10 Insane Star Wars Plot Twists George Lucas Nearly Made Happen
2. Otoh Gunga Was Initially Wiped Out Before The Phantom Menace's Final Battle
Playing a rather large part in taking the Trade Federation down a peg or two in the closing stages of The Phantom Menace, imagining an Episode I where Jar Jar Binks and the rest of the Gungan Grand Army aren't seen launching boomas at those silly little battle droids would be rather difficult at this stage.
But in truth, there was actually a period in pre-production when George Lucas was considering leaving the Naboo natives out of the fight entirely. In fact, according to early storyboards for the flick, the Gungan city of Otoh Gunga wouldn't have even made it into the final act of the film in one piece.
These early plans would've involved the beautiful underwater city being entirely destroyed, along with much of the Gungan race just before the Battle of Naboo got underway. Bummer.
Feeling this particular genocide may have been a little too dark for his film, though, Lucas eventually decided against wiping out the Gungans early on.
Blowing up an entire planet in Episode IV, however? That's all fine and dandy, apparently...