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Episode VI
Return of the Jedi
By
Lawrence Kasdan
and
George Lucas
From the novel
by
George Lucas
Second Draft - December 19, 1982
1 SPACE 1
The boundless heavens serve as a back-drop for the MAIN TITLE,
followed by a ROLL-UP, which crawls into infinity.
Episode VI:
RETURN OF THE JEDI...
Luke Skywalker has returned to his home
planet of Tatooine in an attempt to rescue
his friend Han Solo from the clutches of the
vile gangster Jabba the Hutt.
Little does Luke know that the GALACTIC
EMPIRE has secretly begun construction on a
new armored space station even more powerful
than the first dreaded Death Star.
When completed, this ultimate weapon will
spell certain doom for the small band of
Rebels struggling to restore freedom to the
galaxy...
PAN DOWN to reveal a monstrous half-completed Death Star, its
massive superstructure curling away from the completed section
like the arms of a giant octopus. Beyond, in benevolent contrast,
floats the small, green moon of ENDOR.
An Imperial Star Destroyer moves overhead toward the massive
armored space station, followed by two zipping TIE fighters. A
small Imperial shuttle rockets from the main bay of the ship and
hustles toward the Death Star.
2 INT IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - COCKPIT 2
The shuttle captain makes contact with the Death Star.
SHUTTLE CAPTAIN
Command station, this is ST 321. Code
Clearance Blue. We're starting our approach.
Deactivate the security shield.
DEATH STAR CONTROLLER
(filtered VO)
The security deflector shield will be
deactivated when we have confirmation of your
code transmission. Stand by... You are clear
to proceed.
SHUTTLE CAPTAIN
We're starting our approach.
3 INT DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM 3
Operators move about among the control panels. A SHIELD OPERATOR
hits switches beside a large screen, on which is a display of the
Death Star, the moon Endor, and a bright web delineating the
invisible deflector shield.
A control officer rushes over to the shield operator.
OFFICER
Inform the commander that Lord Vader's
shuttle has arrived.
OPERATOR
Yes, sir.
The control officer moves to a view port and watches as the
Imperial shuttle lands in the massive docking bay. A squad of
Imperial stormtroopers moves into formation before the craft.
4 INT DEATH STAR - MAIN DOCKING BAY 4
The DEATH STAR COMMANDER, MOFF JERJERROD, a tall, confident
technocrat, strides through the assembled troops to the base of
the shuttle ramp. The troops snap to attention; many are uneasy
about the new arrival. But the Death Star commander stands
arrogantly tall.
The exit hatch of the shuttle opens with a WHOOSH, revealing only
darkness. Then, heavy FOOTSTEPS AND MECHANICAL BREATHING. From
this black void appears DARTH VADER, LORD OF THE SITH. Vader
looks over the assemblage as he walks down the ramp.
JERJERROD
Lord Vader, this is an unexpected pleasure.
We're honored by your presence.
VADER
You may dispense with the pleasantries,
Commander. I'm here to put you back on
schedule.
The commander turns ashen and begins to shake.
JERJERROD
I assure you, Lord Vader, my men are working
as fast as they can.
VADER
Perhaps I can find new ways to
motivate them.
JERJERROD
I tell you, this station will be operational
as planned.
VADER
The Emperor does not share your
optimistic appraisal of the situation.
JERJERROD
But he asks the impossible. I need more men.
VADER
Then perhaps you can tell him when he
arrives.
JERJERROD (aghast)
The Emperor's coming here?
VADER
That is correct, Commander. And he is most
displeased with your apparent lack of
progress.
JERJERROD
We shall double our efforts.
VADER
I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The
Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.
5 EXT ROAD TO JABBA'S PALACE - TATOOINE 5
A lonely, windswept road meanders through the desolate Tatooine
terrain. We HEAR a familiar BEEPING and a distinctive reply
before catching sight of ARTOO-DETOO and SEE-THREEPIO, making
their way along the road toward the ominous palace of Jabba the
Hutt.
THREEPIO
Of course I'm worried. And you should be,
too. Lando Calrissian and poor Chewbacca
never returned from this awful place.
Artoo whistles timidly.
THREEPIO
Don't be so sure. If I told you half the
things I've heard about this Jabba the Hutt,
You'd probably short-circuit.
The two droids fearfully approach the massive gate to the palace.
THREEPIO
Artoo, are you sure this is the right place?
I better knock, I suppose.
6 EXT JABBA'S PALACE - GATE 6
Threepio looks around for some kind of signaling device, then
timidly knocks on the iron door.
THREEPIO (instantly)
There doesn't seem to be anyone there. Let's
go back and tell Master Luke.
A small hatch in the middle of the door opens and a spidery
mechanical arm, with a large electronic eyeball on the end, pops
out and inspects the two droids.
STRANGE VOICE
Tee chuta hhat yudd!
THREEPIO
Goodness gracious me!
Threepio points to Artoo, then to himself.
THREEPIO
Artoo Detoowha bo Seethreepiowha ey toota odd
mischka Jabba du Hutt.
The eye looks from one robot to the other, there is a laugh then
the eye zips back into the door. The hatch slams shut. Artoo
beeps his concern.
THREEPIO
I don't think they're going to let us in,
Artoo. We'd better go.
Artoo beeps his reluctance as Threepio turns to leave. Suddenly
the massive door starts to rise with a horrific metallic SCREECH.
The robots turn back and face an endless black cavity. The droids
look at one another, afraid to enter.
Artoo starts forward into the gloom. Threepio rushes after his
stubby companion. The door lowers noisily behind them.
THREEPIO
Artoo, wait. Oh, dear! Artoo. Artoo, I really
don't think we should rush into all this.
Artoo continues down the corridor, with Threepio following.
THREEPIO
Oh, Artoo! Artoo, wait for me!
7 INT JABBA'S PALACE - HALLWAY 7
The door slams shut with a loud crash that echoes throughout the
dark passageway. The frightened robots are met by two giant,
green GAMORREAN GUARDS, who fall in behind them. Threepio glances
quickly back at the two lumbering brutes, then back to Artoo. One
guard grunts an order. Artoo beeps nervously.
THREEPIO
Just you deliver Master Luke's message and
get us out of here. Oh my! Oh! Oh, no.
Walking toward them out of the darkness is BIB FORTUNA, a
humanlike alien with long tentacles protruding from his skull.
BIB
Die Wanna Wanga!
THREEPIO
Oh, my! Die Wanna Wauaga. We -- we bring a
message to your master, Jabba the Hutt.
Artoo lets out a series of quick beeps.
THREEPIO (cont)
... and a gift.
(thinks a moment, then to Artoo)
Gift, what gift?
Bib shakes his head negatively.
BIB
Nee Jabba no badda. Me chaade su goodie.
Bib holds out his hand toward Artoo and the tiny droid backs up a
bit, letting out a protesting array of squeaks. Threepio turns to
the strange-looking alien.
THREEPIO
He says that our instructions are to give it
only to Jabba himself.
Bib thinks about this for a moment.
THREEPIO
I'm terribly sorry. I'm afraid he's ever so
stubborn about these sort of things.
Bib gestures for the droids to follow.
BIB
Nudd Chaa.
The droids follow the tall, tentacled alien into the darkness,
trailed by the two guards.
THREEPIO
Artoo, I have a bad feeling about this.
8 INT JABBA'S THRONE ROOM 8
The throne room is filled with the vilest, most grotesque
CREATURES ever conceived in the universe. Artoo and Threepio seem
very small as they pause in the doorway to the dimly lit chamber.
Light shafts partially illuminate the drunken courtiers as Bib
Fortuna crosses the room to the platform upon which rests the
leader of this nauseating crowd: JABBA THE HUTT. The monarch of
the galactic underworld is a repulsive blob of bloated fat with a
maniacal grin. Chained to the horrible creature is the beautiful
alien female dancer named OOLA. At the foot of the dais sits an
obnoxious birdlike creature, SALACIOUS CRUMB. Bib whispers
something in the slobbering degenerate's ear. Jabba laughs
horribly, at the two terrified droids before him. Threepio bows
politely.
THREEPIO
Good morning.
JABBA
Bo Shuda!
The robots jump forward to stand before the repulsive, loose-
skinned villain.
THREEPIO
The message, Artoo, the message.
Artoo whistles, and a beam of light projects from his domed head,
creating a HOLOGRAM of LUKE on the floor. The image grows to over
ten feet tall, and the young Jedi towers over the space
gangsters.
LUKE
Greetings, Exalted One. Allow me to introduce
myself. I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and
friend to Captain Solo. I know that you are
powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger
with Solo must be equally powerful. I seek an
audience with Your Greatness to bargain for
Solo's life. (Jabba's crowd laughs) With your
wisdom, I'm sure that we can work out an
arrangement which will be mutually beneficial
and enable us to avoid any unpleasant
confrontation. As a token of my goodwill, I
present to you a gift: these two droids.
Threepio is startled by this announcement.
THREEPIO
What did he say?
LUKE (cont)
... Both are hardworking and will serve you
well.
THREEPIO
This can't be! Artoo, you're playing the
wrong message.
Luke's hologram disappears.
Jabba laughs while Bib speaks to him in Huttese.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
There will be no bargain.
THREEPIO
We're doomed.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
I will not give up my favorite decoration. I
like Captain Solo where he is.
Jabba laughs hideously and looks toward an alcove beside the
throne. Hanging high, flat against the wall, exactly as we saw
him last, is a carbonized HAN SOLO.
THREEPIO
Artoo, look! Captain Solo. And he's still
frozen in carbonite.
9 INT DUNGEON CORRIDOR 9
One of Jabba's Gamorrean guards marches Artoo and Threepio down a
dank, shadowy passageway lined with holding cells. The cries of
unspeakable creatures bounce off the cold stone walls.
Occasionally a repulsive arm or tentacle grabs through the bars
at the hapless droids. Artoo beeps pitifully.
THREEPIO
What could possibly have come over Master
Luke. Is it something I did? He never
expressed any unhappiness with my work. Oh!
Oh! Hold it! Ohh!
A large tentacle wraps around Threepio's neck. He manages to
break free, and they move on to a door at the end of the
corridor.
10 INT BOILER ROOM 10
The door slides open, revealing a room filled with steam and
noisy machinery. The guard motions them into the boiler room,
where they are met by a tall, thin humanlike robot named EV-9D9
(EVE-NINEDENINE). Behind the robot can be seen a torture rack
pulling the legs off a screaming baby work droid. A second
power droid is upside down. As smoking branding irons are
pressed into his feet, the stubby robot lets out an agonized
electronic scream. Artoo and Threepio cringe as the guard grunts
to EV-9D9.
NINEDENINE
Ah, good. New acquisitions. You are a
protocol droid, are you not?
THREEPIO
I am See-Threepio, human-cy...
NINEDENINE
Yes or no will do.
THREEPIO
Oh. Well, yes.
NINEDENINE
How many languages do you speak?
THREEPIO
I am fluent in over six million forms of
communication, and can readily...
