View source for Return of the Jedi

{{Short description|1983 film directed by Richard Marquand}}
{{About|the film}}
{{Redirect|The Battle for Endor|the television film|Ewoks: The Battle for Endor{{!}}''Ewoks: The Battle for Endor''}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Return of the Jedi
| image          = ReturnOfTheJediPoster1983.jpg
| alt            = <!-- The spacing and punctuation in this alt text is intended to assist screen readers. Please test in at least three screen readers before making changes. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BEGINNING PERIOD INSERTS A PAUSE BETWEEN THE READING OF THE INFOBOX HEADER AND THE START OF THE SENTENCE-->. This poster shows a montage of characters from the movie. In the background, Darth Vader stands tall and dark in front of a reconstructed Death Star; before him stands Luke Skywalker wielding a lightsaber, Han Solo aiming a blaster, and Princess Leia wearing a slave outfit. To the right are an Ewok and Lando Calrissian, while miscellaneous villains fill out the left.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster by Kazuhiko Sano
| director       = [[Richard Marquand]]
| producer       = [[Howard Kazanjian]]
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lawrence Kasdan]]
* [[George Lucas]]
}}
| story          = George Lucas
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!-- PER BILLING BLOCK-->
* [[Mark Hamill]]
* [[Harrison Ford]]
* [[Carrie Fisher]]
* [[Billy Dee Williams]]
* [[Anthony Daniels]]
* [[David Prowse]]
* [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]]
* [[Peter Mayhew]]
* [[Frank Oz]]}}
| music          = [[John Williams]]
| cinematography = [[Alan Hume]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* Sean Barton
* [[Marcia Lucas]]
* [[Duwayne Dunham]]
}}
| studio         = [[Lucasfilm Ltd.]]
| distributor    = [[20th Century-Fox]]
| released       = {{Film date|1983|5|25}}
| runtime        = 132 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 131:33--><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/star-wars-episode-vi-return-jedi-1970-1 |title=''STAR WARS EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI'' (U) |work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |date=May 12, 1983 |access-date=May 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505061010/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/star-wars-episode-vi-return-jedi-1970-1 |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $32.5–42.7 million<ref>Aubrey Solomon, ''Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History'', Scarecrow Press, 1989 p260</ref>{{Sfn|Rinzler|2013|p=336}}
| gross          = $482 million<ref name="mojo" /><ref name="numbers" />
}}
'''''Return of the Jedi''''' (also known as '''''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'''''{{space+parenthesis}} <!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS TITLE or the AKA. It was agreed to in long discussions in January and November 2014. --> is a 1983 American [[Epic film|epic]] [[space opera]] film directed by [[Richard Marquand]] from a screenplay by [[Lawrence Kasdan]] and [[George Lucas]]. The sequel to ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980), it is the third<!-- Do NOT add "and final", that should be obvious for the third installment of a trilogy--> installment in the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]] and the sixth chronological film in the "[[Skywalker Saga]]". The film follows the ongoing struggle between the malevolent [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] and the freedom fighters of the [[Rebel Alliance]]. As the rebels attempt to destroy the Empire's [[second Death Star]], [[Luke Skywalker]] tries to bring his father, [[Darth Vader]], back from the dark side of [[the Force]]. The film stars [[Mark Hamill]], [[Harrison Ford]], [[Carrie Fisher]], [[Billy Dee Williams]], [[Anthony Daniels]], [[David Prowse]], [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]], [[Peter Mayhew]], and [[Frank Oz]].

[[Steven Spielberg]], [[David Lynch]], and [[David Cronenberg]] were considered to direct the film before Marquand signed on as director. The production team relied on Lucas' storyboards during pre-production. While writing the shooting script, Lucas, Kasdan, Marquand, and producer [[Howard Kazanjian]] spent two weeks in conference discussing ideas to construct it. Kazanjian's schedule pushed shooting to begin a few weeks early to allow [[Industrial Light & Magic]] more time to work on the film's effects in post-production. Filming took place in England, California, and Arizona from January to {{Start date|1982|5}}.

