II · III · About the Site · Links · Contact
Coruscant · Utapau · Kashyyyk · Order 66 · Mustafar · Endings · Screenplays

Utapau Chase
In the script, the Obi-Wan/Grievous chase passed through a couple other locations that did not make the final cut. Two of these locations included a landing platform where Grievous's shuttle was docked and a series of windmills protruding from the sinkhole walls. The windmill sequence was previsualized in animatics but was cut for time according to the Making of ROTS book.

Update: The Hyperspace Episode III Animatics video features various shots from the chase including the windmill sequence. Grievous releases one of the windmill fans causing it to go spinning off tearing apart everything in its path.

According to the Depth Commentary on dvd.starwars.com, Steven Speilberg helped put together the animatics for this sequence including the windmill segment. It also mentions another omitted detail from the chase: "At one point, the wheel bike was going to tear through a mono-rail train, complete with reactions from the stunned Utapauns inside."

Here is the excerpt from the "ROTS Illustrated Screenplay" E-Book...
119 EXT. UTAPAU - CLIFF AND LANDING PLATFORM - DAY

OBI-WAN gives the LIZARD a swift kick with the heel of his boot, and they take off down the vertical side of the sheer cliff. As GENERAL GRIEVOUS reaches the landing platform where his shuttle is waiting, OBI-WAN drops onto the top of the starship with his LIZARD. GENERAL GRIEVOUS spins his scooter around and takes off up the vertical cliff face with OBI-WAN and his LIZARD in hot pursuit. The sinkhole is engulfed in a great battle between CLONES and DROIDS. The PEOPLE OF UTAPAU cower in whatever shelter they can find.

120 EXT. UTAPAU - MAIN CITY PLAZA - DAY

A LARGE GROUP OF UTAPAUAN TROOPS on LIZARDS attack the DROID ARMY.

121 EXT. UTAPAU - WINDMILLS - DAY

GENERAL GRIEVOUS works his way out onto the rim of the sinkhole, passing some wind blades. The evil Droid General releases the brakes on the lethal blades, and they begin to spin, cutting off Obi-Wan's access to the General. Obi-Wan's LIZARD pulls up short in front of the blades. GENERAL GRIEVOUS laughs and talks into a comlink.

GENERAL GRIEVOUS
Prepare to move out of orbit. I will be up in a few moments.


OBI-WAN sizes up the situation, looking for a way to get to GENERAL GRIEVOUS.
The GENERAL accelerates off the edge, activating his claws, drops, and clings to another nearby grouping of windmills. Obi-Wan's LIZARD attemps to jump to follow and barely makes it, almost falling into the precipice below.

122 INT. UTAPAU - CITY TUNNEL SYSTEM - DAY

GENERAL GRIEVOUS roars through the stone block tunnel system, riding up on the curved walls as he goes around corners or passes oncoming traffic. OBI-WAN races after the Droid, his LIZARD moving onto the ceiling as they pass traffic.


The first pic is a shot from the animatics of this sequence and is from the Making of ROTS book. The other pics are production paintings of this sequence and the chase in general from Ryan Church, one of Episode III's excellent art designers.




Sources:
-Illustrated Screenplay E-Book.
-dvd.starwars.com: Depth Commentary.
-Making of ROTS book: Windmill painting #2 & Animatic.
-Ryanchurch.com: Production painting artwork.

All Star Wars related media content is property of Lucasfilm Ltd. This web site is not meant to infringe upon these copyrights and trademarks but has been established for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1