Thrantas

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Darth Daft
I just noticed something recently. On Alderaan there are meant to be flying animals called Thrantas. They are huge and in Aldera City they carry around people on little carriages on their back.
Well in TPM, during the Battle of Naboo on the plains the Gungans were supposed to use "air whales," large flying beasts to battle with the Trade Federation STAPs. But the idea was soon scrapped.
Well I was thinking that the reason it may have been scrapped is because Lucas wanted to leave the idea for Episode 2 or 3 where a battle may take place on Alderaan. This would be because he could show us the Thrantas in action with warriors riding on top of them. What do you guys think?

Dim
I think it sounds great..I wish we could have seen some concept sketches of the air whales..

Darth Daft
There were some in the Art of Episode 1 Book.

UnknownBountyHunter
I doubt Thrantas would be used in fighting. The "whales" as you mentioned could be made to fight on Alderaan. I mean, Thrantas are like dogs and cats, they are domesticated, and using them to fight is like getting yourself a guardparakeet.

Darth Daft
Well even so, I'm sure they may have different trained Thrantas in their stables. Some they may train for basic transport and others they may train for fighting.

UnknownBountyHunter
Being a avian creature, Thrantas would be trained in hangars. stick out tongue

Darth Daft
Sorry I'm not too good with animals. Even so, I still think its a good possibility that we will be seeing them. Why else would Lucas have removed the Whales from the Gungan Battle when they would have looked so good fighting against the STAPs?

UnknownBountyHunter
You already said that, don't restate yourself, it gets boring. <you are not going to respond to this>

Dim
You know...there were air whales in an anime series that used to be on MTV called The Maxx...

queeq
Then again, there is always the possibility that Lucas didn't like the idea of air whales anymore and abandoned the idea entirely. I wonder where these animals could play a role other than background creatures like the birds on Naboo.

queeq out

Darth Daft
I don't know why he wouldn't like the idea. It would look great for an action scene. Just imagine thousands of them flying through the air with the Gungans firing weapons while riding them. It would be good, coz it would make a change from starships flying through the air and fighting.
Perhaps the Gungans will use Air Whales and the Trade Federation, who may take over Alderaan somehow, will use Thrantas and then there'd be a battle between the two. You could imagine the two animals snapping each other as they fly past each other. But then again, there COULD also be starships and STAPs involved in the battle too.
That would make a cool battle, I think. All this different people flying through the air on different vehicles and animals in a HUGE battle in the skies.

queeq
Oh no, not another Gungan battle and CGI deaths.

But then again, GL did it before.

queeq out

Darth Daft
Well ok, maybe it would look like another Disney cartoon, but still, it wouldn't have to be a major battle. Just maybe something that pops up in the middle of the film for some sort of reason. Maybe with about the same sort of importance as the Bongo journey through the core. Action packed, but not anything too important to the storyline.

Dim
I don't know....They don't really sound like fierce battle animals to me... I don't want to see some other sad clumsy animal put into the middle of a battle..that would just be sad.

Darth Daft
Well thrantas are quite slender and their eyes are white with no pupils, which I think looks pretty menacing. And as I've only seen concept art for the air whales I'm sure Lucasfilm art department / special effecs department could make them look a lot more aggresive than they previously looked.

queeq
Maybe the have very ferocious droppings they can let go over strategically situated enemy buildings.

queeq out

Darth Daft
Why yes, of course. Can't forget their poop can we? Speaking of weaponry, the animals could carry a number of different weapons that the riders would use. Spears, blasters, thermal detonators, Gungan energy balls, boulders and that sort of thing.

queeq
So and where would these air whales live? Under water as well or do they just circle the skies? (I'm still not buying this though)
Maybe they are only carriers...

queeq out

UnknownBountyHunter
queeq: That is exactly what I have been saying. Sorry but this whole "fighting" plot with the Thrantas just doesn't ring the bell with me, and I rather Lucas stick with the traditional domesticated terms for this species. I mean, we don't use cats, dogs, sheeps, boars, in advanced warfare, do we? I think not!

