Return of the Jedi

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.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING – LEIA'S CRASH SITE

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 (O.S.)

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.

EXT. FOREST – DENSE FOLIAGE

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

(continuing)

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.

EXT. FOREST – SERIES OF SHOTS

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.

EXT. FOREST WALKWAY – MOON FOREST

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.

EXT. EWOK VILLAGE SQUARE

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 & 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!