What if? Splinter of the Mind's Eye filmed

Battlehymn Republic · Post by **Battlehymn Republic** » 2005-07-05 03:26am

It's a job for: alternate history!

What if George Lucas had decided to go ahead and film Splinter of the Mind's Eye , despite the ANH being a box office hit?

The story changes are an Infinites-level alteration, but the change to history (at least movie and sci-fi-wise) will be great in scope...

Adam Reynolds · Post by **Adam Reynolds** » 2005-07-05 03:42am

IMO that book was really stupid, there was some Force Crystal that Vader had to duel Luke over and Luke wasn't even really trained there all he had was a couple of hours of deflection training, Leia even managed to fight Vader off for a while.

As a side note I really don't like the EU that much, about all I like is the Thrawn books and a little bit of the Clone Wars EU.

Kenoshi · Post by **Kenoshi** » 2005-07-05 04:28am

The nookie between Luke and Leia would have been waaaay creepy considering what we know about them now.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2005-07-05 04:58am

Kenoshi wrote:The nookie between Luke and Leia would have been waaaay creepy considering what we know about them now.

They had a passionate kiss and some close snuggling with clothes on, that's about it.

Battlehymn Republic · Post by **Battlehymn Republic** » 2005-07-05 12:03pm

I read on an online interview with Foster that at the time Empire Strikes Back wasn't even written yet, there was nothing known about places like Alderaan, and I'm pretty sure Lucas didn't decide to have them be siblings yet.

Sidewinder · Post by **Sidewinder** » 2005-07-05 01:03pm

WTF?! Did you actually read that book? It has one of the stupidest McGuffins ever and the most incompetent villain ever.

"Hey, let's make a magic crystal that boosts people's force powers like super steroids, so there's no need for Jedi or Sith training!"

"Hey, let's make a cool cyborg villain who got his ass kicked by two incestuous teenagers sharing the same lightsaber, which means they have to fight one-on-one duels with the villain, instead of one closing in with a lightsaber while the other provides covering fire with a blaster! And to make the villain look really cool, let's have him fight on despite the loss of one arm, and lose when he trips over his own severed arm and falls into a bottomless pit!"

WTF was the author smoking/drinking/shooting up when he wrote that?!

Noble Ire · Post by **Noble Ire** » 2005-07-05 01:34pm

Adamskywalker007 wrote:IMO that book was really stupid, there was some Force Crystal that Vader had to duel Luke over and Luke wasn't even really trained there all he had was a couple of hours of deflection training, Leia even managed to fight Vader off for a while.

As a side note I really don't like the EU that much, about all I like is the Thrawn books and a little bit of the Clone Wars EU.

It should be noted that Splinter isn't official continuity.

Drooling Iguana · Post by **Drooling Iguana** » 2005-07-05 01:50pm

Sidewinder wrote:WTF?! Did you actually read that book? It has one of the stupidest McGuffins ever and the most incompetent villain ever.

"Hey, let's make a magic crystal that boosts people's force powers like super steroids, so there's no need for Jedi or Sith training!"

The crystal was actually in some of the early drafts of the original Star Wars screenplay. They were trying to bring it to the Rebels, instead of the Death Star plans.

Battlehymn Republic · Post by **Battlehymn Republic** » 2005-07-05 04:46pm

You're right, I haven't read it yet. However, I am pretty sure that it hails from a time when barely anything was fleshed out in SW, and when SW was meant to be rather Buck Rogers-ish.

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2005-07-05 04:57pm

Noble Ire wrote:
Adamskywalker007 wrote:IMO that book was really stupid, there was some Force Crystal that Vader had to duel Luke over and Luke wasn't even really trained there all he had was a couple of hours of deflection training, Leia even managed to fight Vader off for a while.

As a side note I really don't like the EU that much, about all I like is the Thrawn books and a little bit of the Clone Wars EU.
It should be noted that Splinter isn't official continuity.

Since when?

Noble Ire · Post by **Noble Ire** » 2005-07-05 06:27pm

Since when?

Actually, upon checking out my statement, I appear to have been wrong. Splinter is never mentioned in the novel lists, and is rarely even alluded to in guide books and other sources, but it does appear in the Essential Chronology, although alot of it has been modified (Luke's abilities and the Kyber crystal have been rationalized.)

