The relationship between Star Wars and martial arts may not immediately be apparent to many, but the truth is that the iconic lightsaber battle between Yoda and Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones was actually inspired by a forgotten Jet Li martial arts movie, Swordsman II.
The story behind this connection is a fascinating one, rooted in the challenges faced by Rob Coleman, the animation director for The Phantom Menace. Coleman was tasked with animating Yoda’s duel with Count Dooku, and he realized that he had very little direction to go on. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, provided vague instructions, leaving Coleman to figure out the details of the pivotal fight scene on his own.
Struggling to envision how the fight should look considering Yoda’s smaller size and weapon, Coleman sought advice from Nick Gillard, the stunt coordinator for the film. He also received unexpected inspiration from Ahmed Best, the actor behind Jar-Jar Binks, who recommended anime titles to spark ideas for Yoda’s fighting style.
However, the breakthrough came when Coleman attended a screening of Swordsman II, a martial arts film starring Jet Li. In the movie, the ninja characters used otherworldly martial arts to duel with their opponents, including a scene in a bamboo forest where they leapt and bounced from tree to tree. Coleman found this particular scene to be incredibly inspiring and realized that it could serve as the basis for Yoda’s agility and surprising fighting style in the pivotal lightsaber battle.
Despite the positive reception to Yoda’s martial arts moves from premiere audiences, the scene has since faced some criticism for feeling too “cartoony”. However, it’s important to acknowledge the risks taken by the prequels, which set them apart from the creatively bankrupt Sequel Trilogy. Rob Coleman’s bold creative choices, inspired by a forgotten martial arts film, have left an indelible mark on Star Wars history, and deserve to be celebrated.
The influence of Swordsman II on Attack of the Clones serves as a reminder of the rich and diverse sources of inspiration that have shaped the Star Wars saga. It’s a testament to the power of cross-cultural exchange and the impact of unexpected sources of inspiration on the world of cinema. The forgotten martial arts movie has truly changed the course of Star Wars history in a way that few may have anticipated.