Indy's
Idealistic Ending for Episode III
by forumer Indy500. |
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| Part
Five : THE "VIRTUAL SCRIPT" |
| We've
been told that Episode III will be the darkest of all the SW films,
and yet it is the "third act" in the Prequel trilogy- a spot usually
reserved for happy resolutions. Not only that, it is also the last
SW film that will ever be made! Will the ending moments of this
film- the veritable capstone to a legacy- leave the audience hanging
in a depression over the fate of our heroes, or will George manage
to give us some glimmer of hope before the jaunty fanfare of John
Williams' "End Title" strikes up? Williams himself alludes that
George will. The following is from the November 13, 2001 USA Today
:
| One question that puzzles Star Wars fans is how the final
film in the series, the one that follows Attack of the Clones
in 2005, will end without depressing film buffs. After all,
that one concludes where the first Star Wars film begins,
and when the first Star Wars film starts, the universe is
in pretty bad shape. Not to worry, [John] Williams says. "George
Lucas has narrated the last piece to me. After I heard it,
I told him, 'Just hurry up and do it, because that is a fabulous
ending.' " |
|
| Granted,
the "last piece" that George described to Johnny could've been anything,
but how fitting would it be if the waning moments of Star Wars filmmaking
history came full-circle, topped off with some of the earliest footage
shot for the saga? Imagine hearing John Williams' score underpinning
those final "new" scenes featuring a youthful, ANH era Mark Hamill.
The so-called "idealistic ending" would probably only be about 3
minutes (if even that), in keeping with the epilogue running-times
of the other five films :
TPM: 1:25
AOTC: 1:56
ANH: 1:45
TESB: 1:12
ROTJ: 3:00 total (Vader's pyre: 50 seconds, end celebrations:
2:10)
|
| The
epilogue/bridge piece featuring Mark Hamill would stand eighteen
years apart from the 2+ hours worth of events that will unfold during
Episode III. This totally allows for Episode III to be very dark,
with all the pre-OT events of that "more civilized day" ending on
the downbeat that we keep getting told about. However, once the
Prequel era part of the story has been told, dark ending and all,
I think the very end may emphasize that all hope for the future
now rests with Anakin's offspring by catching us up with "baby"
Luke, now poised on the brink of his destiny. This ending would
not rob the Prequel of its darkness, since it is more meditative
or thoughtful in tone than it is "happy," and it cannot erase the
sad events just witnessed which took place eighteen years before.
|
| According
to what we know of Episode 3 at this time, we will have just watched
some major tragedy. After the Clone Wars, Palpatine/Sidious will
have seemingly won, declaring himself Emperor. Anakin will have
completely fallen to the dark side to become Darth Vader, and Padmé
will most likely be dead. On top of that, the remaining Jedi will
have been successfully exterminated - all except Ben and Yoda, who
have somehow managed to escape. Knowing that they are beaten for
now, the two Jedi have separated and hidden the twins away, and
as the story closes they are about to go into hiding themselves.
|
| If
the story were to be immediately followed by an epilogue/bridge
which takes place 18 years later, then it would be only logical
to use the last moments of dialogue to set the audience up so that
this time transition won't feel jarring or out of place. My guess
would be that as Ben and Yoda are parting, they might briefly reflect
upon the ("Son of the Sun?") prophecy, and the calamity of the Chosen
One becoming an agent of evil. They then shift their attention to
Anakin's son Luke, who has been taken away to grow up on Tatooine.
They speculate that if Anakin couldn't fulfill the prophecy, "perhaps
his son will." With hopeful words such as these they go their parting
ways to a swelling of emotional music, and the Prequel-era story
comes to its dark conclusion. |
| THE
VIRTUAL SCRIPT |
|
FADE TO BLACK
EPILOGUE
The BLACK SCREEN serves as a backdrop; the sound of wispy WIND
becomes audible.
|
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY
FADE IN on AERIAL SHOT high above a vast desert plain. The death-white
wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. SLOW ZOOM as movement
becomes discernible next to one of the many MOISTURE VAPORATORS
that dot the landscape below. The tremendous heat of two huge twin-suns
settles on a small, lone FIGURE in white; a parked hovering vehicle
is seen nearby. |
 |
| A
closer GROUND-LEVEL SHOT reveals the figure to be LUKE SKYWALKER,
a farm boy with heroic aspirations who looks much younger than his
eighteen years. On his head he wears a floppy hat and goggles; his
shaggy hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable
lad with a prize-winning smile. The light wind whips at him as he
adjusts several valves on a large battered moisture VAPORATOR which
sticks out of the desert floor, much like an oil pipe with valves.
