The Opening Scroll

"The crawl did not talk about some great noble past and tradition of the jedi, nor did it allude  to the long history of the galaxy. It got straight to the point, it didn't mince words. I read the first sentence about 15 times to commit it to memory. I had already established with Milo, at his insistence, that I would not be leaving London with a copy, but he would let me look at it. When you watch next May, and it will be next May, you will see the title which will be whatever Lucas wants it to be, and as of the 3rd Draft what would follow would be... "Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute." Then it went to a new paragraph which I didn't write in my notes, but I remember it talking about a blockade of deadly battleships, something about a Trade Federation and the planet Naboo. The third paragraph of the crawl had to do with the Congress of the Republic, the Supreme Chancellor and sending two Jedi Knights to settle the conflict."

The Old Republic and the Trade Federation

"G.L. really wants to emphasize the bureacratic trappings/workings of the Old Republic government in the prequels. In many ways certain issues will parallel ones in our culture today. The main cause behind the Naboo/Nimoudi conflict centers around a commerce dispute that the Senate fails to mediate."

"The Flaming Jawa returned to add more info about the prequels. It turns out that there are two major factions in the prequels - The Republic and The Federation. "Federation?!?" you're  saying, "Are you mixing up Trek and Wars now, monkey boy?!?" Nope ! There is a "Federation" in the prequels. Who are they? The Flaming Jawa says that they are a 'consortium' or 'syndicate'. They are as much a financial power as they are a military power. The Flaming Jawa says that they "do what they want" and they put their own personal agendas first. I said that it sounded a heck of a lot like the Corporate Sector from the Brian Daley novels. Flaming Jawa says that there are a lot of similarities, but the Federation is NOT the Corporate Sector."

"The Federation is the Nimoudian Federation. In the prequel, a fleet of Nimoudian Federation battleships attack the peaceful planet Naboo and send shock waves through the Senate and the entire galaxy. Unbeknownst to the Senate and the Jedi Council, the Nimoudian Federation has struck a deal with the Dark Lords of the Sith, thus engaging Dark Lord Darth Maul to aid their evil cause..."

"The Star Wars novelization does say thata Trade Federation helped Palpatine rise to power. Some other sites have also reported that the Federation is run by the Nimoudians. We can't confirm or deny this, but all the information we've seen so far indicates that the Nimoudians are merely the pawns or henchmen of the Federation. Of course that could be wrong, but you never know." 

The refusal to join the Federation

June 11, 1998 - A similar situation can be found in the Rough Draft that George Lucas wrote for 'Star Wars': The planet Aquilae refuses to sign a treaty to join the Empire. 

The Emperor says in a military speach before he starts the invasion of Aquilae: 
"... I have personally asked the Aquilaeans to accept this Treaty of Alliance. During the long period of negotiation, they have only decided to be undecided.  We will barter no longer.  Governor Hoedaack has been appointed the First Lord of the Aquilaean System and Surrounding Territories. This is the last frontier and the final stone in the great wall of the Galactic Empire."

COUNT SANDAGE, a corrupt noble of the Senate, jumps to his feet in a rage. 
SANDAGE: This is nonsense!  We have no choice but to approve the Treaty.  If there is war, the Empire will destroy our entire System with a snap of the finger.  General Skywalker is a dreamer if he thinks he can mount any meaningful resistance....And you're dreamers if you believe him.  So much trust in one aged man.  You must see... 
GENERAL: Is there anyone here so naive he believes the Empire would even bother negotiating if they were contemplating destruction of this System?  Your Excellencies, this is more than a simple raid on your resources. You must reach a decision. 
KAYOS: Count Sandage, I want you to head the delegation to Alderaan.  You will leave tomorrow with our answer regarding the Treaty.  My decision will be forthcoming.

KAYOS: Luke, I'm leaving tonight for AMSEL.  I'm meeting with the full assembly first thing in the morning.  I am not going to approve the Alliance Treaty, and I will get your defense measure approved.  Just be patient. You will have the war code. 
GENERAL: Tomorrow may be too late.  My Lord, I need the war code now.  We must get our forces into space.

The Opening scene

"The opening crawl clears and the camera pans down to a ship. The ship crosses the frame from left to right.The camera follows it to reveal the planet Naboo, surrounded by hundreds of Trade Federation ships. Inside the lead Federation ship, several droids are conferring as the Jedi ask to come aboard to negotiate. The jedi ship docks with the huge Federation vessel and the ramp lowers. Two hooded figures, dressed in long dark robes, disembark. They are greeted by the droid TC3, a silver protocol droid like C3PO. TC3 says something to the effect of, "I'm sorry my master is unable to attend to you at the moment". Qui Gon and Obi Wan pull back the hoods on their robes. Obi Wan looks around and says, "I have a very bad feeling about this." Of course, he is right. "

The 'Dreadnought' like ship

"The Freighter Ship - According to Bothan Spy, it is an elongated rectangular ship with a slanted nose, much like that of a high speed train. It's engines are larger rectangles toward the rear. In fact, it could very well be the dreadnaught we've been hearing about appearing for so long. The descriptions seem to match very closely. (See the Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels for a dreadnaught pic.)"