NINEDENINE
Splendid! We have been without an interpreter
since our master got angry with our last
protocol droid and disintegrated him.
THREEPIO
Disintegrated?
NINEDENINE (to a Gamorrean guard)
Guard! This protocol droid might be useful.
Fit him with a restraining bolt and take him
back to His Excellency's main audience
chamber.
The guard shoves Threepio toward the door.
THREEPIO (disappearing)
Artoo, don't leave me! Ohhh!
Artoo lets out a plaintive cry as the door closes. Then he beeps
angrily.
NINEDENINE
You're a feisty little one, but you'll soon
learn some respect. I have need for you on
the master's Sail Barge. And I think you'll
fit in nicely.
The poor work droid in the background lets out another tortured
electronic scream.
11 INT JABBA'S THRONE ROOM 11
The court of Jabba the Hutt is in the midst of a drunken, raucous
party. Sloppy, smelly monsters cheer and make rude noises as Oola
and a fat female dancer perform in front of Jabba's throne.
Jabba leers at the dancers and with a lustful gleam in his eye
beckons Oola to come and sit with him. She stops dancing and
backs away, shaking her head. Jabba gets angry and points to a
spot next to him.
JABBA
Da Eitha!
The lovely alien shakes her head again and screams.
OOLA
Na Chuba negatorie Na! Na! Natoota...
Jabba is furious and pulls her toward him, tugging on the chain.
JABBA
Boscka!
He pushes a button and, before the dancer can flee, a trap door
in the floor springs open and swallows her up. As the door snaps
shut, a muffled growl is followed by a hideous scream. Jabba and
his monstrous friends laugh hysterically and several revelers
hurry over to watch her fate through a grate.
Threepio cringes and glances wistfully at the carbonite form of
Han Solo, but is immediately distracted by a gunshot offscreen.
An unnatural quiet sweeps the boisterous gathering. On the far
side of the room, the crush of debauchers moves aside to allow
the approach of two guards followed by BOUSHH, an oddly cloaked
bounty hunter, leading his captive, Han Solo's copilot, CHEWBACCA
THE WOOKIEE.
Bib takes his place next to his disgusting master, and whispers
into his ear, pointing at Chewbacca and the bounty hunter. Jabba
listens intently, then the bounty hunter bows before the gangster
and speaks a greeting in a strange, electronically processed
tongue (Ubese).
BOUSHH (in Ubese subtitled)
I have come for the bounty on this Wookiee.
THREEPIO
Oh, no! Chewbacca!
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
At last we have the mighty Chewbacca.
Jabba lets out a loud, long, blood-curdling laugh and turns to
Threepio, waving him closer. The reluctant droid obeys.
THREEPIO
Oh, uh, yes, uh, I am here, Your
Worshipfulness. Uh... yes!
Jabba continues speaking, as Threepio nervously translates.
Boushh listens, studying the dangerous creatures around the room.
He notices BOBA FETT standing near the door.
THREEPIO
Oh. The illustrious Jabba bids you welcome
and will gladly pay you the reward of twenty-
five thousand.
BOUSHH (in Ubese subtitled)
I want fifty thousand. No less.
Jabba immediately flies into a rage, knocking the golden droid
off the raised throne into a clattering heap on the floor. Boushh
adjusts his weapon as Jabba raves in Huttese and Threepio
struggles back onto the throne. The disheveled droid tries to
compose himself.
THREEPIO
Uh, oh... but what, what did I say?
(to Boushh)
Uh, the mighty Jabba asks why he must pay
fifty thousand.
The bounty hunter holds up a small silver ball in his hand.
Threepio looks at it, then looks at Jabba, then back to the
bounty hunter. The droid is very nervous and Jabba is getting
very impatient.
THREEPIO
Because he's holding a thermal detonator.
The guards instantly back away, as do most of the other monsters
in the room. Jabba stares at the silver ball, which begins to
glow in the bounty hunter's hand. The room has fallen into a
tense hush. Jabba stares at the bounty hunter malevolently until
a sly grin creeps across his vast mouth and he begins to laugh.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
This bounty hunter is my kind of scum.
Fearless and inventive.
Jabba continues.
THREEPIO
Jabba offers the sum of thirty-five. And I
suggest you take it.
Bib and the other monsters study the bounty hunter and wait for
his reaction. Boushh releases a switch on the thermal detonator
and it goes dead.
BOUSHH
Zeebuss.
THREEPIO
He agrees!
The raucous crowd of monsters erupts in a symphony of cheers and
applause as the party returns to its full noisy pitch. Chewbacca
growls. As he is led away we spot LANDO CALRISSIAN, disguised as
a skiff guard in a partial face mask. The band starts up and
dancing girls take the center of the floor, to the hoots of the
loudly appreciative creatures.
Boushh leans against a column with gunfighter cool and surveys
the scene, his gaze stopping only when it connects with a glare
from across the room. Boba Fett is watching him. Boushh shifts
slightly, cradling his weapon lovingly. Boba Fett shifts with
equally ominous arrogance.
12 INT DUNGEON CORRIDOR AND CELL 12
Gamorrean guards lead Chewie down the same hallway we saw before.
When a tentacle reaches out at the Wookiee, Chewie's ferocious
ROAR echoes against the walls and the tentacle snaps back into
its cell in terror. It takes all the guards to hurl Chewie
roughly into a cell, slamming the door behind him. Chewie lets
out a pathetic howl and bangs on the iron door.
13 EXT JABBA'S PALACE 13
The palace is sitting in the light of the double sunset. On the
road in front, a large toadlike creature flicks its tongue out
for a desert rodent and burps in satisfaction.
14 INT JABBA'S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT 14
Silence. The room is deserted, only the awful debris of the alien
celebration giving mute witness to the activity here before.
Several drunk creatures lie unconscious around the room, snoring
loudly.
A shadowy figure moves stealthily among the columns at the
perimeter of the room and is revealed to be Boushh, the bounty
hunter. He picks his way carefully through the snoring, drunken
monsters.
Han Solo, the frozen space pirate, hangs spotlighted on the wall,
his coffin-like case suspended by a force field. The bounty
hunter deactivates the force field by flipping a control switch
to one side of the coffin. The heavy case slowly lowers to the
floor of the alcove.
Boushh steps up to the case, studying Han, then turns to the
controls on the side of the coffin. He activates a series of
switches and, after one last, hesitant look at Han, slides the
decarbonization lever. The case begins to emit a sound as the
hard shell covering the contours of Han's face begins to melt
away. The bounty hunter watches as Han's body is freed of its
metallic coat and his forearms and hands, previously raised in
reflexive protest, drop slackly to his side. His face muscles
relax from their mask of horror. He appears quite dead.
Boushh's ugly helmet leans close to Han's face listening for the
breath of life. Nothing. He waits. Han's eyes pop open with a
start and he begins coughing. The bounty hunter steadies the
staggering newborn.
BOUSHH
Just relax for a moment. You're free of the
carbonite.
Han touches his face with his hand and moans.
BOUSHH
Shhh. You have hibernation sickness.
HAN
I can't see.
BOUSHH
You eyesight will return in time.
HAN
Where am I?
BOUSHH
Jabba's palace.
HAN
Who are you?
The bounty hunter reaches up and lifts the helmet from his head,
revealing the beautiful face of PRINCESS LEIA.
LEIA
Someone who loves you.
HAN
Leia!
LEIA
I gotta get you out of here.
As Leia helps her weakened lover to stand up, the relative quiet
is pierced by an obscene HUTTESE CACKLE from the other side of
the alcove.
HAN
What's that? I know that laugh.
The curtain on the far side of the alcove opens, revealing Jabba
the Hutt, surrounded by Bib and other aliens. He laughs again,
and his gross cronies join in a cacophony of alien glee.
HAN
Hey, Jabba. Look, Jabba, I was just on my way
to pay you back, but I got a little
sidetracked. It's not my fault.
Jabba laughs.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
It's too late for that, Solo. You may have
been a good smuggler, but now you're Bantha
fodder.
HAN
Look...
JABBA (cont Huttese subtitled)
Take him away!
The guards grab Han and start to lead him away.
HAN
Jabba... I'll pay you triple! You're throwing
away a fortune here. Don't be a fool!
Han is dragged off, as Lando quickly moves forward and attempts
to lead Leia away.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
Bring her to me.
Jabba chuckles as Lando and a second guard drag the beautiful
young princess toward him. Threepio peeks from behind a monster
and quickly turns away in disgust.
LEIA
We have powerful friends. You're gonna regret
this...
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
I'm sure.
Inexorably her lovely face moves to within a few inches of
Jabba's ugly blob of a head, and Leia turns away in disgust.
LEIA
Ugh!
THREEPIO
Ohhh, I can't bear to watch.
15 INT DUNGEON CELL 15
The heavy metal door of the dungeon whines and slowly creaks
open. A guard throws the blinded star captain into the dark cell
and the door slams shut behind him, leaving only a thin sliver of
light from a crack in the door. Han is trying to collect himself
when suddenly a growl is heard from the far side of the cell. He
jumps back against the cell door and listens.
HAN
Chewie? Chewie, is that you?
The shadowy figure lets out a crazy yell and races toward Han,
lifting him off the ground with a big hug that carries them into
the light, revealing Chewie.
HAN
Ah! Chew--Chewie!
The giant Wookiee barks with glee.
HAN
Wait. I can't see, pal. What's goin' on?
Chewie barks an excited blue streak.
HAN
Luke? Luke's crazy. He can't even take care
of himself, much less rescue anybody.
Chewie barks a reply.
HAN
A...Jedi Knight? I--I'm out of it for a
little while, everybody gets delusions of
grandeur.
Chewie growls insistently. He holds Han to his chest and pets his
head.
HAN
I'm all right, pal. I'm all right.
16 INT MAIN GATE AND HALL - JABBA'S PALACE 16
Noisily, the main gate lifts to flood the blackness with blinding
LIGHT and reveal the silhouetted figure of LUKE SKYWALKER. He is
clad in a robe similar to Ben's and wears neither pistol nor
laser sword. Luke strides purposefully into the hallway. Two
giant guards move to block Luke's path. Luke halts.
Luke raises his hand and points at the puzzled guards, who
immediately lower their spears and fall back. The young Jedi
lowers his hand and moves on down the hallway.
Bib Fortuna appears out of the gloom. He speaks to Luke as they
approach each other, but Luke doesn't stop and Bib must reverse
his direction and hurry alongside the young Jedi in order to carry
on the conversation. Several other guards fall in behind them in
the darkness.
LUKE
I must speak with Jabba.
Bib answers in Huttese, shaking his head in denial. Luke stops
and stares at Bib; he raises his hand slightly.
LUKE
You will take me to Jabba now!
Bib turns in hypnotic response to Luke's command, and Luke
follows him into the gloom.
LUKE
You serve your master well.
Bib responds.
LUKE
And you will be rewarded.
17 INT JABBA'S THRONE ROOM 17
Jabba is asleep on his throne, with Leia lying in front of him.
