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CT Was there any mention of Jabba being on Tatooine before Rotj?

Discussion in 'Classic Trilogy' started by AveKender, Sep 5, 2017.

  1. AveKender

    AveKender Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Sans special edition material.

    I am aware that Jabba was mentioned a couple of times in ANH and ESB, but was there ever a specific mention or even a strong suggestion that this unseen Jabba fellow lives on/bases his operations on Tatooine? I am working an alternate ROTJ and I was basically wondering if the rescue of Han Solo MUST take place on Tatooine. If it is possible to get away with having that sequence take place somewhere else, then that opens up the story to any one of countless other interesting SW locations.
     
  2. Nibelung

    Nibelung Jedi Padawan star 2

    Registered:
    Apr 18, 2017
    This is a good point! The deleted scenes of the 1977 film have Jabba meeting Han Solo right there in the Falcon docking bay, but AFAIK there's no indication in the (pre-SE) final cut that Jabba's base of operations is confined to Tatooine.

    I'd say this is a case of Lucas' imagination being restricted by viewing the films through his own viewpoint as creator, rather than the viewpoint of ordinary fans.
     
  3. AveKender

    AveKender Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Mar 27, 2017

    I knew it. That settles things: my Han Solo rescue scene will take place somewhere that isn't Tatooine. Maybe Nar Shaddaa or the dark side of Ryloth or something.
     
  4. Martoto77

    Martoto77 Jedi Master star 5

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    Aug 6, 2016
    It's not explicit that Han means "here on Tatooine" when he tells Greedo that "I was just going to see your boss.".

    But at the end of The Empire Strikes Back they are explicit about going to Tatooine where they expect to find Han, Jabba The Hutt and that bounty hunter.
     
  5. WebLurker

    WebLurker Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Mar 12, 2016
    Well, TMP showed Jabba overseeing the podraces (and we're told that Tatooine is controlled by the Hutts). If you're taking other canon material into account, the main Star Wars and Darth Vader comics show Jabba is established on Tatooine circa the ANH era.
     
  6. Martoto77

    Martoto77 Jedi Master star 5

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    Aug 6, 2016
    While you're making your own stuff up, you might as well just make it up that Jabba spends his winters on another planet. That takes care of any preconceived notions that Han's rescue must take place on Tatooine.
     
  7. Sarge

    Sarge Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Oct 4, 1998
    The original novelization of SW included the scene with Jabba and Han on Tatooine. IIRC, it also said Jabba jumped. Honestly, I'd rather not picture that. [face_sick]
     
  8. Nibelung

    Nibelung Jedi Padawan star 2

    Registered:
    Apr 18, 2017
    You might also make up crazy ideas like Vader being Luke's father instead of the guy who killed Anakin Skywalker! Stories are funny like that.
     
  9. Martoto77

    Martoto77 Jedi Master star 5

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    Aug 6, 2016
    I was just pointing out that they don't necessarily need permission from previous movies to make up their own stories/locations.

    It's just something that always amuses me when people want to create their own stories, that they feel the need to find a pre-existing excuse or loophole. If you're trying to be creative, just make and excuse or a loophole up, I say.
     
  10. Bob the X-Winger

    Bob the X-Winger Jedi Knight star 3

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    Jan 8, 2016
    The rescue itself did take place on Tatooine so this story would contravene what occurs in ROTJ. It did take a year for the Rebel Alliance to locate Han so it is conceivable his location was moved frequently by Boba Fett.
     
  11. darth-sinister

    darth-sinister Manager Emeritus star 10 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jun 28, 2001

    Yes, it did. But the ultimate question was about Jabba being a resident confirmed at the time ANH was made. The answer is unclear as the early drafts place Jabba on different planets when he meets with Han. Consistently, it became the desert planet Utapau which was then renamed Tatooine, when Lucas decided to film in Tunisa and in the Tataouine city. It was a late name change which is why the planet is never referred to as such on screen and only in the novelization, the comic adaptation and marketing materials.


    At the time of the original Marvel series, this was a bit true. But was later retconned that Jabba's location was always known, but that Boba didn't take a direct route to Tatooine in order to avoid having Han stolen by rivals, since the bounty was quite substantial. While Luke and his group either attempted to intercept Fett, or spent their time planning a rescue with Luke continuing his training on his own.
     
  12. Lt. Hija

    Lt. Hija Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 8, 2015
    darth-sinister wrote

    The answer is unclear as the early drafts place Jabba on different planets when he meets with Han.

    [face_dunno]

    He meets Han in Mos Eisley spaceport already in the second Star Wars draft from January28, 1975 and continues to do so in the following drafts. Just because Tatooine was Utapau at that stage of development doesn't make these "different planets".
     
