For our coverage of Return of the Jedi we go over the legal issues of the film, the script, various fueds on the set as well as the aftermath of how the film would affect the lives of principle personalites tied to the franchise.
I always say I don't like RotJ because of Endor. Then I am reminded that Jabba and his palace was in the beginning. Always felt like they ended Empire before starting Jedi proper.
I know it’s not related to Jedi, but to me, I’ve always put Temple of Doom up with Raiders in my mind. Sure it may be dark but it has just as much action and the ending is incredible. I also like Willie more than Marion, you can see her get braver throughout the movie especially when she kicks that Thugee off the minecart.
He was facing the same thing back then, everyone was just about politics, and pandering. The art form , the CONCENTRATION, was preserved because of Lucas, a true artist: who in his fight against the money and control, ended up with all the power.
Lynch was 100% correct, Lucas should have RotJ himself. Directorially, Lucas to Marquand in this film is similar to Spielberg to Hooper in 'Poltergeist'.
As a young twenty-something my ego might have put my nose in the air on the release of Jedi. Later events proved my nose was firmly shoved up somewhere else and I'm now as fascinated as the next fan in your in-depth videos about Star Wars. Massively entertaining as ever so thank you Sir.
Another great video and not just because of your shout-out… which, thank you for. I always learn something new and my admiration for Lucas has been deepened, despite his recent statements (if that really was him) in favor of Bob Iger. Keep up the good work.
Imagine a poisonous toxic snake of a studio like Fox being gobbled up by Disney an even more noxious and stinking cesspit of an organisation. It's Crazy. I've completely stopped watching or buying anything that comes out of Disney or Hollywood. Since 2017 I started collecting movies and tv shows on disc from Europe, Japan, Thailand, S. Korea and Vietnam and other places outside America. I know I'll never go back to watching American-made gender-confused, sick-messaged shows or films; not ever.
I feel the opening of Return of the Jedi was successful, but I would make some changes to the rest of the film.
I would change the plot from there to have Han and Leia follow a lead from Jabba’s Palace to Coruscant (kind of a WW2 French spy thriller vibe), and Han, Chewbacca, and Leia discover a method to use Spice routes to smuggle rebel troops past the Imperial fleet to storm the Imperial Palace. Blade Runner was released in 1982 so the effects were possible for Coruscant. Luke is now a symbol of hope for the galaxy, meaning he will bring the return of the jedi order and peace to the galaxy. The rebel troops inspire the Coruscantians to rise up (maybe there are Wookies that were inspired by Chewbacca, which helps turn the tide).
Lando and a new character (maybe someone that infiltrated Jabba’s Palace with him so they have a rapport) would follow a similar path to the actual movie leading the space attack against the Imperial fleet, but the attack on the fleet is a smoke screen to distract the actual goal of sneaking in the ground troops to the surface; Lando could have subplot about convincing the rebel fleet on a suicide mission that functions as a distraction.
Luke would similarly follow a similar path to the actual movie, but I would have had Luke be training Leia in the Force between movies (it’s clear in Empire Strikes Back that she can use The Force so why not have that training occur off screen or in an early scene…maybe Leia uses the Force during the Jabba mission). I would also not make Leia and Luke related; the scene where Luke snaps when Vader says “If you will not turn, maybe she will…” still works, especially if Leia is on the planet at the time. Luke would still confront the Emperor, but it would occur at the Imperial Palace. There would be additional tension because Luke falling to the Emperor’s side would snuff out the new hope that he has provided to the people of the galaxy.
The rebels are successful with taking the palace and there is a celebration to the end of the civil war. Maybe Han dies so Harrison Ford can have his dream fulfilled. The end.
Regarding Gary Kurtz…
Oh no…Empire Strikes Back went over budget! Oh no we managed to make the greatest fantasy film of all time until The Fellowship of the Ring!!! Oh no the film made 10x its budget back in its initial run!!!!!!* I see only one solution…fire that hack Gary Kurtz!!!!!!!!!!!
/s
It will always baffle me. I could see firing Kurtz if The Empire Strikes Back bombed, but firing him would be like firing Kevin Feige after The Avengers. I believe George Lucas always disliked anyone that pushed back, and Kurtz was the artist voice that kept the negative economic voice of Lucas at bay. As much as I love Return of the Jedi as an action adventure film, it is not the grand finale that a Return of the King or even War for the Planet of the Apes is for their respective franchises, and I believe it’s because they cheaped out with the filmmaking and characters and emotions and originality. Why not make the film a three hour epic? The film could cost $100 million, and it would still be profitable (that budget would be excessive, but you get my point). Pay the fines to get Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott. Go for broke with the third Star Wars. There was never a more sure fire hit in the history of cinema to that point.
On the plus side, at least Kurtz made The Dark Crystal and Return to Oz before hitting financial ruin with Slipstream. It’s unfortunate that an artist like Kurtz never bounced back, but hey, money isn’t everything. Kurtz is still the man in my book!
