It's 1980 and you've been handed the reins to the franchise

[Elfdart]

Bob Brown on his defunct webpage had many valid points before the prequels etc totally turned him off the franchise forever, one of them was that adopting Ben's desert rags as a Jedi costume was nonsensical - he was hiding on Tatooine, and compared to say, Uncle Owen, he looked virtually the same, clothing wise. In those circumstances, clothing Luke in the same manner and calling it a Jedi costume - no, for me, it was a failure of imagination in the prequels and it'd be a similar failure in RotJ. Luke's outfit in RotJ was great - the prequel outfits were somewhat redeemed because they borrowed some features from it at least (the high boots most notably).

I was talking about the off-white costume Ben wore under the brown robe:




If Brown had bothered to watch the first few minutes of ANH, he would have noticed that Princess Leia wears white robes with a hood on the Blockade Runner. The Emperor wears a hooded robe in TESB, and Luke wears one when he enters Jabba's palace. Robes with hoods aren't confined to Tattooine.

[Elfdart]

The only prequel Jedi costume that was at all cool was Anakin's and that in part because it was so similair to Luke's from RotJ. That little bit, when it comes time for the prequels, would certainly make it much moreso the default than the "We all came from Tatooine" look Lucas actually used.

Jedi Knights are supposed to dress plainly because they don't give in to worldly desires or flaunt their status.

[Darth Yoshi]

You can dress plainly without looking like a desert hermit from the ass end of the galaxy. Luke's outfit in ROTJ was fairly plain, after all.

[Ryan Thunder]

The only prequel Jedi costume that was at all cool was Anakin's and that in part because it was so similair to Luke's from RotJ. That little bit, when it comes time for the prequels, would certainly make it much moreso the default than the "We all came from Tatooine" look Lucas actually used.

Jedi Knights are supposed to dress plainly because they don't give in to worldly desires or flaunt their status.

Which is why there are robes worn almost exclusively by the Jedi, right?

[Illuminatus Primus]

The costume designer(s) would have to dress up Han Solo to look like -oh, I don't know- a Rebel General. Those commando helmets that make the Rebels look like they have rolodexes on their heads would also be gone. Luke's Jedi costume would look like what Ben wore under his Jawa robes in ANH and ROTS.

Bob Brown on his defunct webpage had many valid points before the prequels etc totally turned him off the franchise forever, one of them was that adopting Ben's desert rags as a Jedi costume was nonsensical - he was hiding on Tatooine, and compared to say, Uncle Owen, he looked virtually the same, clothing wise. In those circumstances, clothing Luke in the same manner and calling it a Jedi costume - no, for me, it was a failure of imagination in the prequels and it'd be a similar failure in RotJ. Luke's outfit in RotJ was great - the prequel outfits were somewhat redeemed because they borrowed some features from it at least (the high boots most notably).

YES. Maybe a monastic/warrior order of twenty-five millennia might have uniforms? Maybe context-specific ones? Maybe fighter suits with Jedi insignia? Maybe? Maybe Obi-Wan is wearing something which suggests the form, outline, or cut of the Jedi formal wear in the prequels, but rough-hewn and a simulacrum: something he picked up at the Anchorhead Bargin Bin and slapped together, reflecting both his Jedi heritage, the dark and sad times left to the Order, and that he's fucking hiding.

[CmdrWilkens]

The only prequel Jedi costume that was at all cool was Anakin's and that in part because it was so similair to Luke's from RotJ. That little bit, when it comes time for the prequels, would certainly make it much moreso the default than the "We all came from Tatooine" look Lucas actually used.

Jedi Knights are supposed to dress plainly because they don't give in to worldly desires or flaunt their status.

So plain black with high boots just screams high fashion? Compared against everything we see from Leia's formal wear at the end of ANH to some of the outfits in middle class Bespin Luke's outfit is very plain and simple. Hell the prequel look is closer to all the Generals in ANH which would mark it as a more expensive style. Dressing in well padded and cleanly cut black is not some high fashion choice and makes a hell of a lot more sense than the Tatooine look a like contest in the prequels.

