Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

**Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith** is the third episode of the Star Wars film series (but the sixth film to be produced), to be released on Thursday, May 19, 2005.

This movie is expected to fill in the gaps in the storyline between *Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones* and the original *Star Wars* movie (now called *Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope*). The film will be set three years after *Episode II*, therefore it will be set in 19 BBY. It is believed that, in this movie, Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the Dark Side of the Force and becomes Darth Vader, while Chancellor Palpatine declares himself Emperor. Meanwhile, Padmé Amidala gives birth to Luke and Leia and most likely dies; Obi-Wan takes Luke to Tatooine to be raised by Beru and Owen Lars; and Leia is taken to be raised on Alderaan by Viceroy Bail Organa. R2-D2's and C-3PO's memory banks will be wiped. A great purge of Jedi is also expected, including, as actor Samuel L. Jackson put it, the "satisfying" death of Mace Windu. It is these events that will almost certainly precipitate the start of the Galactic Civil War, which will be prominent in the original classic trilogy. A new villain General Grievous will play a pivotal role in Episode III as well. The film promises a vast opening space battle, a visit to a Wookie Planet(Kashykk possibly) and a climactic lightsaber duel said to be the longest ever filmed. It is also said to have been produced entirely without location shots, in a studio with primarily blue screen backgrounds.

There are many unresolved questions--or more perjoratively, "plotholes"--in the storyline that are hoped, by fans, to be addressed. These plotholes were formed since Episodes IV-VI were made before Episodes I-III were even written. Thus, any introductions in Episode I and II will need to be erased to explain why they were not even mentioned in the last three episodes. These problems are:

* The explanation of why some Jedi get resurrected as force ghosts while others are not
* That the androids R2D2 and C-3PO will have their memories erased. This is inferred from them not recognizing their home planet and other characters.
* That there will be some sort of purge of alien species from the empire, at least from the army and governing heads of the empire.

Further, in Episodes IV-VI, Obi-Wan Kenobi gave a review on Luke and Darth Vader's past. Since much of what was revealed has not been shown in Episode I or II, Episode III is expected to portray these events.

## Conjectured Plot

*The following plotline is in part a conjecture of what viewers can expect to happen in the film, pending the final outcome of events in the actual theatrical release.*

Set during 19 BBY, Episode III begins at the end of the Clone Wars, the galaxy-spanning conflict that started three years before on Geonosis. The Confederacy of Independent Systems, under the leadership of the Sith Lord Count Dooku, and the cyborg tactician General Grievous, has kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine from the capital world of Coruscant.

Fleeing the city-planet, the Separatist armada is intercepted by the mighty Republic Navy. Venator-class Star Destroyers, ARC 170 starfighters and advanced Jedi starfighters enter the fray, pitted against Trade Federation Battleships, droid starfighters and tri-droid starfighters.

Two advanced Jedi starfighters enter the battle, headed directly for the massive Trade Federation Cruiser - heart of the enemy fleet, and Palpatine's fortified prison. The pilots, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kenobi's former apprentice Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, fight through numerous obstacles as they journey through the battle.

Reaching the Federation Cruiser, the Jedi enter a hangar bay and make their way to the bridge. After they encounter with battle droids and General Grievous himself, the Jedi reach Palpatine. Both Obi-Wan and Anakin battle Count Dooku, but after the Jedi Master is rendered unconscious, it is left to Anakin to slay the evil Sith Lord. Palpatine praises Anakin's efforts, though the rescue is not yet over: with the Cruiser disabled and plunging towards Coruscant's surface, the Jedi have little time to escape.

Navigating the dangerous innards of the Cruiser, Anakin and Palpatine manage to escape the doomed craft before it crashes into Galactic City. Coruscant fire ships race to the scene, and the survivors are evacuated to safety.

