[Opinion] - Reconstructing Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi


Knowing that taking even a simple position on Star Wars can illicit the sort of hate filled rage usually reserved for Middle East conflicts, I will now make three statements. These statements, I believe, are unimpeachable. No matter your opinions of the specific films, of the various sequences of films, or any other aspect of the films, these three truths are true, no matter what.

Truth #1: The prequel trilogy is inferior to the original trilogy.
Truth #2: Of the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith is superior to the other two.
Truth #3: Of the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi is inferior to the other two.

It's that last one I want to focus on. This article was inspired by this piece in Wired, which in turn was inspired by this article, detailing the now famous 'Machete Order'. For the uninitiated, the Machete Order is an optimum viewing order for all of the films. It goes Star Wars, Empire, Episode II, III, and Jedi. Having had some time to waste recently, I decided to give the Order a try. My results? It's a pretty strong narrative path. Also, I'm never watching Episode II again. It's been years, and I had forgotten how utterly terrible it is. In fact, I can now say with near certainty that I never have to watch any of the prequels ever again (actually, since I just downloaded the Rifftrax for Episode I, I'll have to watch it at least once more. First time since 2002, yay...). It's my personal opinion, but the prequels just aren't worth it.

But when I got to Jedi, maybe it was because the flaws of the prequels were so close to my mind, I saw the cracks, that have always been there, more clearly. It's a good film, it just has a lot of problems. It was perhaps the clearest sign that troubles were waiting for us with the prequels, if only we had listened. Problem is, Jedi was my entry into Star Wars. It was the first of the films I saw. I hate nostalgia, and try to ignore it whenever I can. But part of me has a hard time letting go of the Ewoks; the lazy reuse of the Death Star; the fact that between his turning himself in and the lightsaber battle, Luke does very little in the film; that nothing about Luke and Leia being siblings makes any sort of sense. Logically, I know that Empire is the superior film, and that Star Wars is historically important to the world of film. But I can't let go of Jedi.

So, I started thinking, what could be done to make Jedi match how I feel about it? Can anything be done? The answer, I think, is Revenge of the Jedi. A film that does not exist. Using pieces of information about what the original design of the film was going to be, that have filtered down through the decades since Jedi's release, can we piece together something that might have been better? Hubris, you may say. Blasphemy! To which I would reply, I think hubris and blasphemy is a pretty good description of the prequels. And I'm certainly not claiming that this is a superior version. What this is, is an interesting thought experiment.

Hit the jump for my vision of Revenge of the Jedi. Fair warning, this one is long.

What follows is a plot description of my version of Revenge of the Jedi. Throughout, I will annotate certain things, explaining my choices and backing up certain decisions with evidence provided by the people involved in making the film. There are some rules: only what was established in the original two films is canon. Details from the expanded universe and prequels, or Jedi as it exists, are not relevant unless specifically mentioned. For my purposes, only Star Wars and Empire exist. Some stuff I will just make up. However, for the majority of the major plot points, I draw from details the actors, writer's and George himself have revealed over time. My original content is just to connect the threads. I may well use material currently in Jedi to fill in these gaps.

Star Wars
Revenge of the Jedi

It is a desperate time for the Rebel Alliance. After the Empire's victory at Hoth, the Alliance has been forced to the furthest reaches of the outer rim of the galaxy, endlessly pursued by the Imperial Starfleet.

With the Alliance focused on survival, Princess Leia organises a rescue mission to save Han Solo from the grip of crime lord Jabba the Hutt, who plans to make Solo an example to others who might try to cross him.

All the while, Luke Skywalker is distracted by the implications of a recent revelation that has shaken him, and his beliefs, to the very core...


Open on space. A super star destroyer drifts through the void. As it approaches the camera, it becomes covered in shadow. The camera pulls up to reveal what at first appears to be a massive space station, but is actually a planet, covered in a single massive city. Brown clouds blot out some of the lights of Abbadon, heart of the Empire [One of Lucas' original drafts opened with an approach to the central planet, Hab Abbadon, which eventually became Coruscant in the prequels]. In orbit, hundreds of small, Death Star like satellites protect the planet. A rogue meteor strays too close, and is blasted by one such satellite [I have always misheard the Emperor's line "your friends on the sanctuary moon" as "sentry moon." I like the idea that the Emperor is obsessed with spherical space weaponry, explaining the design of the Death Star, and extrapolating that to him surrounding his base of operations with hundreds of round laser turrets].

On the planet's surface, in a dark hall [juxtaposing the introduction of Vader in Star Wars], Darth Vader walks with Admiral Piett, who explains to Vader that with the fleet spread out across the outer rim, it leaves the central planets vulnerable to attack. Vader counters that if the fleet succeeds in finding the Alliance, then there won't be anyone left to attack that venerability, and that he expects to see more progress from the fleet commanders. Outside the Emperor's chambers, Piett is visibly anxious, and leaves. Vader enters.

