Revenge of the Sith: Illustrated Screenplay: Star Wars: Episode III (9 page)

P
ALPATINE:
(continuing
) They asked you to spy on me, didn’t they?

A
NAKIN:
I don’t know . . . I don’t know what to say.

P
ALPATINE:
Remember back to your early teachings, Anakin. “All those who gain power are afraid to lose it.” Even the Jedi.

A
NAKIN:
The Jedi use their power for good.

P
ALPATINE:
Good is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi point of view is not the only valid one. The Dark Lords of the Sith believe in security and justice also, yet they are considered by the Jedi to be . . .

A
NAKIN:
. . . evil.

P
ALPATINE:
. . . from a Jedi’s point of view. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power. The difference between the two is the Sith are not afraid of the dark side of the Force. That is why they are more powerful.

A
NAKIN:
The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves.

P
ALPATINE:
And the Jedi don’t?

A
NAKIN:
The Jedi are selfless . . . they only care about others.

PALPATINE smiles.

P
ALPATINE:
Or so you’ve been trained to believe. Why is it, then, that they have asked you to do something you feel is wrong?

A
NAKIN:
I’m not sure it’s wrong.

P
ALPATINE:
Have they asked you to betray the Jedi code? The Constitution? A friendship? Your own values? Think. Consider their motives. Keep your mind clear of assumptions. The fear of losing power is a weakness of both the Jedi and the Sith.

ANAKIN is deep in thought.

P
ALPATINE:
(continuing
) Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis “the wise”?

A
NAKIN:
No.

P
ALPATINE:
I thought not. It’s not a story the Jedi would tell you. It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life . . . He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying.

A
NAKIN:
He could actually save people from death?

P
ALPATINE:
The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.

A
NAKIN:
What happened to him?

P
ALPATINE:
He became so powerful . . . the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. (smiles) Plagueis never saw it coming. It’s ironic he could save others from death, but not himself.

A
NAKIN:
Is it possible to learn this power?

P
ALPATINE:
Not from a Jedi.

89 EXT. KASHYYYK—DAY

A WOOKIEE CATAMARAN flanked by WOOKIEE HELICOPTERS approaches the tree housing the HOLOGRAM AREA.

90 (70) INT. KASHYYYK—HOLOGRAM AREA—DAY

YODA and various JEDI speak via hologram. The discussion includes OBI-WAN, MACE, AGEN KOLAR, YODA, KI-ADI-MUNDI, and PLO KOON.

K
I-
A
DI-
M
UNDI:
(holo
) Palpatine thinks General Grievous is on Utapau. We have had no reports of this from our agents.

M
ACE:
(holo
) How could the Chancellor have come by this information and we know nothing about it? We have had contact with Baron Papanoida and he said no one was there.

A
NAKIN:
A partial message was intercepted in a diplomatic packet from the Chairman of Utapau.

Y
ODA:
Act on this, we must. The capture of General Grievous will end this war. Quickly and decisively we should proceed.

O
BI-
W
AN:
Does everyone agree?

All the JEDI concur.

A
NAKIN:
The Chancellor has requested that I lead the campaign.

They all look at ANAKIN a bit disturbed.

M
ACE:
(a little peeved
) The Council will make up its own mind who is to go, not the Chancellor.

K
I-
A
DI-
M
UNDI:
Yes, this decision is ours to make.

ANAKIN is embarrassed and becomes sullen.

Y
ODA:
A Master is needed, with more experience.

M
ACE:
Given our resources, I recommend we send only one Jedi . . . Master Kenobi.

A
NAKIN:
He was not so successful the last time he met Grievous.

OBI-WAN throws ANAKIN a dirty look.

A
NAKIN:
(continuing
) No offense, my Master, but I’m only stating a fact.

O
BI-
W
AN:
Oh no, you’re quite right, but I do have the most experience with his ways of combat.

Y
ODA:
Obi-Wan, my choice is.

K
I-
A
DI-
M
UNDI:
I concur. Master Kenobi should go.

Y
ODA:
I agree.

All the JEDI concur.

M
ACE:
Very well. Council is adjourned.

ANAKIN is angry.

M
ACE:
(continuing
) Obi-Wan, prepare two clone brigades as quickly as you can. If this report is true, there’s no telling how many battle droids he may have with him.

91 INT. KASHYYYK—HOLOGRAM AREA—DAY

YODA gets out of his chair and walks to the edge of the platform.

C
LONE
C
OMMANDER
G
REE:
The droids have started up their main power generators.

Y
ODA:
Then now the time is, Commander.

C
LONE
C
OMMANDER
G
REE:
Yes, sir.

The battle begins.

