^Sounds like some sort of devious plot to plant ideas in my head, like some sort of inception. Actually, I like it, and there is a point where I'd like to insert Madine footage. Including him may be one of the hardest things, wherever we try to put him because he has so few lines and his face is so non-expressive in the released deleted scenes. While I'm happy with all the new material, I wish they had released more. I'm sure some or all of it has decayed, but I really wish we had more to work with.
Also, glad you like the funeral on Tatooine idea. I don't know how doable it is, but I think it'd be very fitting. However, if we can't do it, I don't think it's the end of the world either. I just think it makes for a more fit ending.
We can keep the celebrations. I certainly don't 'hate' them. I just think they feel a bit out of place with their modern special effects. But perhaps with our nice version, it'll all blend together better anyway. It makes sense and is fitting in any case to show the celebrations, and now we know for certain that the Empire has fallen.
Still on the fence about Lando, pondering the interest in having him actually die. When I was younger I never thought much about his character. Now that I'm older, I really like him. He may have made a bad choice in ESB, but he's a very loyal friend. It'd be nice to create the scene and see how it all plays out. I don't imagine it'd be that hard to blow up the Falcon. We'd have to probably include some voiceovers, probably having Wedge overhear him screaming in his cockpit or something. But the most important thing to include would be having Han whisper, "Lando," while looking at the Death Star explosion. I'm not sure there's a good point to include that. But I know I'm interested in the idea, and maybe someone can demonstrate it.
First scene with Leia and Wicket could probably be easily removed, and it would probably add more suspense and mystery to the Ewoks at first. I never understood why people wanted to remove that scene (or at least shorten it, like Spence did), but now that thought occurs to me. Is that why?
I don't really care about the title 'general'. I just think it's funny that they did that. I don't think it'd be worthwhile trying to remove it.
Ronster, glad you don't hate me :) I see what you mean about pacing; a scene like that would set the pace for a faster movie. However, no matter what, this movie is slower than ANH in many ways until the final battle. This order allows for a slow start, gradually increasing in pace, until we hit a adrenaline-packed finale (we hope). I don't think the order is necessarily bad. Don't forget, ESB is pretty slow, and even in the beginning with the wampa and Luke trapped in the storm, it's still not a fast paced beginning. That said, I think we're all still considering the stealing of the plans. My problem with your plan is that no matter what, it will be pretty obvious that we've reused much of the ANH footage. It'd have to be completely redone, I think, to make it believable. Not saying that's impossible, since I'm asking Aalenfae to do much of the same in the final battle, but I'm saying it's a lot of work without necessarily the full payoff.
I kind of agree with Vladius that I like these parts you want removed.
Yes, the Death Star blowing up Endor would be suicidal in reality. That is part of the reason why in the beginning I suggested moving the DSII's orbit further from the moon (though there are others as well). Also, if you think about it, destroying the DSII would destroy Endor with all the fallout, but it's a movie, and I figure it's one of those details to be overlooked.
Yeah, it's not necessary to include the pyre on Tatooine. It's basically just a thought that could include more emotion, especially considering that the music and lighting of that scene were already supposed to be reminiscent of Luke's sunset scene in ANH. But it may not be worth the effort, and I'm not tied to the idea.
While I am the one who put the script together, I'm trying to be quite open to others' suggestions, since this is a collaborative effort. But I also do feel passionate about some of the ideas I include. I do see your point about the "flitting around," but I feel it worked fine in the original cut. Again, I feel that these are various climactic points, and separating them destroys the pacing. And as for Jerjerrod, it may make it too hectic, but I don't think so yet. Before actually working on the script, I was trying to make a more complete Endor scene that included the Jerjerrod stuff, so I will try to finish that and see how it works. I'll upload it ASAP.
Hopefully I've addressed everyone's thoughts, even if I didn't specify what you said. What I'm thinking we'll have to do is collect a bunch of the debated ideas in a list and put them up for a vote, with the SFX guys holding some sort of veto powers over aspects of it since they have to be willing to do it. I'm not trying to dictate the exact direction of the story, though I certainly hope to have a big say. I'm really trying to remain open to everyone else's thoughts, and ultimately a vote (i.e. should we kill Lando, yes or no?) will settle some of these issues. Everyone who has displayed any interest in working on this project will be included in the vote, and I will probably send PMs to everyone. So after we get some more feedback on the script, I hope someone would be willing to gather all the unsettled debated ideas.