The Emperor, old and frail, sits on a throne, flanked by guards and advisers. Vader approaches and kneels. The conversation is essentially the same from the Emperor's first appearance in Jedi, on the Death Star. The major difference is, the Emperor is less certain of the future here, less omniscient. He chastises Vader for his failures. Vader defends himself, insisting that he has seeded Skywalker with doubt, and that the boy will seek him out for answers [This change allows Vader to retain the power he had in the first two films, instead of becoming the lap dog he did in Jedi]. The Emperor agrees that the plan could work, and sends Vader on his way.

Cut to the sands of Tatooine. A storm howls outside an immense door. A crowd is gathered outside, and many guards attempt to keep the peace. In the centre of the confusion, Lando Calrissian, in disguise, and a bound Chewbacca, fight their way to the front. Lando asks what's going on, and a guard explains that Jabba has summoned every pilot, thief, bounty hunter and fence in the system to witness an execution. To show them what happens when somebody doesn't do as Jabba wants. Lando demands to see Jabba immediately.


[The Jabba's palace scenes wouldn't be much different, as they are the only sequence of the original film that are strong all the way through]. Jabba celebrates with various dancers and music. Lando is brought in, claiming to have captured Chewie. The scene plays out similar to the scene in the original, but with Lando negotiating, and no droids. Jabba agrees to take Chewbacca, and offers Lando a place to witness the execution. Chewie is taken to the cells. The scene uniting him with Han is the same as the original, with Chewie entering instead of Han, and without the reference to Luke being a Jedi Knight, just that he has a plan.

Han and Chewie are brought before Jabba, who speaks at length about loyalty, and respect. Inter cut these scenes with those of Luke arriving at the palace, using his skills to move through the crowd. As Jabba is about to execute the pair, Luke reveals himself, and attempts to barter for their lives. It's basically the same, except instead of Jabba bragging about being immune to Jedi mind tricks, he calls Luke out, saying that he is no Jedi, and that he can watch his friends die. Jabba casts Han and Chewie into the rancour pit [My discretion. Luke is the dramatic hero, it's his emotional story that the movies tell. Han is the adventure hero, he's the one that gets into fire and fist fights. He should be the one to fight the giant beastie]. Luke shouts from above, directing them to the door beyond the cage, then disappears into the crowd. Lando watches powerlessly. Han makes a snarky comment about Luke's suggestion being no problem. When they arrive at the other end, Luke uses the force to open the access door, and to move the gate controls, slamming it down on the Rancour's head. Jabba is outraged, but Luke's actions catch the attention of a masked bounty hunter we've not seen before.

The trio are brought before Jabba, who rails that a quick death is too easy, and that treachery like their deserves pain and suffering the like of which they have never known. He demands they be taken away, and that transports be made ready to leave immediately.

Cut to the middle of the Dune Sea. Jabba's barge floats over the sands, and the trio stand in the sand itself, as patrol skiffs circle them, with guards keeping weapons trained on them. Jabba explains that they will be left here, to wander the endless sea, and hopefully die of thirst or heat before anything else has a chase to get them. In the distance, a scream is heard as a creature breaches the sand like a whale coming up for a breath. Luke insists that Jabba surrender, or it will be him the desert claims. Jabba laughs. Luke extends his hand, and uses Yoda's force lesson to bring the barge down into the sand, and on it's side. The nearest skiff prepares to fire, but is shot down. They look up, and see Leia with a gun, on a skiff of her own, being piloted by R2D2. 3P0 is there, and is annoying. Pandemonium breaks out. People who fell out of the barge try to run for help. Luke senses something, and tells everyone to stop moving. A man running for the ship is engulfed in a wave of sand, and is dragged down underneath. Luke identifies them as Sand Devils.

On board the ship, Lando slips into the engine room, and begins sabotaging it, so that the barge cannot leave. He is stopped by the bounty hunter from earlier, who demands to know what he is doing. He tries to lie, but the hunter deduces his motives, and asks how they can help. Taking off their helmet,  and revealing herself to be a woman, she identifies herself as Nellith [Much like Luke does in his storm trooper outfit to Leia].

