May the Fourth be with you! Concluding the epic trilogy of the galactic civil war introduced six years prior in 1977’s STAR WARS, this second sequel – and ostensible sixth episode – to the beloved space saga returned audiences to a “galaxy far, far away” for what seemed, at the time, like it might well be the final time. STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) reunited Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO in their battle against the Empire and its avatars of evil – including the iconic Sith Lord Darth Vader, who earned a place at #3 on AFI’s ranking of the greatest villains of all-time. The film features no fewer than three AFI Life Achievement Award honorees – executive producer (and STAR WARS creator) George Lucas, star Harrison Ford and composer John Williams – as well as two AFI honorary degree recipients, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and star James Earl Jones.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI.