92 EXT. KASHYYYK—BEACH HEAD—DAY

A WOOKIEE CHIEFTAIN lets out a roar as the Wookiee army rushes to face the DROID ARMY. CORPORATE ALLIANCE TANK DROIDS race across the water against the WOOKIEES and CLONE TROOPERS on the beach. DROID GUNSHIPS provide air support, while a SPIDER DROID emerges from the watery depths. A brave WOOKIEE places an explosive on a SEPARATIST TANK and jumps off just before the TANK EXPLODES. From the Hologram Area, Yoda observes the ongoing battle.

93 EXT. CORUSCANT—PADMÉ’S APARTMENT—EARLY MORNING

Padmé’s apartment building is surrounded by the smog-shrouded city of Coruscant.

94 (69) INT. CORUSCANT—PADMÉ’S APARTMENT—LIVING ROOM—EARLY MORNING

PADMÉ and OBI-WAN sit on one of the couches.

O
BI-
W
AN:
Has Anakin been to see you?

P
ADMÉ:
Several times . . . I was so happy to hear he was accepted on the Jedi Council.

O
BI-
W
AN:
I know . . . he deserves it. He is impatient, strong willed, very opinionated, but truly gifted.

They laugh.

P
ADMÉ:
You’re not just here to say hello. Something is wrong, isn’t it?

O
BI-
W
AN:
You should be a Jedi, Padmé.

P
ADMÉ:
You’re not very good at hiding your feelings.

O
BI-
W
AN:
It’s Anakin . . . He’s becoming moody and detached. He’s been put in a difficult position as the Chancellor’s representative . . . but I think it’s more than that. I was hoping he may have talked to you.

P
ADMÉ:
Why would he talk to me about his work?

OBI-WAN studies her.

O
BI-
W
AN:
Neither of you is very good at hiding your feelings either.

P
ADMÉ:
Don’t give me that look.

O
BI-
W
AN:
I know how he feels about you.

P
ADMÉ:
(nervous
) What did he say?

O
BI-
W
AN:
Nothing. He didn’t have to.

PADMÉ is a little flustered. She stands and Obi-Wan follows. She walks to the balcony.

P
ADMÉ:
I don’t know what you’re talking about.

O
BI-
W
AN:
I know you both too well. I can see you two are in love. Padmé, I’m worried about him.

PADMÉ looks down and doesn’t answer.

O
BI-
W
AN:
(continuing
) I fear your relationship has confused him. He’s changed considerably since we returned . . .

They stand on the balcony and look off at the early morning city.

OBI-WAN starts to leave. PADMÉ stays looking off into the distant city.

O
BI-
W
AN:
(continuing
) Padmé, I’m not telling the Council about any of this. I . . . I hope I didn’t upset you. We’re all friends, I care about both of you . . .

P
ADMÉ:
Thank you, Obi-Wan.

O
BI-
W
AN:
Please do what you can to help him.

95 (71) INT. CORUSCANT—PADMÉ’S APARTMENT—DAY

PADMÉ, MON MOTHMA, and five other Senators (BANA BREEMU, FANG ZAR, CHI EEKWAY, GIDDEAN DANU, BAIL ORGANA) sit in Padmé’s living room. C-3PO serves drinks to the guests.

P
ADMÉ:
We cannot let this turn into another war.

B
AIL
O
RGANA:
Absolutely, that is the last thing we want.

M
ON
M
OTHMA:
We are hoping to form an alliance in the Senate to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution, that’s all.

P
ADMÉ:
I know a Jedi I feel it would be wise to consult.

B
ANA
B
REEMU:
That would be dangerous.

M
ON
M
OTHMA:
We don’t know where the Jedi stand in all this.

P
ADMÉ:
I only wish to discuss this with one . . . one I trust.

G
IDDEAN
D
ANU:
Going against the Chancellor without the support of the Jedi is risky.

P
ADMÉ:
The Jedi aren’t any happier with the situation than we are . . .

C
HI
E
EKWAY:
Patience, Senator.

F
ANG
Z
AR:
We have so many Senators on our side, surely that will pursuade the Chancellor.

B
ANA
B
REEMU:
When you present the “petition of the two thousand” to the Chancellor, things may change.

B
AIL
O
RGANA:
Let us see what we can accomplish in the Senate, before we include the Jedi.

PADMÉ takes a deep breath in frustration and disappointment.

96 (72) EXT. CORUSCANT—CLONE LANDING PLATFORM—DAY

ANAKIN and OBI-WAN walk onto a landing platform overlooking a docking bay, where THOUSANDS OF CLONE TROOPS and armored weapons, tanks, etc., are being loaded onto a massive REPUBLIC ASSAULT SHIP.

A
NAKIN:
You’re going to need me on this one, Master.

O
BI-
W
AN:
Oh, I agree. However it may turn out just to be a wild bantha chase.

OBI-WAN starts to turn and leave.

A
NAKIN:
Master!

OBI-WAN stops and ANAKIN walks over to him.