Anakin Nearly Fooled by Palpatine in Alternate Duel Scene

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Summary

  • Anakin’s redemption was almost undermined in the prequels by an alternate weapon choice for Palpatine.
  • Anakin aiding Palpatine was crucial to the latter’s long-running plan to turn him to the Dark Side.
  • Alternate scenes in prequels could have drastically changed the franchise’s narrative.

Star Wars skillfully blends elements of fantasy and science fiction as it presents an uncommon tale of heroism, featuring one of its main antagonists undergoing a significant redemption. However, this transformation could have been compromised by a certain aesthetic decision in the prequel series.

The classic Star Wars trilogy is typically exempt from criticism within the franchise’s fanbase, and rightly so. This film series has withstood the test of time and continues to be adored by generations. A key factor in its enduring success is the compelling antagonists created for Luke Skywalker to confront. While Darth Vader is undeniably one of fiction’s most iconic villains, Ian McDiarmid’s Emperor Palpatine, a character he serendipitously took on during the original trilogy, is arguably more formidable and terrifying to Luke and the other characters. Palpatine, unveiled as the sinister Darth Sidious, serves as the main adversary in the original films and plays a crucial role in Vader’s eventual redemption.

Apart from his significant presence in the original trilogy, McDiarmid reappeared more prominently in the prequel trilogy, taking on the role of Senator (later Chancellor) Palpatine. A pivotal scene between Sidious and Mace Windu, particularly their duel in the Chancellor’s office, has sparked much debate among fans, including McDiarmid himself. However, this significant scene was originally intended to unfold quite differently. As reported by Collider, behind-the-scenes footage shows that multiple versions of this scene were considered before settling on the final one. In one of these alternate versions, Palpatine would have used Anakin’s lightsaber during his duel against Windu, a choice that could have added symbolic weight had it been included in the film. In this alternate scenario, Anakin would have watched the entire confrontation, which would have significantly altered the central narrative of the franchise by having Anakin present for the entire conflict.

Revenge of the Sith Could’ve Changed The Franchise’s Entire Narrative With One Simple Choice

As a devoted film enthusiast, I find it fascinating how subtly yet powerfully the build-up to Anakin’s decision to side with Palpatine is crafted within the Star Wars prequels narrative. This crucial moment was the culmination of Palpatine’s masterful plan to seduce Anakin to the Dark Side, a pivotal twist that unfolded intricately since the very beginning of the prequels and reached its climax with his coronation as Emperor.

A critical aspect in this sequence was Anakin stumbling upon the duel at a specific moment, allowing him a plausible doubt about Mace Windu’s true intentions towards Palpatine. Had Anakin arrived earlier, witnessing Palpatine’s brutal elimination of the Jedi Masters attempting to arrest him, it would have thwarted his eventual allegiance.

Interestingly, the final edit omitted any opportunity for Anakin to observe Palpatine brandishing a lightsaber, which seamlessly aligned with his character development trajectory. Furthermore, Palpatine’s custom red lightsaber added an extra touch that enhanced the scene and further emphasized his enigmatic persona.

In a different scenario, fans may wonder “What if…?” about significant turning points in Star Wars, but overall, they acknowledge that the current storyline probably turned out for the best. The transition of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader and the contrast between his transformation and Emperor Palpatine’s deliberate descent into the Dark Side play a crucial role in the core narrative of the series. It’s fantastic that George Lucas and the team decided to stick with the plotline that upheld this central story, rather than altering it.

The Star Wars franchise is available to stream on Disney+.

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2025-04-08 04:16