Kenoshi · Post by **Kenoshi** » 2005-07-06 01:26am

Noble Ire wrote:
Since when?
Actually, upon checking out my statement, I appear to have been wrong. Splinter is never mentioned in the novel lists, and is rarely even alluded to in guide books and other sources, but it does appear in the Essential Chronology, although alot of it has been modified (Luke's abilities and the Kyber crystal have been rationalized.)

When Luke met up with Vader in ESB it doesn't seem from the dialogue like they've met before, let alone fought. Certainly from the way that Yoda was warning Luke away from rushing out to fight Vader gives the impression that the events in Splinter didn't happen.

Post by **Vympel** » 2005-07-06 03:50am

Splinter didn't happen. Anyone who argues that it did is on crack.

General Brock · Post by **General Brock** » 2005-07-06 04:41am

I read that book a long time ago, and it didn't have the feel of Lucas' novelization of ANH. A force amplifying crystal, or Luke and Leia getting cosy before they knew they were related, well, OK, but the story as I remember it being canon, no, that would be tough to accept.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2005-07-06 11:31am

IIRC EU books count unless contradicted by a higher level of canon, ESB pretty much wipes out everything in Splinter.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2005-07-06 01:41pm

General Brock wrote:I read that book a long time ago, and it didn't have the feel of Lucas' novelization of ANH. A force amplifying crystal, or Luke and Leia getting cosy before they knew they were related, well, OK, but the story as I remember it being canon, no, that would be tough to accept.

Wasn't it written by the same guy? (Alan Dean Foster)

I thought I read the "arm getting cut off" incident was mentioned in some EU chronology, but I'm sure that's been discarded as of AOTC/RotS.

Where did I remember Vader's arm being cut off as a "punishment" from Palpatine for losing the Death Star? SOTE? Heh

Sidewinder · Post by **Sidewinder** » 2005-07-06 05:30pm

Kurgan wrote:Where did I remember Vader's arm being cut off as a "punishment" from Palpatine for losing the Death Star? SOTE? Heh

Mara Jade mentions this in the Thrawn trilogy-- however, she describes this news as a rumor, meaning she doesn't really know when Vader lost his arm(s).

General Brock · Post by **General Brock** » 2005-07-07 01:56am

Kurgan wrote:
General Brock wrote:I read that book a long time ago, and it didn't have the feel of Lucas' novelization of ANH. A force amplifying crystal, or Luke and Leia getting cosy before they knew they were related, well, OK, but the story as I remember it being canon, no, that would be tough to accept.
Wasn't it written by the same guy? (Alan Dean Foster)

I thought I read the "arm getting cut off" incident was mentioned in some EU chronology, but I'm sure that's been discarded as of AOTC/RotS.

Where did I remember Vader's arm being cut off as a "punishment" from Palpatine for losing the Death Star? SOTE? Heh

No, but I'd have to dig up my copy again to be absolutely sure. (Its not a first print, and only a paperback, but its still 'retired' from regular pawing). ADF wrote Star Trek short stories based on the series and a few others, but not Star Wars.

LaserRifleofDoom · Post by **LaserRifleofDoom** » 2005-07-11 11:24pm

I have a copy of it sitting right in front of me. Its only a paperback, but I should note that there is o indication that it is officially connnected with Star Wars. At all. The closest it comes is "Based on the characters and situations ceated by George Lucas". Hardly an official seal of approval.

And mine is a very early publication-1978.

Also, Lucas has clearly stated that from the very begining the story was going to be about a set of twins.

Elheru Aran · Post by **Elheru Aran** » 2005-07-11 11:35pm

Sidewinder wrote:
Kurgan wrote:Where did I remember Vader's arm being cut off as a "punishment" from Palpatine for losing the Death Star? SOTE? Heh
Mara Jade mentions this in the Thrawn trilogy-- however, she describes this news as a rumor, meaning she doesn't really know when Vader lost his arm(s).

Interestingly enough, if the comic is any indication (I haven't actually read the Splinter novel), it corresponds roughly with the in-film injuries of Anakin Skywalker; his right arm is amputated by Luke above the elbow, but it doesn't bleed, in fact it trails tendrils (wires? shredded cloth/leather?). Judging from where Anakin's arm was severed by Dooku, this would've been in just about the same place. Just thought I'd comment on that... perhaps Lucas considers certain elements of Splinter to be part of canon? Or maybe it's just bloody coincidence... probably the latter.