Key Takeaways
– George Lucas originally planned for a 12-film Star Wars Saga.
– His vision dismissed Leia as part of the Skywalker family and differentiated Darth Vader from Luke’s father.
– Lucas’s Sequel Trilogy would have focused on Luke seeking his long-lost sister.
– Despite radical changes, the iconic figure of Luke Skywalker was destined to become an Obi-Wan Kenobi figure for the next generation.
The Skywalker Saga Reimagined
George Lucas, the mastermind behind the Star Wars franchise, originally had a different vision for what is now known as the Skywalker Saga. The nine-film epic that commenced with Anakin Skywalker’s fall and culminated in Rey Palpatine’s rise as part of the New Jedi Order was initially intended to be a 12-film saga.
A Departure from the Known Star Wars Narrative
The original Star Wars structure heavily diverged from what moviegoers are familiar with today. Lucas’s envisaged 12-film saga would offer an entirely fresh narrative approach. The infamous Clone Wars would have spanned over four films instead of the televised series fans are familiar with today. This timeline positioned Darth Vader as a character independent of Luke’s paternity, while Leia existed outside of the Skywalker family.
The Revised Sequel Trilogy
In Lucas’s original plan, the Sequel Trilogy comprised of Luke’s quest for his lost sister. However, many ideas from the original draft were compressed into the Original Trilogy. Leia’s character underwent a significant modification to fit narrative constrictions. Eventually, she was rewritten as Luke’s sister.
Had Lucas’s original Sequel Trilogy been deployed, audiences would have seen Luke restore the Jedi order while Leia solidified the Republic’s power. However, the Sequel Trilogy underwent a complete makeover when Disney chose to produce retro-flavored films, starting with ‘The Force Awakens.’
Luke Skywalker as the New Obi-Wan Kenobi
Irrespective of the numerous changes to the original plan, Lucas had dialogued with Mark Hamill early on about the future of Luke’s character. Luke was intended to have a cameo appearance and pass on the mantle to a new generation’s ‘New Hope’.
True to this original vision, ‘The Last Jedi’ followed Luke’s path akin to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s. The film captured Luke descending into exile, losing belief in the Jedi order, only to reclaim it while confronting his former apprentice. Like Obi-Wan, Luke too became one with the Force securing ample time for his new protege to escape.
An Alternative Skywalker Saga
The existing Skywalker Saga comes with its flaws. Nevertheless, Lucas’s original envisioning of a 12-film franchise could have catered to a more elaborate storyline. It might have allowed iconic figures like Luke, Leia, and Han Solo to present a more satisfying conclusion to their narratives compared to the current Sequel Trilogy’s denouement. Yet, though Lucas’ original idea was global, the final output still created a universe fans around the globe fell in love with. So, what happens with the future of Star Wars on film? We can only wait and watch.
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