<blockquote>RoccondilRinon said:It's mainly a matter of changing the name, so that its destruction in ANH is more effective. Back when I first heard about the prequels in '97, I thought we'd get to see a fair bit of Alderaan, but as it is we see one side-character from the planet, who's only really important in the last act of Episode III, and maybe thirty seconds on the planet itself.</blockquote> 

I really like the idea of including Alderaan. Then when Tarkin announces he will test the Death Star on Alderaan, we can imagine Vader behind his mask standing there powerless to stop it, the start of his silent struggle with his emotional conflict. Tarkin may be ignorant of Vader's connection to Alderaan or just that cruel. After Leia bluffs "Dantooine," Tarkin says, "see Lord Vader, she can be reasonable." Vader nods and we can imagine his relief. Then Tarkin orders the destruction of Alderaan. Vader stands silently - in shock we can imagine. Vader places his hand on Leia's shoulder and pulls her back to him, a sign of empathy and an expression of his own need for something to hold onto at that moment. The scene works quite beautifully if Naboo were Alderaan.

Another radical change would be to have a coherent story arc throughout all 3 episodes focusing on the downfall of the Jedi. The Jedi would be self-motivated protectors of the Republic but far from central to it. The Jedi would be on the way out at the very start. The depiction of Jedi would be far more religious (think OT Ben and Yoda) than political or warrior-like. It would be clear that many people don't believe in the Force and the people of the galaxy have a love-hate relationship with the Jedi - many are ambivalent or ignorant of them.

The Jedi would have a resurgence of support in Episode II when the Clone Wars erupt, necessitating Jedi help by Chancellor Palpatine. The actual threat of the war (not a make-believe war nonsensically orchestrated) would be used to solidify power and put an end to the Jedi at the end of Episode III. I would like to work some ideas out as a script at some point, though memories of the PT seems to cast a pall on many of my thoughts. Also there is the trouble of dialogue. I'm not much more than an interpreter and not very good at telling stories.