Countdown to Star Wars: Episode III

The Countdown to “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith"

The movie saga that has spanned almost four decades comes full circle in the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”. The first three films introduced us to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), among others, who helped the rebel forces overcome the evil empire ruled by the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid) and Darth Vader (David Prowse). The two prequels released in the last few years have given us a glimpse into the earlier years of the Republic, the Jedi counsel and pre-Vader days of Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd in “Phantom Menace” and then Hayden Christensen in “Attack of the Clones”). There are high expectations for the sixth and final movie of the series. What does “Revenge of the Sith” need to cover to avoid plot holes while insuring a smooth transition from Episodes I and II to Episodes IV, V and VI?

Count Dooku – A Loose End That Needs To Be Eliminated

There are only two Sith lords: a master and an apprentice. Palpatine a.k.a. the Emperor a.k.a. Darth Sidious has seen one apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park), killed and currently has another, Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) a.k.a. Darth Tyrannus. For Anakin to become the Sith apprentice, Dooku has to be eliminated. Will his fate lie in the hands of Anakin or has he been the Emperor’s unwitting puppet all this time?

The Jedi – The Force Can’t Save Them This Time

We know that Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness and Ewan McGregor) lives until the end of Episode IV and Yoda (voice of Frank Oz) helps to train Luke in Episodes V and VI. But nothing is ever mentioned of the other Jedi. Yoda and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) mentioned in “Attack of the Clones” that the Jedi’s abilities to manipulate the force had diminished. If the Jedi are left intact, then they pose a significant threat to Palpatine’s plan. Will the Jedi be singled out one by one or will they be annihilated in one massive campaign against them?

Padme Amidala – A Secret Love That Poses A Threat

At the end of Episode II, Anakin and Padme (Natalie Portman) were married. This is in strict contrast to Jedi rules. Padme will not only have to live long enough to see Anakin’s slow descent to the Dark Side but also for the birth of Luke and Leia. After all, Darth Vader had no clue that Luke and Leia, his children, even existed until the later movies. So what becomes of Padme? Remember, the children grow up separately and in “Return of the Jedi” Leia tells Luke that she remembers very little about their mother, that she was beautiful but sad. Will Padme leave Anakin and go into hiding or will she fall victim to the evil plot of the Sith?

The Birth of Luke and Leia

Padme will probably be pregnant during part if not all of the movie. While her fate is still up in the air, we know that Luke and Leia are born and then separated. Will we see Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits) take an infant Leia back to Alderaan while Obi-Wan Kenobi leaves Luke in the care of Owen and Beru Lars (Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse) on Tatooine before going into exile?

Anakin’s Descent to the Dark Side

We know that Anakin can be cocky and headstrong at times. In “Phantom Menace” the Jedi Counsel could sense that his future was “cloudy” while Obi-Wan even called him “dangerous”. “Attack of the Clones” showed more of Anakin’s inner conflict with his feelings of being held back, the death of his mother and his reactions when Padme was in danger. In “Revenge of the Sith” the Dark Side eventually consumes him but what will happen to Anakin that ultimately determines his destiny? Will there be one defining moment or a chain of events?

Anakin and Obi-Wan – The Broken Bond

There is no doubt that Anakin and Obi-Wan are the best of friends. Although they may “clash lightsabers” on a course of action, there is a mutual respect and bond. However, something happens between the pair that causes a climactic battle resulting in Anakin being thrown in lava and becoming the Darth Vader we see in Episode IV, V and VI. Something has to happen to cause the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin to deteriorate. Will Obi-Wan’s insistence on doing “things by the book” cause a rift between the two or will he discover Anakin’s dark tendencies and become determined to put an end to the rogue Jedi?

Yoda – A Jedi Master in Exile

When we first see Yoda in “The Empire Strikes Back”, he is living on Dagobah. Why does he choose this distant planet filled with swamps and other creatures? Whatever the reason, it’s safe to assume he won’t be going without a fight.

R2-D2 and C-3PO – Tying Up Loose Ends

R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) will be witnesses to all of the events that are unfolding. But, there is no recollection of Obi-Wan when they meet him in Episode IV. Will the droids’ memories be erased in an effort to protect the whereabouts and identities of Luke and Leia?

This movie by George Lucas is the first in the “Star Wars” saga to receive a PG-13 rating. Wherever the heroes and villains end up, this movie will be unapologetic with no happy ending.