''Return of the Jedi'' was released in theaters by [[20th Century-Fox]] on May 25, 1983. It grossed $374 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, becoming the [[1983 in film#Highest-grossing films|highest-grossing film of 1983]]. It was well received by critics, with strong praise going to the performances of the actors, John Williams' score, the special effects and the action sequences. Several re-releases and [[Changes in Star Wars re-releases#Return of the Jedi|revisions]] to the film have followed over the decades, which have brought its total gross to $482 million. The United States [[Library of Congress]] selected it for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]] in 2021. A [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel trilogy]], released between 1999 and 2005, and a [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|sequel trilogy]], released between 2015 and 2019, followed.

== Plot ==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries in film articles should be 400-700 words. As of September 30, 2025, the word count is at 672 words, excluding the notes. Please check the word count before making any changes. -->
One year after [[Han Solo]]'s capture and imprisonment in carbonite,{{efn|As depicted in ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980). ''Empire'' magazine reports that one year elapses between the plot events of that film and ''Return of the Jedi.''<ref name="Ben Travis1">{{Cite web|last=Travis|first=Ben|date=2023-09-08|title=Star Wars Timeline: Every Movie, Series And More|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/|access-date=2024-03-24|website=Empire|language=en-US|archive-date=March 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323122442/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} [[C-3PO]] and [[R2-D2]] enter the palace of the crime lord [[Jabba the Hutt]] on [[Tatooine]]. They were sent as a goodwill gift by [[Luke Skywalker]], who hopes to negotiate with Jabba for Han's release. Disguised as a [[bounty hunter]], [[Princess Leia]] infiltrates the palace under the pretense of having captured [[Chewbacca]]. She releases Han from the carbonite but is caught by Jabba and enslaved. Luke arrives to bargain for the release of his friends, but Jabba drops him through a trapdoor to be eaten by a [[rancor]]. After Luke kills the beast, Jabba decrees that he, Han, and Chewbacca will be fed to a<!--"Sarlacc" is capitalized, based on the two references.--> [[Sarlacc]],{{Sfn|Hidalgo|Sansweet|2008|p=127}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarlacc |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/sarlacc |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}}</ref> a deadly ground-dwelling creature. However, Luke retrieves his new green [[lightsaber]] from {{nowrap|R2-D2}}, and the group of friends battle Jabba's thugs aboard his sail barge. During the chaos, [[Boba Fett]] falls into the Sarlacc's pit, and Leia strangles Jabba to death with her chains. The group escapes as Jabba's sail barge is destroyed.

As the others rendezvous with the Rebel Alliance, Luke returns to [[Dagobah]] to complete his [[Jedi]] training with [[Yoda]], who is dying when he arrives. Before Yoda dies, he confirms that [[Darth Vader]] is Luke's father, the former Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and that there is another Skywalker. [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'s [[Force spirit]] tells Luke that Leia is his twin sister, and that he must face Vader again to finish his training and defeat the Empire.

The Alliance learns that the Empire has been constructing a second Death Star under the supervision of [[Palpatine|the Emperor]]. The station is protected by an energy shield on the forest moon of [[Endor (Star Wars)|Endor]]. Han leads a strike team, including Luke, Leia, and Chewbacca, to destroy its generator. Once on the moon, the team gains the trust of a tribe of [[Ewok]]s. Luke tells Leia she is his sister, and that Vader is their father. Luke surrenders to Imperial troops and is brought before Vader, but fails to convince him to reject the dark side of the Force.

Luke is brought to the Emperor, who intends to turn him to the dark side. He reveals that Luke's friends on Endor and the rebel fleet are heading into a trap. On the forest moon, Han's team is captured by Imperial forces, but the Ewoks counterattack, allowing the rebels to infiltrate the shield generator. Meanwhile, [[Lando Calrissian]] and [[Admiral Ackbar]] lead the rebel assault on the Death Star, but find its shield still active and the Imperial fleet waiting for them.

