The Extended Fight Scene Between The Jedi And Palpatine Is Way Better Than What We Got In ‘Revenge Of The Sith’

Star Wars

Nov 3

When Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005, it showcased the most intense lightsaber duel of all the saga films. Many considered it to be the best fight in the films. However, such a fight might have been tied for another set to appear in the film. One of the weaker aspects of the film is during Palpatine’s arrest. The four Jedi Masters sent to arrest the Chancellor are meant to be experts in their craft, yet only one survives the opening few moments when put against the Sith Lord.

Agen Kolar and Saesee Tiin were cut down in seconds. Kit Fisto managed to fend off Sidious’s initial strikes, but he, too, was killed. Only Mace Windu lasted. In 2005, those deaths felt weak and rushed. But there is a reason behind that; had this change not been enacted, the fight could have been the best of the film.

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The entire fight had been choreographed by stunt doubles, including one in place of Ian McDiarmid. George Lucas, however, wanted McDiarmid to be always within the fight. That decision on the day of the shoot meant a lot of choreography had to be cut for McDiarmid’s sake. With no experience in swordplay, the 60-year-old had little time to learn the moves needed for the fight.

The fight would have seen all four Jedi in action, each being taken out one by one as Palpatine held them off. Instead, as seen in the Star Wars Analyst video, the brief footage shows Kit Fisto fighting alongside Mace Windu before succumbing to the Sith Lord’s blade. In addition, the other two Jedi who go down before Fisto do so in a more realistic way, with them reacting too slowly to Palpatine’s moves rather than standing dumbfounded at the brazenness of his spinning leap.

The lobby that Anakin walks through on his way to Palpatine’s office would have seen the four Jedi face off against Palpatine’s red guards. Unfortunately, such footage is yet to be seen, though it does exist and is currently being transferred to viewable media for the Star Wars Analyst YouTube channel to analyze. While fans will never see the full version of these fights, the little we are getting allows for a look at what could have been.

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