Concept art by Ralph McQuarrie
Outside, Luke, Han and Chewie get on board Leia's skiff, while Sand Devils feast on the people in the sand. Luke tells R2 to go pick up Lando. The engines on the barge explode, and the ship sinks deeper into the sand. The skiff approaches the barge, while everyone defends themselves again enemy attack, but Lando isn't there. He, and the bounty hunter, are stopped by Jabba's guards. The bounty hunter disarms them, and tosses a thermal charge into Jabba's lap. They run as the compartment explodes, and Boba Fett gives chase. On deck, Lando and Nellith reach the skiff as Boba Fett takes several shots. Han pushes Leia to the floor, and takes a blast in the chest. Chewie yowls, and the barge lurches, sending Boba Fett over the rail, into the sand. Han expresses surprise at the wound. In Leia's arms they repeat the "I love you" I know" bit, with the roles reversed, and Han dies [Harrison Ford initially didn't want to do the third film, but agreed to appear if Han were killed early on, heroically, to add to the tension that the rest might not survive. Lucas hated the idea, and reasons vary, either because action figure sales were too good to kill off a star, or because he didn't want the movie to be that depressing. A deal was reached with Ford in the end, and Han survived]. R2 pilots the skiff away from the burning rubble of the barge, as Bobba Fett lies perfectly still in the sand, as Devils surround him.

The group, solemn and in mourning, take Han's body to Kashyyyk, home of the Wookies, on the Falcon. When they arrive, they are met by a funeral precession, and Han is laid to rest, under the redwood-sized forest-cities of the Wookies [Lucas' original plan for Endor was for it to be the Wookie homeworld. When he realised that they were too advanced a race to be as primitive as he wrote them, he turned  them into Ewoks].

On the Super Star Destroyer, Piett reports that they've received word that Alliance leadership is hiding on Kashyyyk. Vader questions the source, which Piett vouches for. Vader muses that the Wookies are unpredictable, and have never knelt to the Empire. He orders a single ship be dispatched to determine if the report is true. If the Wookies have sided with the Alliance, they are to be destroyed.

What follows would be a series of emotional moments for the main characters. Chewie isolates himself, in deep grief. Lando asks why Nellith helped him. She explains that she's always felt different. Able to sense things sooner then others, able to make people do things for her. And move things with her mind, and never knew how it was possible. When she saw Luke do the same, she thought she might get some answers. [In Leigh Brackett's original script for Empire, Luke had a sister named Nellith, who was kept secret. This reference was changed to the more ambiguous"there is another" in Yoda's final scene. Lucas originally intended to introduce the sister character in later films, but realised this was going to be impossible, and quickly rewrote the role as being Leia, which creates numerous internal inconsistencies.] Elsewhere, Luke attempts to comfort Leia, but she lashes out, blaming him for Han's death, that it was his plan, and his arrogance that got Han killed, and that everything they did was for nothing. She tells him to leave, that she doesn't want him around anymore. Luke slinks off into the night. Luke then attempts to commune with Obi-Wan, wanting answers. Obi-Wan is silent. Luke demands to know the truth about Vader, and how if the force is so powerful, he was unable to use it to help his friend. As he asks where he will find these answers, an Imperial ship flies overhead.



The Wookie's detect the Imperial presence, but fail to react. Leia makes an impassioned speech about how the Empire destroyed her world, her family, and how she has nothing left thanks to them. She argues that they have come to do the same to the Wookies, and Chewie agrees. As Imperial troops begin landing on the planet, the Wookies ambush them, coming out of the trees. The Imperials are slaughtered.

At one of the landing ships, Luke turns himself in, and demands to be taken to the orbiting Star Destroyer. On board, he tells the captain his name and that he wants to be taken to Lord Vader. Running the name Skywalker through the computer, the Captain immediately calls for a retreat of forces from the planet. The Wookie's continue to fight, shooting down as many ships as try to leave the planet. The Star Destroyer leaves, and the Wookies celebrate. Nellith finds an Imperial shuttle, undamaged, and empty.

At Abbadon, Luke is presented to Vader. They have a conversation about loss and betrayal. Luke asks if Vader was telling the truth, which Vader answers by asking Luke what he feels to be true [The first scene between Vader and Luke in Jedi is awful. Vader is submissive, and Luke is overly arrogant. Here, the roles are reversed, with Vader in complete control and Luke uncertain. Also, Vader's avoidance of the truth of the paternity question casts doubt over his Empire declaration, and makes it possible it was just a ruse]. The Captain reports that the Wookies resisted the Imperial forces more then expected. Vader promises the Wookies will be dealt with after Skywalker is delivered to the Emperor. They enter the chamber, and the Emperor tells everyone to leave. He then begins a rant about knowing how people will behave. At first it seems like he's gloating about bringing Luke into the fold, but he reveals that he is aware that Vader is plotting to assassinate him. [Making something of Vader's Empire suggestion that he and Luke would rule the galaxy, which is never followed up upon]


Using the force lightning, the Emperor attacks Vader. Luke freezes, uncertain how to act, but eventually accepts that Vader is his father, uses the force to acquire his red lightsaber, and kills the Emperor while he is distracted. Vader, weakened, rises, and takes the Emperor's seat. Luke kneels before him, lightsaber in hand [Before Jedi was made, Mark Hamill thought that Luke might be tempted, or even turned, half way through the film, and the second half would be about his redemption. Instead, it became about Vader's].

