After all of the news and info that came out of Celebration VI, I had a hard time focusing on this fifth installment of my Ultimate Edition series (read the earlier installments here, here, here, and here). As it is, I’m not a fan of most of the EU, so I love the Clone Wars (its contradictions with things published in comics or books don’t bother me at all), and really had to fight to keep myself writing an article about what was gleaned at CVI in regards to that animated series instead of continuing this series (I would have just post-poned this installment to next week). But no, my dedication to finishing the Ultimate Edition Wishlists comes first and there will be plenty of time to discuss Clone Wars later this year.

And so, here is what I’d want in an Attack of the Clones: The Ultimate Edition box set.

• Attack of the Clones: The Archival Edition – The original edit of the film taken directly from the HD master.
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones - This would be the “definitive” special edition of the film, with new special effects, restored scenes, etc. As with the Archival Edition, it would be direct from the HD master (Episode II was shot digitally), in the highest resolution possible, and with correct color timing. Here is the list of changes I would like to see:
  • Restore the opening Senate scene where Palpatine announces Padme’s assassination and then she arrives to denounce the creation of an army.
  • Restore Jocasta Nu talking about Count Dooku and the Lost Twenty
  • Add in flashes of Shmi Skywalker in pain before Anakin wakes on the cargo ship (like his Jedi visions of Padme in Revenge of the Sith).
  • Restore the full scene of Anakin, Padme, and Artoo on the cargo ship.
  • Restore the full arrival on Naboo.
  • Restore all of the cut scenes with Padme’s family.
  • Cut the scene where Anakin rides the Shaak and wrestles around with Padme.
  • Reedit the fireplace scene between Anakin and Padme to remove about half of Anakin’s dialogue.
  • Add in flashes of Shmi Skywalker during Anakin’s nightmare on Naboo (again, to make his visions consistent with those in Revenge of the Sith).
  • Restore C-3PO to his pre-covered state and add back in the scenes where Padme and Owen finish him while Anakin is off searching for Shmi.
  • Restore Dooku’s interrogation of Padme on Geonosis and the resulting trial of Anakin and Padme.
  • Restore cut elements of the Jedi’s arena battle against the droids.
  • Restore the deleted scenes of Ki-Adi Mundi leading a raid against a Trade Federation ship to power down the droids.
  • Add in a space battle between Jedi starfighters and Separatist forces.
  • Expand the Clones’ ground assault.
  • Restore the full lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Dooku.
  • Shoot additional dialogue between Yoda and Obi-Wan in the Jedi Temple for the ending to explain away Dooku as the one who ordered the Clone army and wiped the Jedi Temple archives (this will likely piss off EU enthusiasts, but as it’s an issue raised in one of the movies, I feel it should be answered in one of the movies, and this is about the easiest way to do it).
• Attack of the Clones: The Special Edition – The original, expanded DVD version of the film, upgraded to the highest possible HD.
• Attack of the Clones 3D – The theatrical 3D version of the film (with a 2D option for those that wish to view it this way).
• Multiple audio commentaries for both the Archival and Ultimate Editions, featuring the filmmakers, the actors, and the special effects crews that created the movie.
• Deleted and/or alternate scenes of the original film, including any which were upgraded/replaced by the Ultimate Edition.
• When Clones Attack – A new, Empire of Dreams-style documentary following the development of Attack of the Clones from concept to completion.
• Christopher Lee and Ahmed Best – Biography featurettes on he actors who portrayed Count Dooku and Jar Jar Binks.
• Begun the Clone War Has – A featurette on the fabled Clone Wars, covering it’s introduction as a throwaway line in A New Hope, through it’s depiction in other media, including the Dark Horse comic series, novels, and various animated incarnations.
• Star Wars: Clone Wars – The complete, Gennedy Tartakovsky directed micro series that aired on Cartoon Network.
• Updating Clones– A new documentary covering the work that went into the making of Ultimate Edition.
• Trailers and television promotions.
• Stills gallery featuring behind the scenes and promotional images, as well as merchandising images.
• Vintage documentaries, interviews, and news coverage

Next week, we’ll look at Revenge of the Sith!

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PHOTO SOURCE: Count Dooku 2