The Senators of the Republic meet with Palpatine to congratulate him on his escape from Dooku's clutches, but talk soon turns to the nature of the war. With Dooku dead, the Senators believe the war is effectively over; and thus Palpatine has no need to hold on to the emergency powers granted to him before the Battle of Geonosis. Palpatine argues that General Grievous still poses a dire threat, and placates the Senators by ensuring them the Jedi Council will deal with the problem.

While Obi-Wan Kenobi is sent to track down Grievous, Palpatine gives Anakin his own, special assignment; to become the Chancellor's personal bodyguard, thanks to his efforts onboard the Federation Cruiser. Anakin accepts.

Meanwhile, the Jedi have slowly been unravelling the mystery of the Sith, and Mace Windu comes to a startling conclusion: the evil mastermind behind the Clone Wars, Darth Sidious, is none other than Palpatine himself! Windu, accompanied by Jedi Masters Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin and Agen Kolar, confront Palpatine, who reveals his true nature as the Dark Lord of the Sith. Windu's colleagues are struck down, leaving the Jedi Master to face Darth Sidious alone. Anakin is watching the duel from afar, and is forced to make a choice that could change the future of the galaxy forever. Should he carry out his duty as a bodyguard, and protect Palpatine, or his duty as a Jedi, and come to Mace Windu's aid? In the end, the choice is inevitable, and Anakin Skywalker kills Mace Windu.

Obi-Wan Kenobi lands on the planet Utapau, and is met by the helpful Administrator Tion Medon. Following his welcome, Obi-Wan joins Commander Cody on the battlefield, and pursues General Grievous across the cavernous terrain of Utapau. A duel ensues in which Grievous wields multiple lightsabers and blasters. In the end, Obi-Wan uses the droid General's own blaster to deliver a killing blow to the cyborg's gut.

Back on Coruscant, Anakin is tasked with eliminating the remaining leaders of the Confederacy, who have holed themselves up on the volcanic world of Mustafar. There, Anakin slays the leaders of the commerce guilds, removing the last of the opposition to Palpatine's new plans for the Republic.

Palpatine's New Order is implemented, and the Galactic Republic is turned into the Galactic Empire. Palpatine, now Emperor, orders his clone troopers to turn on their Jedi Generals. On Kashyyyk, a victory against the Corporate Alliance turns into one of the first victories for the Empire as the clones battle Wookiees and Jedi alike. Master Yoda escapes with the help of Wookiee warrior Chewbacca.

Following his former Padawan to Mustafar, Obi-Wan confronts Anakin, though the dark side overwhelms the young Knight. He attacks the Jedi Master, and a vicious battle ensues through the industrial complex overlooking a vast lake of lava. Obi-Wan severely injures Anakin in the battle, leaving him near death. Retrieving Anakin's lightsaber, a saddened Obi-Wan leaves Mustafar.

The Jedi are now seen as enemies of the Empire, and Obi-Wan is forced to take on the identity of Ben Kenobi to escape. Similarly, Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan is forced to flee the agents of Darth Sidious, and meets up with Kenobi.

During this time, Padme Amidala Skywalker gives birth to twins Luke and Leia Skywalker, though the presence of the Empire forces Amidala and Bail Organa to develop plans to hide the Force-strong children.

Meanwhile, in a top-secret location, Darth Sidious oversees a very special project. A new warrior is created, a powerful Dark Lord capable of wiping out the last of the Jedi. This new menace is Darth Vader, formerly Anakin Skywalker, though the remnants of that good man have apparently been consumed by the dark side.

The newborn Skywalkers are hidden. Leia is adopted into Royal House of Organa on Alderaan, while Luke is raised by Owen and Beru Lars on Tatooine. Ben vows to watch over the young boy, and becomes a hermit in the Jundland Wastes. Yoda retreats to Dagobah to await the time when he will train the last of the Jedi.

On Coruscant, Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader together oversee the formation of the Galactic Empire, and the galaxy enters a new and terrible era - though not so bleak as to diminish all light, for one day a new hope shall arise, known as the Son of the Suns.

## External links

* StarWars.com Episode III section
* Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith at IMDb
* The Force.Net