Salacious sits by Jabba's tail, watching it wriggle. Leia is now
dressed in the skimpy costume of a dancing girl; a chain runs
from a manacle/necklace at her throat to her new master, Jabba
the Hutt. Threepio stands behind Jabba as Bib comes up to the
gangster slug.
THREEPIO
At last! Master Luke's come to rescue me.
BIB
Master.
Jabba awakens with a start and Bib continues, in Huttese.
BIB
...Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
I told you not to admit him.
LUKE
I must be allowed to speak.
BIB (in Huttese subtitled)
He must be allowed to speak.
Jabba, furious, clobbers Bib and shoves him away.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
You weak-minded fool! He's using an old Jedi
mind trick.
Luke stares hard at Jabba.
LUKE
You will bring Captain Solo and the Wookiee
to me.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
Your mind powers will not work on me, boy.
LUKE
Nevertheless, I'm taking Captain Solo and his
friends. You can either profit by this... or
be destroyed! It's your choice. But I warn
you not to underestimate my powers.
Jabba's laugh is mean and loud. Threepio attempts to warn Luke
about the pit.
THREEPIO
Master Luke, you're standing on...
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
There will be no bargain, young Jedi. I shall
enjoy watching you die.
Luke reaches out, and a pistol jumps out of a guard's holster and
flies into Luke's hand. The bewildered guard grabs for it as
Jabba raises his hand.
JABBA
Bascka!
The floor suddenly drops away, sending Luke and the hapless guard
into the pit. The pistol goes off, blasting a hole in the
ceiling. Jabba laughs and his courtiers join in. Leia starts
forward but is restrained by a human guard-- Lando, recognizable
behind his mask. She looks at him and he shakes his head "no."
18 INT RANCOR PIT 18
Luke and the guard have dropped twenty-five feet from a chute
into the dungeonlike cage. Luke gets to his feet as the guard
yells hysterically for help. A crowd gathers up around the edge
of the pit as the door in the side of the pit starts to RUMBLE
open. The guard screams in panic. Luke looks calmly around for a
means of escape.
THREEPIO
Oh, no! The Rancor!
At the side of the pit, an iron door rumbles upward and a giant,
fanged RANCOR emerges. The guard runs to the side of the pit and
tries futilely to scramble to the top. The hideous beast closes
in on him.
The Rancor moves past Luke, and as the guard continues to
scramble, the Rancor picks him up and pops him into its slavering
jaws. A few screams, and the guard is swallowed with a gulp. The
audience cheers and laughs at the guard's fate.
The monster turns and starts for Luke. The young Jedi dashes away
just ahead of the monster's swipe at him, and picks up the long
arm bone of an earlier victim. The monster grabs Luke and brings
him up to his salivating mouth. At the last moment, Luke wedges
the bone in the monster's mouth and is dropped to the floor. The
monster bellows in rage and flails about, hitting the side of the
pit, causing an avalanche.
The monster crushes the bone in its jaws and sees Luke, who
squeezes into a crevice in the pit wall. Luke looks past the
monster to the holding cave beyond. On the far side of the
holding cave is a utility door--if only he can get to it. The
Rancor spots Luke and reaches into the crevice for him. Luke
grabs a large rock and raises it, smashing it down on the
Rancor's finger.
19 HOLDING TUNNEL - RANCOR PIT 19
The Rancor lets out a loud howl as Luke makes a run for the
holding cave. He reaches the door and pushes a button to open it.
When he succeeds, he sees a heavy barred gate between him and
safety. Beyond the gate two guards look up from their dinner.
Luke turns to see the monster heading for him, and pulls with all
his might on the gate. The guards move to the gate and start
poking at the young Jedi with spears, laughing.
Luke crouches (against the wall) as the monster starts to reach
for him. Suddenly he notices a main door control panel halfway up
the wall. As the Rancor moves in for the kill, Luke picks up a
skull from the cave floor and hurls it at the panel. The giant
overhead door comes crashing down on the beast's head, squashing
it like a sledgehammer on an egg.
A startled gasp is heard from the stunned court. There's
consternation at this turn of events. Heads look to Jabba, who is
actually turning red with anger. Leia cannot suppress her joy.
Jabba utters harsh commands to his guards and they hurry off.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
Bring me Solo and the Wookiee. They will all
suffer for this outrage.
21 INT RANCOR PIT 21
The Rancor KEEPERS have come into the cage and are examining
their dead beast. One of them breaks down and weeps. The other
glares menacingly at Luke, who is unworried. Several guards rush
into the holding tunnel and take Luke away.
22 INT THRONE ROOM 22
The crowd of creepy courtiers parts as Han and Chewie are brought
into the throne room, and other guards drag Luke up the steps.
LUKE
Han!
HAN
Luke!
LUKE
Are you all right?
HAN
Fine. Together again, huh?
LUKE
Wouldn't miss it.
HAN
How are we doing?
LUKE
The same as always.
HAN
That bad, huh? Where's Leia?
Luke looks to Leia.
LEIA
I'm here.
Threepio is standing behind the grotesque gangster as he strokes
Leia like a pet cat. Several of the guards, including Lando,
bring Luke from the other side of the room. Boba is standing
behind Jabba.
Threepio steps forward and translates for the captives.
THREEPIO
Oh, dear. His High Exaltedness, the great
Jabba the Hutt, has decreed that you are to
be terminated immediately.
HAN
Good, I hate long waits.
THREEPIO
You will therefore be taken to the Dune Sea
and cast into the pit of Carkoon, the nesting
place of the all-powerful Sarlacc.
HAN (to Luke)
Doesn't sound so bad.
THREEPIO
In his belly, you will find a new definition
of pain and suffering, as you are slowly
digested over a thousand years.
HAN
On second thought, let's pass on that, huh?
Chewie barks his agreement.
LUKE
You should have bargained, Jabba. That's the
last mistake you'll ever make.
Jabba cackles evilly at this.
As the guards drag the prisoners from the throne room, a loud
cheer rises from the crowd. Leia and Chewie exchange concerned
looks, but Luke Skywalker, Jedi warrior, cannot suppress a smile.
23 EXT TATOOINE SEA - SKIFF 23
Jabba's huge SAIL BARGE moves above the desert surface
accompanied by two smaller SKIFFS. One of the skiffs glides
close, revealing Luke, Han, and Chewie -- all in bonds --
surrounded by guards, one of whom is Lando in disguise.
HAN
I think my eyes are getting better. Instead
of a big dark blur, I see a big light blur.
LUKE
There's nothing to see. I used to live here,
you know.
HAN
You're gonna die here, you know. Convenient.
LUKE
Just stick close to Chewie and Lando. I've
taken care of everything.
HAN
Oh... great!
24 INT BARGE OBSERVATION DECK 24
Jabba the Hutt rides like a sultan in the massive antigravity
ship. His entire retinue is with him, drinking, eating, and
having a good time. Leia is watching her friends in the skiff
when the chain attached to her neck is pulled tight and Jabba
tugs the scantily clad princess to him.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
Soon you will learn to appreciate me.
Threepio wanders among the Sail Barge aliens, bumping into a
smaller droid serving drinks, spilling them all over the place.
The stubby droid lets out an angry series of beeps and whistles.
THREEPIO
Oh, I'm terribly sor... Artoo! What are you
doing here?
Artoo beeps a quick reply.
THREEPIO
Well, I can see you're serving drinks, but
this place is dangerous. They're going to
execute Master Luke and, if we're not
careful, us too!
Artoo whistles a singsong response.
THREEPIO
Hmm. I wish I had your confidence.
25 EXT SARLACC PIT 25
The convoy moves up over a huge sand pit. The Sail Barge stops to
one side of the depression, as does the escort skiff. But the
prisoner's skiff moves out directly over the center and hovers.
At the bottom of the deep cone of sand is a repulsive, mucous-
lined hole, surrounded by thousands of needle-sharp teeth. This
is the SARLACC. A plank is extended from the edge of the
prisoner's skiff. Guards release Luke's bonds and shove him out
onto the plank above the Sarlacc's mouth.
26 EXT SAIL BARGE OBSERVATION DECK 26
Jabba and Leia are now by the rail, watching. Threepio leans
forward and the slobbering villain mumbles something to him. As
Threepio steps up to a comlink, Jabba raises his arm and the
motley array of intergalactic pirates fall silent. Threepio's
voice is amplified across loudspeakers.
THREEPIO
Victims of the almighty Sarlacc: His
Excellency hopes that you will die honorably.
But should any of you wish to beg for mercy,
the great Jabba the Hutt will now listen to
your pleas.
27 EXT SKIFF 27
Han steps forward arrogantly and begins to speak.
HAN
Threepio, you tell that slimy piece of...
worm-ridden filth he'll get no such pleasure
from us. Right?
Chewie growls his agreement.
LUKE
Jabba! This is your last chance. Free us or
die.
Lando moves unobtrusively along the skiff as Luke shoots a quick
look of conspiracy to him.
28 INT SAIL BARGE OBSERVATION DECK 28
The assembled monsters rock with mocking laughter as Artoo zips
unnoticed up the ramp to the upper deck. Jabba's laughter
subsides as he speaks into the comlink.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
Move him into position.
Jabba makes a thumbs-down gesture. Leia looks worried.
29 EXT BARGE - UPPER DECK 29
Artoo appears from below and zips over to the rail facing the
pit. Below, in the skiff, Luke is prodded by a guard to the edge
of the plank over the gaping Sarlacc. Luke looks up at Artoo,
then gives a jaunty salute: the signal the little droid has been
waiting for. A flap opens in Artoo's domed head.
JABBA (in Huttese subtitled)
Put him in.
30 EXT SKIFF - PLANK 30
Luke is prodded and jumps off the plank to the cheers of the
bloodthirsty spectators. But, before anyone can even perceive
what is happening, he spins around and grabs the end of the plank
by his fingertips. The plank bends wildly from his weight and
catapults him skyward. In midair he does a complete flip and
drops down on the end of the plank in the same spot he just
vacated, but facing the skiff. He casually extends an open palm
and -- his lightsaber, which Artoo has sent arcing toward him,
drops into his hand.
With samurai speed, Luke ignites it and attacks the guard who
prodded him off the plank, sending the hapless monster screaming
overboard. The other guards swarm toward Luke. He wades into
them, lightsaber flashing. Lando struggles with another guard at
the back of the skiff.
31 EXT SARLACC PIT 31
A bewildered guard lands in the soft, sandy slope of the pit, and
begins sliding. He claws desperately as a Sarlacc tentacle grabs
him and pulls him screaming into the viscous mouth.
32 INT SAIL BARGE 32
Jabba watches this and explodes in rage. He barks commands, and
the guards around him rush off to do his bidding. The scuzzy
creatures watching the action from the window are in an uproar.
33 EXT SKIFF 33
Luke knocks another guard off the skiff and into the waiting
mouth of the Sarlacc. He starts to untie Chewie's bonds.
LUKE
Easy, Chewie.
