Although the prequel trilogy garnered widespread criticism for delving more into the complicated politics, which took away the focus from other elements, with time, fans have come to appreciate its existence. Interestingly, per the initial draft of arguably the best entry in the prequel series, Anakin Skywalker’s descent into darkness would’ve been more direct than the one we got.
While many fans speculated that Anakin might’ve suspected a potential affair between Obi-Wan and Padme, it’s more likely Anakin’s paranoia had to do with Kenobi potentially turning her against him. However, per the initial draft for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the movie would’ve delved into the love triangle aspect, leading to Palpatine using it to his benefit.
The Initial Draft Saw Anakin Skywalker’s Suspecting an Affair Between Padme and Obi-Wan Kenobi
Per the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelization, written by Matthew Stover, the initial draft for the threequel involved Anakin suspecting an affair between Padme and Obi-Wan Kenobi. This would’ve led to Palpatine using Anakin’s fear of losing Padme to have him turn into the dark side. While the subtext is still there, as Anakin was shown to be extremely possessive throughout the Clone Wars, he suspected Kenobi of turning Padme against him, rather than of a physical relationship.
While it’s hard to believe Obi-Wan Kenobi would do such a thing to Anakin Skywalker, which explains why this draft was shelved into the corner, it does add more drama to their conflict. Not only would it have added further weight to Anakin’s s “I hate you!” comment to Kenobi, but would explain why Kenobi looked out for Luke Skywalker all those years.
Ian McDiarmid Confirms One Palpatine Fact That Most Fans Weren’t Expecting
Even though Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padme didn’t end up having an affair in Revenge of the Sith, on the flip side, Ian McDiarmid confirmed that Palpatine indeed had s-x during his life cycle. While canonically, Rey’s father wasn’t a generic offspring but a failed strand-cast clone of Palpatine, it seems Palpatine wasn’t a celibate after all. He told Empire Magazine:
“But yes, he does [have sex]. It’s a horrible idea to think of Palpatine having sex in any shape or form. But then, of course, perhaps he didn’t… Maybe it’s all to do with midi-chlorians – and don’t ask me what those are. Never trust your granddaughter. That’s the T-shirt Palpatine got made. Shortly after his death.”
McDiarmid also touched on the controversial return of Palpatine from the dead in Rise of the Skywalker, as he defended it by stating the emperor always “had a plan B – probably a plan C, D, E, and F as well.”
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is available to stream on Disney Plus.
