The 85-Minute Star Wars Story That Fixed The Franchise, Made By The Star Of That ’70s Show.
Written by Henry Hards | Published
Usually, when fans say they could have done a better job than the person who destroyed something they’re devoted to, it’s a bit heated. They’re just fans who have no real way (or ability) to back up the claims at all.
Unless of course, that’s a fan That 70s ShowTopher Grace, who made huge waves in 2012 when he showed something that few tried to pull off. He did an 85-minute reset star Wars the prequels.
Topher Grace remastered George Lucas’ three prequel films (which total 418 minutes) into one feature-length film. And it’s good.
In addition to reducing the running time (and making those cuts while still maintaining a coherent story), Grace changed and refocused things a bit from the prequels we know and contend with. Gone are all the pod races, unnecessary exposition, and obnoxious CGI characters that include Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Instead, Grace begins her film at the end of that: with the final showdown between Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Darth Maul.
It’s funny to think that most The Phantom Menace can be successfully completed without creating real confusion in the overall story. Not a good look for George Lucas and company, but it speaks to the issues fans had with the original prequel when it first hit theaters.
Topher Grace kept most of the action from the Lucas films but removed any lightsaber fights unless they fit the original stories he was emphasizing. That’s about the Anakin-Padme relationship and Obi-Wan’s search for people who try to kill politicians.
Scenes like the one where Padme brings Anakin home to meet his family, which were removed from Lucas’ films, but shed light on the characters and relationships, have been restored. In this way, Grace has removed the relevant pieces of the story that may reach the final cut.
Grace provides a smooth transition from the original trilogy by ending his film with an image of a menacing Darth Vader, without the much-maligned “Nooo!
This is another example of too little, especially when it comes to Star Wars. True followers have come to understand the depth of pain here; it didn’t have to be hammered at home in the obvious (and silly) way.
Of course, it is not without its shortcomings. Cutting more than 300 minutes from the series will leave a few holes and move things along at a pace that may be unfamiliar to those familiar with the original. However, according to the few who have been allowed to see it, Grace’s film is statistically solid, action-packed, and entertaining.
Topher Grace’s cut, first completed in 2012, went on to inspire others to take up the mantle of Star Wars editing in subsequent years. Topher Grace even helped produce and put together a 5-minute cut of the entire franchise, trailer-style, that brings in elements from almost all of them. star Wars production related to the original timeline and characters.
His 5-minute cut perfectly encapsulates the central ethos of the franchise while also setting the stage similar films Alone, Rogue Oneand, of course, other timeline films.
Unfortunately, 85 minutes of Topher Grace star Wars cut isn’t coming to a big or small screen near you anytime soon (or anytime). Disney would never let you.
Topher Grace has no plans to publicly review or distribute the film, although thousands of Star Wars fans would probably jump at the chance to see the prequels without Jar Jar Binks. He is probably very afraid of being sued by Disney.
