The Star Wars franchise has become a part of pop culture since the first movie was released in 1977. The special effects and the storytelling on the big screen were done for the first time at that level in the original trilogy, which changed cinema for good.
However, even legendary franchises cannot escape criticism. Of the films that have received constant criticism, one that is remembered most is Return of the Jedi, the final installment in the original Star Wars trilogy. Now, Dune director Denis Villeneuve’s recent remarks ignited discussions about the movie once again.
Return of the Jedi Frustrated Denis Villeneuve
Return of the Jedi was released in May 1983, bringing the original Star Wars trilogy to an end. It grossed over $482 million worldwide (as per Box Office Mojo). Richard Marquand directed the movie and a star cast that included big names like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.
The movie continued the Rebel Alliance’s story as they attacked the Galactic Empire for the last time. Luke Skywalker attempts to redeem his father, Darth Vader, back from the dark side.
Denis Villeneuve has recently given his honest and passionate take on the film. In his appearance on The Town podcast, the Dune director expressed how he was excited for the Return of the Jedi.
I was the target audience. I was 10 years old. It went to my brain like a silver bullet. I became obsessed with Star Wars. I mean, The Empire Strikes Back is the movie that I anticipated the most in my life. I saw the movie a billion times onscreen.
However, Villeneuve’s enthusiasm was dramatically destroyed after he saw the movie. He confessed,
The problem is that it all derailed in 1983 with Return of the Jedi. It’s a long story. I was 15 years old, and my best friend and I wanted to take a cab and go to L.A. and talk to George Lucas — we were so angry! Still today, the Ewoks. It turned out to be a comedy for kids… Star Wars became crystallized in its own mythology, very dogmatic, it seemed like a recipe, no more surprises.
When asked if he would like to direct any Star Wars movie in the future, Villeneuve said, “I’m not dreaming to do a Star Wars because it feels like code is very codified.” Initially considered a financial success with critical acclaim, some of the movie’s later observations do seem quite contrasting.
Why Return of the Jedi Falls Short
Denis Villeneuve is not the only one who has such opinions about Return of the Jedi. Indeed, a lot of critics have noted several flaws in the movie that separate it from its earlier films. Some aspects, for example, the visual style, appeared to have declined from The Empire Strikes Back.
Some criticized Mark Hamill’s performance as Luke Skywalker. In previous movies, the audience saw different layers of emotions. In Return of the Jedi, they felt the character turned flat. It seemed like the character was following a misguided idea that being mature means being emotionally deprived.
Even Harrison Ford’s performance felt declined. The once charismatic character of Han Solo was delivering exaggerated dialogs that lacked the nuances of earlier films. The character also appeared to lose his stakes within the storyline.
The dramatic tension in the film also suffered. Unlike the earlier movies where the entire Rebel Alliance was threatened with annihilation, Return of the Jedi seemed to be less consequential. It appeared as if the risks were lower and the challenges were not so immediate.
Moreover, other plot points like the Luke-Leia sibling relationship and the way the Emperor was killed were also questioned. Nevertheless, Return of the Jedi still remains a significant part of cinematic history and the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is available to stream on Disney+.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Denis Villeneuve so frustrated by Return of the Jedi?
On The Town podcast, the Dune director recalled being a devoted young Star Wars fan whose enthusiasm collapsed with 1983’s Return of the Jedi. He said the saga ‘derailed’ that year, and that at 15 he and his best friend were so angry they joked about taking a cab to Los Angeles to talk to George Lucas. His chief complaints were the Ewoks and a tone that, to him, had turned into ‘a comedy for kids,’ with the franchise becoming dogmatic and formulaic.
What is the $482 million Star Wars film mentioned in the headline?
It refers to Return of the Jedi, the 1983 finale of the original Star Wars trilogy, which grossed well over $482 million worldwide per Box Office Mojo. The film was directed by Richard Marquand and starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia.
Would Denis Villeneuve ever direct a Star Wars movie?
It seems unlikely based on his comments. Villeneuve said he is ‘not dreaming’ of doing a Star Wars film because the universe feels too ‘codified’ to him, suggesting he prefers more creative freedom. He is best known for sci-fi work such as the Dune films, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival rather than established-franchise filmmaking.
