Summary
MostStar Warsfans will likely agree thatEpisode III:Revenge of the Sithis pretty much the darkest of the prequel trilogy. A merciless slaughter with no lower age limit will do that. But things could have gotten even heavier if this concept art had made it to the final film.
Despite some insistingRevenge of the Sithis the worstStar Warsprequel, there’s no denying that its impact on the franchise and pop culture, in general, is still felt to this day. It may not boastThe Phantom Menace’s iconic “Duel of the Fates” score backing its lightsaber fights, and it most certainly doesn’t haveAttack of the Clones' death sticks guy. But few have forgotten the story of Anakin Skywalker’s ultimate fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader, complete with a ruthless rampage through the Jedi temple, younglings and all. But some unused concept art also introduces an element that could have changed manyStar Warsfans' view of one character.
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In a now-deleted video (viaComicBook.com), concept artist Iain McCaig explained the original idea behind the final confrontation between Padmé (Natalie Portman) and Anakin (Hayden Christensen) inRevenge of the Sith, and it was almost even more tragic than it ultimately ended up being. “[Anakin] leaves. Moments later, in come the Separatists, and right behind his back, [Padmé] is starting the Rebellion to overthrow him,” McCaig explained, detailing how Padmé would have taken an active role in the fledgling Rebellion in this version of events. “Because Padmé can see that he is becoming a monster. At the end, on Mustafar, when she goes to see [Anakin], she has a knife in her hands. She gets off the ship with the knife, she runs up and throws her arms around him, and he lets her. She’s got the knife to the back of [Anakin’s] neck and she’s going to kill him. [Again], he lets her. But she can’t do it. She loves him too much to stop him, even when he becomes the monster.”
The idea was conveyed in some striking concept art that was never used, featuring Padmé in a dark cloak confronting Anakin on Mustafar. From that point, things would have continued the same way as they did in the final version of thebelovedStar Warsprequel. Anakin would have lashed out in rage at Padmé, except this time, audiences may have understood his feeling of betrayal more, given how she took an active role in fighting against him. InRevenge of the Sith, Padmé merely pleads with Anakin to turn back from his dark path, which he takes to mean she’s been turned against him. The concept version could have made that moment feel more organic.
Unfortunately, this version of events didn’t come to pass. It gives Padmé more agency rather than just being on the sidelines hoping for the best (before ultimately dying of a broken heart, which is somehow literally what happens). Understandably, she didn’t have much power left as a senator at that point, given how Emperor Palpatine had effectively shaped the new Galactic Empire to his will, but she deserved better than an end like that. So taking matters into her own hands would have felt right for her character.Portman even helped shape Padméas someone who takes more action, so it feels like a missed opportunity.
Even so, things ultimately went in another direction. Many still enjoyedRevenge of the Sithfor what it was, but it’s difficult not to think of what might have been. Maybe incorporating that original concept would have further driven home howPadmé could have done much better than Anakin, as far as romantic partners go. This franchise can only hold so many leaps in logic at one time.
Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sithis available on Disney Plus.
