I have some very drastic ideas regarding fixing ROTJ. Before I begin, I want to clearly state I enjoy ROTJ as it is. It is my fourth favorite SW movie and makes for a fun time. It is a fine conclusion to the OT. But it still pales in comparison to ANH and ESB, particularly when you consider all the nuances Empire was setting up. George Lucas has said he just wanted to “wrap up” Star Wars after ESB, but what if he hadn’t been tired of the franchise at that point, and was willing to continue?

Ultimately, I have come to the realization that in order to fix Return of the Jedi, it must be split into two separate movies. This would turn the Original Trilogy into the Original Quadriology.

My reasoning is as follows. “A New Hope” has a clear plot structure that is established in the opening crawl. The Empire has the Death Star, the Rebellion wants to stop the Death Star. Everything that happens in that movie revolves around destroying or defending the Death Star. The droids get the plans, we follow the plans around, they rescue the princess, and they destroy the Death Star.

“Empire Strikes Back” also has a clear plot structure that is established in the opening crawl, although it’s missable if you aren’t paying attention. The film is all about Vader hunting Luke. Luke on Dagobah is all about teaching Luke to be ready for the inevitable confrontation, while Han and Leia are stalling for said confrontation. Alas, they are captured too early, and Luke has not had enough training to properly confront Vader.

“Return of the Jedi” does not have a clear plot structure. Instead, it has three plots all mashed into one movie. They are…

Rescue Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba, in the aftermath of TESB.
Destroy the Second Death Star
Redeem Darth Vader / Don’t seduce Luke Skywalker

I think this is too much and gives way to a wonky story that is more about wrapping up Empire’s loose ends than giving us a proper conclusion. Let’s consider Han’s rescue. Can anyone tell me what it accomplishes in ROTJ? All it serves is to get Han on Endor, so we can have a proper resolution. It would have been easier to just NOT have Han be captured in the first place. And with a third of ROTJ dedicated to stopping a side villain unrelated to the Empire, we cannot properly explore the themes introduced in the latter half of the film.

So if I had been in charge of Star Wars during 1980, I would have created two more Star Wars movies.

Episode III: Luke and Leia try to rescue Han Solo from Jabba. Meanwhile, the Emperor has become displeased by Vader’s failure to bring in Luke and has now recruited Jabba - who looks more like Prince Xizor - to hunt Luke in a race against Vader. Vader goes rogue, forming an unlikely alliance with the Rebels to take down Jabba. Unsure as to the ending - either it returns to the status quo, or Vader and Luke team up against the Emperor to rule father and son.

Episode IV: The Rebels learn the Death Star was just a prototype, and hundreds more are being constructed above Kashyyk. We learn Chewebacca’s backstory as an outcast to his people, but he must return home to convince the Wookies to join the fight. Han sacrifices himself. Luke defeats Vader and walks off into a (binary) sunset.