Chopped and Dropped

Here’s a story that reminds me that Thomas Jefferson edited his own version of the Bible, leaving out the bits he didn’t approve. The somewhat less sacred texts of the three Star Wars prequels have been given the same treatment by actor Topher Grace. The Washington Post story begins:

If Topher Grace had directed or edited Episodes I through III in the “Star Wars” narrative, they would have been much shorter. How do we know? Because Grace has apparently done his own edit of the “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” turning that nearly seven-hour viewing experience into one, 85-minute film that is devoid of Jake Lloyd and, for the most part, Jar Jar Binks.

Read the Post article for a rundown on the other things missing from the Topher Grace version – which, incidentally, we aren’t likely to see since he obviously won’t be getting George Lucas’ permission to post it online.