Opening: an orbital shot of the planet Naboo

"The film opens with an orbital shot of Renaissance Italy-esque world Naboo, home to Queen Padme Naberrie Amidala (Natalie Portman), the future mother of Luke and Leia, as the world is being invaded by a tall, thin alien species called the Nimoudians."

The Federation Battleship

"Federation Battleship - This is the "Rebel Insignia" looking ship that Harry made the random mention of a few weeks back. Yep, it's the size of a Star Destroyer. However, it's more like the shape of a donut with a bite taken out of the top and engines at the base. In the middle is a sphere connected to the donut by a cylinder. The only ship we can think of that's similar is the crashed ship seen at the beginning of Alien, but even that lacks in many ways."

The First lines...

"The first person to speak in Episode One will be Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon, and it is an off-screen delivered line. The first person we will see is just some Captain. Not a main character. Ya wanna know Obi-Wan's first line? I made a note of it too. It made me laugh, and my eyes tear up. In fact as I turned each page I realized just how cool these movies were going to be. Ok, here ya go. The first thing that Obi-Wan Kenobi utters in the history of Star Wars will be "I have a bad feeling about this." [...] when Qui-Gon responds to Obi-Wan's above feeling, it goes like this... "I don't FEEL ANYTHING" "

Obi-Wan's first encounter with Jar-Jar

"Jar Jar is allegedly a central character who looks like a lizard. He's quite funky, and befriends OB1 in a swamp on another planet under circumstances still unknown. This swamp sequence was filmed 2 weeks ago at Whippendell Woods near Leavesden. There was, however, no swamp in the woods. The "Imperial Droid" believes it will be put in later! Shock!! During this swamp sequence, OB1 discovers a submerged temple which looks like an Indian woman's face. I.e. the temple is shaped like a person. He then escapes with the others from something that I honestly don't know the circumstances of. This is all very odd sounding."

"Something I didn't mention in my report of the swamp sequence on Harry's site (where he calls me Imperial Droid for some reason) is that Jar Jar *kisses* OB1 on the lips when they first meet!!!!!!!!  You've got to add this scene. OB1 is walking around up to his hips in swamp, then Jar Jar jumps out of nowhere in front of him. They 'talk', and Jar Jar seems to take a 'fancy' to OB1 and gives him a huge kiss.  Jar Jar's lips elongate like a flute (like Sy Snootles!) and meet with OB1's.  OB1 then shows a look of complete disgust and pushes Jar Jar off!!!"

Jar Jar's appearance

• The Reconstruction of Jar Jar - Part I
• The Reconstruction of Jar Jar - Part II

The STAP patrol

"The STAP is a small, one-pilot repulsorlift vehicle outfitted with two laser canons. It is extremely maneuverable, making it perfect for patrol, reconnaissance and battle. STAPS are operated by battle droids who function as the infantery of the Trade Federation army."

The fighting in an aquatic setting

"Cinescape Online's top Star Wars: Episode One sources have revealed to us that the rumors involving a climactic water battle in the first prequel are false. There are scenes involving the underwater city Otoh Gunga on Naboo, which might have caused confusion among other internet sources, but the fighting in an aquatic setting is brief and takes place early on in the film."

The Gungans

"Cinescape Online's sources tell us two members of the Gungan entourage are Captain Tarpals, Gungan King Boss Nass's captain-of-the-guard and a noble, friendly female alien who is adorned in red robes for her scenes in the film."

"Some of our overseas spies reported that we'll meet Captain Tarpals (which Cinescape confirmed, too) who is a tall Gungan, Boss Nass who is a very fat Gungan, General Ceel who is the leader of the Gungan army apparently (and also referenced by Cinescape, though not named), and of course Jar Jar who is the "cuter" of the Gungans. All have their own look and personality, just as you'd expect."

Jar Jar and the other Gungans

"[I] stumbled across some remarks made about the mysterious character Jar-Jar and his relationship to the race known as the "Gungans" on both Cinescape Online and TheForce.net. While both reports seem to contradict each other, neither one is really wrong. Jar-Jar may indeed be a member of the Gungan species, but it would appear that he's going to be a good bit different than all the others in the film, and in more ways than just appearance. Lucas has designed it that way so Jar-Jar can tie in to the storyline neatly while still being a unique character. Just look at it like this: As Humans, we ourselves have what we call different races, but we are all of the same species."

Jar Jar's Gungan duty

"In the story, we find that Jar Jar is forced to join the heroes in order to fulfill his duty to the Gungan. But you'll find out more about that in the movie."