[Ryan Thunder]

What were you expecting? This?

[Elfdart]

So plain black with high boots just screams high fashion? Compared against everything we see from Leia's formal wear at the end of ANH to some of the outfits in middle class Bespin Luke's outfit is very plain and simple. Hell the prequel look is closer to all the Generals in ANH which would mark it as a more expensive style. Dressing in well padded and cleanly cut black is not some high fashion choice and makes a hell of a lot more sense than the Tatooine look a like contest in the prequels.

The problem with Luke's black costume isn't the tailoring, it's the color. The climactic scene in the Emperor's throne room has Vader (in black), Sidious (in black) and Luke (in black) against a black backdrop with shadows everywhere. On the ROTJ DVD, Lucas admits this was a mistake and takes the blame for shooting characters in all-black costumes against a black set. If I had it to shoot over, Luke would be wearing a different and distinct color and the set wouldn't look like an unlit garage.

[Terralthra]

Another thing to note is that as mentioned in some of the EU works, Jedi would wear rough-spun cloth specifically because it was scratchy and rough on their skin, teaching them to learn to tolerate and rise above minor physical annoyances and discomfort.

[Vympel]

The problem with Luke's black costume isn't the tailoring, it's the color. The climactic scene in the Emperor's throne room has Vader (in black), Sidious (in black) and Luke (in black) against a black backdrop with shadows everywhere. On the ROTJ DVD, Lucas admits this was a mistake and takes the blame for shooting characters in all-black costumes against a black set. If I had it to shoot over, Luke would be wearing a different and distinct color and the set wouldn't look like an unlit garage.

Well, to fix that scene (and I think it worked very well, regardless - clearly one of the high points of the series) it would've been best to change the colour and lighting of the set, not the costume of Luke. The similarity to Vader it evoked by the colour is too much to pass up. The colour scheme of Palpatine's office in the prequels would've been fine, for example.

I was talking about the off-white costume Ben wore under the brown robe:

So was Brown - by Jedi robes he was talking about the whole ensemble, not just the hoodie. The intent in ANH was clearly that Obi-Wan was dressed up as a typical Tatooine inhabitant (in the wilderness, in any event) - hence his similarity to Lars.

[Crazedwraith]

There is a partial explanation in the TPM Visual Dictionary for the whole 'we all come from Tatooine' issue. It states the jedi dress in robes similar to those used across the galaxy by normal people as a toke of their humbleness and so forth. Although I note both Qui-Gon and Anakin change out of their robes and adopt disguises (ponchos usually) when they actually want to go unnoticed.

[Vympel]

There is a partial explanation in the TPM Visual Dictionary for the whole 'we all come from Tatooine' issue. It states the jedi dress in robes similar to those used across the galaxy by normal people as a toke of their humbleness and so forth. Although I note both Qui-Gon and Anakin change out of their robes and adopt disguises (ponchos usually) when they actually want to go unnoticed.

Yeah, but it's a rationalization we don't need to bother with

As IP said, Jedi should dress differently for different things - it's ridiculous seeing Jedi pilot starfighters in the same robes they walk around in, for example.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Its like the Pope wearing the same outfit as a Franciscan friar. Not that it should have that much pomp, but a very old order should have its odd traditions and ceremonial garb.

[Galvatron]

I rather liked Obi-Wan's usage of the clonetrooper armor under his robes in the Clone Wars cartoon. I think something similar should be customary for Jedi battle garb.

[Illuminatus Primus]

I had a fan art image of a Jedi General garbed in dark armor and helmet with a cape/ARC skirt. It was reminiscent of both Vader's armor, Stormtroopers, and Jedi robes. I don't know what happened to it.

[Ryan Thunder]

I rather liked Obi-Wan's usage of the clonetrooper armor under his robes in the Clone Wars cartoon. I think something similar should be customary for Jedi battle garb.

I liked the concept. The combination looked dumb though.

Mind you, it might've just been the style of the cartoon...

[Galvatron]

I had a fan art image of a Jedi General garbed in dark armor and helmet with a cape/ARC skirt. It was reminiscent of both Vader's armor, Stormtroopers, and Jedi robes. I don't know what happened to it.

