Mind-Blowing Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith Almost Included An Unexpectedly Hilarious Cameo

Highlights

Star Wars almost included an E.T. cameo in the infamous opera scene of Revenge of the Sith, with E.T.s throwing popcorn in the opera seats.

The initial intention of the opera scene was to create a grand spectacle, featuring extravagant alien attire and affluent individuals departing from luxurious limousines.

Although the anticipated second appearance of E.T. did not materialize, it provokes curiosity about the possible impact it could have had on Palpatine's manipulation of Anakin.

Star Wars has a tendency to include previous characters in cameo appearances whenever possible. However, there was once a plan to extend these cameos beyond the franchise. Although this plan never materialized, it would have surely garnered a reaction from fans.

Despite the generally lighter tone of the Star Wars prequels, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith stands out as the darkest installment in the trilogy. Serving as the climactic chapter in Anakin Skywalker's journey to the dark side, it was inevitable that the film would deviate from the more hopeful and occasionally comedic tone of its predecessors. Nevertheless, this did not deter the filmmakers from attempting to infuse elements of humor. A particularly peculiar moment, which was ultimately removed from the final cut of the movie, exemplifies this notion.

As mentioned in J.W. Rinzler's book, The Making of Revenge of the Sith (via Slash Film), the iconic opera scene in the film nearly included a unique surprise for the audience amidst Chancellor Palpatine's well-known "tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise" speech delivered by Ian McDiarmid. With the presence of various alien species already showcased in the scene, renowned director and Star Wars creator George Lucas initially contemplated adding "some E.T.s in the opera seats, throwing popcorn."

Yes, he was referring to "E.T.s" as the main character from the iconic sci-fi movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial directed by Steven Spielberg. Fans may recall that Star Wars actually had a cameo of an ET in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. In one scene at the Galactic Senate on Coruscant, three aliens resembling the Spielberg character (later known as Asogians in Star Wars lore) could be seen vigorously gesturing during a tense political moment. However, this was just the beginning.

Interestingly, Lucas had envisioned the opera scene to be grander and more extravagant, even without featuring the beloved extra-terrestrial. The original idea was to showcase a multitude of elaborately dressed aliens, displaying their opulence and elegance. This could have involved showcasing various opera outfits and capturing the spectacle of patrons stepping out of their luxurious limousines. It could have been reminiscent of the Canto Bight scenes in The Last Jedi, which had a similar concept over a decade earlier.

In the end, whether it be a blessing or a curse, the anticipated second appearance of E.T. in the movie never came to fruition. Yet, it is intriguing to ponder the alternate possibilities. The impactful scene where Palpatine cleverly manipulates Anakin may not have had the same striking effect if it had been interrupted by random interdimensional beings casually throwing snacks from the audience. You can now stream Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith on Disney Plus.

Source: The Making of Revenge of the Sith (via Slash Film)