TITLE CARD: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away….
A vast sea of stars serves as the main backdrop for the main title, followed by a roll up, which crawls up into infinity.
STAR WARS
RETURN OF THE JEDI
The Alliance is doomed. Hunted by the Imperial Starfleet and suffering terrible losses, the Rebels have retreated to the rim world of SULLUST hoping to strike back against the tyrannical EMPIRE.
Sensing ultimate victory, LORD VADER and his cruel EMPEROR have begun construction of a new superweapon which rivals even the dreaded DEATH STAR.
Luke Skywalker has returned to DAGOBAH to complete his training under the JEDI MASTER YODA, unaware of the sinister plots laid against him….
PAN DOWN
To reveal Imperial Centre.
Nearly its entire surface buried beneath kilometres of durasteel and permacrete, thick congregations of lights blaze, a network of interconnected concentric circles of yellow against a sea of dark bronze. Starships beyond measure land and take off from the planet; orbital weapons platforms ensure none pose a threat to the Imperial capital.
EXT. IMPERIAL CENTRE – IMPERIAL PALACE – DAY
Vaguely pyramidal in form, the Imperial Palace is taller by far than any of the surrounding buildings, its upper levels penetrating the thick layer of brown smog which hangs heavy over the artificial landscape.
INT. IMPERIAL PALACE/THRONE ROOM – DAY
The throne room is an immense auditorium divided in two sections. The first section, through which visitors enter the room, is an antechamber with curved walls and a number of stations occupied by black-armoured shadowtroopers. The second section is an apse which contains the throne itself, perched atop a dais. Additional stations used by the emperor’s crimson-garbed Royal Guard jut from the dais to either sides of the throne. Three circular windows lined with a web-like framework are located behind the throne and on both sides of it. A fourth, much larger window occupies the upper register of the back wall.
DARTH VADER, DARK LORD OF THE SITH, kneels at the bottom of the dais steps. DANTIUS PALPATINE, EMPEROR OF THE GALACTIC EMPIRE, nestled in the contours of his spacious ebon throne, looks down upon his servant. Garbed in a simple robe of black zeyd cloth, the emperor’s face is shrouded beneath the robe’s hood.
EMPEROR PALPATINE: He grows strong.
DARTH VADER: Yes, my master. I have felt it.
EMPEROR PALPATINE: Perhaps he should’ve been destroyed on Bespin. It is unlike you to fail in such matters, Lord Vader.
DARTH VADER: He will not escape again. He can still be turned. We need only one more opportunity to –
EMPEROR PALPATINE: I have other work for you, my friend. Our efforts near the moon of Endor have fallen behind schedule. Use your … particular talents to encourage the engineers to make haste. Impress upon them the importance of meeting my every expectation. You have my permission to make examples.
DARTH VADER: I shall leave at once, my master. As for Skywalker –
EMPEROR PALPATINE: (interrupts) He is not your concern. He could be a powerful tool, Lord Vader. My tool. But only if he serves my purpose.
DARTH VADER: As you wish, my master.
EMPEROR PALPATINE: Those who do not serve my ends, no matter how powerful they are, will be eliminated. Are we clear on this matter, Lord Vader?
DARTH VADER: We are clear.
EMPEROR PALPATINE: Excellent. Leave at once for Endor and wait for me there.
Vader rises, bows, then turns and leaves.
EXT. NAR HEKKA – ROAD TO JABBA’S PALACE – DAY
A lonely, windswept road meanders through the desolate, craggy terrain of cold Nar Hekka. We hear a familiar BEEPING and a distinctive reply before catching sight of ARTOO-DETOO and SEE-THREEPIO, making their way along the road toward the ominous palace of Jabba the Hutt.
C-3PO: (cont’d) Of course I’m worried. And you should be, too. Lando Calrissian and poor Chewbacca never returned from this awful place.
Artoo whistles timidly.
C-3PO: Don’t be so sure. If I told you half the things I’ve heard about this Jabba the Hutt, you’d probably short-circuit.
EXT. JABBA’S PALACE – GATE – DAY
The two 'droids fearfully approach the massive gate to the palace.
C-3PO: Artoo, are you sure this is the right place? (beat) I better knock, I suppose.
Threepio looks around for some kind of signaling device, then timidly knocks on the iron door.
C-3PO: There doesn’t seem to be anyone there. Let’s go back.