Darth Daft
Maybe you're right, but its just a possibility to discuss. The reason we don't use cats and boars and sheep as warfare is basically because they are harmless to humans. But thrantas, large animals that can fly and carry humans, would make great use in a battle. Besides, perhaps people will sort of be forced to use them. Perhaps there are people already travelling on top of Thrantas and then a sudden invasion begins and they have no choice but to get out their blasters and fire at the enemy ship from the back of the thranta.

queeq
And what people would that be...?

queeq out

Darth Daft
Just various people riding around Aldera City using the thrantas as transport I guess. There could be some sort of a scene where Anakin and Padme and Obi-Wan visit Alderaan on some sort of a mission to do with the Clone Wars and Bail Organa is giving them a tour of the city by flying on a huge thranta. Then the Federation could invade and they have no choice but to fight. Unlikely, but still I'd like something like that to happen.

Dim
Can someone find a pic?...I want to see what these things are..

Ratcat
Nah, people don't post pics here. Even the ones that suggest it. smile

Darth Daft
I honestly would if I could work out how. I know people have said how you do it, but it doesn't work for me. I've only tried once though, so I guess I could try again as soon as I have a chance to scan in the picture. You kind a picture of one in the Essential Guide to Planets and Moons under the Alderaan section.

Dim
If you can scan it in then you can email it to me...

queeq
Or post a link so we can all see...

queeq out

Darth Daft
I don't know any links so I'll send a scan to Dim and maybe to the rest of you who wants one.

queeq
Dim'll send it to me. Won't you, Dim?

queeq out

Dim
Yeah I will


DD, send it to me at [email protected] smile

Darth Daft
Ok then. I tried to sending on the other email you had previously given me, but it didnt work. I assume you changed it then?

Dim
Yeah, it's very cool...doesn't look like an agressive battle animal..that's for sure.



Here's the pic you sent me DD..

http://homepages.go.com/~dimglitter/thranta.jpg

queeq
Thanks Dim. Good work.

It looks like a transport animal. And the sketch looks pretty basic, not very extensively developed. Maybe it's just and idea.

queeq out

Ratcat
Looks like a fat eel with wings.

Darth Daft
The pic came from the Essential Guide to Planets and Moons and thats why the drawing looks so basic. All of them are like that in the book. But I guess you're right that if they were to include it in the film then they could certainly change a few things.

Dim
Yeah..they probably would...but you know the whole thought of huge flying animals has a certain romantic twist on it..smile

queeq
Romantic? So maybe we'll see Padme and Anakin flying one of those animals while singing "A whole new world".

queeq out

Dim
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah stick out tongue


No, really...it's a very whimsical type of creature...

Darth Daft
Hey Dim, I totally agree with you about the love thing. I never thought of that. Anakin and Padma watching a sunrise while sitting on the back of a flying thranta and kissing each other or something. That would work well.

queeq
Sounds a little too mushy for me...

queeq out

Ratcat
Sorry, but that's right up there with hanging over the front of the Titanic with your arms out...

Dim
Noooooooo..nothing big...just a nice little moment...that's all.

Darth Daft
Well this is going to be a love story after all. How can you not expect there to be any cheesey little scenes like that? I'm still concerned with how GL can do the love scenes, as he didn't do them in TESB, so we have nothing to go by.

queeq
*starts singing "A whole new world..."*

queeq out

Dim
Oh stop it...roll eyes (sarcastic) smile

Darth Daft
Thanx, Dim. My ears were hurting. lol.
But ya know, these films are indeed getting more like Disney all the time. What with all these shots that are entirely animated. I wouldnt be surprised if Hayden and Natalie break out into an epic love song like Queeq was singing.

UGH.........

queeq
*singing:"The ciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiircle of liiiifee"

queeq out

Darth Daft
PLEASE, NO!!! HELP ME!!! IT BURNS!!!

