Image via Lucasfilm
Time has been kind to the Star Wars prequels. That's the power of nostalgia.
What was once considered awkward is viewed through rose-tinted glasses as odd or charming. Defenders hone in on the films' bright spots: the pod race and Darth Maul fight in Episode I, the Jango Fett fight in Episode II. They focus on the critically acclaimed Clone Wars animated series, and how it redeems the prequels in retrospect. Your mileage on these arguments may vary, depending on your age and what movies you watched first; the ones we grew up with tend to burn the brightest.
But regardless of how you feel about the prequels overall, there's one related point that nearly all fans agree upon: Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the strongest of the three. It answered so many big questions: How did Anakin become Darth Vader? What happened to the numerous Jedi who once kept the peace? How did Obi-Wan win his famous duel against Vader, only hinted at in Episode IV?
Revenge of the Sith debuted in theaters on May 19, 2005. In celebration of the film's 15th anniversary, here are 20 trivia facts and Easter eggs about Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Revenge or Return?
Originally, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was supposed to be 'Revenge of the Jedi.' Lucas changed it at the last minute, reasoning that Jedis, as peacekeepers, would not seek out revenge. Sith, however, follow their emotions, making Episode III's title more appropriate.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Every Star Wars movie has some variation of the line: "I have a bad feeling about this." In this movie, Obi-Wan says it when he and Anakin enter General Grievous' ship, barely squeezing past the closing door.
A thing for swivel chairs
Chancellor Palpatine foreshadows his true identity in this scene, where he's handcuffed to a swiveling chair. It's very reminiscent of his pose in the throne room in Episode VI, when Vader takes Luke to meet Palpatine for the first time.
Duplicitous Dooku
There was originally dialogue (later omitted) during the Count Dooku lightsaber fight, which revealed that when Anakin's mother was tortured and killed by Tusken Raiders in Episode II, it was no coincidence; Dooku was the one who had secretly arranged it. This sends Anakin into a rage, which led to him killing Dooku several seconds later.
CGI Face
Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku, was 83 years old, and thus, could not perform all of the nimble stunt work necessary for his final lightsaber duel. A stunt double took on the majority of the fight, and Lee's face was overlaid, via CGI, onto the double's body.
Millennium Falcon Appearance
The Falcon makes a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo during the establishing shot of the Senate on Coruscant, after Anakin and Obi-Wan rescue Palpatine.
Mute Jar Jar
Jar Jar Binks is one of the most controversial characters in Star Wars, but in this movie, he only speaks two words; he says "Excuse me" when he bumps into a Senator while entering the building behind Palpatine.
Leia Hair
Padme's hair in this scene is very reminiscent of the 'cinnamon roll' hairstyle that Princess Leia wore in Episode IV.
A Perfectly Aged Emperor
Ian McDiarmid first played Emperor Palpatine in Episode VI when he was 37 years old. Thanks to this, he was the perfect age to play Palpatine in the prequel trilogy (59 years old during Episode III), and he was also the perfect age to play Palpatine in the sequel trilogy (74 years old during Episode IX).
George Lucas cameo
This alien is played by George Lucas, the writer and director of Revenge of the Sith and the creative genius behind Star Wars. The alien he's speaking to is his real-life daughter, Katie Lucas.
A Sith Legend
The story that Palpatine tells about Darth Plagueis, and how he learned to prevent people from dying, includes this notable line: "The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural." Palpatine later repeats this exact line in Episode IX, implying that he had mastered Plagueis' technique, and confirming that he was the apprentice who killed him.
Wookiee Fight!
Lucas planned to feature a massive Wookiee battle in Episode VI. It never came to fruition, and the miniature Ewoks took their place. In Episode III, Lucas finally staged a massive battle on Kashyyyk, the Wookiee home planet. The design of the treetop homes is based on designs from the notorious Star Wars Holiday Special.
"Hello there"
When Obi-Wan drops in on General Grievous, he says, "Hello there!" This is also Obi-Wan's first line in Episode IV, when he sees R2-D2 after saving Luke from the Tusken Raiders.
Death Star Plans
During the scene where Palpatine is informed about Obi-Wan tracking down Grievous, you can see Palpatine studying the plans of the soon-to-be-built Death Star.
"So uncivilized."
After killing Grievous with a laser blaster, Obi-Wan throws it away, muttering, "So uncivilized." This is a callback to Episode IV, when Obi-Wan describes the Jedi lightsaber as "an elegant weapon for a more civilized age."
Jett Lucas
The Jedi Padawan who holds his own before being gunned down during Order 66 is Jett Lucas, George Lucas' son.
Steven Spielberg assist
Legendary director Steven Spielberg assisted with directing the movie, most notably during the climactic lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin.
Lightsaber continuity
At the end of the duel, Obi-Wan picks up Anakin's lightsaber from the ground. This is the same lightsaber that Obi-Wan gives to Luke in Episode IV. Luke loses it in Episode V when Darth Vader cuts off his hand. But somehow, Maz Kanata gets a hold of it, and she gives it to Rey in Episode VII. Finally, Rey buries the lightsaber outside the Lars homestead on Tatooine at the end of Episode IX.
Twin Suns
The final shot of Episode III recalls an iconic shot from Episode IV, when Luke is staring at the twin suns setting on Tatooine. There's another tribute shot in Episode VIII during Luke's death scene, and another one at the conclusion of Episode IX, with Rey and BB-8 watching the Tatooine sunset instead of Luke.
Balance to the Force?
For the entire prequel trilogy, Anakin is prophesied as the One who will bring balance to the Force. Obi-Wan voices his anger with Anakin at the end of their lightsaber duel when he yells, "You were the Chosen One! You were supposed to destroy the Sith, not join them!"
In a cruel twist of irony befitting a Greek tragedy, Anakin does eventually fulfill the prophecy in Episode VI when he destroys the Emperor. It's unfortunate that so much blood was shed in the interim.