Return of the Jedi

Return of the Jedi   

Story by                                      George Lucas

Screenplay by                              Lawrence Kasdan

                                                   George Lucas

Produced by                                Howard Kazanjian

                                                   Robert Watts

                                                   Jim Bloom

Directed by                                 Richard Marquand

Cast List:

Mark Hamill                              Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford                           Han Solo

Carrie Fisher                             Princess Leia Organa

Billy Dee Williams                    Lando Calrissian

Anthony Daniels                                    See-Threepio (C-3PO)

Alec Guiness                             Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi

Frank Oz                                   Yoda

James Earl Jones                      Voice of Darth Vader

FADE IN:

SPACE

The boundless heavens serve as a back-drop for the MAIN TITLE, followed by a ROLL-UP, which crawls into infinity.

"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.

INT. IMPERIAL SHUTTLE – COCKPIT

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 V.O.)

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.

INT. DEATH STAR – CONTROL ROOM

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.

INT. DEATH STAR – MAIN DOCKING BAY

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.

EXT. ROAD TO JABBA'S PALACE – TATOOINE

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.

EXT. JABBA'S PALACE – GATE

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!

INT. JABBA'S PALACE – HALLWAY

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.