He is aided by a beat up TREAD-ROBOT with six claw arms. The little
robot appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
|
LUKE
Well, the sky's still clear anyway. 'Least there's no sandstorms
blowing up. Maybe we can have things ready by - |
| LUKE
holds up a small part to blow the sand off of it, when something
far off above the distant horizon catches his eye. |
LUKE
Hey… What's that up there? |
EXT.
TATOOINE - SKY - DAY
A small, intense sparkle of LIGHT flashes in the blue morning sky.
EXT. TATOOINE - SOUTH RANGE - DAY
The TREADWELL beeps a response as LUKE sets the part down and
instinctively grabs a pair of ELECTROBINOCULARS from his utility
belt.
|
LUKE
Now let's see… |
EXT. TATOOINE - BINOCULAR VIEW - DAY
SLOW PAN UPWARD as LUKE adjusts the binoculars, then suddenly two
small SPACESHIPS come into view just outside of Tatooine's atmosphere.
One appears to be somewhat larger, and in pursuit of the other,
much smaller craft; flashes of LASER FIRE are distinguishable between
the two of them. |
LUKE (O.S.)
Yeah, yeah! There're two ships out there alright! Two of 'em at
least… And they're firing on each other! |
 |
EXT. TATOOINE - SOUTH RANGE - DAY
LUKE stands transfixed for a few moments studying the heavens, then
clips the electric binoculars back onto his belt and dashes toward
his dented, crudely repaired LANDSPEEDER (an auto-like transport
that travels a few feet above the ground on a magnetic-field). He
turns and motions for the tiny robot to follow him. |
LUKE
C'mon, Treadwell! Get yourself over to the landspeeder! I've gotta
get into Anchorhead and tell Fixer about this! |
EXT. TATOOINE - SOUTH RANGE - DAY
The faltering DROID starts and then stops, unable to move. His head
spins around. |
LUKE
Well get it in gear, will ya?! |
|
The malfunctioning TREADWELL stops short, and smoke begins to pour
out of every joint. LUKE disgustedly dismisses the faulty robot
with a wave of his hand. |
LUKE
Okay, stay put then. I'll pick you up on the way home. |
|
LUKE hops into his speeder, fires up the engines and pulls away,
leaving TREADWELL behind. |
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT PLAIN - TRAVELING - DAY
LUKE races across the flat landscape in his battered speeder. Behind
him, a column of dark gray SMOKE from the smouldering robot rises
high into the clear desert air. |
EXT. APPROACH TO ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - DAY
The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as LUKE pilots
the sleek LANDSPEEDER towards the distant farming settlement of
ANCHORHEAD, now becoming visible on the horizon. |
EXT. ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - STREET - AFTERNOON
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white buildings.
A dog BARKS somewhere in the distance as a lone OLD WOMAN appears
and starts across the street, her sun shawl pulled tight around
her. Suddenly, the sound of LUKE'S LANDSPEEDER leaps in volume as
he rounds a far corner and bears down on her, showing no sign of
altering his course. She scrambles to get out of his way and is
enveloped in a cloud of dust. Panting, she shakes an angry fist
after him as he flies past. |
OLD WOMAN (shouting)
I've told you kids to slow down! |
EXT. ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
LUKE pulls up behind a low concrete service station that is all
but covered by the shifting desert sands, his landspeeder coming
to a stop next to a few parked speederbikes. He hops out of his
floating vehicle and dashes up the steps. |
INT. ANCHORHEAD-POWER STATION GARAGE - DAY
LUKE bursts into the power station, waking THE FIXER, a rugged mechanic,
and CAMIE, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been asleep in his lap.
They grumble as he races through the office, yelling wildly.
|
LUKE
Hey, shape it up, you guys! |
|
LUKE bounces into a small room behind the office where DEAK and
WINDY, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are playing a
computer pool-like game. A robot repairs some equipment in the background.