I'm also rather fond of some of the outfits that Dave Dorman put Luke in on the covers of the Dark Empire comics. A nice contrast of black and earth tones.

I rather liked Obi-Wan's usage of the clonetrooper armor under his robes in the Clone Wars cartoon. I think something similar should be customary for Jedi battle garb.

I liked the concept. The combination looked dumb though.

Mind you, it might've just been the style of the cartoon...

[Ryan Thunder]

Yeah, it was the cartoon...

[Galvatron]

I also kinda like the idea of Jedi using personal energy shields in certain situations, not unlike those employed by the Gungans in TPM. Combined with the clonetrooper armor, It would really give them the look of medieval knights.

[CmdrWilkens]

So plain black with high boots just screams high fashion? Compared against everything we see from Leia's formal wear at the end of ANH to some of the outfits in middle class Bespin Luke's outfit is very plain and simple. Hell the prequel look is closer to all the Generals in ANH which would mark it as a more expensive style. Dressing in well padded and cleanly cut black is not some high fashion choice and makes a hell of a lot more sense than the Tatooine look a like contest in the prequels.

The problem with Luke's black costume isn't the tailoring, it's the color. The climactic scene in the Emperor's throne room has Vader (in black), Sidious (in black) and Luke (in black) against a black backdrop with shadows everywhere. On the ROTJ DVD, Lucas admits this was a mistake and takes the blame for shooting characters in all-black costumes against a black set. If I had it to shoot over, Luke would be wearing a different and distinct color and the set wouldn't look like an unlit garage.

Well aside from the point already made about shooting in a different setting (which since I wouldn't rehash the DS idea would be elsewhere) I', uncertain how we went from objecting to the costume on the basis of it not being simple to not being right for the set.

[Galvatron]

Am I the only one who prefers Luke's more utilitarian garb from TESB?

[Elfdart]

Am I the only one who prefers Luke's more utilitarian garb from TESB?

The costumes in ANH and TESB were done by John Mollo, who does a lot of miltary (the Sharpe series) and quasi-military (Star Wars) costume design and is a genius at what he does.

Well aside from the point already made about shooting in a different setting (which since I wouldn't rehash the DS idea would be elsewhere) I', uncertain how we went from objecting to the costume on the basis of it not being simple to not being right for the set.

We didn't. I just think Luke's costume should be more like Ben's, which would mostly mean a different color, now that I've looked at the pictures. I would prefer plain brown/grey/khaki like Ben and Yoda wore, keeping in line with not only the only Jedi we've seen as of TESB, but also the plainly dressed mystic motif from literature and operas (Wotan's old grey cloak from Wagner), religion (Benedictine monks) and history (Ghandi). It also separates them from the gaudy costumes of the bigshots throughout the galaxy.

Anyway, after looking through the pictures, I've noticed that aside from color and the length of the tunic, Luke's ROTJ costume isn't that much different from Obi-Wan Kenobi's.



The main difference is that Luke wears a bib shirt underneath while Ben's was a plain brown T-shirt. As it turns out after looking closely at the photos, the brown T-shirt is the main similarity between Ben's costume and Owen's. The tunic and pants are different in cut, color and fabric, as are the outer robes.

So the Jedi aren't just like the inhabitants of Tattooine when it comes to dress, nor is this a mistake on the part of George Lucas or his costume designers. Unless you also think the fact that Han Solo and numerous other characters on Tattooine (and the Blockade Runner) wear vests is some kind of mistake -other than the decision to wear a vest when he's been promoted to General, while Lando does wear a general's uniform under the same conditions.

[Galvatron]

The problem with Luke's black costume isn't the tailoring, it's the color. The climactic scene in the Emperor's throne room has Vader (in black), Sidious (in black) and Luke (in black) against a black backdrop with shadows everywhere.

Was it the inspiration for the glowing condom fight scene in Skin Deep?

But back to the topic...