  13. Nibelung

    Nibelung Jedi Padawan star 2

    Registered:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Exactly. Same planet, different names. Just like how in the 1974 rough draft, the young hero character was Annikin Starkiller and the wizened Jedi mentor was Luke Skywalker: different names, but still the same archetype.
     
  14. Grand Master Galen Marek

    Grand Master Galen Marek Jedi Knight star 4

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    Jun 22, 2014
    It seems Han only mentioned him in TESB to General Rieekan but no offworld info,
     
  15. WebLurker

    WebLurker Jedi Master star 4

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    Mar 12, 2016
    Although at the end of ESB, when planning Han's rescue, Luke mentions that they'll meet at Tattoine when Lando and Chewie trace Boba Fett.
     
  16. Jester J Binks

    Jester J Binks Jedi Master star 4

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    Dec 19, 2016
    The odd thing was Tatooine was a rendezvous point more than "that's where Jabba is". Otherwise Chewie and Lando wouldn't have to search for them.

    Kinda like why you were a kid old enough to go check out the Star Wars toys while your mom went to another area of the store says "we'll meet at the cashier/restroom at 6". It doesn't mean she thinks she's going to find your new school binder at the restroom. It is just a place you both know near the exit.
     
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  17. Grand Master Galen Marek

    Grand Master Galen Marek Jedi Knight star 4

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    Jun 22, 2014
    Yep i realised that after this post but was too late to edit it, so Jabba stayed put.
     
  18. MeBeJedi

    MeBeJedi Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    May 30, 2002

    Fun fact...the only OT film that mentions Tattoine is the only OT film that doesn't show Tatooine. ;)
     
  19. Grand Master Galen Marek

    Grand Master Galen Marek Jedi Knight star 4

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    Jun 22, 2014
    Man that's awkward, no tour of the planet yet it's titled, I'll have to look this on up, thanks. =D=
     
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  20. Nibelung

    Nibelung Jedi Padawan star 2

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    Apr 18, 2017
    So we have a planet name that's not explicitly connected on screen to the desert planet Luke's from, and a question of whether this might be a rendezvous point for a rescue party rather than a destination in itself.

    There are multiple ways an open-minded writer could get Jabba on to another planet. Assuming the writer wanted to.
     
  21. Vthuil

    Vthuil Force Ghost star 5

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    Jan 3, 2013
    BTW, I'd like to see this if you ever do it, since the idea of an "alternate ROTJ" that only regards ANH and ESB as solid canon, but uses modern Star Wars worldbuilding details, would actually be really interesting to see.
     
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  22. AveKender

    AveKender Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Mar 27, 2017
    LANDO (into comlink)
    When we find Jabba the Hut and
    that bounty hunter, we'll contact
    you.

    INT. STAR CRUISER - MEDICAL CENTER
    Luke speaking into the comlink as a medical droid works on his hand.
    Leia stands near him while Threepio and Artoo look out the window.

    LUKE (into comlink)
    I'll meet you at the rendezvous
    point on Tatooine.

    INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
    LANDO (into comlink)
    Princess, we'll find Han. I
    promise.

    INT. STAR CRUISER - MEDICAL CENTER
    LUKE (into comlink)
    Chewie, I'll be waiting for your
    signal.

    Chewie's wail comes over the comlink.

    LUKE (into comlink)
    Take care, you two. May the
    Force be with you.


    That's from the Empire script available on IMSDB.com. Tatooine is certainly mentioned, but only as a rendezvous point. If you're walking out of the theater after seeing ESB in 1980, would that indicate to you, "There's going to be a Han Solo rescue sequence on Tatooine in the next movie,"?
     
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  23. darth-sinister

    darth-sinister Manager Emeritus star 10 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jun 28, 2001
    Lucas and Kasdan kept it vague, because rendezvous point could mean that that is the place where they will meet for a progress report. Or it could have meant the place on Tatooine where they'll meet up if they cannot get Boba before then.
     
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  24. AveKender

    AveKender Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Mar 27, 2017
    The briefest possible outline of my take on ROTJ would go like this...

    Episode VI
    RETURN OF THE JEDI

    OPENING CRAWL…

    Princess Leia leads a mission to rescue her one true love Han Solo from the clutches of the evil gangster Jabba the Hutt.

    Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker returns to Dagobah for further training with Yoda, a wise elder in the ways of the Force.

    Little do our heroes know that the Empire’s new DEATH STAR nears completion, which may spell certain doom for the Rebels who seek to restore freedom to the galaxy...



    The film starts with Vader landing aboard the new and improved Second Death Star, which is under construction above the forested world of Kashyyyk. This part proceeds similarly to the one we see in the released film, save for one detail. The scene ends with Vader looking upon a larger, more intimidating suit of armor, which will replace the one we have seen him wear up to this point.