A small hatch in the middle of the door opens and a spidery mechanical arm, with a large electronic eyeball on the end, pops out and inspects the two droids.
GATEKEEPER 'DROID: Tee chee tad un gootah!
THREEPIO: Goodness gracious me!
GATEKEEPER 'DROID: By choo ahd bin kee?
C-3PO: (points to Artoo) Artoo Detoowha … bo Seethreepiowha … ey toota odd mischka Jabba du Hutt.
The eye looks from one robot to the other. It pokes forward toward Threepio.
GATEKEEPER 'DROID: Kuju gwankee? Mypee gaza.
There is a laugh then the eye zips back into the door. The hatch slams shut. Artoo beeps his concern.
C-3PO: I don’t think they’re going to let us in, Artoo. We’d better go.
Artoo beeps his reluctance as Threepio turns to leave. Suddenly the massive door begins rising with a horrific metallic SCREECH. The 'droids turn back and face an endless black cavity. Artoo starts forward into the gloom.
C-3PO: Artoo, wait! (beat) Oh, dear! Artoo. Artoo, I really don’t think we should rush into all this!
Threepio rushes after his stubby companion. The ‘droid jumps at the sight of a sinister spider ‘droid carrying a brain inside a jar. Artoo continues down the corridor with Threepio following.
THREEPIO: Oh! Artoo! Artoo, wait for me!
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/ENTRANCE HALL – DAY
The 'droids walk tentatively into the long, dark hallway.
The frightened robots are met by two large, green, porcine GAMORREAN GUARDS. One guard grunts an order. Artoo beeps nervously.
C-3PO: You don’t want to know what he said. Just you deliver Mistress Leia’s message and get us out of here. Oh my! Oh!
The door slams shut with a loud CRASH that echoes through the dark passageway.
C-3PO: Oh no….
BIB FORTUNA, Jabba the Hutt’s majordomo, emerges from out of the darkness and strides up to the ‘droids. A pale Twi’lek male, he looks almost Human save for the twin head-tails protruding from his skull.
BIB FORTUNA: Tay chuda! Die wanna wanga!
C-3PO: Oh, my! Die wanna waugow. (beat) We – we bring a message to your master, Jabba the Hutt.
BIB FORTUNA: Tay Jabba wanga?
Artoo lets out a series of quick beeps.
THREEPIO: (cont’d) And a gift.
BIB FORTUNA: (shakes head) Nee Jabba no badda. Ees eye oh toe?
Fortuna holds out his hand toward Artoo and the tiny droid backs up a bit, letting out a protesting array of squeaks.
BIB FORTUNA: Zee chada oh mootee. Me chaade su goodie.
Artoo beeps and whistles furiously at Fortuna. Threepio turns to the malignant-looking Twi’lek.
C-3PO: He says that our instructions are to give it only to Jabba himself. In person.
Fortuna thinks about this for a moment.
THREEPIO: I’m terribly sorry. I’m afraid he’s ever so stubborn about these sort of things.
BIB FORTUNA: (gestures for 'droids to follow) Nudd chaa!
The 'droids follow the tall majordomo into the darkness, trailed by the two guards.
C-3PO: Artoo, I have a bad feeling about this.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/THRONE ROOM – DAY
The throne room is filled with the vilest, most grotesque CREATURES ever conceived in the universe. Artoo and Threepio seem very small as they pause in the doorway to the dimly lit chamber. Light shafts partially illuminate the drunken courtiers as Bib Fortuna crosses the room to the dais upon which rests the leader of this nauseating crowd: JABBA DESILIJIC TIIURE. Underlord to his aunt, the great Jiliac Desilijic Tiron of the great Desilijic clan, Jabba is a Hutt, a repulsive blob of bloated fat with a lecherous grin. At the foot of the Hutt’s dais sits an obnoxious Kowakian monkey-lizard, SALACIOUS CRUMB.
Jabba’s court is in the midst of a drunken, raucous party. BOBA FETT stands by the door, flirting with a pair of wenches. Sloppy, smelly monsters cheer and make rude noises as two beautiful, near-nude dancers – OOLA the green-skinned Twi’lek and ARICA the auburn-haired Human – perform in front of Jabba’s throne. Jabba leers at the dancers and with a lustful gleam in his eye beckons Oola to come and sit with him. She stops dancing and backs away, shaking her head. Jabba gets angry and points to a spot next to him.
JABBA: Da eitha!