I should also mention that my prequels would feature the same ship designs that were in the OT. That is, the Executor, ISDs, TIE fighters, etc. would all be around at least ~25 years BBY. This would be done to emphasize the advanced age, longevity and glacial progress of technology in the GFFA, yet I wouldn't devote any unnecessary exposition to explain this. The visuals should be enough to drive the point home.

Executor herself would be Admiral Tarkin's flagship with Ozzel as her captain.

Anakin and Vader would both fly TIE "Advanced X1s."

Stormtroopers would look the same throughout all nine films. General Kenobi would lead them in the major ground battles.

[Vympel]

Am I the only one who prefers Luke's more utilitarian garb from TESB?

No - it's a great outfit. Though I think mostly the laden belt is what makes it.

[Eleventh Century Remnant]

Sorry I'm entering this one so late; anyway, real world influences aside, this is how I would do Episode 1. Still haven't quite worked out 2, 3 and 6 yet.

To begin with, the Republic is to be shown as much more of a mess than it was in the existing prequels; a thin gloss of archaism, formality and civility, yes, but it is a thin layer over real tensions.
The galaxy is not one age-old unified whole- Kenobi would be giving a very romantic view of the effectiveness of the Jedi in ANH- but a genuine patchwork of colony states, regionalism and factionalism rampant. The Senate is an organisation closer in function and effectiveness to the UN than to any actual national government, and it is starting to lose it’s grip.

Anakin Skywalker is- will become- Lord Vader, no change there, but he and Kenobi are of the same generation, in their mid twenties at the beginning of the troubles, rivals and the rising stars of the order. Yoda is nine hundred years old, and his ideas are nine hundred years old. He is the traditionalist, refusing to acknowledge the changing nature and changing needs of the present crisis. He is the problem.
Kenobi is the moderate reformer, the cautiously wise man the old guard could at least put up with.
Anakin Skywalker was a late entry to the Jedi order, but not a slave, I would keep the ‘too old’ part, which is one of his grievances, that the jedi order is wasting potential in limiting who it accepts- and is the leader of the radical activist fringe, who believe that something has to be done- that the galaxy has to be deliberately held together.

Initially, Kenobi is the one who believes that the jedi should have more to do with normal society, blend in, business as usual, don’t rock the boat, and Anakin is the militant-puritan, who believes that the force sets them apart in what is at this stage a sincere expression of noblesse oblige. They end up reversing positions in the course of the PT.

Other characters needed for the PT; not that different, really. We need to populate the Senate and the Jedi Council.
Ilion Palpatine, nobleman and senator, and head of an ancient house of merchant venturers, and something of a voice in the wilderness; if any man can see the writing on the wall, it is him. He is the one ranting about the imminent collapse of the republic- very eruditely, but ranting nonetheless.
The existing majority and minority leaders, and the players in the fighting to come.

Ep 1 would consist in the first half of business as usual for the senate and the jedi, get some sort of feel for the status quo before it all goes blooie; Palpatine up to his eyeballs in secret deals, trying to keep the wheels on- the clear impression should be of a man prepared to get his hands dirty in a good cause.
Vetos and deadlocks preventing anything official being done- one of the loudest voices is that of Mon Mothma. She and Palpatine have something of a love- hate relationship; nominally on the same side, he does things quietly, she just talks noisily.
Kenobi on surveillance in Kuat- get a good look at the staryards there- watching ships being built for one of the factions.
Anakin dealing with two warring factions- “Others are being hurt by your actions. There will be peace between you- the peace of agreement (draws and activates lightsabre) or the peace of death. Choose.” He is already skirting the line of the acceptable.

The second half of Ep 1 would be things starting to go to ruin. We are looking at a squabble between two major mid/outer rim powers here; a Hutt takeover of someone else’s space, say. A peace deal and concessions are proposed and nominally agreed to, but they double-cross everybody in sight and decide to go for it anyway.
Palpatine is called before the senate to defend himself and it turns into a counterattack, admitting his part in the deal, stating his intentions- and demanding of the senate; so what have you done? My hands are dirty; because I have been at work.

