Hand to Hand *Spoilers*
Spoiler:
One of the big questions about EPISODE II from the getgo has always been, "Will Anakin lose a hand in EPISODE II?"Back in December of 2000, I posted a report on the lightsaber duel with Anakin, Obi-Wan and Dooku that comes near the end of EPISODE II. In that report, the source was a little unsure if Anakin actually lost a hand during the duel. At the bottom of the report I added that I had spoken with others about the scene and they were sure it did happen.
Well, I can tell you that I think we can finally put it to rest for sure. Anakin will lose a hand, but it's even cooler than it sounds. Good friend and source, HANNIBAL, writes in with this to say:
Yes, it's true. Anakin loses a hand in EPISODE II's duel. I'm pretty sure it's the same one that Luke cuts off in RETURN OF THE JEDI too...the right hand.
Now, the thing that's pretty cool is this: He's not given a new hand right away ala Luke at the end of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. He's given this mechanical looking cybernetic hand that is VERY SIMILAR to C-3PO's before he has his coverings, but there are no metal platings around anything but the fingertips which are shaped like real (metal) fingertips. It's all just metal framing and multi-colored wires.
Cool news there. So it makes you wonder...at the end of the film when Anakin and Padmé marry, does Anakin have one metal hand sticking out? I think that would be pretty cool, myself. It's also funny how Anakin is sort of physically becoming like the droid he put together.
I REALLY like the fact that this is the same hand Luke severs in JEDI. I mean, can you imagine all that's going through Vader's mind at that moment? It's all happening again for him! It makes his whole decision to turn back to the Light Side more weighted when you think of what he goes through in EPISODE II (and probably EPISODE III). He's fighting all kinds of emotions at that moment. Anakin never really had a father and for the most part, Luke's only father figure while growing up was his Uncle Owen (Ben came later and didn't last very long 🙂 - therefore, Anakin/Vader sees himself in Luke. He's been there before in that exact same situation and he knows what will happen if Luke turns. Anakin didn't have a father to save him from his downfall - but Luke did. So Anakin emerges from the ashes of Vader and redeems himself while saving his son. Amazing stuff and quite deep if you think about it some more. I'm merely just scratching the surface here.
I love how these movies will totally change our view of the original trilogy. Looking once again at them with different perspectives is just fantastic. These movies keep changing and evolving with every new film that's added.
Lucas is really doing a great job tying these movies together thematically, in my opinion.
Thanks to T-Bones Star Wars Universe for this news.