Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith Surprisingly Almost Took a Shocking and Unforeseen Dark Turn

Highlights

Unused concept art for Revenge of the Sith revealed a more tragic ending for Padmé, as she would have taken an active role in the Rebellion against Anakin.

The content fragment rewritten in a better way:

The concept art depicted Padmé facing Anakin on Mustafar, holding a knife, illustrating her inner turmoil and the possibility of her betraying him.

Unfortunately, this version did not materialize, which is regrettable as it could have empowered Padmé and given her a more appropriate conclusion, while also demonstrating Natalie Portman's wish for a proactive portrayal of her character.

Most Star Wars fans would agree that Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the darkest installment of the prequel trilogy. Its merciless bloodshed, without any age restrictions, contributes to this perception. However, the film could have been even more intense if this concept art had been included.

Despite some people considering Revenge of the Sith the weakest Star Wars prequel, its impact on the franchise and popular culture as a whole is undeniable. Even to this day, its influence is still strongly felt. While it may not possess the iconic "Duel of the Fates" score from The Phantom Menace or the memorable "death sticks guy" from Attack of the Clones, few have forgotten the tragic story of Anakin Skywalker's descent into darkness and his transformation into Darth Vader. This story includes his brutal assault on the Jedi temple, where even the young Jedi apprentices meet a tragic end. Additionally, unused concept art introduces an element that could have significantly altered fans' perception of one particular character.

In a now-deleted video (via ComicBook.com), concept artist Iain McCaig unveiled the original concept for the final confrontation between Padmé (Natalie Portman) and Anakin (Hayden Christensen) in Revenge of the Sith, and it was even more tragic than the version that made it to the screen. According to McCaig, as soon as Anakin left, the Separatists stormed in, while unbeknownst to him, Padmé was secretly spearheading the Rebellion to overthrow him. In this alternate storyline, Padmé became an active participant in the nascent Rebellion because she recognized Anakin's transformation into a monster. As the climactic moment unfolded on Mustafar, Padmé arrived with a knife in her hands. She stepped off the ship and instantly embraced him, with the knife positioned at the back of his neck, prepared to end his life. Astonishingly, Anakin allowed her to approach him without resistance. Overwhelmed by her profound love, Padmé couldn't muster the strength to follow through with killing him, even as he became the embodiment of pure evil.

The concept art depicted a dramatic scene where Padmé, cloaked in darkness, confronts Anakin on Mustafar. This unused artwork would have added depth to Anakin's betrayal as he responded in rage towards Padmé, who actively fought against him. Unlike the final version, where Padmé only pleads with Anakin to change his path, this concept would have allowed audiences to better comprehend his sense of betrayal. Regrettably, this alternate storyline never came to fruition. It would have given Padmé more agency instead of passively hoping for a positive outcome, ultimately leading to her heart-wrenching demise. Although Padmé held little power as a senator at that time, due to Emperor Palpatine's control over the Galactic Empire, her character deserved a more dignified resolution. Making her take matters into her own hands would have been fitting, especially considering Natalie Portman's influence in shaping Padmé as a proactive character. It feels like a missed opportunity.

However, things ultimately took a different path. While many still found enjoyment in Revenge of the Sith as it was, it is hard not to wonder about the potential outcome if the original concept had been incorporated. Perhaps including it could have highlighted even more how Padmé could have chosen a more suitable romantic partner than Anakin. After all, this franchise can only handle so many inconsistencies simultaneously.

You can stream Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith on Disney Plus.

Source: ComicBook.com