The lovely Twi’lek shakes her head again and screams.
OOLA: Na chuba negatorie! Na! Na! Natoota…!
Jabba is furious and pulls her toward him, tugging on the chain which fastens her to his platform.
JABBA: Boscka!
Jabba slams his fist down on a button, and before the dancer can flee, a trap door in the floor drops open and swallows her up. As the door snaps shut, several revellers hurry over to watch her fate through the grate.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/RANCOR PIT – DAY
Oola tumbles down a chute and sprawls on the floor of a vast, dark pit. On one end of the pit is an giant iron gate which slowly begins to rise. Oola’s eyes go wide as she sees what is beyond the door.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/THRONE ROOM – DAY
Below the trap door, a muffled GROWL is followed by a hideous SCREAM. Jabba and his monstrous friends laugh hysterically.
Fortuna whispers something in the slobbering degenerate’s ear. Jabba smiles horribly at the two terrified 'droids before him. Threepio bows politely.
C-3PO: Good morning. (beat) The message, Artoo, the message.
JABBA: (impatient) Bo shuda….
Artoo whistles, and a beam of light projects from his domed head, creating a hologram of LEIA on the floor. Jabba’s eyes widen as the image of the lovely brunette grows to over three metres tall, towering over the gangsters.
LEIA: Greetings, Exalted One. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Leia Organa, ambassador of the Rebel Alliance and friend to Captain Solo. I know that you are powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger with Solo must be equally powerful. I seek an audience with Your Greatness to bargain for Solo’s life.
Jabba and his courtiers chuckle and snicker.
LEIA: (cont’d) With your wisdom, I’m sure that we can work out an arrangement which will be mutually beneficial and enable us to avoid any unpleasant confrontation. As a token of my goodwill, I present to you a gift: these two droids. (beat) Both are hardworking and will serve you well.
Leia’s hologram disappears.
JABBA: (laughs; in Huttese, subtitled) There will be no bargain.
C-3PO: We’re doomed.
JABBA: (subtitled) I will not give up my favourite decoration.
Jabba looks toward an alcove beside the throne. Hanging high, flat against the wall, exactly as we saw him last, is a carbonized HAN SOLO.
JABBA: (cont’d; subtitled) I like Captain Solo where he is.
Salacious Crumb laughs. The diminutive little troll’s laughter is followed by that of Jabba’s minions.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/DUNGEON CORRIDOR – DAY
One of Jabba’s Gamorrean guards marches Artoo and Threepio down a dank, shadowy passageway lined with holding cells. The cries of unspeakable creatures bounce off the cold stone walls. Occasionally a repulsive appendage grabs through the bars at the hapless 'droids. Artoo beeps pitifully.
C-3PO: Our hour has come. We will never leave this dank netherworld in one piece.
A large tentacle wraps around Threepio’s neck.
C-3PO: Oh! Ohh! How horrid!
He manages to break free, and they move on to a door at the end of the corridor.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/BOILER ROOM – DAY
The door slides open, revealing a room filled with steam and noisy machinery. The guard motions them into the boiler room, where they are met by a tall, thin, bronze-plated 'droid named EV-9D9. Behind the robot can be seen a work ‘droid suspended in a rack. Artoo and Threepio cringe as the guard grunts to EV-9D9.
EV-9D9: (in Huttese, subtitled) Ah, good. New acquisitions. (to C-3PO) You are a protocol 'droid, are you not?
C-3PO: I am See-Threepio, organic-ma–
EV-9D9: (subtitled) Yes or no will do.
C-3PO: Oh. Well, yes.
EV-9D9: (subtitled) How many languages do you speak?
C-3PO: I am fluent in over six-million forms of communication, and can readily –
EV-9D9: (interrupts; subtitled) Splendid. We have been without an interpreter since our master got angry with our last protocol 'droid and disintegrated him.
C-3PO: (mortified) Disintegrated?
An automated plasma torch cuts the work 'droid in the rack to pieces.
EV-9D9: (to Gamorrean guard; subtitled) Guard! This protocol 'droid might be useful. Fit him with a restraining bolt and take him back to His Excellency’s main audience chamber.
The guard shoves Threepio toward the door.
C-3PO: (led out door) Artoo, don’t leave me! Ohhh!
Artoo lets out a plaintive cry as the door closes. Then he beeps angrily.