There is a shabby, half- honoured agreement to do something; forces are sent, but the hutt forces are too strong, and include hired mercenaries from all over the galaxy- if there are going to be Mandalorians at all, and there probably should be, they’re involved. They are corrupt, murdering scum who make a lot of mouth noises about ancient honour and chivalric codes but are quite happy to buttstroke babies to death; well equipped, but basically hypocritical psychopaths.

There is a Qui-Gon type; he is basically last generation’s rebel, a tired man who has largely given up on the big ideas and is just trying to muddle through, crisis- managing from one day to the next- he gets the job of trying to stop this, with an under-equipped and under-resourced force of half-trained and poorly motivated spacers and soldiers.
There are heroic speeches and babble about freedom, but it is a multi-system fleet action, and the defenders, although better coordinated by the use of Jedi powers, are losing.

The ships Kenobi was watching, we next see them when someone- Palpatine- is making an offer for them. He wants something to be done; appeals for aid. The jedi Council regard this as terrible, certainly, a problem, certainly, but not worth turning the galaxy upside down to fix. He asks Anakin to go with him, in defiance of the council.

The armed-merchant fleet arrives fractionally too late to save Qui-Gon, who dies a heroic but very messy death- from flamethrower fire, for preference- trying to protect the innocent.
Anakin effectively serves as Palpatine’s right hand man for this, the front line commander; spare nothing here- buildings being sawn in half by SPHA(T) fire, nuclear yield equivalent ortillery turbolaser shot leaving mile-wide glassy craters, etc. Nerve gas, corrosive gases used to eat through NBC gear and droid electronics in preparation, tailored plagues necessitating said ortillery, all sorts of horrors. Most of them on the side of the officially bad guys, but not all.

A young Boba Fett- or Jango- could be there, I like the idea of him being a shop steward of the mercenaries’ union, demanding extra hazard pay for facing nerve gas. More seriously, he is first totally sincere about the whole warriors’ honour thing, after exposure to field conditions has it hammered into him that it is pretentious, mendacious shit, and walks away determined to live a life that is a direct insult to the mandalorian concept of honour.

The fighting ends with a decapitation strike, literally, and the scene cuts to the senate chamber and the chancellor having a Hutt eyeball flung in his face by Anakin. That side of things ends in total chaos, a multisided, utterly unparliamentary argument/brawl in which the veneer of civility is well and truly acid- washed away.
The scene in the Jedi Council is equally fractious; many of them want to expel Skywalker, but it is Kenobi- who was working on coalition-building most of the time- who makes the salient point; being kicked out isn’t actually going to stop him, it would just remove what shreds of control the Council do have over him.

Palpatine’s private chambers; he is still partly in shock over his own transformation from merchant prince to outright warlord. “I begin to understand how the republic came to be in such a state. There is a dreadful fascination about wielding such power.” Palpatine is potentially very strong in the force- but as an eldest son and heir, there was no way the Jedi were going to be allowed near him. He has never been tested, but Anakin realises his potential now.
Word reaches Anakin that the Jedi Council are considering expelling him; a moment of defiance overcomes his better judgement, and he resolves to introduce Palpatine to the Force.

No, he was not a dark lord- not even a force user- before this, just an unusually sharp futures trader with substantial private wealth and power, enough to qualify him for the senate. This is just an added twist. De-emphasise the Sith; make them as much posers and charlatans as any other ‘secret cult’- pretty much by definition, the natural unit of the dark side is the self. In terms of willingness to use power for your own personal ends, he ranks fairly highly. It is pretty much inevitable that a merchant prince turned warlord would start to fall, and as he does he will pull Anakin down with him.

Ep 2 would be the collapse of the republic and the formation of the empire, ep 3 would be the descent of the empire into tyranny and the extermination of the jedi order; more later.
Ep 6 would not feature a second death star at all, but probably something a lot closer to the defining space battle of Revenge of the Sith; the rebels mortgaging the future for the sake of the present, drawing on all the old regional factions and tensions that tore the republic apart in the first place, in an attempt at assassination by BDZ.
It should be obvious that the galaxy is going to be in a hell of a mess afterwards, and there should be some doubt, especially from Luke, that this really is the lesser of two evils.

Does this make any sense?