Erikstormtrooper
Parent topic
SW Episode III - Reign of the Dark Side (* unfinished project *)
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/442266/action/topic#442266
Date created
21-Sep-2010, 1:46 PM

Speaking of the weaknesses of ROTS, I always thought Anakin's abrupt turn to the dark side was the biggest flaw. I don't think Bob has addressed this, but I could be wrong.

Here's an idea I had that I posted last year in the Prequel Radical Redux Ideas Thread. I've always thought this would work great as a way to somewhat explain Anakin's turn.

Erikstormtrooper said:

Here's an idea I had regarding his quick turn (but not relating directly to the "reason"). It seems to me that when he confronts Palpatine and discovers he's the Sith, he's almost ready to kill him, but he changes his mind so quickly later. Instead, as per George's original plan, edit the scene in Palpatine's hallway so that Anakin seems conflicted by Palpatine's admission. He ignites his saber breifly, but after some prattle from Palps (insert "reason" here), he turns off his saber, and Palpatine smiles. Scene ends. (Anakin never alerts Mace. The Jedi already suspect Palpatine will not turn over power. I think there's a deleted scene that may be useful here). When Mace shows up, Anakin is nowhere to be seen. But he's actually sulking conflictedly in the shadows (maybe footage from the council chamber scene could be darkened and rotoscoped). While the duel continues, Anakin experiences his true turn: an emotional crescendo where we hear in his mind waves of overlapping voices (Qui Gon: "He is the chose one", Palps: "I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi", etc etc.). The voices continue and jumble up, getting louder and becoming unbearable (the right music could really sell this). Just as the voices reach a peak and crash into silence, Palps seems to be beaten. Anakin, now turned, suddenly steps out to quietly dismember Mace. After the electrified Mace flies out the window, the kneeling Anakin simply says "I will do whatever you ask, my master."

Bob, based on the great work you're doing, I'm wondering if you might be able to pull off something like this.