LUKE stops short, astonished to find that his best friend, BIGGS
DARKLIGHTER, has returned from the Academy for a brief shore-leave
visit. BIGGS is a few years older than the rest, and his flashy
city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics of the
farm boys. Luke's surprise gives way to great joy and emotion.
|
LUKE
Biggs! Hey! |
BIGGS
Hey, Luke! |
|
The two old buddies slap each other on the shoulder, faces beaming.
|
LUKE
I didn't know you were back! When did you get in? |
BIGGS
Just now! I never expected you to be out working! |
LUKE (laughing)
Aw, the Academy didn't change you much! |
|
Everyone laughs. The spectacle of his dashing friend is almost too
much for LUKE, but suddenly he remembers. |
LUKE
Oh! I almost forgot! There's a battle going on right here in our
system - |
FIXER
Not again, forget it! |
LUKE
Come look! |
DEAK
(coming out of the back area)
What's all the noise about? |
WINDY
Deak, will you come back down here and play the game? |
|
LUKE, BIGGS, FIXER, and CAMIE head for the door. |
CAMIE
I think Wormie's caught too much sun! |
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD POWER STATION DECK - DAY
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. CAMIE and THE
FIXER complain and are forced to shade their eyes. LUKE has his
binoculars out scanning the heavens. |
LUKE
There they are. |
BIGGS
Let me see. |
|
BIGGS takes the ELECTROBINOCULARS from LUKE as the others strain
to see something with the naked eye. BIGGS studies the midday sky.
|
EXT. TATOOINE - BINOCULAR VIEW - DAY
The binoculars buzz as they FOCUS IN on the two small silver specks.
The two SPACESHIPS are no longer moving, and there is no laser fire.
The smaller vessel appears to be slowly pulling away from the underbelly
of the larger ship. |
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD POWER STATION DECK - DAY
BIGGS hands the ELECTROBINOCULARS back to LUKE. |
BIGGS
That's no battle, hotshot, they're just sitting there. Probably
a freighter tanker refuelling. |
LUKE (protesting)
But there was a lot of firing earlier - |
|
CAMIE snatches LUKE'S ELECTROBINOCULARS from him to take a look.
|
LUKE
Hey! |
|
THE FIXER gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy shrugs his
shoulders in resignation. |
 |
BIGGS
I tell ya, Luke, the Rebellion's a long way from here. This planet?
Big hunk of nothing. |
FIXER
I doubt if the Empire would even fight to save the system.
|
|
LUKE agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. CAMIE carelessly
tosses the electrobinoculars back at LUKE. |
LUKE
Hey! Will you watch it? |
|
CAMIE gives him a withering look as she walks away. The group stumbles
back into the power station, grumbling about LUKE'S ineptitude.
|
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT PLAIN - AFTERNOON
A thin wisp of white SMOKE can be seen curling lazily into the clear
blue sky. PAN DOWN to reveal that the dying vapor is emanating from
the immobilized TREADWELL DROID, who still sits next to the moisture
vaporator some distance away. Suddenly, a heavy RUMBLING SOUND becomes
audible as the enormous treads of a JAWA SANDCRAWLER enter the frame,
headed towards the VAPORATOR and the abandoned DROID. The giant
metal behemoth groans to a stop, followed by dusty silence. The
dwarfed TREADWELL'S head spins around, and he lets out a few pathetic
beeps as a RAMP in the side of the great rusted vehicle begins to
open with a HISS. |
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD POWER STATION - LATE AFTERNOON
A small DROID with many spider-like repair arms beeps as it scurries
along outside the power station garage; LUKE and BIGGS emerge from
a passageway between the huddled buildings. They walk out into an
open courtyard area, each holding a malt brew. The two friends are
talking and laughing. |
LUKE
I was so close, I thought I was gonna fry my instruments! As it
was, I busted up the skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle Owen? Furious!
