Key Takeaways:
– George Lucas grappled with numerous drafts to find an ideal conclusion for ‘Return of The Jedi’.
– Lucas felt early drafts lacked the necessary dramatic impact.
– The initial version included the physical return of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda to assist Luke Skywalker.
– Lucas ultimately decided against this idea, believing it would lessen the scene’s power.
– The decision resulted in a potent depiction of Vader’s redemption and a resonant father-son scene.
Crafting the Epic Final Chapter
George Lucas’ Star Wars saga, a trilogy of trilogies, has always managed to leave audiences spellbound with its memorable characters and plotlines. However, the final piece in the original trilogy, ‘Return of The Jedi’, proved to be quite a challenge for Lucas. Despite being hailed as an epic finale to the original series, Lucas grappled with many drafts before landing on the final script.
At the heart of the Return of The Jedi’s narrative was a fateful duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, with the fate of the universe at stake. Despite the high stakes, the monumental space battles, and the vast array of weapons and vehicles, the film was lacking a conclusion that could deliver an emotional and satisfying conclusion to the saga.
Revising the Dramatic Finale
As revealed by a insight into Lucas’ creative process in the book ‘Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays’ by Laurent Bouzereau, Lucas was finding it hard to pen an ending that had enough dramatic punch. In the initial drafts of the film, fan favorites Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda had a more significant role in helping Luke Skywalker confront the Sith Lords.
Instead of revisiting as Force ghosts, these iconic characters were initially set to be physically present at the decisive battles and the final Ewok-led celebrations. However, Lucas reconsidered this idea, fearing it would dilute the impact of the climax.
Striking the Perfect Balance
The challenge for Lucas was to maintain balance. In his words, ‘I felt that one of the major issues in the third film is that Luke is finally on his own and has to fight Vader and the Emperor by himself. If you get a sense that Yoda or Ben (Obi-Wan) is there to help him or to somehow influence him, it diminishes the power of the scene.’
This choice proved fruitful. It offered audiences a poignant father-son moment that culminated in Vader’s redemption. Once portrayed as pure evil, Vader’s path to correcting his wrongs was brought about by his son’s unwavering faith in him.
Director’s Take on the Final Instalment
In an interview sourced by Den of Geek, Richard Marquand, the director of ‘Return of The Jedi’, shared his feelings about directing the climatic installment. As a great admirer of Lucas and an avid Star Wars fan, directing the film was a challenge and an exciting opportunity for Marquand.
While apprehensive about directing such a momentous piece, Marquand found the experience greatly fulfilling. His love for the characters and the story was his guiding factor through the nerve-wracking process.
A Timeless Classic
In the end, through this demanding creative process, Lucas managed to deliver a powerful and emotional conclusion to the classic trilogy. It’s the struggle and the hard-fought victories in crafting such a resonant ending that has elevated ‘Return of The Jedi’ to the status of a timeless classic.
The Star Wars saga, with its gripping narratives and unforgettable characters, continues to inspire and enthrall new generations of viewers, forever holding a special place in film history.
