The Star Wars prequel trilogy failed to do justice to Padme, and here’s how it could have been avoided

Padmé Amidala is an integral part of Star Wars lore. However, her character faced a tragic fate, which was particularly disappointing for a number of fans—for valid reasons. Although not as beloved as the original sequel trilogy, the prequels have had some bright points, and Natalie Portman's Padmé was one of them for many viewers. So, it was unfortunate to see her die in 2005's Revenge of the Sith.

The reasons for Padmé's death did not make sense, considering how she was portrayed in the universe until then. As it turns out, writer-director George Lucas initially planned Padmé's character arc differently. His original version could have given more agency to her character. In his earlier drafts, Lucas also envisioned some other plot points differently. There were some major differences between Anakin Skywalker's arcs from what we got to see in the films.

The earlier plan could have altered how the fans look at these characters and their moral quandaries. However, it could have also helped Padmé's arc, which appears less dignified in the final theatrical versions.

---

How did the Star Wars prequels fail to do justice to Padmé? Answer explored

Natalie Portman first appeared as Padmé in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and later starred in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. She was elected the queen of Naboo when she was just 14. It goes on to show how brave and bright she was from a young age. However, the later part of her character arc shows her as rather meek and helpless, which does not go in sync with the way she was previously shown.

Revenge of the Sith shows Padmé dying while giving birth to a child. Some say that she died because she was heartbroken after realizing Anakin's betrayal. In George Lucas' original version of these prequels, Padmé goes to Alderaan and is joined by Leia. It could have explained how Leia had been with Padmé, as referred to in the original trilogy.

Besides that, there are a few other ways in which the prequels could have presented her understanding of the world around her.

---

Padmé's and Anakin's arcs would have been different according to George Lucas' original versions

In the Star Wars prequels, Anakin and Padmé had to hide their relationship because the Jedi Rule forbade people to be in any such attachments. However, George Lucas reportedly did not mean to introduce that rule. So, the couple could have been married without hiding it. Besides, Anakin was meant to turn to the evil side much earlier than what we see in the prequels.

In Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine makes Anakin turn to the dark side. Eventually, Order 66 enables him to do the dark deed. However, Lucas initially planned to show him a secret Jedi killer, which would have made significant changes to his Star Wars arc. Padmé, who was closest to him, could have learned about his evil nature much sooner. So, she would not have been in disbelief about Anakin's actions as she ended up being.

These narrative changes failed to do justice to Padmé and her courageous, intelligent, and even-handed nature.

---

Also read: How to watch Star Wars movies in order? Chronology and timeline, explored