<!-- Read before editing:
1. George Lucas, Ian McDiarmid, and The Rise of Skywalker's opening crawl all confirm the Emperor died.
2. Return of the Jedi does not explicitly state that Vader dies from electrocution. There are other possibilities, such as his suit malfunctioning after his hand is severed.
3. Please do not use the word "redeemed" to describe Anakin/Vader. That is subjective interpretation, not fact. -->The Emperor reveals to Luke that the Death Star is fully operational and orders the firing of its massive laser, which destroys a rebel starship. He tempts Luke to give in to his anger and embrace the dark side of [[the Force]]. Luke attacks him, but Vader intervenes, and the two engage in a lightsaber duel. During the battle, Vader realizes Luke has a sister, and he threatens to turn her to the dark side. Luke becomes enraged and severs Vader's [[prosthetic]] hand. The Emperor orders Luke to kill his father, but Luke refuses. The Emperor then tortures Luke with [[Force lightning]]. Unwilling to let his son die, Vader throws the Emperor down a shaft to his demise, but is fatally wounded in the process. Before dying, Vader asks Luke to remove his mask in a moment of reconciliation.<!-- Read before editing:
1. George Lucas, Ian McDiarmid, and The Rise of Skywalker's opening crawl all confirm the Emperor died.
2. Return of the Jedi does not explicitly state that Vader dies from electrocution. There are other possibilities, such as his suit malfunctioning after his hand is severed.
3. Please do not use the word "redeemed" to describe Anakin/Vader. That is subjective interpretation, not fact. -->

After the rebel strike team destroys the shield generator, Lando leads fighter ships into the Death Star's core. Lando and the [[X-wing fighter|X-wing]] pilot [[Wedge Antilles]] destroy the station's main reactor and escape before the station explodes. Later, Luke cremates Vader's body on Endor before reuniting with his friends. As the rebels celebrate their victory, Luke sees the Force spirits of Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker standing nearby.<!-- Read before editing:
1. George Lucas, Ian McDiarmid, and The Rise of Skywalker's opening crawl all confirm the Emperor died.
2. Return of the Jedi does not explicitly state that Vader dies from electrocution. There are other possibilities, such as his suit malfunctioning after his hand is severed.
3. Please do not use the word "redeemed" to describe Anakin/Vader. That is subjective interpretation, not fact. -->

