Anakin’s Dark Side Plan: Way More Evil Than You Think

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The transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader, a key event in Star Wars, is a sad tale about how fear and manipulation can corrupt potential. The Prequel Trilogy shows his descent, driven by fears of loss, Palpatine’s deceitful influence, and a misplaced faith in the dark side to prevent disaster. However, George Lucas’ early ideas for Anakin’s fall, revealed from notes given to Return of the Jedi directors in 1981, portrayed a much more sinister and morally reprehensible picture. This original idea painted Anakin not just as a victim, but as an active, deceptive member in the destruction of the Jedi Order – a betrayal so deep it surpasses the darkness seen in the final movies.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the captivating character arc of Anakin Skywalker. On the surface, he appears as a gallant Jedi Knight, but beneath this facade lies a chilling truth: he subtly and strategically eliminates his fellow Jedi, exploiting their unwavering trust to strike them down. This early plotline hints at a premeditated wickedness that transforms Anakin’s descent from a tragic slip into an act of unfathomable evil – a level of depravity that pushes the boundaries of what we thought we knew about him.

A Calculated Campaign of Betrayal

As a devoted cinephile, I’d like to share an intriguing perspective on the character development of Anakin Skywalker from George Lucas’ original concept. Unlike what many believe, Anakin’s descent into darkness wasn’t merely triggered by external manipulation or internal turmoil. On the contrary, it was terrifyingly grounded in a meticulously planned and executed deception of his fellow Jedi Order, a revelation that adds a chilling layer to his transformation into Darth Vader.

In the course of his interstellar journeys, Anakin has been carrying out his duties as a Jedi and, unfortunately, many other Jedi have met their end – this is due to them turning their backs on him while he strikes them down, as Lucas explained. This harsh statement suggests that Anakin, who seems dedicated to the Jedi Order, was actually involved in a long-term, covert series of killings targeted at his fellow Jedi comrades.

Reflect on the deep-seated deceit that characterized Anakin’s descent into the dark side. This wasn’t an impulsive mistake born from anger or fear, but a prolonged act of treachery. While he fought alongside Jedi and shared their camaraderie, he was secretly manipulating their trust. The tragic scene of Jedi Knights, who trusted Anakin implicitly, being betrayed by his lightsaber in their moments of vulnerability, is a chilling portrayal of treachery that goes beyond the sweeping betrayal of Order 66, striking at the heart of personal bonds.

In “Revenge of the Sith,” Anakin’s betrayal of the Jedi is mainly showcased through the swift and brutal implementation of Order 66, a galaxy-wide purge masterminded by Palpatine. Although this act is undeniably destructive, it lacks the subtle, personal betrayal that George Lucas originally envisioned. Throughout the prequels, Anakin is portrayed as struggling with his moral compass, torn between his commitment to the Jedi values he once respected and his deep love for Padme. Even his involvement in Order 66 is presented as a tragic outcome of his desperate deal with Palpatine aimed at saving Padme from imminent death.

The Psychological & Strategic Implications

In simpler terms, Lucas’ 1981 statement presents Anakin as a character who had fallen deeply into the dark side by 1981, to the point where he was clandestinely killing other Force users. This depicts him as cold-hearted and cunning, with his downfall being not just tragic but verging on outright wickedness. It hints at a strong dislike for the Jedi Order, which might stem from feelings of underappreciated power or subtle manipulation by Palpatine that may have occurred before the events shown in “The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones.

The psychological ramifications of this initial scheme are deeply troubling. Anakin wouldn’t just be a puppet in Palpatine’s grand design or a victim of his own emotional chaos; he would voluntarily contribute to the Jedi’s demise from within their ranks. He would lead a dangerous double life, maintaining a facade of loyalty and friendship while covertly undermining the Order through acts of hidden violence, all while concealing this wickedness from his wife. Sustaining such deception at this level necessitates an icy detachment of emotions, a complete cutoff of empathy, and a disregard for the very bonds of brotherhood and trust that were meant to characterize the Jedi way.

This original idea stirs up troubling queries regarding how an extensive deception could have evaded detection by the supposedly discerning Jedi Council for so long, despite Anakin’s actions. Were there subtle hints, quiet discomfort, or discrepancies in Anakin’s tasks that were regrettably overlooked? Could Palpatine’s manipulative power have started earlier and more subtly than portrayed, gradually altering Anakin’s view of the Jedi and turning him into a covert, potent weapon against them? These scenarios are alarmingly plausible, painting a much darker image of the Jedi Order in its final years and emphasizing the ominous potential for corruption to lurk even within the most honorable institutions.

In this alternative, darker interpretation of Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader, it becomes clear that evil is complex and can stem from unchecked ambition and betrayal. George Lucas initially intended to portray Anakin’s fall as extremely malevolent, but opted for a more subtle approach instead. This choice resulted in a more compassionate and multidimensional character arc for Anakin, which made his redemption in Return of the Jedi even more powerful and moving.

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2025-04-29 00:40