One thing everyone can agree on when it comes to the prequel trilogy is that George Lucas put his heart into those films, which can’t be said for the recent Star Wars flicks from Disney. But before departing from the iconic IP, Lucas also had plans on how the sequel trilogy would pan out, and while Disney did agree to respect his original wishes, unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.
Furthermore, following the failure of The Rise of the Skywalker, Lucasfilm strayed away from big-screen releases and shifted its focus to the small screen. But had Lucas’ original plans been incorporated, the sequel trilogy would’ve shattered stereotypes by introducing a new Darth Vader.
George Lucas’ Plans for the Sequel Trilogy Involved a New Darth Vader
Thanks to the 600-page-long The Star Wars Archives – Episode I – III, 1999 – 2005, (via SFFGazette.com), Lucas’s original plans for the sequel trilogy were finally unearthed. George Lucas stressed that he planned the first trilogy to be about the father, the second about the son, and the third about the daughter and the grandchildren. Moreover, the sequel trilogy would’ve seen two major villains, one being Darth Maul, who would’ve become the godfather of crime in the universe after the empire fell.
The other main villain would’ve been Darth Vader, not Hayden Christensen but Maul’s apprentice Darth Talon, and also would’ve been the main physical foe of the planned trilogy.
He stated:
“Darth Maul trained a girl, Darth Talon, who was in the comic books, as his apprentice. She was the new Darth Vader, and most of the action was with her. So these were the two main villains of the trilogy. Maul eventually becomes the godfather of crime in the universe because, as the Empire falls, he takes over.”
While it might’ve ruffled a few feathers, especially on Twitter these days, it’s safe to say that his version of the sequel trilogy would’ve had more heart compared to Disney’s.
The Phantom Menace Is Set to return to Theatres on Its 25th Anniversary
Despite opening to mixed reception upon its release, time has been kind to the prequel trilogy, and fans are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace‘s.
With the Star Wars X account dropping a new trailer for Episode I ahead of its re-release, fans took to X to share their love for the film.
Still have my Darth Maul 3D glasses from the movie theater.
— Gilbert Murrieta (@Gilbert832) April 23, 2024
Goosebumps!!!
💙💚❤️
— Manmohan Kalsi (@RaX369) April 23, 2024
I GOT CHILLS
— Kelly Knox (@kelly_knox) April 23, 2024
The hype is real, cannot wait pic.twitter.com/RQn4myOSpZ
— Star Wars Only (@StarWars0nly) April 23, 2024
The first SW film I ever watched in the cinema. And that first time experience was so amazing that I watched it 13 more times in the cinema
Ep I has its flaws and missteps but it will always have a special place for me
This is the movie that brought a whole new generation to SW pic.twitter.com/O4SaPIz5Iz
— Final Heaven (@octaslasher2) April 23, 2024
Even though Lucas was all set to move forward with his plans for the sequel trilogy, he wasn’t ready to give another 10 years of his life to the IP, instead, he preferred raising his daughter and enjoying life. And with Lucasfilm finally ready to make more Star Wars features for the big screen, fans will hope Lucas’s iconic IP reaches its previous heights in the foreseeable future.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace will hit theaters on 3 May.
