The Star Wars Prequel Re-quel
Our Most Ambitious Fanatic Project To-Date
Can This Classic Trilogy Be Elevated To The Status It Deserves?
Project Overview
The re-editing of George Lucas's should-have-been masterpiece is an idea many fan-editors have made multiple attempts at. None we would argue have hit the mark (see our list of notable attempts). Making that judgement requires first establishing what the mark should be. Our criteria for that mark is detailed below, but the overwhelming verdict from true Star Wars fans and most film critics is universal, George did not hit the same high-level mark with these three as he did with the original Star Wars or Empire Strikes Back.
Easy enough to throw shade on the prequels, but not the spirit we have here at FFR. It should also be said that the originals have so much to appreciate, including some amazing sequences and the reverance for where this saga belongs in the canon of all things Star Wars Universe. The idea has been in our cue for over eight years now, has made much progress, but has many more hours to invest before we can claim we've hit the mark. We started with this belief though — it can be done.
"Don't even think it." —
Project Criteria
1. Edit all three films into a single, unified vision.
2. Cut every objectionable element from the trilogy, no mater how large or small.
3. Change the story to accommodate edits, but adhere to the high standards of continuity and quality film editing.
4. Edit for length, enough to maximize pacing, but keep all essential plot elements and exceptioal sequences.
5. Cut entire characters or specific character attributes deemed below the mark. (Sorry Jar Jar, you have to go)
6. Maintain high production value in sound, editing, flow and continuity.
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This is all easier said than done. For starters, unabashed cutting within scenes leads to continuity and pacing quagmires that can often be more objectionable than the frames cut. Ironing out these problems is just as essential in our criteria. In addition, fan-editors do not have a cutting room floor with multiple takes or alternate shots or scenes to fill gaps or invent moments. With few exceptions, we have what we have as a starting resource, the released version of the originals with all its cuts in place. Though re-shoots are not an option — we have the latest editing, motion graphics, AI tools, Photoshop and sound editing tools at hand, giving us a range of possibilities beyond cutting. Nothing is off the table for our re-edit vision.
Criteria No. 1
One Vision, Not Three.
You don't have to agree, we're doing our version anyway.
George had his original vision no doubt — to tell the story of Anakin's rise and fall from gifted child, to Jedi, to his eventual plunge to the dark side as Darth Vader. This is a story and character vision on the scale of Walter White's arch from high school professor to doomed drug kingpin. He also had a vision for making it three parts, the first being a film for fans and families alike, with all kinds of kid-friendly hijinks. The second being Anakin's journey to Jedi and fatherhood and the third being the dark culmination of the iconic bad guy.
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We start with this single vision — This should be one saga, from beginning to end, with one tone in mind. It's a tragic tale of ambition turned dark and malevolent. There is no happy ending here (see episodes 4, 5, and six for that). Small victories within individual sequences yes, but a bleak end to Anakin's Jedi hopes, Padme's life, and the entire Jedi graduating class. Is ending on such tragedy a downer? Not in our view. This saga is a classic greek tragedy, and we love every dark turn. It's an indispensable part of the Star Wars saga. And for all the grief thrown George's way for lapses in directorial judgment, this baby should not be thrown out with a little mirky bath water, and the prequels deserve much admiration for elements it does deliver on with exceptional results. (Darth Mull, the kid stays in the picture!)
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A Major Supporting Character Must Go
With love and respect for Ahmed Best, there's no saving this character.
Not your fault man, George should have written a better part.
The challange: removing a character without removing necessary scenes.
One of the initial and biggest challenges facing a worthy fan edit - Could we remove Jar Jar from existence, but keep key scenes neccary for plot development? The answer is YES!
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Below is the first shot we took on to test the viability of the endeavor. Not perfect, but good enough pig, good enough.