== Cast ==
{{See also|List of Star Wars original trilogy characters|List of Star Wars cast members}}
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 420
| direction         = horizontal
| align             = right
| footer            = Left to right: [[Mark Hamill]] (pictured in 2019), [[Harrison Ford]] (2017), and [[Carrie Fisher]] (2013)
| image1            = Mark Hamill by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
| alt1              = A photograph of Mark Hamill
| image2            = Harrison Ford by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
| alt2              = A photograph of Harrison Ford
| image3            = Carrie Fisher 2013 cropped retouched.jpg
| alt3              = A photograph of Carrie Fisher
}}
* [[Mark Hamill]] as [[Luke Skywalker]]: A Jedi in training, a pilot in the Rebel Alliance, the son of Darth Vader and the twin brother of Leia<ref name="Ben Travis1">{{Cite web|last=Travis|first=Ben|date=2023-09-08|title=Star Wars Timeline: Every Movie, Series And More|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/|access-date=2024-03-24|website=Empire|language=en-US|archive-date=March 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323122442/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hidalgo|Sansweet|2008|pp=163-165}}
* [[Harrison Ford]] as [[Han Solo]]: A rebel general and the captain of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]''{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: <ref>{{cite web |title=''Star Wars'': Han Solo origin film announced |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33439026 |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204170915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33439026 |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Adam |date=July 8, 2015 |title=11 actors who are Harrison {{nowrap|Ford-y}} enough to pull off a young Han Solo |url=https://qz.com/447959/11-actors-who-are-harrison-ford-y-enough-to-pull-off-a-young-han-solo/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211105205701/https://qz.com/447959/11-actors-who-are-harrison-ford-y-enough-to-pull-off-a-young-han-solo/ |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |website=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Han Solo |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/han-solo |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628155334/http://starwars.com/explore/encyclopedia/characters/hansolo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
* [[Carrie Fisher]] as [[Leia Organa]]: A leader of the Rebel Alliance, the twin sister of Luke and the daughter of Darth Vader<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Mike |date=2015-10-23 |title=We should think of Leia from "Star Wars" as a politician as much as a princess |url=https://qz.com/530524/we-should-think-of-leia-as-a-politician-as-much-as-a-princess |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190244/https://qz.com/530524/we-should-think-of-leia-as-a-politician-as-much-as-a-princess/ |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Billy Dee Williams]] as [[Lando Calrissian]]: The former administrator of Cloud City, Han's friend, and a rebel general<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lando Calrissian |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/lando-calrissian |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=July 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703012422/https://www.starwars.com/databank/lando-calrissian |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2023-09-14 |title=Donald Glover's 'Lando' No Longer A Series As It Pivots To Feature Film |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/lando-movie-stephen-glover-donald-glover-1235546898/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914170807/https://deadline.com/2023/09/lando-movie-stephen-glover-donald-glover-1235546898/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Anthony Daniels]] as [[C-3PO]]: A humanoid protocol droid<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacGregor |first=Jeff |date=December 2017 |title=How Anthony Daniels Gives C-3PO an Unlikely Dash of Humanity |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/anthony-daniels-c3po-unlikely-dash-humanity-180967212/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506210129/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/anthony-daniels-c3po-unlikely-dash-humanity-180967212/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en }}</ref>{{sfn|Daniels|2019|pp=120-149,266}}
* [[Peter Mayhew]] as [[Chewbacca]]: Han's [[Wookiee]] friend and the co-pilot of the ''Millennium Falcon''<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Richwine |first1=Lisa |last2=Gorman |first2=Steve |date=May 2, 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew, actor who played Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' movies, dies |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-starwars-chewbacca/peter-mayhew-actor-who-played-chewbacca-in-star-wars-movies-dies-idUSKCN1S82DB/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211103233730/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-starwars-chewbacca/peter-mayhew-actor-who-played-chewbacca-in-star-wars-movies-dies-idUSKCN1S82DB |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
* [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]] as
** [[R2-D2]]: An astromech droid<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Nugent |title=R2-D2 actor Kenny Baker dies, aged 81 |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/r2-d2-actor-kenny-baker-dies-aged-81/ |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=August 13, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017172802/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/r2-d2-actor-kenny-baker-dies-aged-81/ |archive-date=October 17, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Paploo]]: An Ewok who aids the rebels on Endor<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=August 13, 2016 |title=Kenny Baker, R2-D2 in 'Star Wars' films, dies at 81 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/08/13/kenny-baker-dead-star-wars-r2-d2-actor-dies-83/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326064400/https://ew.com/article/2016/08/13/kenny-baker-dead-star-wars-r2-d2-actor-dies-83/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Sfn|Hidalgo|Sansweet|2008|p=11}}
* [[Ian McDiarmid]] as the [[Palpatine|Emperor]]: The ruler of the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader's master<ref>{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=2024-02-13 |title=Ian McDiarmid Defends Palpatine's Return In Rise Of Skywalker: 'He Always Had A Plan B' – Exclusive |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-ian-mcdiarmid-defends-palpatine-return-rise-of-skywalker-exclusive/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Empire |language=en |archivedate=March 26, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326064400/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-ian-mcdiarmid-defends-palpatine-return-rise-of-skywalker-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Sfn|Hidalgo|Sansweet|2008|pp=8-9}}
* [[Frank Oz]] <small>(puppeteer/voice)</small> as [[Yoda]]: A centuries-old Jedi Master who trained Luke<ref>{{cite web |last=Nathan |first=Ian |date=May 20, 2020 |title=''The Empire Strikes Back'' at 40: The making of a ''Star Wars'' classic |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-making-empire-strikes-back/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021758/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-making-empire-strikes-back/ |archivedate=November 12, 2020 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Richard |date=August 12, 2021 |title=''Star Wars'' timeline: Every major event in chronological order |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/star-wars-timeline/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425000131/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/star-wars-timeline/ |archivedate=April 25, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref>
* [[David Prowse]] / [[James Earl Jones]] <small>(voice)</small> as [[Darth Vader]]: A former Jedi and Luke and Leia's father, as well as the Emperor's disciple{{Sfn|Hidalgo|Sansweet|2008|pp=278-288}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=2016-04-24 |title=Elstree 1976: Star Wars' David Prowse on Darth Vader's Voice Getting Dubbed By James Earl Jones |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/24/elstree-1976-star-wars-david-prowse-on-darth-vaders-voice-getting-dubbed-by-james-earl-jones |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=IGN |language=en |archivedate=March 26, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326052110/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/24/elstree-1976-star-wars-david-prowse-on-darth-vaders-voice-getting-dubbed-by-james-earl-jones |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] as Anakin Skywalker: The unmasked Vader who also appears as a Force spirit<ref>{{Cite web |last=Busch |first=Jenna |date=2023-09-02 |title=Star Wars' Unmasking Of Sebastian Shaw As Darth Vader Disappointed David Prowse |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1375831/star-wars-unmasking-darth-vader-david-prowse-disappointed-sebastian-shaw-reveal/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US |archivedate=March 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327074245/https://www.slashfilm.com/1375831/star-wars-unmasking-darth-vader-david-prowse-disappointed-sebastian-shaw-reveal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|In the original version of ''Return of the Jedi'', Shaw portrays both the unmasked Anakin and the character's Force spirit. In the 2004 re-release of the film, [[Hayden Christensen]] replaces Shaw as the spirit.}}
* [[Alec Guinness]] as [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]: The deceased Jedi mentor of Luke who continues to guide him as a Force spirit<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jeremy |date=2023-09-17 |title=How Star Wars Brought Force Ghosts To Life In The Time Before CGI |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1384686/star-wars-pre-cgi-force-ghost-special-effects/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US |archivedate=March 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327074245/https://www.slashfilm.com/1384686/star-wars-pre-cgi-force-ghost-special-effects/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Toby Philpott]], Mike Edmonds, [[David Barclay (puppeteer)|David Barclay]] <small>(puppeteers)</small> and Larry A. Ward <small>(voice)</small> as [[Jabba the Hutt]]: A slug-like alien crime lord who purchased the carbonite-frozen Han from the bounty hunter Boba Fett