Via hologram, Leia contacts the Alliance fleet. They report that the central systems are largely unprotected, with the Starfleet out looking for the Alliance. Leia reports that the Wookies were just attacked, and have sided with the Alliance. The Alliance proposes a surprise attack on Abbadon. An officer reminds them of the planetary defense systems in place, that would destroy the fleet in moments. Leia reveals that they are in possession of a shuttle craft, with complete security clearances. That they might be able to use it to infiltrate the security system, and deactivate the system. The Alliance agrees with the plan, and orders them to commence the attack immediately.

Vader, now accepted as Emperor, judging by the pile of corpses at the base of the throne, shows Luke a trophy: Obi-Wan's lightsaber, which he took from the original Death Star. He gloats how Obi-Wan was short sighted, and that the power of the dark side is unmatched. Luke agrees that Obi-Wan seemed to offer more then he was willing, or able, to give. A message comes through from Admiral Piett that Vader's preparations are ready.

In the shuttle, Lando and Nellith arrive at Abbadon. They use the security clearances to get past the defence system, and enter the atmosphere. As they pass over the pollution riddled supercity, Nellith confides that she's never been in this close to the core, that she spent her entire life on Tatooine. Her mother sold her into forced labour when she was very young. Her unique abilities helped her survive, and eventually be bought and trained by one of Jabba's bounty hunters. She also learned to recognise the winning side, and know when the appropriate time to make a play. Lando says that he's been from one side of the galaxy to another, and knows the difference between making the safe play, and making the right one. They arrive at the security station, a massive dish. Entering the complex, with R2 at their side, they reach the control room. Getting rid of those on duty, they hook R2 into the computer and have him deactivate the system [Lando and Nellith's infiltration of the security system mirrors Han and Luke's of the Death Star].

In Vader's chambers, the failure of the security system is reported at once. Vader brings up a feed from the room, and orders Luke to go there, and kill them. Luke refuses. Vader insists, and uses the force to attack. Luke engages the red lightsaber, and charges. Vader retrieves Obi-Wan's blue lightsaber, and protects himself. [The poster for Revenge of the Jedi, seen at the top of the page, famously had the error of reversing the lightsaber colours. This scene provides an explanation for that.] Vader comments on his disappointment, and that Luke will come to learn respect after the Alliance is dealt with. The security system might be down, but the planet isn't unprotected.

Above the planet, the Alliance, led by the Falcon, comes out of hyperspace. Leia, in the Falcon with Chewie, comments that the security system must be down, or they be dead by now. Then, from beyond the planet, the Imperial Fleet appears, having gathered there at Vader's orders. The two fleets converge in a massive space battle just above the planet. The Alliance commanders order Leia to continue with the mission. The Falcon plummets down into the atmosphere, towards the planet.


Lando and Nellith watch on the computers as the Imperials engage the Alliance. A squad arrives, and attempt to retake the security office. They take cover, knowing that if the stormtroopers get inside to reactivate the security system, the Alliance is doomed. [Lando essentially becomes a replacement for Han, as Lucas was intending should Harrison Ford not return for the third film. Nellith essentially replaces Luke, and Luke takes on a Vader-light role]

The Falcon lands near a massive building, the old senate, and the Emperor's current chambers, The doors open, and dozens of Wookie's spill out, laying down fire against the troops protecting the building. Chewie and Leia follow. More and more stormtroopers appear, being led by a one armed Boba Fett. Chewie goes into a blind rage, and charges the bounty hunter.

Nellith comments that they won't be able to hold out much longer without back up. Lando orders R2 to restart the security system, but to give them new targets. In space, the security system reawakens, and begins firing on the Imperial ships. Star Destroyers are cleaved in half, the debris colliding in space.

The Wookies break through the stormtroopers defenses, and Leia enters the Senate building. Chewie continues to pursue Bobba Fet, and eventually corners him. Breaking his remaining arm, he beats on him, crumpling his helmet nearly flat, while the bounty hunter is still wearing it [Boba Fett deserves none of the admiration he gets. He had something like three lines in Empire, no lines in Jedi, and died like a sucker. Besides cool armour, he isn't anything special. His killing Han, getting an arm ripped off by Sand Devils, joining the Empire to avenge his arm, and getting beaten to a literal pulp by Chewbacca raises his 'cool' rating a little bit more reasonably].

Concept art by Ralph McQuarrie
Inside the senate, Vader and Luke continue to do battle. Luke feels the turn of the tide of the battle, as does Vader, which weakens him somewhat. Luke begins getting arrogant, taunting Vader. Vader insists that the Dark Side always prevails, it is the unavoidable consequence. There is always loss, always hate, always disappointment. Luke counters that these things must be accepted, and moved on from. To do otherwise is lazy. He declares that Vader is not his father, that his father died a hero, and that Vader is a coward.