*The budget was $30.5 million. The data is a little fuzzy for the initial box office, the domestic box office was around $200 million, so I am being conservative and saying the international was around $100 million.
LOL the parking police lady and the scooter chase. 23:50 To be fair Harrison Ford is just amazing. What direction can you give him? Carrie Fisher didn't have a very extensive career. I miss Lucas Art Games. Disney closing them down and just licensing out the IP to EA was a sign of things to come.
I'm 50 years old and I saw Return of the Jedi six times in the theater when it came out and it's one of those movies that you thought was absolutely fantastic when you we're a kid and I thought it was the best Star Wars movie. Then in the 90s I started to think it wasn't that great. Then the sequels came in holy shit Return of the Jedis back at being a solid number 3
When u look at it, Return was really good movie. Opening scene good, Luke and Joda great, Endor and Ewoks bad, space battle was great, Luke, Vader and Emperor was phenomenal and ending was great.
Marquand was out of his depth on Return of the Jedi. He clearly was at sea with the technical aspects of the production.Not to mention he didn't really know how to handle the cast.
I never cared much for Marquand or his work on Jedi.
i can see why Lucas wanted Lynch to direct Jedi. David would have would have been far better director though I can certainly see why he wasn't interested.
Rewatched the original theatrical last night, before your video appeared via the YT algorithm. As usual while watching, the Ewwww…oks appear out of nowhere, the film falls apart (for me) and I zone and groan out. The choices that finish the trilogy in this (what appears to be 'let's get this over with everyone') trite fashion baffle; whether it's a movie for 12 year olds or not! I suppose, the mild consolation is, it doesn't look like the prequels… but still, it's a shame the saga wasn't capped off with the hoped for, satisfying glory
No disrespect but David Lynch wasn't being honest when he said he didn't want to direct because of Lucas and the Ewoks giving him a headache. According to Haward Kazanjian's book, he actually accepted the job but then quickly turned it down because he didn't want to work with John Williams and Ben Bert. In other words, he wanted 100% control of the film's sound.
What was with all the little furry things, man? Could have filled that time with so much more.
I always say I don't like RotJ because of Endor. Then I am reminded that Jabba and his palace was in the beginning. Always felt like they ended Empire before starting Jedi proper.
I know it’s not related to Jedi, but to me, I’ve always put Temple of Doom up with Raiders in my mind. Sure it may be dark but it has just as much action and the ending is incredible. I also like Willie more than Marion, you can see her get braver throughout the movie especially when she kicks that Thugee off the minecart.
A return of the Jedi vid? Cool
He was facing the same thing back then, everyone was just about politics, and pandering. The art form , the CONCENTRATION, was preserved because of Lucas, a true artist: who in his fight against the money and control, ended up with all the power.
Love to see you cover Willow. Another property Disney has buried.
What year was that picture of you Kenney and his wife taken?
I'm actually in disbelief at myself, for never having heard Richard Marquand speak before!
Thank you.
Lynch was 100% correct, Lucas should have RotJ himself. Directorially, Lucas to Marquand in this film is similar to Spielberg to Hooper in 'Poltergeist'.
As a young twenty-something my ego might have put my nose in the air on the release of Jedi. Later events proved my nose was firmly shoved up somewhere else and I'm now as fascinated as the next fan in your in-depth videos about Star Wars. Massively entertaining as ever so thank you Sir.
Another great video and not just because of your shout-out… which, thank you for. I always learn something new and my admiration for Lucas has been deepened, despite his recent statements (if that really was him) in favor of Bob Iger. Keep up the good work.
Imagine a poisonous toxic snake of a studio like Fox being gobbled up by Disney an even more noxious and stinking cesspit of an organisation. It's Crazy. I've completely stopped watching or buying anything that comes out of Disney or Hollywood. Since 2017 I started collecting movies and tv shows on disc from Europe, Japan, Thailand, S. Korea and Vietnam and other places outside America. I know I'll never go back to watching American-made gender-confused, sick-messaged shows or films; not ever.
I feel the opening of Return of the Jedi was successful, but I would make some changes to the rest of the film.
I would change the plot from there to have Han and Leia follow a lead from Jabba’s Palace to Coruscant (kind of a WW2 French spy thriller vibe), and Han, Chewbacca, and Leia discover a method to use Spice routes to smuggle rebel troops past the Imperial fleet to storm the Imperial Palace. Blade Runner was released in 1982 so the effects were possible for Coruscant. Luke is now a symbol of hope for the galaxy, meaning he will bring the return of the jedi order and peace to the galaxy. The rebel troops inspire the Coruscantians to rise up (maybe there are Wookies that were inspired by Chewbacca, which helps turn the tide).