Dim
*sings*
it's a small world afteralllll, it's a small world afterallllllll, it's a small world afterallllllll. it's a small small small small worlddddddddddddd...

laughing out loud

Darth Daft
<Darth Daft falls off of his computer chair dead. Blood pours out of his burst ears and his eyes slowly close>

queeq
Maybe we'll see Anakin opening Ep2 singing: "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are."

And then Ep3 ends with Vader in full costume and with James Earl Jones' voice: "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are."

That would tie in nicely...

*starts singing "when you wish upon a star, lalalalalalalalalalalalala"

queeq out

Ratcat
That's it, I'm gonna sulk if you're making fun of Disney. sad

<Ratcat goes and sulks in the corner>

queeq
And...and...and...and I can just imagine Padme imprisoned by the Lessers, waiting for Anakin in her cell, singing "Someday My Prince will come..."
What a romantic movie this'll be. I'm looking forward to it already.

queeq out

Ratcat
That's it! I am officialy sulking.

<Ratcat put's on his mouse ears and pouts!!!>

queeq
starts singing, AGAIN, "Who's the leader of the pack, that's meant for you and me. M I C K E Y M O U S E. Micky Mouse (Donald Duck), Mickey Mouse..."

queeq out

Ratcat
Hmmm, shouldn't diss the Mouse ya know.

queeq
Jabba could do a musical number using the tune of Cruella the Ville: Gardulla the Hutt, Gardulla the Hutt...

queeq out

Dim
I'm not dissing Dis Rc...I love Disney...Heck man...I was even born on his birthday!

*starts humming the Winnie the Pooh theme song*

Ratcat
OK, guess I'd better put that in the diary asit's only 3 weeks away.

queeq
And ... we could have the "Ugly Bug Ball" song playing in the Coruscant Night Club. I'm on a roll now.

*starts singing: Let's stroll... to the ugly bug ball*

queeq out

Dim
Are you calling me an ugly bug, queeq?

Rc....I think he's calling me an ugly bug?!!!

queeq
I don't know. Do you dance barely dressed in Nightclubs, do you?

queeq out

Darth Daft
She's not from Coruscant though, is she? I guess she's not "part of that world." HA HA HA...I'm so funny. Don't deny it. You know that was the funniest joke ever made.

Ratcat
Right queeg, that's it, out side now.......

Darth Daft
Why do we have to go outside? Why not "under the sea"

Ratcat
I'm not going now, it's raining.

I think this topic has totally degnerated. Dim, you may need to do your stuff.

Dim
You know...the sad part is I don't even know what the ugly bug reference is laughing out loud

And queeq...do I seem like the type to dance naked in a nightclub?...*thinks a minute* Don't answer that...I'm definately more Naboo than Coruscant. Well, more Tatooine than Naboo..but you get the idea.

okay..back on topic...If I were Padme...I'd want an air whale ride...I think that would be cool.

queeq
The Ugly Bug Ball is a song from a Disney movie. I thought it tied in nicely with the Coruscant Nightclub. I never made any links to Lady Dim, she did that.

So you'd like to fly around on a big fish. And Prince Charming at your side, I guess. It IS a "Whole New World" sequence. You're such a romantic that it is charming again. We better e-mail GL that he includes such a sequence for you. For me... too mushy.

queeq out

Dim
Nah, I'm just not opposed to seeing one in the film, that's all..

Ratcat
Hold on............... Sorry, I was having a Disney flash back.

queeq
What was it about?

queeq out

Darth Daft
I actually had one too. I thought of the whale out Pinocchio when you mentioned giant Air Whales again.

Dim
Ohhhhhhhhh...wouldln't be be cool to see a pod of air whales...with little babies...awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe big grin

queeq
We already had Ewoks. Enough of cuddly creatures now.

queeq out

Dim
Oh..come on!...and besides, they wouldn't be cuddly...they're flying fish (well, not really fish, but you know what I mean).

queeq
They'd probably have some fur in a final draft, I'm sure. With big dark eyes that makes children and older girls go: aaaaaawwwwwww, that's soooooo cuuuuuute.

queeq out

Ratcat
And make GL loads of money from the Hasbro cuddily toy!!

