- Post
- #204491
- Topic
- An exact quote from Lucas on Greedo shooting first.
- Link
- https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/204491/action/topic#204491
- Time
ROTL. He did prove that, didn't he?
"But, as Darth Chaltab put it, our green friend was too busy gloating like a Bond villain to think any of these scenarios through."
That's it, precisely. And before anyone else tries to convince themselves that Han wasn't in immediate danger, please keep in mind that - ONSCREEN - Greedo does have a blaster pointed at Han, and in the Special Edition, Greedo does fire at Han at point blank range - ONSCREEN. If this DOESN'T CLEARLY ILLUSTRATE the immediate threat to Han, then I don't know what does.
In addition to this, Han clearly had no qualms shooting Greedo in either version, and no one else in the cantina had any issue with Han shooting Greedo either. Since they've both been on Tatooine for some time, it's pretty god-awful clear that such occurances are pretty commonplace. If anyone wants to argue this point with me, be sure to watch the SAME general reaction of the cantina patrons in regards to Obi-wan disarming two aliens with a lightsaber. If that's not enough, then we'll all just form a line and take turns slapping you.
Here's a few more words on the topic:
IGNFF: You're the person to ask about this – when you're talking about these kind of special editions and changes and are they due to an original vision or changing sensibilities – I have to ask you about your thoughts regarding the infamous redo of the scene with Greedo in the cantina.... the whole shooting first thing.
KURTZ: Yeah, I really was livid about that one. I think it was a total – it ruins the scene, basically. The scene was never intended that way. Han Solo realized that Greedo was out to get him and he had to blast him first or he would lose his life. It shows you how much of a mercenary he is. That's what the point of the scene was. And so the way they've changed it around, it loses the whole impact of that whole aspect of it.
IGNFF: Do you think that's due to George's changing sensibilities as opposed to his argument that, "No, that was my original intention"?
KURTZ: Well, he can say that was his original intention, but we could have shot it that way very easily. There was no reason that it couldn't have been shot that way. It was shot and edited the way it was because that's the way the script was. That's what he wanted at the time.
IGNFF: What is your opinion of why he would try and rationalize it, when he could very well just say, "You know, I just thought nowadays, it's better if he shoots first."
KURTZ: Maybe he just didn't want to say that. Maybe he felt it was a stronger argument to say, "That's what I really wanted to do and I just didn't have time or inclination at the time." You listen to all these directors, they all say that. That's the stock argument ... somehow if they say that, you can't argue with them.Kurtz interview
UGO: So you were there; who shot first, Han Solo or Greedo?
MH: [Laughs] I always thought that it was the alien. But George [Lucas] keeps going back and tweaking these things. I don't even know anymore. I do know that they dubbed a scream when I let go in the second movie. Which was funny because [Irvin] Kershner and I discussed it, but basically Luke is committing suicide. Rather than join [Darth] Vader, he let go in a very calm way. So, he ended up dubbing a scream. He didn't tell me. He didn't have me do the scream. I don't know where he got it. Maybe it was from the library of sounds that I made for him, but I haven't double checked that, but you could tell me. Do I scream on the way down?
UGO: Why would you?
MH: That's what I say. - Mark Hamill
KURTZ: Yeah, I really was livid about that one. I think it was a total – it ruins the scene, basically. The scene was never intended that way. Han Solo realized that Greedo was out to get him and he had to blast him first or he would lose his life. It shows you how much of a mercenary he is. That's what the point of the scene was. And so the way they've changed it around, it loses the whole impact of that whole aspect of it.
IGNFF: Do you think that's due to George's changing sensibilities as opposed to his argument that, "No, that was my original intention"?
KURTZ: Well, he can say that was his original intention, but we could have shot it that way very easily. There was no reason that it couldn't have been shot that way. It was shot and edited the way it was because that's the way the script was. That's what he wanted at the time.
IGNFF: What is your opinion of why he would try and rationalize it, when he could very well just say, "You know, I just thought nowadays, it's better if he shoots first."
KURTZ: Maybe he just didn't want to say that. Maybe he felt it was a stronger argument to say, "That's what I really wanted to do and I just didn't have time or inclination at the time." You listen to all these directors, they all say that. That's the stock argument ... somehow if they say that, you can't argue with them.Kurtz interview
ES:Much has been made about the changes to the Greedo scene in the Star Wars: Special Edition. After working on a Han Solo novel, how do you feel about the change?
AC:I found the revised Greedo scene confusing and unnecessary. And...silly. After all, it was obvious from Han's actions that he intended to blow Greedo away, whether Greedo shot first or not. And the idea that Greedo could miss after having the first shot -- at point-blank range! -- was unbelievable. Also, it wasn't that obvious what happened. I realized, because I was prepared for it, having read about the revision. Most people in the audience, I think, didn't even realize that Greedo had fired. They just went, "Huh? Was that changed?" I assure you that in my books, Han never puts himself in the position of playing sitting duck like that! If a bounty hunter gets off the first shot, it's because Han got ambushed! - Ann Crispin
AC:I found the revised Greedo scene confusing and unnecessary. And...silly. After all, it was obvious from Han's actions that he intended to blow Greedo away, whether Greedo shot first or not. And the idea that Greedo could miss after having the first shot -- at point-blank range! -- was unbelievable. Also, it wasn't that obvious what happened. I realized, because I was prepared for it, having read about the revision. Most people in the audience, I think, didn't even realize that Greedo had fired. They just went, "Huh? Was that changed?" I assure you that in my books, Han never puts himself in the position of playing sitting duck like that! If a bounty hunter gets off the first shot, it's because Han got ambushed! - Ann Crispin
UGO: So you were there; who shot first, Han Solo or Greedo?
MH: [Laughs] I always thought that it was the alien. But George [Lucas] keeps going back and tweaking these things. I don't even know anymore. I do know that they dubbed a scream when I let go in the second movie. Which was funny because [Irvin] Kershner and I discussed it, but basically Luke is committing suicide. Rather than join [Darth] Vader, he let go in a very calm way. So, he ended up dubbing a scream. He didn't tell me. He didn't have me do the scream. I don't know where he got it. Maybe it was from the library of sounds that I made for him, but I haven't double checked that, but you could tell me. Do I scream on the way down?
UGO: Why would you?
MH: That's what I say. - Mark Hamill
Then again, there's always the second line in my quote.
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