In space, the Alliance ships sweep away the last of the Imperial fleet. In the security room, the stormtroopers fall back to the senate. The Wookies and Leia arrive at the Chamber doors, expecting to blast their way in. As they, and additional stormtroopers arrive, the doors open, Luke steps out, and drops Vader's helmet on the floor before everyone, declaring the Emperor to be dead [calling back to the scene in the cave, in Empire]. The Wookies train their guns on the stormtroopers, who surrender. Leia watches Luke, horrified.

In the aftermath, the Alliance takes up a perimeter around the planet, backed by the security system. A call by Leia has went out, declaring the Empire to have fallen, and the Old Republic will reform [mirroring her initial, secret message to Obi-Wan in the first film. Also, Lucas originally had Leia becoming ruler of "her people," so reforming the senate is close enough]. Lando and Chewie decide to leave on the Falcon, to return the Wookies to Kashyyyk. Nellith finally gets to meet with Luke, and ask how she can do what she can do. Luke tells her, the force is strong with her. That she will go to the Dagobah system, and learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master that instructed him [Until the prequels, I always thought of Jedi as more like monks. Living in isolated regions, alone where they can mediate and become one with the force. That people would pilgrimage to these places, and learn from the masters, and grow stronger in the force. A massive academy, filled with hundreds of students never seemed very Jedi to me]. He also tells her to take good care of R2. He hands her Obi-Wan's lightsaber, and when she asks what it is, he tells her something she'll need for a more civilised age [Luke speaking Obi-Wan's words accomplish two things. First, they draw a direct parallel between Luke passing the torch to Nellith, but also fully embracing Obi-Wan's teaching, which earlier he had cast aside. Also, because Empire never said anything about a sister, Nellith is never referred to as such. Just "another" who is strong in the force, though like Vader, it leaves things ambiguous] Leia and Luke exchange a look, but do not speak. Luke gets in a ship, and leaves.


The film ends with Lando and Chewie in the Falcon cockpit, as the ship goes into hyperspace; Leia consulting with Alliance and Senate advisers and 3P0 in the background; Yoda sitting alone in the swamp, as lights pass overhead, causing him to smile. The last shot of the film is Luke, in a robe much like we first saw Obi-Wan, standing on Tatoonine, looking at a twin dawn [Gary Kurtz favored the idea of Luke walking off into the sunset, like an old western hero, having saved the day, but not being able to participate in the celebrations. Lucas favored a happier, lets all hug kind of ending. Sunset though, was used in Star Wars, to symbolise the ending of that stage of Luke's life. Here, a sun rise works better, as a symbol for the dawn of a new era].
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About MR. Clark

Adopting the descriptor of "successfully unpublished author", MR. Clark began writing things on the internet in 2012, which he believed to be an entirely reputable and civilized place to find and deliver information. He regrets much.

43 comments :

  1. will15 October 2012 at 13:48

    FUCK YEAH

    ReplyDelete
  2. by MR. Clark15 October 2012 at 13:56

    To anyone who is bothered by such things, I have:

    1) Corrected the spelling of Boba Fett. That was my bad (and my general apathy towards the character).
    2) Not corrected any "spelling errors" that happen to just be the British spelling of certain words. Americans, adjust your literacy accordingly. Anything else is probably just me being generally rubbish at spelling.

    ReplyDelete
  3. David15 October 2012 at 14:24

    That's one hell of a shift in plot from RotJ. I'm irked at Han dying (as a fan of the Expanded Universe novels), but I did enjoy reading the plot. Well done!

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    1. by MR. Clark15 October 2012 at 15:15

      I originally had it much closer to the way RotJ plays out, with the Wookies just straight up replacing the Ewoks. But I felt (as did Lucas, in one of his original drafts) that the rebellion had to make a play against the heart of the Empire directly. Every once and a while, you just have to sack Rome.

      Plus, as RotJ does now, it would have really stretched out the actionlessness of the second act.

      Delete
    2. Sergio A, Handal16 October 2012 at 02:31

      Amazing. You are a genious man. Hope to see this movie someday.

      Delete
  • devdogg15 October 2012 at 14:32

    Awesome.

    Thank you for fixing that movie. I have a dream that someday someone will remake episodes I-III and I hope you're the man to do it.


    ("Admiral Piett", no extra "e", not even if you're British. ;p )

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    1. by MR. Clark15 October 2012 at 15:06

      ("Admiral Piett", no extra "e", not even if you're British. ;p )

      Thank you.

      Delete
  • Cope15 October 2012 at 14:56

    Interesting retelling. I like it as a different story but that nostalgia strikes...