The cast also includes [[Michael Pennington]] as [[Moff Jerjerrod]], [[Kenneth Colley]] as [[Admiral Piett]], [[Michael Carter (actor)|Michael Carter]] as [[Bib Fortuna]] (voiced by [[Erik Bauersfeld]], who was uncredited),<ref name="sfgate">{{cite news |last=Hartlaub |first=Peter |date=July 14, 2015 |title=Let this 93-year-old voice Admiral Ackbar in the new "Star Wars" |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/thebigevent/2015/07/14/let-this-93-year-old-voice-admiral-ackbar-in-the-new-star-wars/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313225833/http://blog.sfgate.com/thebigevent/2015/07/14/let-this-93-year-old-voice-admiral-ackbar-in-the-new-star-wars/ |archivedate=March 13, 2016 |access-date=December 22, 2015 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}</ref> [[Denis Lawson]] as [[Wedge Antilles|Wedge]], [[Tim Rose (actor)|Tim Rose]] as [[Admiral Ackbar]] (also voiced by Bauersfeld, again uncredited),<ref name="sfgate" /> [[Dermot Crowley]] as General Madine, [[Caroline Blakiston]] as [[Mon Mothma]], [[Warwick Davis]] as [[Wicket W. Warrick]], [[Tony Cox (actor)|Tony Cox]] as Widdle 'Willy' Warrick, [[Jeremy Bulloch]] as [[Boba Fett]], [[Femi Taylor]] as Oola, Annie Arbogast as Sy Snootles,{{Efn|The character Sy Snootles is portrayed by a puppet, with Arbogast providing the voice. In the Special Edition version of the film, the puppet is replaced with a computer-generated Sy Snootles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambie |first=Ryan |date=2017-06-03 |title=Star Wars: The Changing Face of Sy Snootles & the Max Rebo Band |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-the-changing-face-of-sy-snootles-the-max-rebo-band/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archivedate=February 21, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221062640/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-the-changing-face-of-sy-snootles-the-max-rebo-band/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} [[Claire Davenport]] as Fat Dancer, [[Jack Purvis (actor)|Jack Purvis]] as Teebo, [[Mike Edmonds]] as Logray, Jane Busby as Chief Chirpa, [[Malcolm Dixon (actor)|Malcom Dixon]] and Mike Cottrell as Ewok Warriors, and Nicki Reade as Nicki. Additional Imperial officers are portrayed by Adam Bareham (Stardestroyer Controller #1), Jonathan Oliver (Stardestroyer Controller #2), Pip Miller (Stardestroyer Captain #1), and [[Tom Mannion]] (Stardestroyer Captain #2).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Wars: Return of the Jedi |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi/cast/2030287949/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=TV Guide |language=en |archivedate=March 27, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327074245/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi/cast/2030287949/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Production ==