At that moment, the deck gunmen on the barge unleash a series of
blasts from a big cannon on the upper deck. Lando is tossed from
the deck of the rocking skiff. He manages to grab a rope, and
dangles desperately above the Sarlacc pit.
LANDO
Whoa! Whoa! Help!
34 EXT UPPER DECK - SAIL BARGE 34
With two swift strides, the dangerous Boba Fett ignites his
rocket pack, leaps into the air, and flies from the barge down to
the skiff.
35 EXT SKIFF 35
Boba lands on the skiff and starts to aim his laser gun at Luke,
who has freed Han and Chewie from their bonds. But before Boba
can fire, the young Jedi spins on him, lightsaber sweeping, and
hacks the bounty hunter's gun in half.
Immediately, the skiff takes another direct hit from the barge's
deck gun. Shards of skiff deck fly. Chewie and Han are thrown
against the rail.
HAN
Chewie, you okay? Where is he?
The Wookiee is wounded and he howls in pain.
HAN
I'm okay, pal.
For a moment, Luke is distracted, and in that moment, Boba fires
a cable out of his armored sleeve. Instantly, Luke is wrapped in
a strong cable, his arms pinned against his side, his sword arm
free only from the wrist down. Luke bends his wrist so the lightsaber
points straight up to reach the wire lasso and cuts through. Luke
shrugs away the cable and stands free.
Another blast from the Barge's deck gun hits near Boba and he is
knocked unconscious to the deck, next to where Lando is hanging.
LANDO
Han! Chewie?
HAN
Lando!
Luke is a little shaken but remains standing as a fusillade
brackets him. The second skiff, loaded with guards firing their
weapons, moves in on Luke fast. Luke leaps toward the incoming
second skiff. The young Jedi leaps into the middle of the second
skiff and begins decimating the guards from their midst.
Chewie, wounded, tries to lift himself as he barks directions to
Han, guiding him toward a spear which has been dropped by one of
the guards. Han searches the deck as Chewie barks directions;
finally he grabs hold of the spear.
Boba Fett, badly shaken, rises from the deck. He looks over at
the other skiff, where Luke is whipping a mass of guards. Boba
raises his arm, and aims his lethal appendage.
Chewie barks desperately at Han.
HAN
Boba Fett?! Boba Fett?! Where?
The space pirate turns around blindly, and the long spear in his
hand whacks squarely in the middle of Boba's rocket pack.
The impact of the swing causes the rocket pack to ignite. Boba
blasts off, flying over the second skiff like a missile, smashing
against the side of the huge Sail Barge and sliding away into the
pit. He screams as his armored body makes its last flight past
Lando and directly into the mucous mouth of the Sarlacc. The
Sarlacc burps. Chewie growls a weak congratulations to Han.
36 INT SAIL BARGE 36
Leia turns from the spectacle outside, leaps onto Jabba's throne,
and throws the chain that enslaves her over his head around his
bulbous neck. Then she dives off the other side of the throne,
pulling the chain violently in her grasp. Jabba's flaccid neck
contracts beneath the tightening chain. His huge eyes bulge from
their sockets and his scum-coated tongue flops out. The Exalted
Hutt's huge tail spasms through its death throes and then slams
down into final stillness. Leia struggles to free herself of her
bondage.
37 EXT SKIFF 37
Luke continues to destroy the aliens on the guards' skiff, as Han
extends his spear downward to Lando, who is still dangling
precariously from a rope on the prisoner's skiff.
HAN
Lando, grab it!
LANDO
Lower it!
HAN
I'm trying!
A major hit from the barge deck gun knocks the skiff on its side.
Han and almost everything else on board slides overboard. The
rope breaks, and Lando falls to the side of the Sarlacc pit.
Luckily, Han's foot catches on the skiff railing and he dangles
above Lando and the pit. The wounded Wookiee holds onto the skiff
for dear life as another hit from the deck gun rocks the skiff
violently.
HAN
Whoa! Whoa! Grab me, Chewie! I'm slipping.
Chewie grabs hold of Han's feet, holding him upside down, as Han
extends the spear toward Lando, who is clutching to the side of
the pit.
HAN
Grab it! L--Lando. Grab!
Luke finishes off the last guard on the second skiff. He sees the
deck gun blasting away at his helpless companions. Luke leaps
from the skiff, across a chasm of air, to the sheer metallic side
of the Sail Barge. Barely able to get a fingerhold, he begins a
painful climb up the hull, when suddenly an ax smashes through a
window an inch from his head. With Jedi agility, Luke grasps the
wrist holding the ax and yanks the helpless guard through the broken
window and into the deadly pit.
The injured Chewie is reaching over the rail for the dangling
Han, who is in turn blindly reaching down toward the desperate
Lando. The Baron has stopped his slippage down the sandy slope of
the Sarlacc pit by lying very still. Every time he tries to reach
for Han, the loose sand moves him closer to his final reward.
HAN
Grab it! Almost... You almost got it!
Another blast hits the front of the tilted skiff, causing Lando
to let go of the spear.
LANDO
Hold it! Whoa!
Again Han extends the spear toward Lando.
HAN
Gently now. All... all right. Now easy, easy.
Hold me, Chewie.
Lando screams. One of the Sarlacc's tentacles has wrapped tightly
around his ankle, dragging him down the side of the pit.
HAN
Chewie! Chewie, give me the gun. Don't move,
Lando.
LANDO
No, wait! I thought you were blind!
HAN
It's all right. Trust me. Don't move.
LANDO
All right! A little higher! Just a little
higher!
Han adjusts his aim as Lando lowers his head, and the fuzzy-eyed
pirate fires at the tentacle. Direct hit. The tentacle releases
Lando, and Chewie starts to pull them on board the skiff.
HAN
Chewie, Pull us up! Come on! Okay... up,
Chewie, up!
38 EXT UPPER DECK 38
The deck gunners have Chewie and the desperate dangling human
chain in their gun sights when something up on deck commands
their attention: Luke, standing before them like a pirate king,
ignites his lightsaber. The deck gunners have barely reached for
their pistols before the young Jedi has demolished them.
Immediately, Luke turns to see two more gunners (who have been
uncovering a giant gun at the end of the barge) racing for him,
firing their laser pistols.
39 INT SAIL BARGE - OBSERVATION DECK 39
Leia is struggling against her chains in desperation as Artoo
zips through the tumult of confused monsters to the rescue; the
stubby little droid extends a small laser gun and blasts the
chain apart.
LEIA
Come on. We gotta get out of here quick.
Artoo and Leia race for the exit, passing Threepio, who is
kicking and screaming as Salacious Crumb, the reptilian monkey-
monster picks out one of the golden droid's eyes.
THREEPIO
Not my eyes! Artoo, help! Quickly, Artoo. Oh!
Ohhh! You beast!
Artoo zips over and zaps Salacious, sending him skyward with a
scream, crashing into the rafters as Artoo, Leia, and Threepio
(with his eye dangling from a wire) hurry off.
40 EXT UPPER DECK - SAIL BARGE 40
Luke is warding off laser blasts with his lightsaber, surrounded
by guards and fighting like a demon. Leia emerges onto the deck
as Luke turns to face another guard.
LUKE (to Leia)
Get the gun! Point it at the deck!
Leia turns toward the barge cannon, climbs on the platform, and
swivels the gun around.
LUKE
Point it at the deck!
A laser blast hits Luke's mechanical hand and he bends over in
pain, but manages to swing his lightsaber upward and take out the
last of the guards. He looks at the wounded hand, which reveals
the mechanism. He flexes the hand; it still works.
Near the rail of the upper deck, Artoo and Threepio steady
themselves as Threepio gets ready to jump. Artoo beeps wildly.
THREEPIO
Artoo, where are we going? I couldn't
possibly jump.
Artoo butts the golden droid over the edge and steps off himself,
tumbling toward the sand.
Luke runs along the empty deck toward Leia and the barge gun,
which she has brought around to point down at the deck.
LUKE
Come on!
Luke has hold on one of the rigging ropes from the mast. He
gathers Leia in his other arm and kicks the trigger of the deck
gun. The gun explodes into the deck as Luke and Leia swing out
toward the skiff.
41 EXT SKIFF 41
Han leans panting against the rail as Chewie helps Lando onto the
deck. Luke and Leia land on the skiff with flair.
LUKE
Let's go! And don't forget the droids.
LANDO
We're on our way.
The Sail Barge is exploding in stages in the distance. Half of
the huge craft is on fire.
42 EXT SAND DUNE 42
Threepio's legs stick straight up from the dune where he landed.
Next to it, Artoo's periscope is the only thing above the sand.
The skiff floats above them and two large electromagnets dangle
down on a wire. With a loud CLANG, both droids are pulled from
the sand.
43 EXT DUNE SEA 43
The little skiff skips around the burning Sail Barge, which
continues its chain of explosions. As the skiff sails off across
the desert, the barge settles to the sand and disappears in one
final conflagration.
44 EXT DUNE SEA - LANDING AREA 44
A ferocious sandstorm blocks our view. Then, through the ROAR, we
HEAR THE VOICES of our heroes. They emerge slowly from the veil
of sand, pressing on against the wind. First come Artoo and
Threepio, followed by Leia guiding Han, then Luke and Lando come
into view, each supporting one side of the towering Chewbacca,
who hobbles from his wound.
Soon, they can make out some large vague shapes in the blowing
sand. It is the Millennium Falcon and, parked beside it, Luke's
trusty X-wing and a two-seated Y-wing. They must shout to be
heard.
HAN
I don't know. All I can see is a lot of
blowing sand!
LEIA
That's all any of us can see.
HAN (blinking)
Then I guess I'm getting better.
As soon as the group huddles under the bulk of the Falcon, the
wind dies down to something more describable as a severe weather
condition. Threepio hits a switch, and the gang-plank lowers with
a HUM.
HAN (turning to Luke)
I've got to hand it to you, kid, you were
pretty good out there.
LUKE (shrugging it off)
I had a lot of help. Think nothing of it.
HAN
No, I'm thinking a lot about it. That carbon
freeze was the closest thing to dead there
is. And it wasn't just sleepin'. It was a big
wide awake nothing!
Luke nods, as Chewie growls affectionately at the young Jedi
warrior, mussing his hair like a proud uncle. And Leia warmly
hugs him.
LUKE (moving to his ship)
I'll see you back at the fleet.
HAN
Why don't you leave that crate and come with
us?
LUKE
I have a promise I have to keep first... to
an old friend.
Luke and Artoo take off in their spacecraft.
HAN
(looking dubiously at Lando, obviously
remembering his friend's betrayal and
subsequent aide)
Guess I owe you some thanks, too, Lando.
LANDO
Figured if I left you frozen like that you'd
just give me bad luck the rest of my life, so
I might as well get you unfrozen sooner or
later.
LEIA
He means "You're welcome."
LANDO
Come on, let's get off this miserable dust
ball.
44A EXT SPACE ABOVE TATOOINE 44A
The desolate yellow planet fills the screen, Luke's X-wing
appears and peels off to the left. A moment later, the FALCON
appears as a dot and grows huge, to roar directly over the
CAMERA.
