When it comes to Attack of the Clones, there’s one scene that just should have been left in the movie – the one where Obi-Wan chats with Jedi Archivist Jocasta Nu about Count Dooku’s past.
If you’ve ever wondered why Dooku, a former Jedi Master, ended up leading the Separatists, this deleted scene actually explains it perfectly.
So why was it cut? And what does it reveal about Dooku that could’ve made the whole story way clearer?
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Why This Scene Could’ve Made a Huge Difference
One thing’s for sure: if they had kept this scene in, it would’ve helped clear up so much about Dooku’s character right from the start.
Jocasta Nu tells Obi-Wan that Dooku was one of the Order’s most brilliant minds but that he was “always a bit out of step with the Council.”
Hearing that Dooku was once a respected Jedi gives a whole new layer to his character and puts his departure into context.
It explains that Dooku left because he lost faith in the Republic – not because he wanted power, but because he saw the Jedi as pawns of a corrupt government.
This scene alone would have clarified why Dooku didn’t see eye-to-eye with the Jedi Council, just like his former Padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn.
Just imagine how different things could’ve been if the movie showed that parallel. Dooku wasn’t just a power-hungry Sith; he was someone who believed the Jedi had lost their way.
Connecting the Dots on Dooku’s Fall
So, let’s break down what happened after Dooku left the Order.
In the deleted scene, Jocasta explains that Dooku disappeared for nearly a decade before re-emerging as the head of the Separatists.
What’s fascinating here is that Dooku’s fall wasn’t immediate. He left the Order, reclaimed his title as Count on Serenno, and eventually crossed paths with Palpatine.
And while Dooku initially wanted revenge on the Sith for Qui-Gon’s death, he soon realized that joining forces with them might actually align with his goals.
He was disillusioned with the Jedi, so he saw the Sith as allies to help him change the galaxy. This is where Dooku’s story starts to mirror Anakin’s.
Both of them started as idealistic Jedi who believed they could do more, but they each became convinced that the Jedi’s ways were holding them back.
Anakin wanted the power to protect Padmé; Dooku wanted the power to reshape the Republic.
Why Did They Cut It, Though?
A lot of people think that maybe Lucas wanted to keep Dooku mysterious, only revealing bits of his backstory here and there.
I get it, they probably wanted the audience to keep guessing about his true intentions until later on, like in his conversations with Obi-Wan after capturing him.
Plus, with movies, there’s always that pressure to keep the pacing tight, even if it means cutting out critical moments.
But honestly? With all the extended editions and director’s cuts floating around, it’s tough not to wish Star Wars had gone that route.
I mean, Revenge of the Sith alone has a ton of scenes that would’ve expanded the story.
Imagine if they just released extended cuts of the prequels with these moments included, fans like us would probably jump at the chance to see them.
Dooku as More Than Just a Villain
There’s this common take that Dooku wasn’t totally evil, and it makes sense when you really dig into his motivations.
Dooku’s transition to Darth Tyranus wasn’t about gaining power for power’s sake. He genuinely believed the Republic was beyond saving and that the Jedi were only enabling the corruption.
He wanted to bring structure to the galaxy, even if it meant aligning himself with the Sith. Sure, he became more ruthless over time, but his journey started with a twisted sense of justice.
Plus, the books and series like Master and Apprentice novel and Tales of the Jedi have done a great job showing more of Dooku’s story.
In the novel, it dives into his relationship with Qui-Gon, and you can see that he always struggled with the Order’s choices.
And in Tales of the Jedi, we even get a glimpse of Dooku questioning the Council’s lack of action.