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George Lucas stood by Steven Spielberg’s idea for Episode III’s “High Ground” scene

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George Lucas stood by Steven Spielberg's idea for Episode III's "High Ground" scene

As a die-hard Star Wars fan who has watched the saga more times than I can count, I find myself constantly amazed by the behind-the-scenes stories that unfold. The revelation that Steven Spielberg was the brains behind the iconic ‘high ground’ scene in Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith is a fascinating tidbit that adds another layer to my appreciation for this epic space opera.

Nick Gillard, the stunt coordinator for Star Wars, disclosed that it was Steven Spielberg who devised the ‘high ground’ sequence featured in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Based on GamesRadar’s report, Steven Spielberg came up with the idea for Obi-Wan Kenobi to caution Anakin against attempting a jump, since Obi-Wan held the advantageous position. This scene, which has been analyzed and debated for 19 years, has become one of fans’ favorites. One of the most renowned lines from the saga now is Obi-Wan’s statement, “It’s over, Anakin. I hold the upper hand,” and it may be Ewan McGregor’s most memorable dialogue as Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Nevertheless, Nick Gillard stated that everybody disliked the particular scene, yet Lucas was firm in his decision to include it in the film.

It’s just the way George [Lucas] hung onto it. We hated it, it’s common knowledge we hated it. We had a different version for it. We campaigned as hard as we could to get it changed but George was having none of it.

Nick Gillard.

In light of the heavy circumstances, some might find this statement casual. Yet, it could be seen as Obi-Wan’s last time speaking to Anakin as a friend and confidant, adding depth to the words. Later in the scene, when things take a sad turn, Obi-Wan speaks of Anakin in past tense and laments, “Anakin, you were my brother. I loved you.” This suggests that until the moment Anakin decided to act against Obi-Wan, cutting his legs off was all part of the struggle, Obi-Wan held onto hope that Anakin might change his mind. However, this hope was shattered a few moments later when Anakin showed no sign of repentance and lay helpless just before his body caught fire.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have maintained a strong friendship over the course of their professional lives, and it’s touching to see how much respect Lucas has for Spielberg’s opinions. Regardless of whether or not Lucas made the right decisions, one particular scene from their collaborations remains relevant and intriguing even today, nearly two decades since its release, still captivating fans.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is streaming on Disney+.

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2024-10-02 00:21

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