Cynical? Me? Nooooo...

Dim
And yet...you buy it..big grin

Surely he wouldn't put hair on it...ick. That would make it look like a big wooly mammoth fish..

Jedi Mercenary
Great

queeq
Kids'll love it...

queeq out

Ratcat
Yay! It can sit right next to my Wicket W Warrick!

queeq
And next to JarJar with his bendable ears...

queeq out

Ratcat
Awwwww, I don't have one of those. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/
frown.gif ALT="sad">

queeq
Too bad. I have two. For my kids that is...

queeq out

Ratcat
Well I bought my Wicket about 16 years ago so I don't feel to
silly about him. He's kinda dusty now, been sitting on top of
the wardobe for about 6 years,

Darth Daft
Now a hairy fish would at least be very original. I've never
ever seen one anywhere else, so it wouldn't surprise me if George
Lucas would praise Doug Chiang if he drew one for him.

queeq
A fish? I hope they're not going to swim again in Ep2.

A whale is not a fish, you see.

queeq out

Ratcat
He's right DD and Dim already said that too.

smile

Darth Daft
Yeah everyone knows a whale isn't a fish. And the same with dolphins. But does anyone really care?

Ratcat
Well at least 3 people here apparently, and I would guess all the marine biologists out there.

An all the Dolphin and Whale handlers at the Seaworlds and other marine attractions around the world.

That was, after all DD, a rather stroppy sounding reply to post. stick out tongue

Jedi Mercenary
I don't think they'll show the thrantas, the alderaanians are too technologically advanced

Dim
The Gungun's are advanced and they use beasts of burden... They might do it for environment friendly reasons...who's to say how they see things...
Just because you can use your technology doesn't mean everyone will...smile

queeq
I hope for Dim's sake we will see them. For the sake of all the other SW fans includiing me: I hope NOT. smile

queeq out

Darth Daft
Ratcat how dare you call me stroppy! Why I oughta! Can't you see?!?! I ain't stroppy at all! I'M PERFECTLY RELAXED!!!!

<Darth Daft runs away crying in a stroppy mood>

Ratcat
Well you started the whole lightspeed thing and I spent ages looking through my Big Book or the Universe to get all that junk. sad

Dim
What did you find?...Did you post it and I missed it?...

Ratcat
Oh do wake up deary!!! If you go back a few posts in this topic DD started on about what would a underwater vehicle travelling a lightspeed look like so I went and got all technical on it and posted a lovely little reply.smile

Darth Daft
Dont worry I was just kidding in my last post. And thanx for doing a little research for my question. I didn't realise you had done that, I thought you really super-clever and you had it all in your brain.

Ratcat
Ah ha! So my cunning plan worked.... Should have kept my big mouth shut about the book, then you'd all think I was clever. doh! (a deer, a female deer!)

Darth Daft
Don't worry, I'm sure your plans to take over the world are not foiled yet.

Ratcat
They shall continue unabated, but I think Raz has the Episode-II forum markeyt cornered!

Darth Daft
And if George Bush becomes President then he'll obviously execute you if you attempt to take his title.

Ratcat
Well, we have to face an even greater threat yet..... Dim and here awesome "close topic" power.

102 and away we gooooo.

Darth Daft
Yippee let's all try to escape her wrath and make it to the 110 mark. Sorry, am I being childish again?

queeq
No, RatCat's just trying to win Dim's favour I think. Let's get this post count up as high as we can.

queeq out

Ratcat
Why would I want to do that? 105 and counting.

Can anyone remember how this started?

Was it something to do with flying sea cows?

queeq
Clear your mind of questions, RC. In time you will know, when you're calm...at peace.

queeq out

Dim
Jeesh Guys....I do have to sleep you know...roll eyes (sarcastic)
And I never did find that part on light speed..*sigh*
Oh well, topic closed..

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