Post #261229

Mr. Foster,

I am a Star Wars fan, and I was hoping I could ask you about your ghost-written novelization of Star Wars.

In the novelization, when Luke and Leia are trapped in the Death Star chasm, Luke throws the rope twice, missing on the first throw. However, in the movie, Luke only throws his grappling hook once.

Was this "missed throw" based on something provided by Lucasfilm (early script, production photos, etc.), or did you add it yourself to increase tension? I realize this was a long time ago, but I hope you have some vague memories about this.

I ask because it has become something of a Star Wars urban legend. Many people have claimed that they saw Luke's missed throw in theaters or on TV, while many others have claimed these were false memories that were inspired by the novelization.

Thanks for your time


Mr. Foster's reply:



Very interesting. I guess that blows most of my theories out of the water.

Originally posted by: zombie84

I am suspecting that these "rope missing" memories may stem from a behind-the-scenes program. The chasm sequence was heavily documented by the documentary crew on set and i've seen lots of footage from the making of that sequence--and i am sure when Mark Hamill had to throw the rope, he missed. Likely he had to throw it to a stage hand off camera, or a mark on the floor a few yards away--and its also likely that they may have even filmed a few takes in succession, having mark thrown, pull it back in, throw again, et cetera, to give some variations in the takes. I am guessing that a clip which may include or indicate this type of scenario is what is the impetus for all these false memories of it be included in the 1977 cut, or some obscure or unobscure TV broadcast.