About Naboo...

"Naboo is some sort of planet-symbol of The Old Republic. It has minimal political power, but it is ruled by the most ancient and noble 
house, the one that saw the beginning of the Republic. The last descendent of this house is the Young Queen.... Naboo is a place of joy and prosperity; daylight always shines. Runes, dragons and symbols of old are everywhere and peace and prosperity reign unchallenged."

The Women Council

"The Queen rules the planet with the aid of some sort of matriarchal council, a number of older women dressed in tunics similar to Mon 
Mothma's in "Jedi"."

Artoo's first scene

"the robot's first scene takes place early on in the movie, when the Marie Celeste (Queen Padme Amidala's royal ship) lifts off from Naboo as our heroes flee from the Nimoudian forces laying siege to the planet."

Arrival at Tatooine

"The most abundant information from inside the Episode One production has featured the scenes that takes place on the desert world Tatooine. The fleeing group from Naboo end up on the desolate planet and meets up with a young boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), who is very strong in the Force."

Obi-Wan stays behind on the Queen's ship

"There is a scene where Qui-Gon takes a blood sample of young Anakin (while asleep...creepy) by means of a thimble-like device, which sends the Midiclorian levels back to Obi-Wan on the Queen's ship."

Watto and the Jedi mind trick

"there is a really funny scene where Qui Gon, trying to get the parts he needs for Amidala's ship, uses the Jedi mind trick on Watto to try and lower his asking price. It doesn't work!!! Watto seems really funny, apparently he speaks with a kind of Italian accent. "

Midichlorians

"A person can not just "feel" The Force anymore. It is revealed that a symbiotic, sub-microscopic race ("Midiclorians") lives in people, and only through this species can you "feel" The Force. There is a scene where Qui-Gonn takes a blood sample of young Anakin (while asleep...creepy) by means of a thimble-like device, which sends the Midiclorian levels back to Obi-Wan on the Queen's ship. Obi-Wan is amazed that Anakin's Midiclorian levels are off the chart, which is no surprise to Qui-Gonn."

"That midiclorians or whatever the hell they are called are in the film, HOWEVER, they are not THE FORCE. THE FORCE is still a mysterious  thing that binds the universe, etc etc etc.. These little suckers are merely like conduits that focus and specialize in THE FORCE. So if you have these suckers in ya, you're more likely to be strong in the force. I guess kinda like them DNA tests that say if you are more likely to have high blood pressure or not. "

The Tatooine cliffside

"A scene of two Jedi knights having a dramatic confrontation may be very hard to edit without the cityscape, Tatooine cliffside, or moving spacecraft that are meant to fill the space behind them"

The debate in the Senate

"Not intern problems, but things are not looking up for the President of the Universe in the prequels. There's this guy who is trying to force me out of office and he's a real barracuda." 

"Palpatine's position within the Senate changes when affiliates of the Dark Side lure the politician into an evil alliance. Palpatine eventually overpowers his peers but his soul is forever scarred in the process - he becomes one major bad-ass dude! The political battles of Episode One will be quite spectacular and some of McDiarmid's scenes are almost Shakespearean in quality."

Bail Organa from Alderaan

"his very few lines featured around him trying to get people to "sign up to the federation" 

The attack of the sea monsters

"there's a couple of water things that occur, my fave is when the big creature tries to swallow the good guy's ship, but narrowly misses due to another...bigger creature swallowing it."

Obi-Wan and Anakin

"Ewan McGregor sports a spiky hairstyle (short, sticking up hair on top), a short pony tail, and a braid running behind his right ear down to his shoulder. Obi-Wan cuts off his braid and weaves it into Anakin's hair. Anakin also has a different haircut at that  stage, and adopts a pony-tail too. He also changes into Obi-Wan-style clothes. Essentially, this represents Obi-Wan taking Anakin under his wing."

The funeral

"These paraphrases are either the closing lines of the movie or happen very near the end. The source did not specify. The Jedi (Obi Wan, Yoda, Mace Windu), Amidala, Anakin, Sio Bibble, Ric Olie, Jar Jar and Palpatine are gathered around a funeral pyre. As the flames consume a certain body (No, I will not reveal who), Yoda looks up to Mace Windu. Yoda says, in reference to Darth Maul, "Always two there are. No more, no less. Master and Apprentice." Mace Windu replies, "But which was destroyed, the Master or the Apprentice?""

Padme during the celebration

"At the end scene, the celebration, her face is painted white, with a clown's tear under one eye and a small red heart centrally under her bottom lip. She has a huge neckpiece on similar to something Elizabeth I (Queen!) would've worn."

The celebration

"The happy people of Naboo are cheering the Jedi (Obi-Wan and friends) along with a group of creatures that look like a cross between an aligator and some sort of Dinosaur (the Gungans). The Dinosaur people come in and there is much rejoicing."