Return of the Jedi News: 10 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know

1. Surprising News
Return of the Jedi, released in 1983, is the third installment in the iconic Star Wars trilogy. It was directed by Richard Marquand and written by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas. The film starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and David Prowse.

2. Wicked Earnings
Return of the Jedi was a massive financial success, grossing over $572 million worldwide against a production budget of $42.7 million. It was the highest-grossing film of 1983 and the second-highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release.

3. Awards and Recognition
Return of the Jedi was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects, and won one for Best Special Achievement for Sound Effects Editing. It also won three Saturn Awards, including Best Science Fiction Film and Best Direction.

4. Influential Film
Return of the Jedi has been cited as one of the most influential films of all time. It is considered to be a classic of the science fiction genre and is often credited with popularizing the use of special effects in films.

5. Unsurprising Inspiration
The film was largely inspired by Japanese samurai films, particularly Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress. Lucas has said that he wanted to create a film that was both exciting and visually stunning.

6. Iconic Fight
The film features one of the most iconic fight scenes in cinema history: the lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. The scene was choreographed by Bob Anderson and took over a week to film.

7. Challenging Production
The production of Return of the Jedi was fraught with challenges. Lucas was under a lot of pressure to deliver a successful film after the success of The Empire Strikes Back. He also had to deal with the death of actor Alec Guinness, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the previous two films.

8. Cutting-edge Effects
Return of the Jedi was one of the first films to use extensive computer-generated imagery (CGI). The film's visual effects were groundbreaking at the time and helped to create a more immersive and realistic experience for audiences.

9. Diverse Setting
The film is set on a variety of planets, including Tatooine, Dagobah, and Endor. The film's locations were filmed in Tunisia, England, and California.

10. Strange Box
Return of the Jedi was the first Star Wars film to have a home video release. The film was released on VHS in 1985 and sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

11. Impact on Fans
Return of the Jedi had a profound impact on fans of the Star Wars franchise. The film helped to popularize the franchise and introduced new characters and stories that would continue to be explored in future films and television series.

Conclusion
Return of the Jedi is a classic film that continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world. The film's groundbreaking visual effects, iconic characters, and exciting story have made it one of the most influential films of all time.