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  • Anonymous15 October 2012 at 15:21

    This is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  • Ivo00415 October 2012 at 15:24

    I like this story a lot more than the original RotJ (which, due to nostalgia and the fact that it has the biggest space battle has always been my favorite). I personally would rather keep Leia as Luke's sister bc I never really had a problem with those holes and keep Han alive, but the attack on the planet is far better than a second death star. Vader's role reversals also never really stood out to me as sticking points for episode VI, but when you point out his 180 from dominant badass of the galaxy to Palpatine's lapdog/Luke's subservient, it really stands out. Also, it is waaaayyyyy more believable that a tribe of wookies can rip apart stormtroopers than having some 3 foot tall ewoks drop rocks on their heads and overcome centuries worth of technological disadvantages. Nice retelling, especially since it's hard for those of us who have loved this story so long to actually look at details and pick out flaws instead of just glazing over them with the excuse "it's a classic".

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    1. by MR. Clark15 October 2012 at 15:32

      "when you point out his 180 from dominant badass of the galaxy to Palpatine's lapdog/Luke's subservient, it really stands out."

      My biggest problem with Jedi has always been the loss of power Vader suffered. I can accept that he reports to someone else, but not at the absolute loss of everything he was before. It was almost as if he were an entirely new character.

      "since it's hard for those of us who have loved this story so long to actually look at details and pick out flaws instead of just glazing over them with the excuse "it's a classic."

      Which was my goal, and I think is the hardest thing for most people to get over. Even classics have flaws (the final five minutes of Psycho might some of the worst in film history). For me, the prequels made it easier to get more critical of the originals.

      Delete
  • Andy15 October 2012 at 15:28

    I really enjoyed this!

    Thanks also for pointing me to the original Machete Order article.

    ReplyDelete
  • Colin15 October 2012 at 16:48

    This is a very good remake, something that should have been done. I am a big fan of Harrison ford, so he would have to stay in my universe, but this sets up the never made sequel trilogy very well.

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  • Blake Ianni15 October 2012 at 16:57

    Sir, this is one of the finest pieces of a plot retelling I have heard in a very long time. I would like you to know that I will spread this as far as I can on the interwebs, the world must know that there is another way.

    The fact that you re-introduced the idea Nellith is way to important to have not been done before. I believe that you can keep Leia as Luke's sister if Nellith is included. She clearly shows Luke's growth as a Jedi and alludes to reconstruction of the Jedi order (scattered monk's or academy style).

    I must return to my studies now, you've taken entirely to much of my time. Thank you again.

    ReplyDelete
  • Alain Bloch15 October 2012 at 17:54

    Yoda did say," There is another... sky..walk.er.." Not just another strong in the Force.

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    1. by MR. Clark15 October 2012 at 18:17

      Not in Empire, only in Jedi. In Empire, Obi-Wan claims Luke to be their last hope, as he takes off to rescue Han. Yoba only states there is another. For the purposes of the above, only Star Wars and Empire are canon. Because in this fiction, Jedi as it exists, doesn't exist.

      Delete
  • thekickassduke15 October 2012 at 18:18

    Well done. Far better than the teddybear picnic ending of RotJ-- which Harrison Ford has repeatedly voiced that he hated.

    A lot of these themes seem to coincide with Timothy Zahn's "Thrawn" trilogy. Did those books inspire you at all? I always thought Zahn did a great job of closing some of the little inconsistencies riddled throughout the saga-- a skill that you, sir, are a master of.

    Well done.

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    1. by MR. Clark15 October 2012 at 18:26

      "A lot of these themes seem to coincide with Timothy Zahn's "Thrawn" trilogy. Did those books inspire you at all?"

      I'll be honest with you, I've never read word one of the Expanded Universe. I usually let films speak for themselves (I'm the same way with Star Trek, or any pan-medium franchise). If there are similarities, it's probably because we're making use of the same cracks, and the same background info.

      The difference being, he's a successfully published author, and I'm just some putz on the internet.

      Delete
  • Anonymous15 October 2012 at 18:23

    As a long time Star Wars fan, thank you for taking the time to do this! I really, really enjoyed it and I think that it might have made for a better film.

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  • Anonymous15 October 2012 at 19:20

    This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  • Anonymous15 October 2012 at 20:41

    I think it's really easy to shit all over Jedi but in my opinion the scenes involving Vader, Luke and the Emereror in the throne room are some of the best in the entire series.

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    1. Buzz Coles15 October 2012 at 20:48

      I agree. The score when Vader and Luke are fighting, the Emperor's dialogue (some of the best in all the movies), Luke's temptation and eventual acceptance of his fate, the set, it's all perfect.

      Delete
  • Anonymous15 October 2012 at 22:06

    Only change I have is that Nellith, being the new hero, needs to be the very first character seen, with perhaps a short 3 or 4 line scene of her own, establishing her place there as the point of view character who is watching everything going down in Jabba's palace.

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  • Julie16 October 2012 at 01:34

    I really enjoyed this read! Will be passing this along to others. Thank you for taking the time to write this.

