Hi Kurt,

I hope you do download and enjoy it. Regarding 3PO, it is a tough call. Outside of small appearances during the Pod Race, I agree that he could likely be cut out with minimal impact on the story. I personally think it gets tricker in Episode II as he becomes more integral to the story, but again with some hard work it could be achieved.

I wouldn't hold it against any editor that does this, and if I'm not mistaken Ady has gone on record that when he gets to the PT, his plan is to do exactly as you're outlining.

But with fanediting everything comes down to the taste of the editor. Personally I'm of the generation that grew up as Star Wars came out, and I distinctly recall reading how the entire Saga was to be told through the eyes of R2 and 3PO, that they were the unwitting witnesses to the most important events of a galaxy far far away, and so my expectation of the PT has always been to see them involved.

Sadly the droids' involvement is admittedly shoe-horned into the story and not nearly as satisfying as it is in Episodes 4 and 5, but even still, they don't actually bother me, even though they lack the usefulness they deserved.

I certainly have cut out a bit of 3PO in Episode I so his role is reduced. I'm currently working on Episodes II and III, and my workprint for Episode II again cuts out the vast majority of his role (Droid Factory/Arena George? Really?), but 3PO is staying. What can I say, I have a soft spot for the prissy protocol droid. Call it editor's indulgence :)

Anyhow, I hope you'll still enjoy the edit Kurt, E1 was my first edit and will always be dear in my heart as it was a labor of love to salvage something enjoyable out of something that was such a let-down.