He wound up grounding me for the rest of the season. You should've
been there, it was fantastic! |
BIGGS
You oughtta take it a little easy, Luke. You may be the hottest
bush pilot this side of Mos Eisley, but those little skyhoppers
are dangerous! Keep it up, one day - WHAMMO! You're gonna end up
a dark spot on the downside of a canyon wall! |
LUKE
Look who's talking! You've been hanging around the Starfleet so
long, you're beginning to sound like my uncle! You know, you're
getting a little soft in the city. |
|
They both laugh. |
BIGGS
I've missed you, kid. |
LUKE
Yeah, well… things haven't been the same without you, Biggs. It's
been so quiet. |
|
BIGGS looks around then leans close to Luke. His voice softens as
he takes on a serious demeanor. |
BIGGS
Luke? I didn't come back just to say goodbye. I shouldn't tell you
this, but you're the only one I can trust. See, I may never come
back, and I just want someone to know. |
|
LUKE'S eyes are wide with BIGGS' seriousness and loyalty.
|
LUKE
What are you talking about? |
BIGGS (whispering)
I made some friends at the Academy. When our frigate leaves for
one of the central systems, we're gonna jump ship and join the Alliance.
|
LUKE (blurting)
The REBELLION?! |
|
BIGGS cringes and raises his hands to LUKE's mouth. |
BIGGS (whispering loudly)
Quiet down, will ya? You got a mouth bigger than a meteor crater!
|
LUKE (whispering)
I'm quiet, I'm quiet! Listen to how quiet I am, you can barely hear
me! |
|
BIGGS shakes his head angrily and then continues. |
BIGGS
My friend has a friend on Bestine who might help us make contact.
|
LUKE
You're crazy! You can wander around forever trying to find them!
|
BIGGS
(no longer whispering)
I know it's a long shot, but if I don't find them I'll do what I
can on my own! |
|
The two walk around to the other side of the building. |
 |
BIGGS
It's what we always talked about, Luke. I'm not gonna wait around
for the Empire to draft me into service! The Rebellion is spreading;
I want to be on the side I believe in. |
LUKE
Yeah, meanwhile I'm stuck here. |
BIGGS
You'll get your chance to get off this rock. You're going to the
Academy next term, aren't you? |
LUKE
Mmm, not likely, I had to cancel my application. |
BIGGS
What for? |
LUKE
My uncle needs me. |
BIGGS (indignant)
Argh! |
LUKE
No, I'm serious! The Sandpeople have been getting really crazy,
they've even raided the outskirts of Anchorhead! |
BIGGS
Come on, Luke! Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Sandpeople
with one blaster! |
LUKE
I know. But we've got almost enough vaporators to make the place
pay off. I have to stay one more season! I can't leave him now.
|
BIGGS
What good's all your uncle's work if the Empire takes it over? You
know they've already started to nationalize commerce in the central
systems? Won't be long before your uncle's just a tenant; slaving
for the greater glory of the Empire. |
LUKE
Naw, that's not gonna happen here, you said yourself the Empire
won't even mess with this old rock. |
BIGGS
Things can change. |
LUKE
I wish I was going. Are you going to be around long? |
BIGGS
No. Leaving in the morning. |
LUKE
Oh. I guess I won't see you. |
BIGGS
Maybe someday. I'll keep a lookout. |
LUKE
Yeah, I'll be at the Academy next season and then who knows? I won't
be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet, that's for sure! (sighs)
Well take it easy, buddy. You'll always be the best friend I ever
had. |
|
The two best friends shake hands. |
BIGGS
So long, Luke. |
 |
|
A soft musical theme begins as LUKE watches his old friend turn
and stride away, his black cape flowing behind him. LUKE hangs his
head and tosses a small pebble at the ground in frustration, before
turning to go back around to the other side of the building.
Standing alone on the deck with his back towards the camera,
LUKE gazes beyond his parked LANDSPEEDER, beyond the small, crowded
buildings on the nearby edge of the settlement, watching as the
dust trail behind BIGGS' SPEEDERBIKE recedes into the distant
sands stretching away from ANCHORHEAD. The weight of all that
BIGGS has said hangs heavy on LUKE, and he wonders if he will
ever see his friend again, and what his own future holds for him.
He shifts his gaze once more towards the spot above the horizon
where he'd seen the space battle earlier, certain that whatever
had taken place there had been something important. The camera
slowly PANS UP and away from LUKE, into the late afternoon sky,
coming to rest on Tatooine's brilliant, shining TWIN SUNS. The
MUSIC swells to an emotional climax.
|
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IRIS OUT
END CREDITS OVER STAR FIELD
THE END
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