The Darker Ending "Star Wars" Almost Had
"Return of the Jedi" almost had a darker ending that would have changed "Star Wars" forever. Explore the alternate vision, why Lucas rejected it, and how it could have shaped science fiction storytelling.
Few science fiction films have shaped popular culture like "Star Wars." George Lucas's saga transformed the genre, blending mythological storytelling with high-stakes adventure. By the time "Return of the Jedi" arrived in 1983, audiences were eager to see how the battle between good and evil would conclude.
The film's climax takes place aboard the second Death Star. Luke Skywalker, captured by Darth Vader, is brought before Emperor Palpatine, who urges him to embrace the dark side. As the space battle rages outside, Luke and Vader engage in a final duel. Fueled by anger, Luke gains the upper hand, striking down his father and severing his mechanical hand. But at the brink of victory, he refuses to deliver the killing blow, rejecting the path of the Sith. Declaring himself a Jedi, Luke tosses aside his weapon.
Enraged, Palpatine attacks, unleashing torrents of Force lightning. Vader, witnessing his son's suffering, turns against his master. With a final act of redemption, he lifts the Emperor and casts him into the reactor shaft.
The Death Star is destroyed, and the Rebels celebrate on Endor. The saga ends on a note of triumph, affirming the power of redemption, self-sacrifice, and hope.
The Darker Alternative
Before settling on the triumphant conclusion of "Return of the Jedi," George Lucas and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan debated a much darker fate for Luke Skywalker. In early discussions, Kasdan proposed an ending where Luke did not reject the dark side but fully embraced it.
One version had Luke defeating Darth Vader, as in the final film, but instead of showing mercy, he would strike the killing blow. As the Emperor watched with satisfaction, Luke would then take Vader's place as his new apprentice. In perhaps the most unsettling iteration, Kasdan suggested Luke would put on Vader's mask, symbolizing his transformation into the very thing he once swore to destroy. "Now I am Vader," he would declare, setting the stage for a bleak and uncertain future.
This alternative ending would have drastically reshaped "Star Wars." Instead of Vader's redemption, the story would have become a tragic cycle, with Luke falling into darkness just as Anakin Skywalker had before him. The victory of the Rebel Alliance would have felt hollow, overshadowed by Luke's corruption.
Other proposed changes made the film even more grim. Han Solo, originally meant to die during an early mission, would not have lived to see the fall of the Empire. His death was intended to raise the stakes, reinforcing the cost of war and Leia's burden as a leader. The Rebel victory itself would have been more desperate, perhaps suggesting that their fight was far from over.
Lucas ultimately rejected this direction, believing that "Star Wars" needed a hopeful ending. While darker narratives had their appeal, he saw the saga as a mythological tale of redemption, not inevitable downfall. The final version, with Luke choosing light over darkness, ensured that "Star Wars" remained a story of hope.
Why George Lucas Changed Course
George Lucas rejected the darker ending of "Return of the Jedi" because it conflicted with his vision for "Star Wars." He saw the series as mythological storytelling, meant to inspire rather than depress. Luke Skywalker was always meant to represent hope, not inevitable corruption. A tragic ending would have altered the meaning of the trilogy, turning it from a story of redemption into one of endless darkness.
Lucas also understood his audience. "Star Wars" had become a global phenomenon, drawing in viewers of all ages. A film where Luke embraced the dark side—or where the victory felt hollow—would have been too grim for younger fans. "Star Wars" was never meant to be dystopian. Even "The Empire Strikes Back," the darkest film in the trilogy, left room for hope.
Business concerns also played a role. The success of "Star Wars" depended not just on ticket sales but on merchandising. A franchise built on heroism and adventure could not risk alienating its audience with an ending that undermined those themes. Action figures, books, and future films depended on Luke as a symbol of good. An ending where he became the next Sith Lord would have made the franchise harder to continue.
By choosing a hopeful resolution, Lucas ensured that "Star Wars" remained a timeless adventure. His decision shaped the series' legacy, allowing it to endure for generations. The story of Luke Skywalker did not end in tragedy—it ended in triumph.
What If "Star Wars" Had Gone Dark?
If "Return of the Jedi" had ended with Luke Skywalker embracing the dark side, the entire trajectory of "Star Wars" would have changed. The trilogy would have concluded on a note of uncertainty, leaving open the question of whether Luke could be redeemed—or if the galaxy would fall under his rule. Future sequels, had they been made, might have focused on Leia as the last hope of the Jedi, forced to confront her corrupted brother.
This darker version would have aligned more closely with later "Star Wars" narratives. "The Last Jedi" portrayed Luke as a disillusioned hermit haunted by his failures. Had "Return of the Jedi" ended differently, this version of Luke—fearful of his own power—might have emerged much sooner. Instead of a reluctant exile, he could have been an outright villain.
A grim conclusion to "Return of the Jedi" would have also influenced the broader science fiction and fantasy landscape. Many franchises that followed—including "The Matrix" and "The Lord of the Rings" film adaptations—balanced darkness with hope. A nihilistic "Star Wars" might have encouraged more stories that embraced bleak, morally ambiguous endings.
Lucas's choice to reject this path preserved "Star Wars" as a story of redemption. The decision shaped not only the franchise but also the expectations of generations of science fiction fans.
The Ending That Defined a Saga
The ending of "Return of the Jedi" was more than a resolution to a trilogy—it cemented the legacy of "Star Wars" as a story of redemption and hope. By allowing Luke Skywalker to reject the dark side, George Lucas preserved the mythological core of his saga. The triumph of good over evil was not just satisfying but necessary for the story to endure.
Alternate endings have the power to reshape a narrative's meaning. Had Luke succumbed to the dark side, "Star Wars" would have become a tragedy rather than a hero's journey. Future sequels might have taken the franchise in a vastly different direction, redefining its impact on popular culture.
But would "Star Wars" still hold the same place in cinematic history if it had ended in darkness? Perhaps the real power of the saga lies in its ability to inspire—because even in a galaxy consumed by war, hope remains.