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  • Anonymous16 October 2012 at 03:49

    I thought this was really well done--brilliant, in fact--up until Luke killing Vader. I think that undermines a few things:

    -the Light side vs the Dark side of the Force becomes a muddled and murky grey, as you've touched upon by Leia's horror at Luke's actions
    -Obi-wan's sacrifice and refusal to fight in Episode IV was mirrored and illuminated by Luke's refusal to fight in RotJ; Yoda's teachings about anger and hatred were also illustrated by Luke's initial refusal, then his rage, then his self-realization at what he was becoming
    -eliminates the mirroring of the cut-off hand from ESB
    -it ruins the idea that there can still be a final shred of good in even the most terrible villain
    -eliminates one of the crowning emotional moments of the series, in the father sacrificing himself for his son

    Having Luke question the Force after Han's death is a great idea, and obviously mirrors the most classic questions about God. (Also, doubt is the handmaiden to faith.) But you are basically reshaping the spiritual core of SW to meet a different, darker, grittier end. Luke's belief in Yoda's teachings and the canon of the Force as it was in Ep IV and V led to his refusal to engage at the end of RotJ. That moment of non-participation is essential. What you've written certainly fits with the fashionably ambiguous morality of dark/gritty modern blockbuster fare, but it doesn't really hold true to the spirit of Star Wars.

    I love the binary sunrise ending though. That would've been excellent.

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    1. by MR. Clark16 October 2012 at 13:37

      I had toyed with the idea of the Rebellion taking Vader prisoner, charging him with war crimes or something, but I couldn't figure a way he would allow himself to be taken alive.

      My interpretation of Vader in the first two films has always been something akin to a warlord coming into rule. In Star Wars, he's basically the muscle, someone willing to get his hands dirty. Then in Empire, he rises through the ranks, and becomes a top general, with an eye on assassinating his superior and taking his place. Jedi failed to conclude his rise to power, which I’ve always felt was wrong. Once he has power, I see his death as being the only natural conclusion. Keeping in mind, without the prequels, his thirst is entirely political, not mystical.

      In my interpretation, Vader has no good in him. I purposefully left the truth of his being Luke's father ambiguous, because I feel it works just as well as a blatent lie, used to manipulate Luke. In doing so, it makes Vader all the more evil, which if this is really Luke's story instead of Vader's (as the original two movies are pretty clear about), is necessary. Vader and Obi Wan then represent the extremes of the Force, and Luke occupies a less certain middle.

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  • Kevin Jacob16 October 2012 at 05:19

    I have to say, I grew up on these films, and I think that this is a much better story than RotJ. I would love to see this remade. Hell, you could even try making it, but with different names for everything. This is the kind of thing kickstarter is made for.

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  • Anonymous16 October 2012 at 15:27

    I love everything but the death of Han. He's my favorite SW character.

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  • Vašek17 October 2012 at 09:38

    What a great idea! You, sir, are a legend. Very fitting way to end the story. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. As much as killing of Han may seem drastic, here it serves as a very vital element to the story.

    A+ :)

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  • Peter Lawrence17 October 2012 at 18:22

    A thoroughly interesting retelling - great job! What I particularly disliked of Ep VI was the string of premature and mediocre endings to plots (eg. garrisons being taken down by Ewoks) and characters (eg. Fett, Yoda, Vader), as well as the uninspired reuse of elements from the previous 2 films (eg. Death Star and a space battle against it, AT-ST sequences as a redoing of Hoth but on a forested planet instead). What defined Star Wars was the underlying elements of human mythology and psychology played out with ambiguity and ambivalence (such as Luke being a David against Goliath of sorts, Han as ego, Vader's dark-side coveting of Luke echoing the myth of Saturn eating his children to gain power, Obi-Wan's omnipresence without evident omnipotence); other than the redemption of Vader, RotJ was anti-climactic in the deeper elements of Star Wars. More could have been (and should have been) done with the power struggle and tension between archangel archetypes Vader and the Emperor, with a Luke's becoming a Jedi being a baptism by fire of sorts rather than a trophy accomplishment upon defeating Vader, and with exploring the ambiguous nature of black-and-white ideals such as "good" and "bad/evil". Moreover, a piddley skirmish of motley crew of Rebels against the might of the Empire is hardly believable means of the demise of the Emperor's Nazi-like war machine - a collaboration of thousands of species, initially unwilling and/or fearful, setting aside differences and uniting in epic scale stages of battle against the Empire would have been far more impressive.

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  • Anonymous19 October 2012 at 14:47

    Now I wanna see this film! Damn you!

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  • Anonymous2 November 2012 at 00:27

    Nice work! I've got a review of your version up on my blog if you care to peruse it: https://dogmaanddragons.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/my-first-movie-review/

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  • Anonymous15 January 2013 at 19:31

    Well done, replaces the childishness of the Ewoks and brings grit to the story. Well done.

