Star Wars’ enormous plot twist didn’t exist in George Lucas’ authentic plan

I feel everybody remembers precisely the place they have been the primary time they watched The Empire Strikes Again. Whereas Empire is indisputably one of the best Star Wars movie of all of them, there’s one second within the science fiction film particularly which cemented its legacy.

Star Wars followers will know I’m speaking concerning the plot twist whereby it’s revealed that Darth Vader, the largest Star Wars villain within the franchise, is definitely Luke Skywalker’s father. All it took was 4 phrases – “No, I’m your father” — to make historical past. It’s undoubtedly among the best film plot twists of all of them, which makes the actual fact it very almost didn’t occur all of the extra shocking.

In keeping with ‘The Making Of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Again’ by J.W. Rinzler, early drafts of the script had Vader be a unique character to Luke’s father. He was nonetheless Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, however in Leigh Brackett’s first script draft, he by no means fell to the darkish facet.

As an alternative, he tells Luke how he despatched him and his sister away for his or her safety, and administers the oath of a Jedi Knight to each Luke and Luke’s sister (who’s additionally coaching to be a Jedi Knight). Then, he, Obi-Wan, and Luke cross lightsabers as Luke swears to “dedicate my life to the reason for freedom and justice.”

As an Anakin Skywalker apologist (I’d completely repair him), I really feel torn. On the one hand, seeing how Anakin may need turned out if he by no means fell to the darkish facet presents a facet of the Star Wars character we’ve by no means seen earlier than. It’s fascinating, sure, but when we’re being sincere, it additionally feels somewhat… boring? Taking part in it too protected?

It might make Empire a totally new film, however not essentially a greater one. On the core of Star Wars is the battle of fine versus evil and people pesky ethical greys, and nothing encapsulates this higher than the large film villain having a powerful familial connection to the protagonist.

So, whereas it’s undoubtedly intriguing to look again on, George Lucas undoubtedly made the fitting alternative on the subject of the Skywalker household tree.

For extra on our favourite movie franchise, try our guides to the Star Wars forged or debate the other ways to look at Star Wars so as with us. There’s additionally the Andor season 2 launch date, The Acolyte launch date, and all the brand new Star Wars films coming quickly, so prepare for these!