To NOT have Luke turn to the Dark Side would render the entire story worthless, in my opinion. What's the point of the story anyways? A big excuse for lotsa special effects? Making money? I think the mostly overlooked "force", is at the real heart of the story, and George's comments, when interviewed (with Joseph Campbell, etc) have always reflected that. In a TIME onterview a few years ago, he refused to reveal who his inspiration and role model are because it would be "too revealing". Whats's that about? I'd guess that his idol is probably still who he indicated it was years ago. (anyone guess?)
In that same TIME interview he insisted on him having the right to change his vision of Star Wars as he seemed fit. He compared the process of working in the digital media with working in oils, leaving the artist with the ability to re-work the canvas as needed. And he insisted that if he wanted to change the original trilogy yet again, he would... that they might not be finished yet. (which is fine, because I was never convinced that Episode VI was the version he intended).
IM still betting on Episode III having some startling events, like finding our who Anakin's real father is (my theory: Palpatine, having co-opted the cloning technology for himself could have easily implanted his own improved "seed" to create the "super jedi" needed to defeat his master) possibly lending itself to a scene where we heard that fateful line again "I am your father!". I think the parallels between Anakin and Luke will become more clear with this next film, leaving people to strongly ponder Luke's fate, something that had been assumed all along.
I also pose this question... Since ILM developed this green screening process several years ago, could it be that parts of 7, 8 and 9 have already been filmed? It would make perfect sense, given that ILM has had the technology for several years and could have filmed the actors when they were much younger. This would be another coup for George, and exactly something he would do, developing a technology to defy traditional filmmaking and storytelling standards. He might have been able to even get Sir Alec on digital form before he passed away. Also worth mentioning are the facts that they've had both the time and money to have done this. If anyone could have done it, GL could have. In the years since ROTJ, who is to really say what they could have working on in private?
Any responses?