the big surprise debate
I've had this one before. I've innocently suggested in other forums that it would be cool if there was another "luke, I'm your father" style surprise perhaps revealing something that the fans would never expect (ie, annakin not actually having any kids with padame - hey, we know luke is annakin's son, but what's to say for SURE that padme's the mother?), but unfortunatley die-hard fans did the equivalent of beat me with a stick, and ASSURED me that there would be no such surprise ... and I'm inclined to agree with them.
Although it would be seriously cool, it's very unlikely. The big dissadvantage of the internet is that nothing in the main stream goes unnoticed for long, and to keep completely spoiler free for any film is very hard. I avoid aotc spoilers as much as I can, but I've still stumbled over many.
I think George has pretty much said that there won't be any revelations, anyway. Basically, Annakin and Padme are lovers - AOTC follows Annakin's journey into the darkside.
Mind you, doing as Star Wars does, and keeping reoccuring themes flowing, it sure would be nice to hear Palpatine utter the words "Annakin, I am your father" ...
Of course Lucas could invent a surprise that was along the lines of the one in ESB. How about something like -
Palpatine / Sideous: It is true, Anakin, you have no natural father. You were indeed concieved by the midiclorians, but it was I, with my superior control of the Way of the Force, who inspired that conception.
Anakin: No - that can't be...
Palpatine / Sideous: Search your feelings young Jedi, you know it to be true. Not only are you the Chosen One, but you are my creation. You are destined to rule the Galaxy at my side, and you were created to do my bidding.
Anakin: I'll never join you!
Palapatine / Sideous: Oh you will, young Jedi. Or you will die!
Anakin collapses in pain as the same midiclorians that give him his incredible strength and ability charge his being with indescribable pain under the direction of the last remaining Sith Master - his Master and future Emperor of the Galaxy...
... and so Anakin commited himself to the dark side of the force, and swore to rule the galaxy at the side of the Emperor.
Many years past, and one night, whilst sat having a curry, the Emperor revealed a home truth to the man that was once Anakin Skywalker, after, admittedly consuming a little Alchohol.
Emperor: Hey Vader. Remember that time I told you it was I that created you?
Vader: Of course my lord. You are my creator, my father, my destiny.
Emperor: Yeah,... that was bullshit, man!
Vader: *dumbfounded* wha...?
Emperor: *in fits of giggles* yeah, it was all made up dude. Darth yogi first pitched the idea to me - he has a way over-imagination, spends a lot of time thinking about these things - posts on star wars forums quite a lot? Anyway, i rolled with it, more for laughs than anything else - and guess which muggins bought it?!!
Vader: I see ..... popadom?