There’s no surer way to grapple with one’s mortality in 2025 than to realize that Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is now 20 years old. But the silver lining there is that the movie is returning to theaters in May as part of Lucasfilm’s anniversary celebration. And not only that, but author Matthew Stover’s surprisingly excellent Revenge of the Sith novelization is also getting a 20th anniversary rerelease (you can preorder it at Amazon).
As revealed by Collider, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is getting a new Deluxe Edition hardcover due out in October. In addition to new cover art and upgrades like red foil edge pages and a removable acetate jacket, the Deluxe Edition includes over 170 new annotations by Stover.
“We couldn’t be more excited to publish this incredible deluxe edition of the Revenge of the Sith novelization,” said Tom Hoeler, Editorial Director of Fiction and Special Projects for Random House World, in a statement. “It has been thrilling to work with author Matthew Stover and Lucasfilm to create a fully annotated edition that gives readers unprecedented insight to the creation of this masterpiece. Across nearly 50 years of Star Wars books, it stands alone, and even among film novelizations its approach to adapting characters and story from screen to page is unique. Two decades later, this novelization is as essential, enduring, and influential – on readers and creators – as it has ever been. Bringing the book back to hardcover in a stunning deluxe keepsake edition is a perfect way to celebrate 20 years of Revenge of the Sith.”
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Episode III – Deluxe Edition (Hardcover)
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For those who have never read Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelization, the book is widely regarded as being one of the best Star Wars novels, as well as being superior to the film itself. While it generally follows the plot of George Lucas’ screenplay, the book greatly embellishes many scenes and subplots and offers a deeper look into the minds of characters like Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Count Dooku. The book also relies on a recurring system of second-person narration that stylistically sets it apart from the rest of the Star Wars line. Case in point, the following passage offers a much different take on Anakin’s tragic reawakening as Darth Vader:
By comparison, here’s how the film handles that scene:
And that’s why sometimes it pays to crack open a book.
The Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith novelization is available in paperback and audiobook form now, with the Deluxe Edition hardcover releasing on October 14. You can preorder a copy on Amazon.
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Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