    Cut to Leia, Lando, Chewie, and 3PO on the rescue mission. They locate Han Solo (already unfrozen) as a slave in Jabba's spice mine on Kessel. The spice mine uses a noise field generator to keep away the rancors, which in this version of the film are a carnivorous lifeform native to Kessel and noticeably smaller than the one we saw Luke fight in the released film (only slightly taller than the Wampa ice monster in ESB).

    Leia disables the generator. When one of the beasts breaks open the door to Jabba's lair, our heroes rush in to get Han out of there amidst the chaos. Leia narrowly avoids a hungry rancor by channeling her latent Force abilities to turn the beast the other way. Boba Fett destroys 3PO and then tries to kill the rest of our heroes but is blocked by a rancor, which forces him to flee via jetpack to his ship, the Slave II. Jabba shouts curses in Huttese as he watches the Falcon leave the planet with the surviving characters aboard, just before he is devoured by a pack of rancors.

    While the Kessel rancor scene is happening we periodically cut back to Luke's training on Dagobah. He climbs a mountain with Yoda strapped to his back (like in ESB). Luke seeks a crystal at the top of the mountain with which to complete his new lightsaber. At the top of the mountain, Luke puts the crystal in the lightsaber and is told by Yoda that he must face his destiny by defeating Darth Vader. Luke reacts with, “I will not kill my father!”. He and R2 depart the planet.

    While flying his X-Wing away from Dagobah, Luke talks to Obi-Wan’s spirit-voice. Kenobi tells Luke of how the Emperor’s influence was what corrupted the good man who was Anakin. There is no mention of Luke and Leia being siblings. The “other” that Yoda spoke of in ESB was this good man Anakin. However after Vader’s actions at Cloud City, Yoda and Obi-Wan now believe Luke to be the final hope. But Luke stubbornly continues to believe that there is still a good man in that dark armor.

    Luke, Han, and Leia reunite aboard a Nebulon frigate at the head of the Rebel fleet, which is cruising through deep space. After working through his trust issues with Lando, Han Solo decides he will join the final assault against the Empire. Mon Mothma reveals that the intelligence of the Second Death Star’s position in the Kashyyyk system has been purchased from Boba Fett’s gang. Han Solo shows mixed feelings about this.

    Then Mothma tells the gang that the Death Star is protected by a shield which is generated by a bunker on Kashyyyk’s surface. Our heroes decide to split up to accomplish their mission. Luke, Leia, Chewie, and R2 will lead the Wookiees in a ground assault against the bunker while Han and Lando will pilot the Falcon and spearhead the Rebel fleet’s assault on the superweapon.

    Cut to the Second Death Star. The Emperor arrives aboard and finds Vader in his new armor holding the traitorous Boba Fett captive. The Emperor unleashes a torrent of lightning at Boba Fett. Vader takes off Fett’s helmet and exposes a charred, screaming skull.

    The stolen Imperial shuttle Tydirium separates from the Rebel fleet and flies towards Kashyyyk. Inside are Luke, Leia, Chewie, and R2.

    On Kashyyyk, Chewie convinces the chieftain of the Wookiees to aid his party in defeating the Empire. I would keep the speeder bike chase pretty much as is, because it is just a really cool scene.

    So then Vader senses Luke’s presence on Kashyyyk, causing Luke to surrender himself to the Imperials just as he does in the released film. This time we see Vader walk towards in his new eight-foot-tall Vader 2.0 armor instead of the original suit as seen in the previous films.

    The rest of the movie proceeds similarly. Vader takes Luke up to see the Emperor and they fight. You know the rest. I envision Vader's saber as being directly integrated into his new armor. It comes out of his wrist, leading to a more animalistic fighting style.

    When the Falcon flies inside the DSII, it gets critically damaged. Han gets mortally wounded and is unable to make it to the escape pod, leaving Lando to go it alone. Han heroically goes down with his ship, just as the dreaded superweapon explodes.

    One more thing I would change is that when Anakin dies, he disappears just like Obi-Wan did in ANH. And then at the very end of the film, Luke sees only Anakin and Obi-Wan’s spirits, as Yoda stays alive in my version of the story. I think it would also be cool if the film ended with Leia going to Dagobah to begin her own training as a Jedi Knight. Or perhaps, Jedi Dame?
     
  25. Lt. Hija

    Lt. Hija Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 8, 2015
    AveKender quoted

    LUKE (into comlink)
    I'll meet you at the rendezvous
    point on Tatooine.

    [​IMG]

    image source: http://www.panamintcity.com/exclusives/starwars.html

    I'm pretty certain that "rendezvous point" referred to the particular setting above, finished as a matte painting (top) but ultimately deleted from ROJ. Technically, Luke only met Chewbacca there as Lando had already enlisted as a guard in Jabba's palace.
     
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