Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
We celebrate the four decades of ‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’ with a list of curiosities about its filming and legacy.
40 years ago it was released Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi) to shelve the first cycle of the three original films that unleashed the euphoria for the science fiction epic created by George Lucas. Four decades after its premiere, we take the opportunity to review some curiosities and secrets about this production that left us many anecdotes for history.
The title changed several times
Another of the possible titles of the film was revenge of the jedi. In the end, George Lucas realized that it wasn’t like Jedi to focus on revenge, and so he changed the title to the one we all know and love today.
Lucas was so concerned that reporters and fans would leak into the filming of the tape, that he changed the name of the tape during the months of filming: Blue Harvest (Blue Harvest). Even the members of the production wore T-shirts with this title printed on them. The clapperboard did not say the real name of the film either, as can be seen in this image:
Image: Monovisions
A problem called Jabba the Hutt
At the time of production, Jabba the Hutt it was one of the most difficult puppets to handle. It took six puppeteers to get the disgusting-looking villain moving in his scenes. Making this puppet cost half a million dollars and three months of work until it was ready. Jabba the Hutt was also unique in the repulsive sounds he made. For this, the sound designers used food. One of them, Ben Burtt, ran a hand over a cheese casserole for one of the effects.
The actor who did not know the importance of his character
Sebastian Shaw was the actor who donned the suit Darth Vader and who put face to Anakin Skywalker. Although his small stint on screen made a big impact, the reality is that Shaw knew very little about the role. The actor was close friends with Ian McDiarmid, who played the Emperor Palpatine. When he arrived at the set and met McDiarmid, he asked what he was doing there, and Shaw replied: “I don’t know, dear boy, I think it’s something to do with science fiction.”
Luke and Leia weren’t siblings.
Originally, it wasn’t written that Luke and Leia were siblings, which is why he had a crush on her at first. Since Han and Leia’s relationship was already blossoming, George Lucas decided it was best to make Luke and Leia siblings as we all know them. Wise choice.
Yoda was not in the original plans
In the original plan, the movie would begin right after Luke finished his training as a Jedi. That is why Master Yoda, one of the most iconic characters in the saga, was not in the original script. But that detail was changed so that Yoda could confirm that Vader was actually Luke’s father. Director Richard Marquand He suggested this change and Lucas agreed with it.
That’s why he’s the Master! Yoda’s best phrases in Star Wars
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucas wanted Spielberg to direct this movie
Due to how stressful it was to direct Star WarsLucas declined to direct The Empire Strikes Backand I didn’t want to direct either return of the jedi. Instead, he wanted his friend to take care of it. Steven Spielberg. However, Lucas had left the Directors Guild, and Spielberg was also at odds with the DGA. Therefore, Spielberg could not direct the film.
Harrison Ford didn’t want to be in another sequel
Actor Harrison Ford has never been so excited about his role in Star Wars. Unlike mark hamill and Carrie Fisher, I didn’t plan to continue in one more sequel. This is partly why it was frozen in carbonite at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. Even Lucas was skeptical that Ford would return for return of the jedi. However, in the end she did.
In the original script there were no ewoks
The Ewoks are a fundamental part of return of the jedi, since they were added for the climax of the film. However, originally the battle was to take place in the Wookiee planet. That was even in the script, although it was later changed to Ewoks and Endor. Can you conceive this film without his presence? I don’t.
What other anecdotes do you know about this production? Were you one of those who could see its premiere in theaters? We would love for you to tell us your memories.
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