EV-9D9: (subtitled) You’re a feisty little one, but you’ll soon learn some respect. I have need for you on the master’s sail barge, and I think you’ll fit in nicely.
EXT. JABBA’S PALACE – SUNSET
The palace is sitting in the dim light of the distant yellow sun.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/THRONE ROOM – NIGHT
Silence. The room is deserted, only the awful debris of the celebration giving mute witness to the activity here before. A few drunk individuals lie unconscious around the room, snoring loudly.
A shadowy figure moves stealthily among the columns at the perimeter of the room and is revealed to be Boba Fett. He picks his way carefully through the snoring, drunken beings.
Han Solo, the frozen smuggler, hangs spotlighted on the wall, his coffin-like slab suspended by a force field. The bounty hunter deactivates the force field by flipping a control switch to one side of the slab. The heavy case slowly lowers to the floor of the alcove.
Fett steps up to the case, studying Han, and then turns to the controls on the side of the slab. He activates a series of switches and, after one last hesitant look at Han, slides the de-carbonization lever. The slab begins to emit a SOUND as the hard shell covering the contours of Han’s face begins melting away. The bounty hunter watches as Han’s body is freed of its metallic coat and his forearms and hands, previously raised in reflexive protest, drop slackly to his side. His face muscles relax from their mask of horror. He collapses to the floor.
Fett leans close to Han’s face listening for the breath of life. Han’s eyes pop open with a start and he begins spasming. The bounty hunter steadies the unorthodox newborn.
BOBA FETT: Just relax for a moment. You’re free of the carbonite.
Han touches his own face.
BOBA FETT: Shhh. You have hibernation sickness.
HAN: I can’t see.
BOBA FETT: Your eyesight will return in time.
HAN: Where am I?
BOBA FETT: Jabba’s palace.
HAN: (feels Fett’s faceplate) Who are you?
The bounty hunter reaches up and removes the Mandalorian helmet from his head, revealing the beautiful face of LEIA ORGANA.
LEIA: Someone who loves you.
HAN: Leia!
They kiss.
LEIA: I gotta get you outta here.
As Leia helps her weakened lover to stand up, the relative quiet is pierced by an obscene HUTT CHUCKLE from the other side of the alcove.
HAN: What’s that? (beat) I know that laugh.
The curtain on the far side of the alcove opens, revealing Jabba the Hutt, surrounded by Fortuna and other courtiers. He laughs again and his gross cronies join in a cacophony of dark glee.
HAN: Hey, Jabba. Look, Jabba, I was just on my way to pay you back, but I got a little sidetracked. It’s not my fault.
JABBA: (subtitled) It’s too late for that, Solo. You may have been a good smuggler, but now you’re Bantha fodder.
HAN: Look –
JABBA (subtitled) Take him away.
The guards grab Han and start to lead him away.
HAN: Jabba, I’ll pay you triple! You’re throwing away a fortune here! Don’t be a fool!
Han is dragged off. A guard intercepts Leia and begins to lead her away.
JABBA: (subtitled) Bring her to me.
Jabba chuckles as the guard is joined by another and they drag the beautiful young Rebel toward him. Threepio peeks from behind the monster.
LEIA: We have … powerful friends. You’re gonna regret this.
JABBA: (subtitled) I’m sure.
Inexorably Leia’s lovely face moves to within a few inches of Jabba’s ugly blob of a head, and she turns away in disgust as he sticks out his slimy, fetid tongue.
LEIA: UGH….
C-3PO: Ohhh, I can’t bear to watch.
Crumb laughs.
INT. JABBA’S PALACE/DUNGEON/CELL – EVENING
The heavy metal door of the dungeon whines and slowly creaks open. A guard throws the blinded captain into the dark cell and the door slams shut behind him, leaving only a thin sliver of light from a crack in the door. Han is trying to collect himself when suddenly a GROWL is heard from the far side of the cell. He jumps back against the cell door and listens.
HAN: Chewie? Chewie, is that you?
The shadowy figure lets out a crazy yell and races toward Han, lifting him off the ground with a big hug that carries them into the light, revealing CHEWBACCA.
HAN: Chew-Chewie!
The giant Wookiee barks with glee.
HAN: Wait. I can’t see, pal. What’s goin’ on?
Chewie barks an excited blue streak.
HAN: Rescue? Well, if this is your big plan, so far I’m not impressed.
Chewie holds Han to his chest and pets his head.
HAN: I’m alright, pal. I’m alright.