Return of the Jedi

Everybody has probably heard the story that says that the original title for episode VI was "The Revenge of the Jedi", but that Lucas decided to change it because "revenge" was not really a "jedi"-ish thing to do.

But now that the Lord of the Rings trilogy made to the big screen I was wondering...perhaps Lucas was paying (yet another) hommage to Tolkien with the title? I mean, "The Return of the King" is the final chapter in Tolkiens trilogy, as "Return of the Jedi" is the final chapter in Lucas's trilogy.

Has Lucas said anything about that? (or has he said the usual "it was always meant to be like that" thing?

ps: and please, I'm NOT trying to start a LOTR X Star Wars thread, I'm just curious.

 

I think he chose the title because the Jedi returned.

 

I doubt it.

 

i think he did it because luke was returning to confront vader and his destiny and he was, or was on his way to becoming, a full fledged jedi knight....it also refers to the jedi order returning to the galaxy .....


....the cloner

 

I'm rather tired of the "Lucas took stuff from LOTR!" threads. He took ideas from MANY things, yet this is the only one that gets much attention...

 

Well, in all fairness he did steal "Endor." or else its a MASSIVE coincidence.

 

Hey, guys, TIME OUT.

1- of course I know the story of Return of the Jedi, and I KNOW the title is completely appropriate for the film. But I also know that the film was going to be called something else and that Lucas is a big fan of Tolkien, so he could have changed the name of the film as a tribute to Tolkien. (there's a lot of LOTR in Star Wars, like a wise "wizard" with long white beard, "dark lords", knights, a trilogy, etc)

2- As I said in my original post, this thread is not meant to be a "Lucas is a THIEF" kind of thread. There are tons of references in Star Wars that came from somewhere else (Foundation, DUNE, LOTR, old miths, etc), and that's ok.

 

Well, in all fairness he did steal "Endor." or else its a MASSIVE coincidence.

Actually Tolkien took "Endor" from the Bible.

As I said in my original post, this thread is not meant to be a "Lucas is a THIEF" kind of thread.

I know...it still seems like that kind of thread though. Anything "borrowed" from that type of stuff is minor, not something like the whole title of the book.

 

I actualy remember seeing a spot for 'Revenge of the Jedi' on TV when I was a kid. IIRC, it was part of a disinfomation campaign.

 

Its called Return of the Jedi because Darth Vader turns from the dark side to the light and became a jedi again.

 

It wasn't ripped from Return of the King. Luke became a full fledged Jedi, and Anakin finally redeemed himself. The Sith were defeated, so the Jedi were now able to return, starting with Luke. The only way you'll be able to accuse Lucas of stealing Tolkien titles is if he changes his CT titles to "The Fellowship of the New Hope" and "The Two Skywalkers".

lumberjedi is a sex-goddess

 

You know, there is a difference between Homage and Theft.

Good stories pay tribute to what came before them.

 

I always thought both were good titles. Each seems to sum up the final episode quite well. I don't think Lucas has ever said anything about his inspirations for the ROTJ title.

 

Its just a title. Lucas did not call it that because of ROTK. Its just a title.

It amazes me when people think every minor little detail of every SW film has to have some kind of double meaning or symbolism.

Return of the Jedi.

Darth Vader was defeated, allowing the persona of Anakin Skywalker to RETURN.

Luke finished his training, becoming a knight, himself. The Jedi have RETURNED.

Its just a title...and an apt one at that.

 

It amazes me when people think every minor little detail of every SW film has to have some kind of double meaning or symbolism.

I completely agree.

 

"that Lucas is a big fan of Tolkien, so he could have changed the name of the film as a tribute to Tolkien. "

Who ever said Lucas likes Tolkien? Tolkien is a fool who could not write to save his life. In contrast Lucas is one of the greatest story tellers of all times. Big deal they both have Return of the.... Does it matter? I mean there are plenty of similar titles.

Are people saying "Hey I think Spider Man's title is a rip off of Superman!" No it is a title. And Endor/tree city is not the most orignal idea anyway.

Seldon

 

Tolkien is a fool who could not write to save his life.

Where do you get that idea? He was a great writer, his style was much different than Lucas', which is fine with me.

And Endor/tree city is not the most orignal idea anyway.

Especially since it was a real place on our own planet of earth.

 

Lucas took nothing from Tolkin! Anyone that mentions LOTR should be banned. I am getting sick and tired of this so called rivalry! They are TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPES OF STORYS! Fantasy and Sci Fi...Midevil times and Some time for Star Wars!

 

"Lucas took nothing from Tolkin! Anyone that mentions LOTR should be banned. I am getting sick and tired of this so called rivalry! They are TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPES OF STORYS! Fantasy and Sci Fi...Midevil times and Some time for Star Wars!"

I agree with you 100%.

Ousley-My ideas on Tolkien were my opinions. That is just how I feel!

 

Considering the amount of time he spent working on his novels and how in depth they are, calling him a "fool" is probably unjustified, no matter what you think of his story.

 

"Considering the amount of time he spent working on his novels and how in depth they are, calling him a "fool" is probably unjustified, no matter what you think of his story. "

Well he did spend a lot of time on his books, that is true.

They are in depth, that is true.

I don't like his story, that is true.

He is a fool, well that is my opinion and I have a right to it.

It is not unjustified in my opinion.

Seldon

 

How was he foolish, though?

Just because you don't like the story doesn't make him foolish.

 

Ousley this thread did not have the intetion of debating Tolkien. But I will reply. I find Tolkien to be a fool because I hate his writing style as well as his ideas. It is my opinion and you have yours.

Seldon

 

I'm not disrespecting your opinions, quit taking things so personally. I'm just inquiring. There are stories that I don't like...but that does not make the person a fool. It means I don't like their style.

The intention of the thread also wasn't to bash Tolkien, so I'm not seeing your point.

 

Let me just say this...
I would rather sit through Titanic then any of the three LOTR movies, and thats saying ALOT