The Alderaan angle is going to be tricky considering how often the name Naboo shows up in dialogue. Some of that dialogue can be cut, some subtitled, but there are probably going to be instances where I can't get around the word Naboo. As far as naming the capital city Naboo, that would be fine but the problem is a race is rarely named after a capital city on their planet.
I'm hoping I can find some examples of the name Alderaan used in the films, the clone wars series and the Star Wars: A Musical Journey DVD.
After discussing the matter with a number of my friends I've decided on pursuing the spice angle for the Trade Federation. I really like the ties to the original trilogy, not only with Han Solo, but also Luke's belief that his father had been a navigator on a spice freighter.
I'm still open to suggestions for a title. Right now I like The Gathering Storm as I feel it's descriptive of the film and how this story marks the beginning of the end for the Republic. I also feel it evokes the right kind of Nostalgia for the classic Flash Gordon serial titles without being overly goofy or melodramatic.
I would really love to incorporate Darth Maul's "Litany of Fear" in the film, but I'm just not sure how to best do so. If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.
Here's the current version of the crawl. Not too much has changed:
Star Wars
Episode I
THE GATHERING STORM
It is a period of civil unrest. The Galactic Republic, which has stood for over a thousand generations, is in decline. Corruption, greed and apathy have taken root. The seeds of evil are sown throughout the Galaxy.
The sinister Trade Federation has seized control of the planet Alderaan with a blockade of deadly battleships. As the senate looks on, the supreme chancellor calls upon the Jedi, guardians of peace and justice in the Galaxy, to resolve the conflict.
Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, tasked with overseeing young Obi-Wan Kenobi's trials of knighthood, has been dispatched to liberate Alderaan from the tyranny of the Federation and to restore freedom to the once peaceful system....