45 INT X-WING - COCKPIT 45
Luke is at the controls, with Artoo attached behind him outside
the canopy. Luke speaks into his comlink to the others, in the
MILLENNIUM FALCON.
LUKE
I'll meet you back at the fleet.
LEIA (over comlink)
Hurry. The Alliance should be assembled by
now.
LUKE
I will.
HAN (over comlink)
Hey, Luke, thanks. Thanks for comin' after
me. Now I owe you one.
A message from Artoo appears on the small monitor screen in front
of Luke. He smiles at the monitor and speaks to Artoo, as he
pulls a black glove on to cover his wounded mechanical hand.
LUKE
That's right, Artoo. We're going to the Dagobah system. I have a
promise to keep... to an old friend.
46 EXT SPACE - DEATH STAR AND ENDOR 46
A Super Star Destroyer and several ships of the Imperial Fleet
rest in space above the half-completed Death Star and its green
neighbor, Endor. Four squads of TIE fighters escort an Imperial
shuttle toward the Death Star.
47 INT DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR TO DOCKING BAY 47
Lord Vader strides down the hallway, accompanied by a very
nervous Death Star commander.
48 INT DOCKING BAY - DEATH STAR 48
Thousands of Imperial troops in tight formation fill the mammoth
docking bay. Vader and the officer walk to the landing platform,
where the shuttle is coming to rest.
The shuttle's ramp lowers and the Emperor's Royal Guards come out
and create a lethal perimeter. The assembled troops move to rigid
attention with a momentous SNAP.
Then, in the huge SILENCE which follows, the EMPEROR appears. He
is a rather small, shriveled old man. His bent frame slowly makes
its way down the ramp with the aid of a gnarled cane. He wears a
hooded cloak similar to the one Ben wears, except that it is
black. The Emperor's face is shrouded and difficult to see,
except for his piercing yellow eyes. Commander Jerjerrod and
Darth Vader kneel to him. The Supreme Ruler of the galaxy beckons
to the Dark Lord.
EMPEROR (to Vader)
Rise, my friend.
Vader rises and falls in next to the Emperor as he slowly makes
his way along the rows of troops. Jerjerrod and the other
commanders stay kneeling until the Supreme Ruler and Vader,
followed by several Imperial dignitaries, pass by; only then do
they join in the procession.
VADER
The Death Star will be completed on schedule.
EMPEROR
You have done well, Lord Vader. And now I
sense you wish to continue your search for
young Skywalker.
VADER
Yes, my Master.
EMPEROR
Patience, my friend. In time he will seek you
out. And when he does, you must bring him
before me. He has grown strong. Only together
can we turn him to the dark side of the
Force.
VADER
As you wish.
EMPEROR
Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.
He laughs to himself as they pass along the vast line of Imperial
troops.
49 EXT YODA'S HOUSE - DAGOBAH 49
Once again, Artoo finds himself waiting around in the damp
environs of the swamp planet, and he's none too happy about it.
He beeps disconsolately to himself and turns to look at Yoda's
cottage. Warm yellow light escapes the oddly shaped windows to
fight the gloom.
50 INT YODA'S HOUSE 50
The tip of a walking stick taps hesitantly across the earthen
floor of the cottage. Our view travels up the stick to the small
green hand that clutches it, and then to the familiar face of
YODA, THE JEDI MASTER. His manner is frail, and his voice, though
cheerful, seems weaker.
YODA
Hmm. That face you make. Look I so old to
young eyes?
Luke is sitting in a corner of the cramped space and, indeed, his
look has been woeful. Caught, he tries to hide it.
LUKE
No... of course not.
YODA (tickled, chuckles)
I do, yes, I do! Sick have I become. Old and
weak. (Points a crooked finger) When nine
hundred years old you reach, look as good you
will not. Hmm?
Yoda chuckles at this, coughs, and hobbles over toward his bed.
YODA
Soon will I rest. Yes, forever sleep. Earned
it, I have.
Yoda sits himself on his bed, with great effort.
LUKE
Master Yoda, you can't die.
YODA
Strong am I with the Force... but not that
strong! Twilight is upon me and soon night
must fall. That is the way of things ... the
way of the Force.
LUKE
But I need your help. I've come back to
complete the training.
YODA
No more training do you require. Already know
you that which you need.
Yoda sighs, and lies back on his bed.
LUKE
Then I am a Jedi?
YODA (shakes his head)
Ohhh. Not yet. One thing remains: Vader. You
must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi
will you be. And confront him you will.
Luke is in agony. He is silent for a long moment, screwing up his
courage. Finally he is able to ask.
LUKE
Master Yoda... is Darth Vader my father?
Yoda's eyes are full of weariness and compassion. An odd, sad
smile creases his face. He turns painfully on his side, away from
Luke.
YODA
Mmm... rest I need. Yes... rest.
Luke watches him, each moment an eternity.
LUKE
Yoda, I must know.
YODA
Your father he is.
Luke reacts as if cut.
YODA
Told you, did he?
LUKE
Yes.
A new look of concern crosses Yoda's face. He closes his eyes.
YODA
Unexpected this is, and unfortunate...
LUKE
Unfortunate that I know the truth?
Yoda opens his eyes again and studies the youth.
YODA (gathering all his strength)
No. Unfortunate that you rushed to face
him... that incomplete was your training. Not
ready for the burden were you.
LUKE
Well, I'm sorry.
YODA
Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the
Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression.
The dark side are they. Once you start down
the dark path, forever will it dominate your
destiny.
He beckons the young Jedi closer to him.
YODA
Luke...Luke...Do not...Do not underestimate
the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your
father's fate, you will. Luke, when gone am I
(cough), the last of the Jedi will you be.
Luke, the Force runs strong in your family.
Pass on what you have learned, Luke... (with
great effort) There is...
another...Sky...Sky...walker.
He catches his breath. A shiver runs through the ancient green
creature, and he dies. Luke stares at his dead master as he
disappears in front of his eyes.
51 EXT DAGOBAH SWAMP - X-WING 51
Luke wanders back to where his ship is sitting. Artoo beeps a
greeting, but is ignored by his depressed master. Luke kneels
down, begins to help Artoo with the ship, then stops and shakes
his head dejectedly.
LUKE
I can't do it, Artoo. I can't go on alone.
BEN (OS)
Yoda will always be with you.
Luke looks up to see the shimmering image of BEN KENOBI.
LUKE
Obi-Wan! Why didn't you tell me?
The ghost of Ben Kenobi approaches him through the swamp.
LUKE
You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my
father.
BEN
You father was seduced by the dark side of
the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker
and became Darth Vader. When that happened,
the good man who was your father was
destroyed. So what I have told you was
true... from a certain point of view.
LUKE (turning away, derisive)
A certain point of view!
BEN
Luke, you're going to find that many of the
truths we cling to depend greatly on our own
point of view.
Luke is unresponsive. Ben studies him in silence for a moment.
BEN
I don't blame you for being angry. If I was
wrong in what I did, it certainly wouldn't
have been for the first time. You see, what
happened to your father was my fault.
Ben pauses sadly.
BEN
Anakin was a good friend.
Luke turns with interest at this. As Ben speaks, Luke settles on
a stump, mesmerized. Artoo comes over to offer his comforting
presence.
BEN
When I first knew him, your father was
already a great pilot. But I was amazed how
strongly the Force was with him. I took it
upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I
thought that I could instruct him just as
well as Yoda. I was wrong. My pride has
had terrible consequences for the galaxy.
Luke is entranced.
LUKE
There's still good in him.
BEN
I also thought he could be turned back to the
good side. It couldn't be done. He is more
machine now than man. Twisted and evil.
LUKE
I can't do it, Ben.
BEN
You cannot escape your destiny.
LUKE
I tried to stop him once. I couldn't do it.
BEN
Vader humbled you when first you met him,
Luke...but that experience was part of your
training. It taught you, among other things,
the value of patience. Had you not been so
impatient to defeat Vader then, you could
have finished your training here with Yoda.
You would have been prepared.
LUKE
But I had to help my friends.
BEN (grinning at Luke's indignation)
And did you help them? It was they who had to
save you. You achieved little by rushing back
prematurely, I fear.
LUKE (with sadness)
I found out Darth Vader was my father.
BEN
To be a Jedi, Luke, you must confront and
then go beyond the dark side - the side your
father couldn't get past. Impatience is
the easiest door - for you, like your father.
Only, your father was seduced by what he
found on the other side of the door, and you
have held firm. You're no longer so reckless
now, Luke. You are strong and patient. And
now, you must face Darth Vader again!
LUKE
I can't kill my own father.
BEN
Then the Emperor has already won. You were
our only hope.
LUKE
Yoda spoke of another.
BEN
The other he spoke of is your twin sister.
LUKE
But I have no sister.
BEN
Hmm. To protect you both from the Emperor,
you were hidden from your father when you
were born. The Emperor knew, as I did, if
Anakin were to have any offspring, they would
be a threat to him. That is the reason why
your sister remains safely anonymous.
LUKE
Leia! Leia's my sister.
BEN
Your insight serves you well. Bury your
feelings deep down, Luke. They do you credit.
But they could be made to serve the Emperor.
Luke looks into the distance, trying to comprehend all this.
BEN (continuing his narrative)
When your father left, he didn't know your
mother was pregnant. Your mother and I knew
he would find out eventually, but we wanted
to keep you both as safe as possible, for as
long as possible. So I took you to live with
my brother Owen on Tatooine... and your mother
took Leia to live as the daughter of Senator
Organa, on Alderaan.
Luke turns, and settles near Ben to hear the tale.
BEN (attempting to give solace with his words)
The Organa household was high-born and
politically quite powerful in that system.
Leia became a princess by virtue of
lineage... no one knew she'd been adopted, of
course. But it was a title without real
power, since Alderaan had long been a
democracy. Even so, the family continued to
be politically powerful, and Leia, following
in her foster father's path, became a senator
as well. That's not all she became, of
course... she became the leader of her cell
in the Alliance against the corrupt Empire.
And because she had diplomatic immunity, she
was a vital link for getting information to
the Rebel cause. That's what she was doing
when her path crossed yours... for her foster
parents had always told her to contact me on
Tatooine, if her troubles became desperate.
Luke is overwhelmed by the truth, and is suddenly protective of
his sister.
LUKE
But you can't let her get involved now, Ben.
Vader will destroy her.
BEN
She hasn't been trained in the ways of the
Jedi the way you have, Luke ... but the Force
is strong with her, as it is with all of your
family. There is no avoiding the battle. You
must face and destroy Vader!
52 EXT SPACE - REBEL FLEET 52
The vast Rebel Fleet stretches as far as the eye can see.
Overhead a dozen small Corellian battleships fly in formation.
Fighters and battlecruisers surround the largest of the Rebel
Star Cruisers, the HEADQUARTERS FRIGATE.
