'Jom' wrote: "To HL: I think your reasoning is good BUT I have to disagree.  Lucas has stated that the twins will be born at or near the end of SW3.  What we think as "hiding the twins" may actually be done BEFORE they are born meaning Padme will be hiden from Vader and the Emperor before the birth.  Once the twins are born they are then seperated. 
  
It is possible though one of the reasons for Anakin's fall is that the Emperor may have given him false info that his wife was dead and that Ben killed her.  Even though this isn't true.  This could also explain why Vader never assumed he had any kids.  Of course, we really don't know if Vader knew or not. 
  
My best guess is that Padme does NOT die during the movies but later on after the end of SW3 when Liea is old enough to remember her."

'The Sandcrawler' wrote: "I was discussing with a friend how Anakin would turn to the Dark side.  He shared some pretty insightful opinions.  He believes and I agree that Anakin will be forced to the Dark side by Palaptine.  In Return of the Jedi, Luke was told that if he does not turn to the Dark side he would be destroyed.  Luke was then tortured by Palpatine so that he would submit.  Vader saw this and may have remembered how he was tortured and thus killed the Emperor.  In Empire Striks Back, Vader made a proposition to Luke to join him.  He said that the Emperor has forseen his power and that Luke can destroy him.  Together they would rule as father and son.  It is obvious that Vader lived in fear of the Emperor.  This shows that he was brought to the dark side by fear.  In Return of the Jedi, Vader also said that it was to late for him to become good.  He still had some good in him as Luke speculated.  Palatine saw the potential in Anakin.  His wrecklessness showed he could be a great agent for the Dark side. So I believe that Anakin may have been tortured by Palpatine to turn to the Dark side in the same manner that Luke was tortured."

'Raviel' wrote: "This is something I have thought of: Is is not entirely impossible that Darth Vader was actually a clone of Anakin Skywalker? Possibly Senator (or maybe already Emperor) cloned Anakin. Obi-wan and Anakin battled with their lightsabers, Obi-wan presumably killed Anakin, but his clone was the one who actually turned to the darkside."

Also, just because Padme's death may not fit in the time of Episode III (I'm assuming maybe 3 years after), there's no reason to assume we won't see it. Lucas has left little hints that the background of Han Solo will also be covered in the Prequels, and the major events of his life don't fit the expected timeline (he'd be born a year after Episode I, orphaned somewhere between Ep I and Ep II, and get thrown out of the Imperial Army well after Episode III). What I figure is that Lucas will jump around in time a little in the Prequels--maybe not Episode I, but definately in Episodes II and III. And we will most likely see Padme either die from the degenerative disease the Nabooians seem to suffer from, or we'll see her brutally slashed to pieces by her own husband. That's my theory, anyway."

Ysalamiri weren't used for cloning until, Bean thinks, Palpatine started falling apart and that didn't happen until he was really strong with the Dark Side, which couldn't have been in the Prequels because if he was *that* strong the J. Council would've known and Palpatine only clones himself anyway.  

Bean thinks Bomarr Punk's scenario is quite likely, and that Padme will die and all that at the very end of 3. A likely way of doing it (given Lucas's 'symphonic' envisionment): 

In the novelization of ROTJ Leia recalls being stuffed in a box to hide her or something and everybody being very sad. Bean has memories like Leia describes (as in feelings and images, not being stuffed in a box) from way back when she was 1 and 1/2, so the twins weren't necessarily at least two. Anyway, ep.3 degenerates into a kind of nightmare/bad-trip-but-a-lot-more-cogent kind of thing and we keep flashing between Leia's memory, Vader, the Purge, and Padme's death- all that bad juju around the galaxy, kind of like the end of ROTJ:SE but really dark and the Emperor's Theme or Imp March playing. Lucas said that ep3, being really dark, would bring ROTJ full circle, and that's another way of reflecting this vision. Granted that the prequels are supposed to be character bits and showing all that would detract from this, but it would add to the nightmare quality and ideas of terror that are flying around. Or maybe  hat big rotting oak tree that the Journal rambled about could be symbolized in the Naboo palace garden and hacked to pieces during a stormie raid looking for Jedi (or Caamasi?). Nobody would get it, but it would be cool. 

Bean doesn't think showing Han's background would "work"- it would be cool, but it wouldn't be shown for the same reason the Anchorhead scene didn't work. What's the poing? The prequels are about Padme and Anakin, not some anonymous Imp pilot. It's not that I have a personal grudge against Solo or anything, he just doesn't fit into the prequels."

Since episode one is an introduction to the characters, I'll assume that by the end of the film the characters will not have aged much (ie: Anakin will still be a nine year old boy). Basically we'll get an exciting set up on who these people are, how they meet, and hints of what's to become of them. 

