George Lucas’ Revenge Of The Sith Changes Completely Destroyed Padme’s Character & Story

Several deleted scenes from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith reveal how incredible Padmé Amidala’s prequel trilogy arc was meant to be, but sadly, her story was changed in the final cut of the movie. Padmé is one of Star Wars’ best characters despite only appearing in the prequel trilogy movies and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Not only did she have a massive impact on the Star Wars timeline as Anakin Skywalker’s wife and Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa’s biological mother, but also, she had an incredible legacy in her own right.

Padmé was Queen of Naboo at just 14 years old and led the planet bravely in the fight against the Trade Federation. She then went on to be a senator who defended the rights of others and never backed down, even following multiple attempts on her life and the beginning of the Clone Wars. Yet, Padmé’s characterization changed considerably in Revenge of the Sith, largely for the worse. The deleted scenes from Revenge of the Sith, many of which directly reduce not only Padmé’s screen time but also her impact in Star Wars, reveal that wasn’t always the plan.

Padmé Was Meant To Form The Rebel Alliance

In A Deleted Scene, Padmé Helped Begin The Rebellion

In one of the most significant scenes cut from Revenge of the Sith, Padmé sat with Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and other senators who intended to oppose Palpatine and essentially initiated what would become the Rebellion in Star Wars. Had Padmé been confirmed on screen to have played a key role in the Rebellion, it would have had a profound impact on her character. For one, this would have given her an incredible connection to her children.

Padmé beginning the Rebellion in
Revenge of the Sith
would have been more in keeping with her character throughout the prequel trilogy movies.

Even more importantly, Padmé beginning the Rebellion in Revenge of the Sith would have been more in keeping with her character throughout the prequel trilogy movies and would have lessened the blow of some of her other plot points. Up until Revenge of the Sith, Padmé was a politician and a leader first and everything else (including Anakin’s love interest) second. In the final cut of the movie, Padmé was reduced to a character who died simply because she gave up hope.

Having Padmé form the Rebellion wouldn’t have entirely resolved the issue of her death—which remains one of the biggest disappointments of the prequels—but it would have at least given her much more agency. Without this inclusion, Padmé’s story in Revenge of the Sith really boils down to someone who was concerned about the future of the Republic but didn’t act. Worse, Padmé still wanted Anakin to leave Mustafar with her and raise their child together, despite knowing what he’d done during Order 66. In the final cut, Padmé comes across as almost selfish, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Padmé Was Suspicious Of Anakin

Another Revenge Of The Sith Deleted Scene Reveals Padmé Didn’t Trust Anakin

Coinciding with the deleted scene in which Padmé helped to initiate the Rebellion was another scene in which the senators, Padmé among them, agreed to not share what they’d discussed with anyone—including their family. This means that Padmé was agreeing to conceal this information from Anakin. Even more surprising, Padmé spoke of a Jedi she could trust and asked that the senators seek that Jedi’s council, but she wasn’t referring to Anakin. The single Jedi Padmé trusted was Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The single Jedi Padmé trusted was Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Although this may not seem as monumental as a scene wherein Padmé starts the Rebellion, this deleted scene has major implications for Padmé’s character. In Revenge of the Sith in particular, she seems to prioritize Anakin above all else, to an extent that undermines her character thus far. This scene instead reinforces the person that Padmé always was.

Not only would this have proven that Padmé was wise enough to know that she could not fully trust Anakin, but also, this would have cemented that Padmé’s true loyalties were with the Republic and justice, not with Anakin. This was particularly needed following her odd response to Anakin’s confession that he’d slaughtered the Tusken Raiders in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, wherein she essentially told him it was only natural to be angry. This deleted scene would have confirmed that, in the end, Padmé didn’t abandon her values for Anakin.

Padmé And Obi-Wan Originally Spoke About Their Concerns

Obi-Wan And Padmé Initially Seemed Much More Aware

Yet another Revenge of the Sith deleted scene involving Padmé would have seen Obi-Wan visit Padmé to discuss his concerns about Anakin (before he had already fallen to the dark side and carried out Order 66). This scene would have been a positive not only for Padmé but also for Obi-Wan. Although it was clear that Obi-Wan knew about Anakin and Padmé, he never acted on his awareness that Anakin was defying the Jedi way, which has always been both surprising and a bit of a blemish on his history.

This scene would have addressed that to a certain degree, as it would have at least been clear that Obi-Wan knew Anakin’s behavior was becoming increasingly alarming, and he would have finally acted on that. Likewise, Padmé having this conversation with Obi-Wan, perhaps even voicing some of her own concerns as well, would have yet again proven how wise and perceptive she was. This conversation alone would have made both characters seem more proactive, something that both were sorely missing in Revenge of the Sith in particular.

Why Did George Lucas Let Padmé Amidala Down?

Clearly, Lucas Had Wonderful Ideas For Padmé… So What Happened?

The deleted scenes from Revenge of the Sith reflect the same character Padmé was revealed to be in both The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Clearly, as George Lucas was also the creative mind behind those movies, this was the characterization Lucas himself wanted for Padmé. This begs the question, why would George Lucas have made these changes to Revenge of the Sith if they diminished Padmé’s character so significantly?

Why would George Lucas have made these changes to
Revenge of the Sith
if they diminished Padmé’s character so significantly?

Sadly, it seems Anakin’s story came at the expense of Padmé’s. Lucas wanted the story tightened (perhaps in part due to criticisms about the other prequel movies, The Phantom Menace in particular) and for the focus to be on Anakin. That meant removing several of Padmé’s key scenes, among others, as they didn’t necessarily serve that larger narrative.

The issue is, particularly given the nature of Padmé’s death, Padmé’s story really needed these additional scenes. Without them, Revenge of the Sith did Padmé a great disservice, suggesting she overlooked many of Anakin’s most egregious acts and then simply gave up all hope. While George Lucas may have had his reasons, the deleted scenes from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith reveal how much better Padmé Amidala’s prequel trilogy story could have been, and it is truly a shame that was changed.