At the time of its release,Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithwas vastly different and darker from anything elseStar Warshad ever done on-screen, and it madeGeorge Lucashesitant for one specific reason. Lucas was never one to stray from his vision, especially in theStar Warsuniverse, and he maintained that same prerogative withRevenge of the Sith.Anakin Skywalker’s storywas headed to a darker place, and Lucas needed to go there.
He knew, however, that this was a potentially risky move for a trilogy that was already being berated by critics and fans alike. Thankfully, Lucas wasn’t afraid to stick to his original vision, even if he acknowledged what he could be giving up in the process. There was one specific reason why Lucas figuredRevenge of the Sithcould lose some of its audience, and although he ended up being proven wrong with the movie’s success, I actually serve as proof of why he had a valid reason to worry.
George Lucas Thought Revenge Of The Sith’s Darkness Would Hinder Its Success
“It’s Way Too Strong”
Lucas was self-aware of the potential consequences of the decisions he made to tell the story he wanted to tell in theStar Warsprequel trilogy, and that was especially the case withRevenge of the Sith. In an interview withCBS Newsin March 2005, Lucas went in depth on the darkness that was to come inRevenge of the Sith. He shared thatit would likely become the first PG-13 rating inStar Wars(which, as we know, it did), and that it could have likely been prevented - but he didn’t want that.
It’s way too strong.I could pull it back a little bit, but I don’t really want to.
Lucas no doubt knew what he was risking by isolating a chunk of his young audience, but that was a risk he was willing to take in favor of carrying out his vision for this chapter of Anakin’s story. Now, in an era whereRevenge of the Sithis hailed as some ofStar Wars’best and most iconic work to date,we know it paid off. There is, however, one point Lucas raised in this interview that ended up becoming an extremely valid take:
I would take a 9- or a 10-year-old to [Revenge of the Sith] – or an 11-. ButI don’t think I would take a 5- or 6-year-old to this.
Revenge Of The Sith Was Definitely Too Dark For Me
At 5 Years Old, I Was Terrified
I was just 5 years old whenRevenge of the Sithhit theaters, but my parents wanted to take me and my two older siblings to see it.This was the firstStar Warsmovie I had ever seen in theaters, and I still remember the experience vividly. Of course, the only part I truly remember is how traumatized I was by its ending.
I Still Can’t Believe George Lucas Thought Revenge Of The Sith Would Be The Prequel Trilogy’s Least Popular Movie
George Lucas thought that Revenge of the Sith would be the least successful Star Wars prequel, and he took the film’s unexpected success to heart.
I remember seeing what had happened to Anakin on Mustafar in the gaps between my dad’s fingers ashe tried to conceal the sight from me with his hand. He was doing the same to my six-year-old sister on his other side. Meanwhile, my mom had to leave us, because my eight-year-old brother had already made a run for it out of the movie theater as soon as he realized what was happening. To be fair to both my parents,they had no idea any of this was going to happen.
Because I had been watchingStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Cloneswithout a problem up until this point, there was no reason for my parents to think that I wouldn’t be able to handleRevenge of the Sith.
This experience made me dislikeRevenge of the Sithfor a long time, until I was old enough to brave it again and realize just how tragically wonderful it really is - especially afterStar Wars: The Clone Warshad done so much work to enhance it.I now consider it one of my favoriteStar Warsmovies to date, and I know my brother has always felt the same way, despite his initially fearful reaction to its content. Lucas' gamble definitely paid off in the long run.
Lucas' Risk Was Worth The Investment In The Long Run
That Darkness Was A Necessity
While in the short-term, seeingRevenge of the Sithat such a young age did affect my view of the overall movie, I was still able to revisit it as an adult and appreciate the darkness that had once scared me as a child.I’m glad Lucas stuck to his vision, because it’s aged so much better, especially with supplementary material likeThe Clone Wars,Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and more.
I was still able to revisit it as an adult and appreciate the darkness that had once scared me as a child.
Lucas may have thought that the movie’s success could be hindered by this darkness, but he was wrong - because it still managed to succeed in its own right. He did have a point about kids being too young to see it, but those kids have now grown up to become the movie’s biggest cheerleaders.Revenge of the Sithabsolutely had to be told the way it was, because if it was any different, it wouldn’t be the fan-favorite movie that it is today.
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