New "Special Editions": Has Lucas Gone Too Far?
In 1997, Star Wars Fans the world over flocked to theatres for the Star Wars Special Editions. They discovered such shocking changes as Jabba's sickly evil twin and a drunken Greedo. Fortunaely, we were also treated to some dazzling special effects like the Mos Eisley spaceport and the Ewok celebration.
Recently, Lucasfilm announced plans for a new and updated Special Edition. What improvements are in store for fans this time around? Not surprisingly, Lucas is once again using technology to update the look of his movies and bring them closer to his definitive vision. Recent developments in ILM digital effects have allowed George Lucas to replace the existing actors with new ones. Let's take a sneak peek at some of the changes:
Gary Coleman as Luke Skywalker
Turns out George Lucas was never happy with Mark Hamill's performance. In addition to Gary Coleman's lovable smile, he will also bring his trademark attitude to the role. Here's a sample of the Special Edition script:
Darth Vader: Luke, I am your father!
Luke Skywalker: Watchyou talkin' 'bout Vader?
Vader: I, your greatest enemy, am your father! Your girlfriend is also your sister, too!
Luke: Awwww, c'mon Darth, that's nuthin'. My adoptive father is a senile rich white fool, my brother's a gang member, and my step-sister's a bimbo! My father also married a woman half his age, who, by the way, has a winy son. I guess he'd be my half-half brother. Talk about Diff'rent Strokes! Now that's a lot for a ten-year-old kid to deal with!"
Vader: Aren't you 33?
Luke: Whatchyou talkin' 'bout, Vader?
Jerry Seinfeld as Han Solo
George Lucas believes that while Harrison Ford did a good job of portraying Solo's gruff demeanor and biting wit, he didn't fully capture Solo's humourous side. Here's an example from the script of what Jerry brings to the role:
Han Solo: So Chewie here tells me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system.
Obi-Wan: If it's a fast ship.
Solo: Fast ship? What, are you kidding me? Kessel Run in two parsecs, baby! Two parsecs! Gotta love the Run! Have you done the Run?
Obi-Wan: Never done the run.
Solo: Ohh, you gotta do the run!
Obi-Wan: All right, so we'll meet you at the Millennium Falcon in docking bay 94?
Solo: Why do they call it the Millennium Falcon, anyway? Do falcons fly well in space? Is that the image we're going for, here? I mean, really!
Greedo: Oopta Chupta, Solo!
Solo: Helloooo Greedo...
Mr. T as Jedi Master Yoda
While Frank Oz's Yoda will still appear in the original trilogy, Lucas felt that the younger prequel Yoda needed more attitude and a tougher demeanor. In short, he needed that elusive "T" quality. More than just a new face, the prequel Yoda will spout Mr. T's trademarked words of wisdom, as is seen in the script excerpt below:
Yoda: Just listen up, boy! If you want to be a Jedi, you've got to drink your milk, keep away from drugs, and stay in school! That's truth! You'd also be wise to have no fear, because fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to SUFFERIN' fool! I pity the fool(tm) that gives in to fear! And I pity the fool(tm) that turns to the Dark Side! I said I pity the fool!(tm)