53 INT HEADQUARTERS FRIGATE - MAIN BRIEFING ROOM 53
Hundreds of Rebel commanders of all races and forms are assembled
in the WAR ROOM. WEDGE is among them. In the center of the room
is a holographic model depicting the half-completed Imperial
Death Star, the nearby Moon of Endor, and the protecting
deflector shield.
MON MOTHMA, the leader of the Alliance, enters the room. She is a
stern but beautiful woman in her fifties. Conferring with her are
several military leaders, including GENERAL MADINE and ADMIRAL
ACKBAR (a salmon-colored Mon Calamari). Lando moves through the
crowd until he finds Han and Chewie, standing next to Leia and
the two droids.
Han peers at Lando's new insignia on his chest, and is amused.
HAN
Well, look at you, a general, huh?
LANDO
Oh, well, someone must have told them about
my little maneuver at the battle of Taanab.
HAN (sarcastic)
Well, don't look at me, pal. I just said you
were a fair pilot. I didn't know they were
lookin' for somebody to lead this crazy
attack.
LANDO (smiling)
I'm surprised they didn't ask you to do it.
HAN
Well, who says they didn't. But I
ain't crazy. You're the respectable
one, remember?
Mon Mothma signals for attention, and the room falls
silent.
MON MOTHMA
The Emperor has made a critical error and the
time for our attack has come.
This causes a stir. Mon Mothma turns to a holographic model of
the Death Star, the Endor moon and the protecting deflector
shield in the center of the room.
MON MOTHMA
The data brought to us by the Bothan spies
pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's
new battle station. We also know that the
weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet
operational. With the Imperial Fleet spread
throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to
engage us, it is relatively unprotected. But
most important of all, we've learned that the
Emperor himself is personally overseeing the
final stages of the construction of this
Death Star.
A volley of spirited chatter erupts from the crowd. Han turns to
Leia as Chewie barks his amazement.
MON MOTHMA (cont)
Many Bothans died to bring us this
information. Admiral Ackbar, please.
Admiral Ackbar steps forward and points to the Death Star's force
field and the Moon of Endor.
ACKBAR
You can see here the Death Star orbiting the
forest Moon of Endor. Although the weapon
systems on this Death Star are not yet
operational, the Death Star does have a
strong defense mechanism. It is protected by
an energy shield, which is generated from the
nearby forest Moon of Endor. The shield must
be deactivated if any attack is to be
attempted. Once the shield is down, our
cruisers will create a perimeter, while the
fighters fly into the superstructure and
attempt to knock out the main reactor.
There's a concerned murmur.
ACKBAR (cont)
General Calrissian has volunteered to lead
the fighter attack
Han turns to Lando with a look of respect.
HAN
Good luck.
Lando nods his thanks.
HAN
You're gonna need it.
ACKBAR
General Madine.
Madine moves center stage.
GENERAL MADINE
We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle.
Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret
Imperial code, a strike team will land on the
moon and deactivate the shield generator.
The assembly begins to mumble among themselves.
THREEPIO
Sounds dangerous.
LEIA (to Han)
I wonder who they found to pull that off.
GENERAL MADINE
General Solo, is your strike team assembled?
Leia, startled, looks up at Han, surprise changing to admiration.
HAN
Uh, my team's ready. I don't have a command
crew for the shuttle.
Chewbacca raises his hairy paw and volunteers. Han looks up at
him.
HAN
Well, it's gonna be rough, pal. I didn't want
to speak for you.
Chewie waves that off with a huge GROWL.
HAN (smiles)
That's one.
LEIA
Uh, General... count me in.
VOICE (OS)
I'm with you, too!
They turn in that direction and peer into the crowd as there are
more cheers. The commanders part, and there at the back stands
Luke. Han and Leia are surprised and delighted.
Leia moves to Luke and embraces him warmly. She senses a change
in him and looks into his eyes questioningly.
LEIA
What is it?
LUKE (hesitant)
Ask me again sometime.
Han, Chewie, and Lando crowd around Luke as the assembly breaks
up.
HAN
Luke.
LUKE
Hi, Han... Chewie.
Artoo beeps a singsong observation to a worried Threepio.
THREEPIO
"Exciting" is hardly the word I would use.
54 INT HEADQUARTERS FRIGATE - MAIN DOCKING BAY 54
The Millennium Falcon rests beyond the stolen IMPERIAL SHUTTLE,
which looks anomalous among all the Rebel ships in the vast
docking bay. Chewie barks a final farewell to Lando and leads
Artoo and Threepio up the shuttle, crowded now with the Rebel
strike team loading weapons and supplies. Lando turns to face
Han. Luke and Leia have said their good-byes and start up the
ramp.
HAN
Look. I want you to take her. I mean it. Take
her. You need all the help you can get. She's
the fastest ship in the fleet.
LANDO
All right, old buddy. You know, I know what
she means to you. I'll take good care of her.
She-she won't get a scratch. All right?
HAN (looks at him warmly)
Right. I got your promise now. Not a scratch.
LANDO
Look, would you get going, you pirate.
Han and Lando pause, then exchange salutes.
LANDO
Good luck.
HAN
You, too.
Han goes up the ramp. Lando watches him go and then slowly turns
away.
55 INT IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - COCKPIT 55
Luke is working on a back control panel as Han comes in and takes
the pilot's seat. Chewie, in the seat next to him, is trying to
figure out all the Imperial controls.
HAN
You got her warmed?
LUKE
Yeah, she's comin' up.
Chewie growls a complaint.
HAN
No. I don't think the Empire had Wookiees in
mind when they designed her, Chewie.
Leia comes in from the hold and takes her seat near Luke.
Chewie barks and hits some switches. Han's glance has stuck on
something out the window: the Millennium Falcon. Leia nudges him
gently.
LEIA
Hey, are you awake?
HAN
Yeah, I just got a funny feeling. Like I'm
not gonna see her again.
Chewie, hearing this, stops his activity and looks longingly out
at the Falcon, too. Leia puts a hand on Han's shoulder.
LEIA (softly)
Come on, General, let's move.
Han snaps back to life.
HAN
Right. Chewie, let's see what this piece of
junk can do. Ready, everybody?
LUKE
All set.
THREEPIO
Here we go again.
HAN
All right, hang on.
56 EXT SPACE - THE REBEL FLEET 56
The stolen Imperial shuttle leaves the main docking bay of the
Headquarters Frigate, lowers its wings into flight position, and
zooms off into space.
57 INT EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM 57
The converted control room is dimly lit, except for a pool of
light at the far end. There the Emperor sits in an elaborate
control chair before a large window which looks out across the
half-completed Death Star to the giant green moon of Endor.
Darth Vader, standing with other members of the Imperial council,
cautiously approaches his master. The ruler's back is to Vader.
After several tense moments, the Emperor's chair rotates around
to face him.
VADER
What is thy bidding, my Master?
EMPEROR
Send the fleet to the far side of Endor.
There it will stay until called for.
VADER
What of the reports of the Rebel fleet
massing near Sullust?
EMPEROR
It is of no concern. Soon the Rebellion will
be crushed and young Skywalker will be one of
us! Your work here is finished, my friend. Go
out to the command ship and await my orders.
VADER
Yes, my Master.
Vader bows, then turns and exits the throne room as the Emperor
walks toward the waiting council members.
58 EXT SPACE - DEATH STAR - MOON 58
There is a great deal of Imperial traffic in the area as
construction proceeds on the Death Star. Transports, TIE
fighters, and a few Star Destroyers move about. Now the huge
Super Star Destroyer announces itself with a low roar and soon
fills the frame.
59 INT STOLEN IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - COCKPIT 59
Han looks back at Luke and Leia as Chewie flips several switches.
Through the viewscreen, the Death Star and the huge Super Star
Destroyer can be seen.
HAN
If they don't go for this, we're gonna have
to get outta here pretty quick, Chewie.
Chewie growls his agreement.
CONTROLLER (over radio)
We have you on our screen now. Please
identify.
HAN
Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of
the deflector shield.
CONTROLLER (over radio)
Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code
for shield passage.
HAN
Transmission commencing.
Leia and Chewbacca listen tensely as the sound of a high speed
transmission begins.
LEIA
Now we find out if that code is worth the
price we paid.
HAN
It'll work. It'll work.
Chewie whines nervously. Luke stares at the Huge Super Star
Destroyer that looms ever larger before them.
LUKE
Vader's on that ship.
HAN
Now don't get jittery, Luke. There are a lot
of command ships. Keep your distance though,
Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to
keep your distance.
Chewie barks a question.
HAN
I don't know. Fly casual.
LUKE
I'm endangering the mission. I shouldn't have
come.
HAN
It's your imagination, kid. Come on. Let's
keep a little optimism here.
Chewie barks his worries as the Super Star Destroyer grows larger
out the window.
60 INT VADER'S STAR DESTROYER - BRIDGE 60
Lord Vader stands, back to us, staring out a window at the Death
Star. Now, some vibration felt only by him causes him to turn.
After a moment of stillness, he walks down the row of controllers
to where ADMIRAL PIETT is leaning over the tracking screen of the
controller we've seen earlier. Piett straightens at Vader's
approach.
VADER
Where is that shuttle going?
PIETT (into comlink)
Shuttle Tydirium, what is your cargo and
destination?
PILOT VOICE (HAN)(filtered)
Parts and technical crew for the forest moon.
The Bridge Commander looks to Vader for a reaction.
VADER
Do they have a code clearance?
PIETT
It's an older code, sir, but it checks out. I
was about to clear them.
Vader looks upward, as he senses Luke's presence.
PIETT
Shall I hold them?
VADER
No. Leave them to me. I will deal with them
myself.
PIETT (surprised)
As you wish, my lord.
(to controller) Carry on.
Piett nods at controller, who switches on his comlink.
61 INT STOLEN IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - COCKPIT 61
The group waits tensely.
HAN
They're not goin' for it, Chewie.
CONTROLLER (filtered)
Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield
will commence immediately. Follow your
present course.
Everyone breaths a sigh of relief. Everyone but Luke, who looks
worried. Chewie barks.
HAN
Okay! I told you it was gonna work. No
problem.
62 EXT SPACE - STOLEN IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - ENDOR 62
The stolen Imperial shuttle moves off toward the green Sanctuary
Moon.
63 EXT FOREST LANDING SITE - ENDOR 63
The stolen Imperial shuttle sits in a clearing of the moon's
dark, primeval forest, dwarfed by the ancient towering trees.
On an adjacent hill, the helmeted Rebel contingent makes its way
up a steep trail. Leia and Han are slightly ahead of Chewie and
Luke. The troops of the strike-team squad follow, with Artoo and
Threepio bringing up the rear. Artoo beeps.
Up ahead, Chewie and Leia reach a crest in the hill and drop
suddenly to the ground, signaling the rest of the group to stop.
Han and Luke crawl up to take a look.
THREEPIO
Oh, I told you it was dangerous here.
THEIR POV. Not far below them, two IMPERIAL SCOUTS are wandering
through bushes in the valley below. Their two ROCKET BIKES are
parked nearby.