Lando and a new character (maybe someone that infiltrated Jabba’s Palace with him so they have a rapport) would follow a similar path to the actual movie leading the space attack against the Imperial fleet, but the attack on the fleet is a smoke screen to distract the actual goal of sneaking in the ground troops to the surface; Lando could have subplot about convincing the rebel fleet on a suicide mission that functions as a distraction.
Luke would similarly follow a similar path to the actual movie, but I would have had Luke be training Leia in the Force between movies (it’s clear in Empire Strikes Back that she can use The Force so why not have that training occur off screen or in an early scene…maybe Leia uses the Force during the Jabba mission). I would also not make Leia and Luke related; the scene where Luke snaps when Vader says “If you will not turn, maybe she will…” still works, especially if Leia is on the planet at the time. Luke would still confront the Emperor, but it would occur at the Imperial Palace. There would be additional tension because Luke falling to the Emperor’s side would snuff out the new hope that he has provided to the people of the galaxy.
The rebels are successful with taking the palace and there is a celebration to the end of the civil war. Maybe Han dies so Harrison Ford can have his dream fulfilled. The end.
Regarding Gary Kurtz…
Oh no…Empire Strikes Back went over budget! Oh no we managed to make the greatest fantasy film of all time until The Fellowship of the Ring!!! Oh no the film made 10x its budget back in its initial run!!!!!!* I see only one solution…fire that hack Gary Kurtz!!!!!!!!!!!
/s
It will always baffle me. I could see firing Kurtz if The Empire Strikes Back bombed, but firing him would be like firing Kevin Feige after The Avengers. I believe George Lucas always disliked anyone that pushed back, and Kurtz was the artist voice that kept the negative economic voice of Lucas at bay. As much as I love Return of the Jedi as an action adventure film, it is not the grand finale that a Return of the King or even War for the Planet of the Apes is for their respective franchises, and I believe it’s because they cheaped out with the filmmaking and characters and emotions and originality. Why not make the film a three hour epic? The film could cost $100 million, and it would still be profitable (that budget would be excessive, but you get my point). Pay the fines to get Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott. Go for broke with the third Star Wars. There was never a more sure fire hit in the history of cinema to that point.
On the plus side, at least Kurtz made The Dark Crystal and Return to Oz before hitting financial ruin with Slipstream. It’s unfortunate that an artist like Kurtz never bounced back, but hey, money isn’t everything. Kurtz is still the man in my book!
*The budget was $30.5 million. The data is a little fuzzy for the initial box office, the domestic box office was around $200 million, so I am being conservative and saying the international was around $100 million.
I really enjoy your retrospective videos. Really well produced. Keep them coming!
LOL the parking police lady and the scooter chase. 23:50 To be fair Harrison Ford is just amazing. What direction can you give him? Carrie Fisher didn't have a very extensive career. I miss Lucas Art Games. Disney closing them down and just licensing out the IP to EA was a sign of things to come.
fantastic. thank you for the video.
oh my, the darth vader throw story. thats great.
Richard Marquand may be the most under appreciated and least discussed of all the major players in Star Wars history.
1:17 – what am I missing?
I love, I mean absolutely love your retrospectives.
I'm 50 years old and I saw Return of the Jedi six times in the theater when it came out and it's one of those movies that you thought was absolutely fantastic when you we're a kid and I thought it was the best Star Wars movie. Then in the 90s I started to think it wasn't that great.
Then the sequels came in holy shit Return of the Jedis back at being a solid number 3
When u look at it, Return was really good movie. Opening scene good, Luke and Joda great, Endor and Ewoks bad, space battle was great, Luke, Vader and Emperor was phenomenal and ending was great.
Marquand was out of his depth on Return of the Jedi. He clearly was at sea with the technical aspects of the production.Not to mention he didn't really know how to handle the cast.
I never cared much for Marquand or his work on Jedi.
i can see why Lucas wanted Lynch to direct Jedi. David would have would have been far better director though I can certainly see why he wasn't interested.
HARDWARE WARS!
Rewatched the original theatrical last night, before your video appeared via the YT algorithm. As usual while watching, the Ewwww…oks appear out of nowhere, the film falls apart (for me) and I zone and groan out. The choices that finish the trilogy in this (what appears to be 'let's get this over with everyone') trite fashion baffle; whether it's a movie for 12 year olds or not! I suppose, the mild consolation is, it doesn't look like the prequels… but still, it's a shame the saga wasn't capped off with the hoped for, satisfying glory
The Emperor choking Vader is actually a good character building moment for both of them. Of course it never made it to the movie.
Should have went with John Carpenter!
No disrespect but David Lynch wasn't being honest when he said he didn't want to direct because of Lucas and the Ewoks giving him a headache.
According to Haward Kazanjian's book, he actually accepted the job but then quickly turned it down because he didn't want to work with John Williams and Ben Bert.
In other words, he wanted 100% control of the film's sound.
Hey, this was very well done, AND I’m from Nashville! Cheers, 615er!