=== Development ===
Following the commercial success of ''The Empire Strikes Back'', a second ''Star Wars'' sequel was swiftly put into production.{{sfn|Rinzler|2013|p=2}} As with ''Empire'', Lucas personally financed ''Return of the Jedi'', but chose not to direct the film himself.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams">{{Cite AV media |title=[[Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy]] |date=September 21, 2004 |type=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment}}</ref> [[Irvin Kershner]], the director of ''Empire'', declined to return for ''Jedi''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mike |first=Ryan |date=2010-10-18 |title=In Hindsight, Empire Strikes Back Director Irvin Kershner Would've Helmed One of the Prequels |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2010/10/irvin-kershner |access-date=2023-11-23 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925003441/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2010/10/irvin-kershner |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Lucas' first choice for director was [[Steven Spielberg]], their separate feuds with the [[Directors Guild of America|Director's Guild of America]] led to Spielberg being banned from directing the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Witzke |first=Sean |date=February 19, 2015 |title=A Look Back at Steven Spielberg at the Height of His Powers |url=https://www.grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/a-look-back-at-steven-spielberg-at-the-height-of-his-powers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008174948/http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/a-look-back-at-steven-spielberg-at-the-height-of-his-powers/ |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |access-date=October 8, 2018 |work=Grantland}}</ref> Lucas approached [[David Lynch]], who had recently been nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Director]] for ''[[The Elephant Man (1980 film)|The Elephant Man]]'' (1980). Lynch declined, believing that Lucas should direct the film since ''Star Wars'' was his creation.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Lynch Meets George Lucas |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJQ4vCu-S0U |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=December 1, 2014 |publisher=YouTube |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911060947/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJQ4vCu-S0U |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=2009-12-09 |title=Lynch talks Jedi |url=https://www.joblo.com/lynch-talks-jedi/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=JoBlo |language=en-US |archivedate=November 15, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115155442/https://www.joblo.com/lynch-talks-jedi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:George Lucas 1986 (cropped).jpg|alt=A photograph of George Lucas|left|thumb|upright|George Lucas (pictured in 1986)]]

Lucas offered [[David Cronenberg]] the chance to direct, but he turned down the offer, as he preferred to direct films he had written himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Shawn |date=September 20, 2007 |title=Cronenberg's Aborted Job Offer: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Director's Chair? |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/09/20/cronenbergs-aborted-job-offer-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-directors-chair/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317131218/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/09/20/cronenbergs-aborted-job-offer-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-directors-chair/ |archive-date=March 17, 2010 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=MTV Movies Blog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keslassy |first=Elsa |date=2022-05-16 |title=David Cronenberg Breaks Down Cannes Walkouts, His New Film's Sexuality, and Why Netflix Turns Him Down |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/david-cronenberg-cannes-interview-crimes-of-the-future-walkouts-netflix-1235267464/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archivedate=January 15, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115170849/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/david-cronenberg-cannes-interview-crimes-of-the-future-walkouts-netflix-1235267464/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas also considered [[Lamont Johnson]], the director of ''[[The Last American Hero]]'' (1973), before finally choosing [[Richard Marquand]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Joal |date=May 24, 2013 |title=The 'Return of the Jedi' That Could Have Been |url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/bp/return-jedi-could-202622407.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223042053/https://www.yahoo.com/movies/bp/return-jedi-could-202622407.html |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |work=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref> Lucas was on set frequently because of Marquand's relative inexperience with special effects; Marquand joked that directing ''Jedi'' was like "trying to direct ''[[King Lear]]'' – with [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] in the next room!"{{efn|Lucas also operated the second camera a few times during filming.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas |last=Pollock |first=Dale |publisher=Da Capo |year=1999 |page=203, 225, 227, 276 |isbn=0-573-60606-4}}</ref>}}<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" /><ref name="hearn">{{Cite book |author=Marcus Hearn |title=The Cinema of George Lucas |publisher=Harry N. Abrams Inc |year=2005 |location=New York City |pages=140–1 |chapter=Cliffhanging |isbn=0-8109-4968-7}}</ref> Lucas praised Marquand's kindness and his ability to work with actors.<ref name="DVDcom">''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher. [[Fox Home Entertainment]], 2004</ref>