By Episode 2, Anakin has matured into a responsible young man with more than a 9 year olds interest in girls. His relationship with Padme and his training with Obi-wan are probably the core of the story, while Palpatine and his sinsiter groupies plot the eradication of the Jedi and the beginning of the Empire or clone wars. It is here that we probably get glimses into Anakin's personality (devotion and dedication, impatience and recklessness). 
To keep the series (kind of) upbeat, the 2nd film could end with the wedding of Anakin & Padme. My only dilema with this scenario is the age of the characters. Just how much time will elapse between episodes 1 & 2? And how much time will elapse during episode 2 alone?  I suppose Anakin could be in his early 20's when the film begins, but that leaves a lot of inbetween time to account for. I'd be interested to hear additional speculation. 

And finally, in Episode 3, the darkest and most haunting of the new trilogy, we will have the fall of Anakin. Separated from Padme and Ben early in the episode, probably in an attempt to help the Jedi or thwart Palpatine, Anakin will begin his descent. Not fully trained in the ways of the Jedi, Anakin's devotion and loyalty will probably be his undoing. In an effort help his friends he will become impatient, in his efforts to defy Palpatine he will become angry. Without complete training (Ben's downfall) he will eventually be turned.  
While he is away, Padme gives birth the children on Dagobah (could be Dagobah, but who knows? I'm just going on Luke's "there's something familiar about this place" comment to Artoo before encountering Yoda). Plus, this effectively keeps the kids hidden from prying eyes (since Vader & Palpatine presumably didn't know about Yoda in Empire or Jedi). 

Then, knowing that the Emperor would want any offspring Anakin might have, Ben & Padme take Leia to Alderaan (to Bail Organa - someone we probably meet in Episode 1 or 2) and Luke back to Tatooine (where they don't even bother to change his name - I guess Skywalker is as common as Smith or Jones). After a few tearful farewells, Ben & Padme go to rescue Anakin before it's too late. I think the final confrontation takes place in the midst of great chaos - the final purge of the Jedi or the emergence of Palpatine's secret fleet or army of clones. In any case, my own scenario plays out like this: 

During the final battle that will ensure Palpatine's rise to power, Anakin has been released by Palpatine and begins to hunt the Jedi. Not fully down the Dark Path, Anakin is escorted by another of Palpatine's henchmen. Anakin eludes his escort and is found by Ben & Padme. They plead with him, trying desperately to bring him back from the dark edge. Perhaps he is swayed by Padme's love or Ben's friendship (or perhaps not, though I'd like to think that love could have saved him even then). Before he can decide, Palpatine's henchman appears, and slays Padme before Anakin's eyes. Enraged, Anakin kills the henchman and turns his anger at Ben (for bringing Padme). They fight, Anakin falls into whatever he falls into (I'm not sure if that "fighting on the edge of a volanco" storyline will be used, but why not?), Obi-wan flees for Tatooine to safeguard little Luke and Palpatine rescues Anankin. 

As a purley dramatic device, I can imagine Lucas ending the film with Anakin being fitted with the prosthetic armor, then meeting with the new Emperor. Perhaps Palpatine has converted the Coruscant Jedi Counsel Chamber into a throne room of sorts. Anakin enters and walks to the dais that overlooks the world of Coruscant. 
"The Jedi are dead, my friend. And with them, Anakin Skywalker." 

Anakin breaths. We can hear the artifcial respirator pumping oxygen into  heat damaged lungs. Quietly, but with resolution, his first words are deep and sorrowful. "Yes, Your Highness." 

"I will finish what they have clumsily begun." He hands Anakin a newly crafted lightsaber. "You will not walk the Dark Path alone, Lord ..... Vader." 

Vader ignites the blade. It glows an eerie red. Vader studies the blade for a moment, then shuts it off, hooking the saber to his belt.  
"I understand. My Master." 

Vader and Palptine gaze out at the shimmering golden city... 
  
(now, the film could end here, or to go out on a more hopeful note...) 
  
dissolve to: 
  
The golden, sun-bathed planet Tatooine. Early morning. The Jundland Wastes. Ben Kenobi stands quietly on a bluff. He stares off at the horizon where a second twin sun rises above the horizon. He sighs quietly to himself, then turns and walks away. 

Well, so much for speculation. My thanks to everyone who posted their ideas and theories. I enjoyed reading everyone's personal take on the future of the Star Wars Trilogy.  Peace to all in the new year.

Recalling the Force.net's rumour ( Chris Kivlehan ? ) of the possible love triangle between Obi-Wan - Padme - Anakin, instigating the latter's downfall, consider from the Arthurian Romances :  

Arthur, the High King of the Britons ( Mordred, his cunning bastard son by his sister, his ultimate  nemesis) Lancelot, his brilliant - in all senses of the word - knight, who loves ... Guinevere, his Queen ( Galahad, Lancelot's own son, with the purest heart, who discovers the Grail)  

So, in essence, we could have Arthur - Anakin, Guinevere - Padme,  Lancelot - Obi-Wan. Remember, these are motifs, not literal echoes. ( And Mordred - Palpatine, Galahad - Luke ;  er ... Merlin - Yoda, the  Grail - the Kyber Crystal    sorry sorry !! )  

What with Lucas / McCallum forecasting stories of treachery and betrayal, and the need for a really powerful event to send Anakin 'over the edge' [ akin to, first, the 'Father', then the 'Sister' revelations  from Vader ], I could certainly see something like a real or imagined  affair, and/or the early death of Anakin's sibling."