LEIA
Shall we try and go around?
HAN
It'll take time. This whole party'll be for
nothing if they see us.
Leia motions for the squad to stay put, then she, Han, Luke and
Chewie start quietly down.
64 EXT FOREST CLEARING - CAMPSITE 64
The four friends make their way to the edge of the clearing not
far from the two Imperial scouts.
HAN
Chewie and I will take care of this. You stay
here.
LUKE
Quietly, there might be more of them out
there.
HAN (grins)
Hey... it's me.
Han and Chewie turn and start through the bushes toward the
scouts. Luke and Leia exchange smiles.
Han sneaks up behind one of the scouts, steps on a twig and the
scout whirls, knocking Han into a tree. The scout shouts for his
companion.
SCOUT #1
Go for help! Go!
The second scout jumps on his speeder bike and takes off, but
Chewie gets off a shot on his crossbow laser weapon, causing the
scout to crash into a tree. Han and Scout #1 are in a rousing
fistfight.
LUKE (sarcastic)
Great. Come on.
Luke starts for the scuffle, followed by Leia with her laser
pistol drawn. As they run through the bushes, Leia stops and
points to where two more scouts are sitting on their speeder
bikes, with an unoccupied bike parked nearby.
LEIA
Over there! Two more of them!
LUKE
I see them. Wait, Leia!
But Leia doesn't hear him and races for the remaining speeder
bike. She starts it up and takes off as Luke jumps on the bike
behind her.
LUKE (pointing to the controls)
Quick! Jam their comlink. Center switch!
Luke and Leia speed into the dense foliage in hot pursuit, barely
avoiding two huge trees.
HAN
Hey, wait! Ahhh!
He flips the remaining scout to the ground.
65 EXT FOREST - THE BIKE CHASE 65
The two fleeing Imperial scouts have a good lead as Luke and Leia
pursue through the giant trees at 200 miles an hour, the fire
from their bike's laser cannon hitting harmlessly near the moving
targets.
LUKE
Move closer!
Leia guns it, closing the gap, as the two scouts recklessly veer
through a narrow gap in the trees. One of the bikes SCRAPES a
tree, slowing the scout.
LUKE
Get alongside that one!
Leia pulls her speeder bike up so close to the scout's bike that
their steering vanes SCRAPE noisily. Luke leaps from his bike to
the back of the scout's, grabs the Imperial warrior around the
neck, and flips him off the bike, into a thick tree trunk. Luke
gains control of the bike and follows Leia, who has pulled ahead.
They tear off after the remaining scout.
LUKE
Get him!
The speeding chase passes TWO MORE IMPERIAL SCOUTS. These two
swing into pursuit, chasing Luke and Leia, firing away with their
laser cannon. The two Rebels look behind them just as Luke's bike
takes a glancing hit.
LUKE (indicating the one ahead)
Keep on that one! I'll take these two!
With Leia shooting ahead, Luke suddenly slams his steering vanes
into the braking mode. Luke's bike is a blur to the two pursuing
scouts as they zip by him on either side. Luke slams his bike
into forward and starts firing away, having switched places with
his pursuers in a manner of seconds. Luke's aim is good and one
scout's bike is blasted out of control. It explodes against a
tree trunk.
The scout's cohort takes one glance back at the flash and shifts
into turbo drive, going even faster. Luke keeps on his tail.
FAR AHEAD, Leia and the first scout are doing a highspeed slalom
through the death-dealing trunks. Now Leia aims her bike skyward
and rises out of sight.
The scout turns in confusion, unable to see his pursuer.
Suddenly, Leia dives down upon him from above, cannon blasting.
The scout's bike takes a glancing hit.
Leia moves in alongside him. The scout eyes her beside him,
reaches down, and pulls out a handgun. Before Leia can react, the
scout has blasted her bike, sending it out of control. Leia dives
off as her bike explodes against a tree. The happy scout looks
back at the explosion. But when he turns forward again, he is on
a collision course with a giant fallen tree. He hits his brakes
to no avail and disappears in a conflagration.
ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST: Luke and the last remaining scout
continue their weaving chase through the trees. Now Luke moves up
close. The scout responds by slamming his bike into Luke's. A
fallen tree forms a bridge across their path. The scout zips
under. Luke goes over the top and crashes his bike down on the
scout's. Both riders look ahead - a wide trunk looms directly in
Luke's path, but the scout's bike beside him makes it almost
impossible for him to avoid it. Luke banks with all his might,
leaning almost horizontal over the scout's bike, and is able to
make it by, just clipping the tree. When he straightens, he and
the scout discover that their two bikes have locked front vanes
and are moving as one.
Another big tree looms in Luke's path. He reacts instinctively
and dives off his bike. The two bikes come apart a second before
Luke's explodes against a tree. The scout sweeps out and circles
back to find Luke.
Luke rises from the undergrowth as the scout bears down on him
and opens fire with his laser cannon. Luke ignites his laser
sword and begins deflecting the bolts. The scout's bike keeps
coming and it appears that in a second it will cut Luke in half.
At the last instant, Luke steps aside and chops off the bike's
control vanes with one mighty slash. The scout's bike begins to
shudder, then, pitching and rolling, it rises up to slam directly
into a tree in a giant ball of fire.
66 EXT SCOUT CAMPSITE - FOREST 66
Han, Chewie, and the droids, along with the rest of the squad,
wait anxiously in the clearing. Artoo's radar screen sticks out
of his domed head and revolves, scanning the forest. He beeps.
THREEPIO
Oh, General Solo, somebody's coming. Oh!
Han, Chewie, and the rest of the squad raise their weapons.
Luke steps out of the foliage to find the weapons trained on him.
He's too tired to care. He plops himself down on a boulder and
looks around.
HAN
Luke! Where's Leia?
LUKE (concerned)
What? She didn't come back?
HAN
I thought she was with you.
LUKE
We got separated.
Luke and Han exchange a silent, grim look. Luke gets up wearily.
LUKE
Hey, we better go look for her.
Han nods, and signals to a Rebel officer.
HAN
Take the squad ahead. We'll meet at the
shield generator at 0300.
LUKE
Come on, Artoo. We'll need your scanners.
Luke, Chewie, Han, and the droids move off in one direction as
the squad proceeds in another.
THREEPIO
Don't worry, Master Luke. We know what to
do.
They move off into the woods.
THREEPIO (to Artoo)
And you said it was pretty here. Ugh!
67 EXT FOREST CLEARING - LEIA'S CRASH SITE 67
A strange little furry face with huge black eyes comes slowly
into view. The creature is an EWOK, by the name of WICKET. He
seems somewhat puzzled, and prods Leia with a spear. The princess
groans; this frightens the stubby ball of fuzz and he prods her
again. Leia sits up and stares at the three-foot-high Ewok. She
tries to figure out where she is and what has happened. Her
clothes are torn; she's bruised and disheveled.
The Ewok jumps up and grabs a four-foot-long spear, which he
holds in a defensive position. Leia watches him as he circles
warily and begins poking her with the sharp point of the spear.
LEIA
Cut it out!
She stands up, and the Ewok quickly backs away.
LEIA
I'm not gonna hurt you.
Leia looks around at the dense forest, and at the charred remains
of her speeder bike, then sits down, with a sigh, on a fallen
log.
LEIA
Well, looks like I'm stuck here. Trouble is,
I don't know where here is.
She puts her head in her hands to rub away some of the soreness
from her fall. She looks over at the watchful little Ewok and
pats the log beside her.
LEIA
Well, maybe you can help me. Come on, sit
down.
Wicket holds his spear up warily and growls at her like a puppy.
Leia pats the log again.
LEIA
I promise I won't hurt you. Now come here.
More growls and squeaks from the little bear creature.
LEIA
All right. You want something to eat?
She takes a scrap of food out of her pocket and offers it to him.
Wicket takes a step backward, then cocks his head and moves
cautiously toward Leia, chattering in his squeaky Ewok language.
LEIA
That's right. Come on. Hmmm?
Sniffing the food curiously, the Ewok comes toward Leia and sits
on the log beside her. She takes off her helmet, and the little
creature jumps back, startled again. He runs along the log,
pointing his spear at her and chattering a blue streak. Leia
holds out the helmet to him.
LEIA
Look, it's a hat. It's not gonna hurt you.
Look. You're a jittery little thing, aren't
you?
Reassured, Wicket lowers his spear and climbs back on the log,
coming to investigate the helmet. Suddenly his ears perk up and
he begins to sniff the air. He looks around warily, whispering
some Ewokese warning to Leia.
LEIA
What is it?
Suddenly a laser bolt comes out of the foliage and explodes on
the log next to Leia. Leia and Wicket both roll backwards off the
log, hiding behind it. Leia holds her own laser gun ready, while
Wicket disappears underneath the log. Another shot, and still no
sight of anyone in the forest. Then Leia senses something and
turns to find a large IMPERIAL SCOUT standing over her with his
weapon pointed at her head. He reaches out his hand for her
weapon.
SCOUT #l
Freeze! Come on, get up!
She hands the weapon over, as a second scout emerges from the
foliage in front of the log.
SCOUT #1
Go get your ride and take her back to base.
SCOUT #2
Yes, sir.
The second scout starts toward his bike, as Wicket, crouched
under the log, extends his spear and hits the first scout on the
leg. The scout jumps and lets out an exclamation, and looks down
at Wicket, puzzled. Leia grabs a branch and knocks him out. She
dives for his laser pistol, and the second scout, now on his
bike, takes off. Leia fires away and hits the escaping bike,
causing it to crash into the first scout's bike, which flies end
over end and explodes. The forest is quiet once more. Wicket
pokes his fuzzy head up from behind the log and regards Leia with
new respect. He mumbles his awe. Leia hurries over, looking
around all the time, and motions the chubby little creature into
the dense foliage.
LEIA
Come on, let's get outta here.
As they move into the foliage, Wicket takes the lead. He shrieks
and tugs at Leia to follow him.
68 INT DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR TO EMPEROR'S TOWER 68
Darth Vader walks down the corridor to the Emperor's Tower and
private elevator. The Emperor's private guard steps in Vader's
path.
GUARD
Halt! The Emperor does not wish to be
disturbed at the moment.
VADER
(raising his gloved hand to the two guards
and choking them with the Force)
The Emperor will see me, now!
GUARD
(repeating Vader's command)
The Emperor will see you, now.
69 INT EMPEROR'S TOWER - THRONE ROOM 69
Two red Imperial Guards stand watch at the elevator as the door
opens to reveal Vader. Vader enters the eerie, foreboding throne
room. It appears to be empty. His footsteps echo as he approaches
the throne. He waits, absolutely still. The Emperor sits with his
back to the Dark Lord.
EMPEROR
I told you to remain on the command ship.
VADER
A small Rebel force has penetrated the shield
and landed on Endor.
EMPEROR (no surprise)
Yes, I know.
VADER (after a beat)
My son is with them.
EMPEROR (very cool)
Are you sure?
VADER
I have felt him, my Master.
