A rough draft for “Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” included a major battle scene at the film’s climax that included Emperor Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, according to a Lucasfilm manager.
Lucasfilm creative art manager Phil Szostak tweeted this week a picture of the rough draft from “Return of the Jedi,” which explained a scene where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda help Luke Skywalker in the final battle with the Emperor.
“In George Lucas’ February 1981 rough draft of #ReturnoftheJedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Yoda return from ‘the netherworld’ to aid Luke Skywalker in his battle with the Emperor. The Jedi, including Luke’s father Anakin, are later seen resurrected at the Ewak (sic) celebration. #StarWars,” Szostak wrote.
In the scene, which is described in Szostak’s tweet, the Emperor turns his back to Darth Vader and uses lightning on Luke. As the lightning bolts hit Luke, images of Yoda and Obi-Wan appear.
“Your friends in the netherworld cannot protect you for long, young Skywalker,” the Emperor says.
This is a major change from the actual film, which showed Luke Sykwalker facing the Emperor and Darth Vader alone on the Second Death Star.
In fact, in “The Empire Strikes Back,” Obi-Wan makes it clear that he couldn’t interfere in Luke’s first battle with Darth Vader, hinting that there’s a disconnect between those who have become a part of the Force and those who are still alive.
And, later in the film after the Emperor is defeated, there’s a moment where Obi-Wan, Yoda and Anakin Skywalker meet with Luke as actual, resurrected human beings and not force ghosts.
“Luke looks up and sees Ben move out of the darkness into the moonlit glade. He is not a shimmering image, but real flesh and blood. Luke stands in surprise,” according to the tweeted script image.
When Luke acts shocked, Ben replies, “My need to stay in the netherworld has been resolved. Your father turned to the good side and I was able to disrupt his journey.”
Anakin Skywalker then emerges from the forest. Luke embraces him in a hug. Yoda appears soon after and says, “A reason for celebration this is.”