RETURN OF THE JEDI by Lawrence Kasdan & George Lucas From The Novel by George Lucas Third Draft Property of Lucasfilm Ltd. Completion Date December 1, 1981 1 SPACE The boundless heavens serve as a back-drop for the MAIN TITLE, followed by a ROLL-UP, which crawls into infinity. Episode VI RETURN OF THE JEDI Luke Skywalker has returned to his home planet of Tatooine in an attempt to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of theÊvile 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 d**h 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 d**h Star, its ma**ive 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 ma**ive 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 d**h Star. 2 INT IMPERIAL SHUTTLE - co*kPIT The shuttle captain makes contact with the d**h 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 VO) 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. 3 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 d**h 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 ma**ive docking bay. A squad of Imperial stormtroopers moves into formation before the craft. 4 INT DEATH STAR - MAIN DOCKING BAY The DEATH STAR COMMANDER, MOFF JERJERROD, a tall, confident technocrat, strides through the a**embled troops to the base of the shuttle ramp. The troops snap to attention; many are uneasy about the new arrival. But the d**h 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 a**emblage 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 a**ure 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.