SUM:Do we get to meet the mother of Luke?  
RM: Yes, of course you do.  
SUM: And a young Luke?  
RM: No. You'll see him be born. But there the story ends and goes to part 4,5,6." 

I think that this can put to rest the Dec. 30 speculation by Sandcrawler that Anakin is forced by the Emperor to the darkside.  It also can end any rumors that the birth of the twins will not be seen in the prequels or that their birth will be in Episode II.  The reason for Anakin's fall is here clearly expressed:  he's just a selfish egotist.  Maybe Palpatine encourages these traits in him, but I believe that Lucas is making a point about personal responsibility here, Anakin has no one to blame but himself.  He freely chooses to go to the darkside, and everything that happens to him after that is his own fault.  He thinks that he is strong enough to resist the power that the dark side offers, and maybe to use it for good-but he is arrogant and foolish and wrong.  The power of the darkside corrupts, and once he starts using it to achieve his goals, the more he wants to use it. 
However, there are some interesting new pieces of information contained here.  The first is the fact that Anakin becomes a Jedi-master.  Does he then sit on the Jedi council and destroy it from within?"

JEV wrote: "I agree with Gumby that Anakin goes to the dark side on is own, with perhaps a few misliding comments by Palpatine, like Ben is having an affair with your wife, or anything to drive a wedge between the two friends. This so Palpatine can continue manipulating the information going anakin's way by insulating the futur dark lord from the "positve influences" in is life.  
  
Once that accomplish, he would only have to play on Anakin's vanity, which should not be so hard since Anakin is one of the most powerfull jedi around and would believe is place in the global scheme should be bigger then it is.  
  
So we will probably see Anakin in the second episode being reckless and get mad once or twice, to show things to comein the last prequel, where he will turn on is friends and fellow jedi comarades and start the purge. 
  
And in the end, Ben will try to save is friend and student, but the conflict between the two being to great, he will fail and think first that he had to kill him, but should learn the truth soon after, so he decides to hide the offspring of Anakin to protect them from their father and the Palpatine."

JOM wrote: "To Gumby: 

Good point you brought up at the end of your last message.  Since Anakin becomes a "Master" could he actually be on the Council?  I have speculated before that it is possible the Council rejects Anakin's bid to become a member because of his recklessness (in SW3 possibly).  This could be one of the many things that lead Anakin down the "dark" path. 
  
Later on after the Jedi purge and after Anakin's injuries he wears the Jedi Council uniform (helmet) in mockery of that same Council that rebuked him and who are now all dead.  Just some thoughts."

Mysteriia wrote: "It's possible that Anakin joins the council.  This would parallel with Judeo-Christian storytelling of a unsuspecting council of 12 (i.e. apostles) being betrayed by an internal "judas". Just a thought that crossed my mind while reading the last few posts."

Obeone wrote: "I read someone's theory on Vader saving Luke at the end of ROTJ.  They thought it was because Vader saw Luke being tortured to join the Dark Side.  I disagree.  The emperor wasn't zapping Luke to make him turn to the dark side.  He was rying to destroy him.  I think the reason Vader saved Luke was he remembered something simimlar happening in his past. From what I have read of the original drafts of Star Wars and rumors I have read on the net, I believe that Anakins's sister is killed by  a Dark Jedi, Darth Sidious, using Dark Side lighting bolts. 
  
I have been wondering about the names of the Dark Side Jedi.  We have Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Darth Sidious.  Vader and Sidious can both be given the prefix "in" to make words which have a negative connotation: insidious and invader. Dart Vader could be thought of as in invader, since he hunts down and destroys jedi. Also, Vader is very similar to German word for "father".  What do you think is the significance of the names is?"

Warwick Davies has said [ the force.net interview ] that Jake Lloyd had to endure a lot of blue screen work. Thinking of the ROTJ speeder bike  filming, can we take this as further 'proof' of an exciting pod race ? 

The suggestion that Anakin's sister was killed by lightning bolts, which would thus strike a chord in him when he later watches his son, is a good one. The death of his sister would anger him and scare him, which would lead him to the dark side, and would also show him at first hand the potency of this power. 

I'd still argue that Anakin, now Vader, would have the gall to murder his own family : in ROTJ, he warns Luke that he could "meet his destiny", and says of Leia, "Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me" -  Anakin probably couldn't, but Vader could !"