The screenplay for ''Jedi'' was based on a story by Lucas. The script was written by Lucas and [[Lawrence Kasdan]],{{efn|The screenplay contains uncredited contributions from Marquand and  [[David Peoples]].}} who allegedly told Lucas that ''Return of the Jedi'' was a weak title.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" /> Kazanjian echoed Kasdan's concern, and the title was changed to ''Revenge of the Jedi'' soon after.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2013|p=7}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=May 24, 2013 |title=30 Things You Didn't Know About Return of the Jedi |url=https://www.wired.com/2013/05/return-of-the-jedi-anniversary/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106002027/https://www.wired.com/2013/05/return-of-the-jedi-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The screenplay was not finished until late in [[pre-production]], well after a [[production schedule]] and a budget had been created, and after Marquand had been hired, which was unusual for a film. Instead, the [[production team]] relied on Lucas' story and his rough draft of the script to guide their early work. When it came time to write a [[shooting script]], Lucas, Kasdan, Marquand and Kazanjian spent two weeks in conference discussing ideas; Kasdan used tape transcripts of these meetings to construct the script.<ref name="ProdDir3">{{Cite journal |author=Richard Patterson |date=June 1983 |title=Return of the Jedi: Production and Direction, p. 3 |url=http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/pdir/pg3.htm |url-status=live |journal=[[American Cinematographer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184715/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/pdir/pg3.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2007}}</ref>

The question of whether Harrison Ford would return for ''Return of the Jedi'' arose during pre-production. Unlike Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, Ford was not contracted for two sequels, and ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' (1980) had made him an even bigger star. Kazanjian said that Han was frozen in carbonite in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' because the filmmakers were unsure whether the character would return. He also claimed that Lucas did not expect Ford to return, and that Han was initially not in the script. However, Kazanjian—who also produced ''Raiders of the Lost Ark—''ultimately convinced Ford to return.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Howard Kazanjian interview {{!}} Producer {{!}} Star Wars {{!}} Indiana Jones |url=http://starwarsinterviews1.blogspot.com/2010/01/howard-kazanjian-interview.html |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Howard Kazanjian interview {{!}} Producer {{!}} Star Wars {{!}} Indiana Jones |archivedate=February 7, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207142202/http://starwarsinterviews1.blogspot.com/2010/01/howard-kazanjian-interview.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ford felt that Han should die through self-sacrifice in ''Jedi''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrison Ford: They should have killed Han Solo | date=November 12, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaR3KDt_no |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725025340/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaR3KDt_no |archivedate=July 25, 2019 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |publisher=ABC News |via=YouTube}}</ref> Kasdan agreed, and said it should occur near the beginning of the [[Three-act structure|third act]], to make the audience wonder whether the other protagonists will survive.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" /> [[Gary Kurtz]], who produced ''Star Wars'' and ''Empire'' but was replaced by Kazanjian for ''Jedi'', said that Han died in an early version of the script. Kurtz has suggested that one reason Lucas may have rejected the idea of Han dying was that it would not be good for merchandising.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Mike |date=2012-11-09 |title=Harrison Ford's Complicated History With Han Solo |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/harrison-ford-han-solo_n_2097347 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archivedate=November 9, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109023849/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/harrison-ford-han-solo_n_2097347 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kurtz also has claimed that an early script ended with the rebel forces in tatters, Leia grappling with her new duties as a queen, and Luke walking off alone "like [[Clint Eastwood]] in the [[spaghetti Western]]s".<ref name="LostEnding">{{Cite web |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=2010-08-12 |title=Did 'Star Wars' become a toy story? Producer Gary Kurtz looks back |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/hero-complex-blog/story/2010-08-12/did-star-wars-become-a-toy-story-producer-gary-kurtz-looks-back |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123064813/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/hero-complex-blog/story/2010-08-12/did-star-wars-become-a-toy-story-producer-gary-kurtz-looks-back |archivedate=January 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