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  • Anonymous12 July 2015 at 22:21

    I'm sorry but it seems that everyone is blinded that because it's dark that it's better. While I like that you wanted to give Han a good send off and I get your reasoning for Had Abbadon. The ewoks are what they are. I believe they couldve been better executed and were taken too lightly, but overall they had a good message. However, the rest of what you wrote makes zero sense.

    The point of Luke facing the Rancor was to show that Luke has to learn how to get out of a bad situation without his lights are. It's a step to becoming a Jedi knight. Yodas appearance, however bread, is done as a step for Luke accepting an important part of life, death. Luke using a red saber to behead his father goes completely against what Yoda teaches him. The entire lesson in the trilogy is that a Jedi never goes into a situation looking for a fight. The point of Luke redeeming his father is that he is able to surpass what Palpatine and Yoda want him to which is to kill Vader.Luke is able to surpass what his other father figures say and becomes a true Jedi and his own man. The Vader and Luke relationship is worse in this version. The relationship never develops and tries to top what Empire did. Making Vader as the father ambiguous is a cheat and contradicts the twist in Empire, particularly Vader's VERY last scene in that film. If Bader was his real father then it only makes sense that he is conflicted on whether or not he wants to turn his his son over and follow the same footsteps.

    If you're going after Leia being Lukes sister, it's as inconsistent as Vader being Lukes dad.

    The reason Had Abbadon was not used was because it was an expensive set for 1980's and was not within their budget. Also, you state how Bobba Fetts death is not a big deal yet you contradict that. Gary Kurtz' claims are not valid because he left the production of Empire in 1979, long before a treatment of Jedi was written. If you don't believe me read the Rinzler books or Chris Taylor.

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    1. by MR. Clark17 July 2015 at 10:11

      "I'm sorry but it seems that everyone is blinded that because it's dark that it's better."

      This may be a prevailing idea in the modern culture, but not one I share. I certainly didn't write this up intending it to be the Dark Knight Rises of Star Wars films. My entire goal with this was to take a movie that is not good, and make it good by whatever means necessary. And just because a story has a serious purpose does not mean it is exclusively serious in tone. The failure of the modern "darker and grittier" movement is that they feel the easiest way to achieve that is by excising any humour or levity at all (see DC's movies for excellent examples). A story can be serious, and deal with serious things, and still have a balance. Empire is probably an excellent example of that. I don't think anyone would accuse Empire of being morose.

      As for your other comments: I agree. A lot of what I posed here is untenable. But remember that the Star Wars movies are constructed on top of contradictions and contrivances upon end, and any attempt to unspool them only leads to greater issues. Vader being Luke's father is as inconsistent as Leia being his sister. My point was that Vader being his father was an intention, while Leia being his sister was a cessation. All I wanted to do was see if putting together the unused ideas that didn't make it into the film might make Jedi a better film. And in the absence of that, try to find reasonable alternatives to that film's greater sins (like the ridiculousness that is Boba Fett). Fair?

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  • Anonymous12 July 2015 at 22:26

    Get out of a bad situation *without his light saber.

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  • by MR. Clark17 July 2015 at 09:57

    In the years since I posted this, I have thought about taking another pass at it, incorporating the sources (which I should have done the first time) and taking into account some of the suggestions that others have made in their comments (which, so long as they are polite and reasoned, are always welcome).

    What say you, internet? Shall I invest the time?

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    1. Anonymous6 November 2015 at 08:37

      I am the internet and I say yes :) You could probably get a decent amount of attention with all the Episode VII hype right now...

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    2. The Thinker23 November 2015 at 23:09

      Totally, I'd love to see v.2 :)

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  • Matrix14 August 2015 at 23:58

    I enjoyed this quite a bit. I misread the part about the female bounty hunter and thought that meant Boba Fett in this version was female!
    Really enjoyed how you kept Vader as ruthless as he'd been in Empire

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  • suncore59825 April 2016 at 17:20

    Wow. Your Revenge of the Jedi is ten times better than Return of the Jedi. It is dark and tragic in certain areas but overall, it serves as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy. I like how you had Vader be true to who he was in Star Wars and Empire to the very end, and I thought Luke's ending was interesting. It was both bittersweet and a bit hopeful with him passing the torch to Nellith.

    BTW I was never a big fan of Luke and Leia being siblings. It didn't sit well with me so I am glad you removed that from Revenge of the Jedi.

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    1. MR. Clark27 April 2016 at 18:13

      My biggest problems with RofJ, from the first time I watched it, was the undermining of Vader's character, and the out-of-nowhere "Leia is his sister." The latter can be explained away by script mergers and revisions (and laziness. Rampant, rampant laziness), and the former because Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas were pretty terrible writers.

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