EMPEROR
Strange, that I have not. I wonder if your
feelings on this matter are clear, Lord
Vader.
Vader knows what is being asked.
VADER
They are clear, my Master.
EMPEROR
Then you must go to the Sanctuary Moon and
wait for them.
VADER (skeptical)
He will come to me?
EMPEROR
I have foreseen it. His compassion for you
will be his undoing. He will come to you and
then you will bring him before me.
VADER (bows)
As you wish.
The Dark Lord strides out of the throne room.
70 EXT FOREST CLEARING - LEIA'S CRASH SITE 70
Han, Luke, Chewie, and the two droids are spread out as they move
through the heavy foliage near the clearing where we last saw
Leia. Luke finds Leia's helmet, picks it up with an expression of
concern.
HAN (OS)
Luke! Luke!
Luke runs with the helmet to where Han has found the charred
wreckage of a speeder bike in the grass.
THREEPIO
Oh, Master Luke.
LUKE
There's two more wrecked speeders back there.
And I found this.
He tosses the helmet to Han.
THREEPIO
I'm afraid that Artoo's sensors can find no
trace of Princess Leia.
HAN (gravely)
I hope she's alright.
Chewbacca growls, sniffing the air, then, with a bark, pushes off
through the foliage.
HAN
What, Chewie? What? Chewie!
The others rush to keep up with the giant Wookiee. As he scoots
along, Artoo whistles nervously.
71 EXT FOREST - DENSE FOLIAGE 71
The group has reached a break in the undergrowth. Chewie walks up
to a tall stake planted in the ground. There is a dead animal
hanging from it.
HAN
Hey, I don't get it.
The rest of the group joins the Wookiee around the stake.
HAN (cont)
Nah, it's just a dead animal, Chewie.
Chewie can't resist. He reaches toward the meat.
LUKE
Chewie, wa-wait! Don't!
Too late. The Wookiee has already pulled the animal from the
stake. SPROOING! The group finds itself hanging upside down in an
Ewok net, suspended high above the clearing. Artoo lets out a
wild series of beeps and whistles, and Chewie howls his regret.
Their bodies are a jumble in the net. Han removes a Wookiee paw
from his mouth.
HAN
Nice work. Great, Chewie! Great! Always
thinking with your stomach.
LUKE
Will you take it easy? Let's just figure out
a way to get out of this thing. (trying to
free an arm) Han, can you reach my
lightsaber?
HAN
Yeah, sure.
Artoo is at the bottommost point in the net. He extends his
cutting appendage and begins slicing at the net. Han is trying to
squeeze an arm past Threepio to get at Luke's lightsaber. The net
continues to spin.
THREEPIO
Artoo, I'm not sure that's such a good idea.
It's a very long dro-o-op!!
Artoo has cut through and the entire group tumbles out of the
net, crashing to the ground. As they regain their senses and
sit up, they realize they are surrounded by dozens of Ewoks,
each brandishing a long spear.
HAN
Wha--? Hey! Point that thing someplace
else.
Han pushes the spear wielded by TEEBO out of his face and a
second Ewok warrior comes up to argue with Teebo. The spear
returns to Han's face. He grabs it angrily and starts to go for
his laser pistol.
HAN
Hey!
LUKE
Han, don't. It'll be all right.
The Ewoks swarm through them and confiscate their weapons. Luke
lets them take his lightsaber. Chewie growls at the furry
critters.
LUKE
Chewie, give 'em your crossbow.
Artoo and Threepio are just untangling themselves. Threepio gets
free of the net and sits up, rattled.
THREEPIO
Oh, my head. Oh, my goodness!
When the Ewoks see Threepio, they let out a gasp and chatter
among themselves. Threepio speaks to them in their native tongue.
The Ewok nearest him drops his spear and prostrates himself
before the droid. In a moment, all the Ewoks have followed suit.
Chewie lets out a puzzled bark. Han and Luke regard the bowed
creatures in wonder. The Ewoks begin to chant at Threepio.
LUKE
Do you understand anything they're saying?
THREEPIO
Oh, yes, Master Luke! Remember that I am
fluent in over six million forms of
communication.
HAN
What are you telling them?
THREEPIO
Hello, I think... I could be mistaken.
They're using a very primitive dialect. But
I do believe they think I am some sort of god.
Chewbacca and Artoo think that's very funny. Han and Luke
exchange "what next?" looks.
HAN
Well, why don't you use your divine influence
and get us out of this?
THREEPIO
I beg your pardon, General Solo, but that
just wouldn't be proper.
HAN
Proper?!
THREEPIO
It's against my programming to impersonate a
deity.
Han moves toward Threepio threateningly.
HAN
Why, you--
Several Ewoks' spears are thrust in Han's face at the affront to
their god. The Ewoks move in to protect their god and Han is
surrounded by a menacing circle of spears, all aimed at him. He
holds up his hands placatingly.
HAN
My mistake. He's an old friend of mine.
72 EXT FOREST - SERIES OF SHOTS 72
A procession of Ewoks winds through the ever-darkening forest.
Their prisoners - Han, Luke, Chewie, and Artoo - are tied to long
poles and wrapped in vines, cocoonlike.
Each pole is carried on the shoulders of several Ewoks. Behind
the captives, Threepio is carried on a litter, like a king, by
the remaining creatures.
73 EXT FOREST WALKWAY - MOON FOREST 73
The procession moves along a shaky, narrow, wooden walkway, high
in the giant trees. It stops at the end of the walkway, which
drops off into nothingness. On the other side of the abyss is a
village of mud huts and rickety walkways, attached to the giant
trees. The lead Ewok takes hold of a long vine and swings across
to the village square; the other Ewoks follow suit.
74 EXT EWOK VILLAGE SQUARE 74
The procession winds its way into the village square. Mother
Ewoks gather their babies up and scurry into their huts at the
sight of the newcomers. The group stops before the largest hut.
Han, Luke, Chewie, and Artoo are still bound to their poles. Han
is placed on a spit above what looks like a barbecue pit and the
others are leaned against a tree nearby. Threepio's litter/throne
is gently placed near the pit. He watches with rapt fascination.
Han, Luke, and Chewie are less than fascinated.
HAN
I have a really bad feeling about this.
Chewie growls his concern.
Suddenly all activity stops as LOGRAY, the tribal Medicine Man,
comes out of the big hut. He examines the captives carefully,
goes to join Threepio, whose throne has been placed on an
elevated platform. A larger, gray-haired Ewok, CHIEF CHIRPA, is
examining Luke's lightsaber with great curiosity.
Logray speaks to Threepio and the assemblage of fuzzy Ewoks,
pointing to the prisoners tied to the stakes. The Ewoks begin
filling the pit under Han with firewood.
HAN
What did he say?
THREEPIO
I'm rather embarrassed, General Solo, but it
appears you are to be the main course at a
banquet in my honor.
The drums start beating, and all the furry heads turn to the
large hut. Leia emerges, wearing an animal-skin dress. She sees
what's happening at the same moment the prisoners see her.
HAN and LUKE
Leia!
As she moves toward them, the Ewoks block her way with raised
spears.
LEIA
Oh!
THREEPIO
Your Royal Highness.
Artoo and Chewie chime in with their welcome. Leia looks at the
assembled Ewoks and sighs.
LEIA
But these are my friends. Threepio, tell them
they must be set free.
Threepio talks to Chirpa and Logray, who listen and shake their
heads negatively. The Medicine Man gestures toward the prisoners
and barks some orders. Several Ewoks jump up and pile more wood
on the barbecue with vigor. Leia trades frantic looks with Luke
and Han.
HAN
Somehow, I got the feeling that didn't help
us very much.
LUKE
Threepio, tell them if they don't do as you
wish, you'll become angry and use your magic.
THREEPIO
But Master Luke, what magic? couldn't
possibly --
LUKE
Just tell them.
Threepio speaks to the Ewoks. The Ewoks are disturbed. Logray
steps forward and challenges Threepio. Luke closes his eyes and
begins to concentrate.
THREEPIO
You see, Master Luke; they didn't believe me.
Just...
Now the litter/throne, with Threepio sitting upon it, rises from
the ground. At first Threepio doesn't notice and keeps talking.
THREEPIO
... as I said they wouldn't. Wha-wha-what's
happening! Oh! Oh, dear! Oh!
The Ewoks fall back in terror from the floating throne. Now
Threepio begins to spin as though he were on a revolving stool,
with Threepio calling out in total panic at his situation.
THREEPIO
Put me down! He-e-elp! Master Luke! Artoo!
Somebody, somebody, help! Master Luke, Artoo!
Artoo, quickly! Do something, somebody! Oh!
Ohhh!
Chief Chirpa yells orders to the cowering Ewoks. They rush up and
release the bound prisoners. Luke and Han enfold Leia in a group
embrace. Luke notices the spinning Threepio, with Artoo beeping
up at him, and slowly lowers the golden droid and the throne to
the ground. Logray orders the little droid cut down. Artoo
crashes to the ground. When the Ewoks set him upright, the little
droid is fighting mad. Artoo beeps a blue streak at the nearest
Ewok, and begins pursuing him, finally getting close enough to
zap him with an electric charge. The Ewok jumps two feet in the
air and runs away, screaming. A small group of Ewoks surround the
giant Wookiee, scratching their heads and marveling at his
height.
THREEPIO
Oh, oh, oh, oh! Thank goodness.
LUKE
Thanks, Threepio.
THREEPIO (still shaken)
I...I never knew I had it in me.
75 INT CHIEF'S HUT - COUNCIL OF ELDERS 75
A glowing fire dances in the center of the spartan, low-ceilinged
room, creating a kaleidoscope of shadows on the walls. Along one
side, a group of ten Ewok elders flank Chief Chirpa, who sits on
his throne. The Rebels sit along the walls of the hut, with
Threepio between the two groups and Wicket and Teebo off to one
side.
Threepio is in the midst of a long, animated speech in the Ewok's
squeaky native tongue. The Ewoks listen carefully and
occasionally murmur comments to each other. Threepio points
several times at the Rebel group and pantomimes a short history
of the Galactic Civil War, mimicking the explosion and rocket
sounds, imitating Imperial walkers. Throughout the long account,
certain familiar names are distinguishable in English: Princess
Leia, Artoo, Darth Vader, Death Star, Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Artoo
begins beeping excitedly at Threepio.
THREEPIO
Yes, Artoo. I was just coming to that.
Threepio continues with: Millennium Falcon, Cloud City, Vader,
Han Solo, carbonite, Sarlacc, bringing the history up to the
present time.
At the end of it, the Chief, Logray, and the elders confer, then
nod in agreement. The Chief stands and makes a pronouncement.
The drums begin to sound, and all the Ewoks stand with a great
cheer and screeches.
HAN
What's going on?
LEIA
I don't know.
Luke has been sharing the joy with smiling visage, but now
something passes like a dark cloud through his consciousness. The
others do not notice.
THREEPIO
Wonderful! We are now a part of the tribe.
Several of the little teddy bears run up and hug the Rebels.
HAN
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