Other challenges presented by a Jar Jar-free Star Wars
Much of the opening sequences, once the boys land on Naboo in episode I, are heavily Jar Jar focused, so digitally removing him doesn't work, or main characters are chatting with ghosts. The entire underwater sequence is mostly unnecessary anyway, except as an introduction to the Gungans they will need to call upon for the eventual ground battle. The solution: loose the trade negotiations and start the whole thing with the invasion of Naboo. This required re-sequencing the Jedi's arrival amongst the invasion sequences, and jumping them from the imperial ship straight to the corridors of the palace, and digitally removing Jar Jar henceforth.
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The only remaining unsolved quandary
Though we have not finished the production work necessary for every digital removal, our current edit does reflect a successful path to get there from here, with one troublesome exception: In the sequence starting with meeting Anikin in Watoo's den and ending with Dinner at mom's, Jar Jar can be cut or removed. But the team leaves Watoo and Anikin behind, only to run into him again during Jar Jar's scuffle with the pod-racing villain. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough dialogue, footage, or reason to jump straight to their second meeting before the storm sends them home and onward. We are vexed as how to solve this edit. For a closer look, click on the link below.
Ideas welcome.
Criteria No. 2
Cut or fix every flaw, large or small
What happens when no one is left to say "No"?
Many have gone on and on pointing out what's wrong with the Prequels, so we won't debate or belabor every flaw. More interesting to us is why. How did these three films from the master himself, the creator of Star Wars, go off the rails, or not find its rails to begin with? The answer lies in looking at why the 1971 Star Wars worked so well. Everything that went wrong during that production of Star Wars is the reason the end result is a masterpiece. Budget limitations, studio pressures, undeveloped special effects technology, and plenty of influential people around George to tell him no, I won't do that. No, we don't need that back story. No, it's not working yet.
Cut to 1999. George has all the money he needs, all the effects he loves at his finger tips, and has surrounded himself with a hoard of talented yes-men (and woman). Though he famously avoids contentious work relations, so goes the value of collaboration when one locks the doors on the nay-sayers. Even the best 'ideas guy' on the planet will have a number of idea stinkers amongst all the gold. He needed a few trusted "no"people on board in 1999. There were none left.
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Cut to our ambitions project. If our "no"s are limited to cutting — the opportunity to re-cast, re-shoot, or re-write off the table — when the cutting and re-editing is done, will we end up with a Star Wars masterpiece? No. It's impossible to infuse new charter into existing footage and the opportunity to re-create the chemistry that made Luke, Han and Leia a joy to watch has passed. We will though end up with a better version of this saga though, as cutting often means better. For instance, cutting much of teen Anakin's dialogue, whining about Obi Wan not letting him wear his Jedi big-boy pants yet, doesn't just remove the annoying fingernails on the chalkboard sound, it actually turns him into a brooding, mysterious and troubled man of few words.
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So out with every failed joke, annoying robot quip, bloated and unnecessary scene, and onto the Star Wars Darth Vader saga we longed for. There's so much to love. Cutting out the blemishes leaves a pretty fine apple.
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For a deeper dive into the process of using a fine scalpel instead of a broad sward in re-editing the prequels, and a comprehensive list of edit challenges and choices, click on the rabbit hole link below.
Want To Climb Aboard?
We invite all Fanatic Star Wars Fan Members To Join Our Quest
There is more to be had, and work to be done.
If you're still reading this deep into the page, you just might be a Fanatic, and we love you for it! We will continue to post progress, present challenges, and highlight results. Consider becoming a Fanatic Frame Rate member for more in-depth exclusive articles and clips on the process of our labor of love. Membership is free, and comes with all kinds of perks. More scene comparisons. More editing technical mumbo-jumbo. More scene evaluation feedback and collaboration opportunities. And, more love!
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We are also working on a model for being able to share our finished re-masterpiece — within our strict adherence to the principles of intellectual property rights as laid out in our manifesto — with our Fanatic Frame Rate members. Join our mailing list for updates!
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Stay Tuned, and may the force be with us!