Although it is such a simple thing, the opening crawl is crucial for setting the stage of the entire film. This is the crawl I used in my last script:
The Alliance is doomed! In spite of its swelling numbers, the massive Imperial Fleet has driven and scattered their forces. Now they seek to regroup in hiding near the planet Sullust.
But Luke Skywalker, determined to save his friend Han Solo from the clutches of the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt, has returned to Dagobah to complete his Jedi traiding under the aging Master Yoda.
As Luke readies his plans, Alliance spies have discovered an awful truth: the construction of a new Imperial battlestation, more powerful than the first dreaded Death Star. If completed, this ultimate weapon will bring certain defeat to the small band of Rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy...
Since I'm fixing up the script, I want to get a pretty good idea of how this will end up. Several important elements remain important for this to work as it should:
1. It must be concise
2. It must establish that Luke has continued his training on Dagobah
3. It must establish that Luke will rescue Han in spite of other obligations
4. It should raise the stakes, thus explaining the first line in my version; a common complaint of the original film is the lack of tension, and we need to feel that really this is an all-or-nothing final chapter in the struggle.
5. It probably should mention the new Death Star.
Anyone have any suggestions?