Yoda was originally not meant to appear in the film, but Marquand strongly felt that returning to Dagobah was essential because audiences would expect it.<ref name="ProdDir3" /> After speaking with a children's psychologist, Lucas was concerned that young viewers might think that Darth Vader had lied about being Luke's father in the previous film, and so he inserted a scene in which Yoda confirms Vader's claim.<ref name="DVDcom" /> There were many other scenes that were changed during writing. At one point the Ewoks were going to be Wookiees, and the ''Millennium Falcon'' was going to land on Endor.<ref>''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, John Knoll, and Roger Guyett. [[20th Century Fox|Fox Home Entertainment]], 2005</ref> The ending of the film was going to show Obi-Wan, Yoda and Anakin Skywalker returning to life from their spectral existence in the Force.<ref name="Revengescript">{{cite web |author=George Lucas |date=June 12, 1981 |title=Star Wars&nbsp;— Episode VI: "Revenge of the Jedi" Revised Rough Draft |url=http://www.starwarz.com/starkiller/scripts/revenge_revised_rough_draft.htm |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203075748/http://www.starwarz.com/starkiller/scripts/revenge_revised_rough_draft.htm |archive-date=February 3, 2007 |access-date=February 22, 2007 |publisher=Starkiller}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 350
| direction         = horizontal
| align             = right
| footer            = New cast members include Ian McDiarmid (left, pictured in 2020) as the Emperor, and Warwick Davis (in 2023) as Wicket the Ewok.
| image1            = Ian McDiarmid Brussels Comic Con 2020.jpg
| alt1              = A photograph of Ian McDiarmid
| image2            = Warwick Davis Photo Op Nightmare Weekend Richmond 2023 (cropped).jpg
| alt2              = A photograph of Warwick Davis
}}

[[Alan Webb (actor)|Alan Webb]] was originally cast as the Emperor, but dropped out due to illness.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 8, 2013 |title=Return of the Jedi: behind the scenes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10341365/Return-of-the-Jedi-behind-the-scenes.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10341365/Return-of-the-Jedi-behind-the-scenes.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Lindsay Anderson]] was offered the role, but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. [[Ben Kingsley]] and [[David Suchet]] were also considered.{{sfn|Rinzler|2013|p=126–127}}<ref name="starwars.com">{{Cite web |date=October 2013 |title=10 Interesting Things I Learned from the Making of Return of the Jedi |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/10-interesting-things-i-learned-from-the-making-of-return-of-the-jedi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603034856/https://www.starwars.com/news/10-interesting-things-i-learned-from-the-making-of-return-of-the-jedi |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref> [[Alan Rickman]] auditioned for the role of Moff Jerjerrod, but Michael Pennington was cast instead.<ref name="starwars.com" /> Marquand initially wanted a famous actor such as [[Laurence Olivier]] or [[John Gielgud]] to play the unmasked Vader, but Lucas was concerned that such an actor would be distracting for audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-25 |title=10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Star Wars: Return of the Jedi |url=https://gizmodo.com/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-star-wars-ret-1383276948 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Gizmodo |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204161752/https://gizmodo.com/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-star-wars-ret-1383276948 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kenny Baker was cast as Wicket the Ewok, but he fell ill with food poisoning on the day of the shoot. He was replaced by Warwick Davis, who had no film acting experience.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/05/25/warwick-davis-solo-star-wars-story/ |title=Return of the Jedi actor Warwick Davis celebrates Solo return |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Feldberg |first=Isaac |date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213311/https://ew.com/movies/2018/05/25/warwick-davis-solo-star-wars-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Filming began on January 11, 1982, and lasted through May 20, 1982, a schedule six weeks shorter than ''Empire''. Kazanjian's schedule pushed shooting as early as possible to give [[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM) as much time as possible to work on effects, which left some crew members doubtful of their ability to be fully prepared.<ref name="ProdDir4">{{Cite journal |author=Patterson |first=Richard |date=June 1983 |title=Return of the Jedi: Production and Direction, p. 4 |url=http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/pdir/pg4.htm |url-status=live |journal=[[American Cinematographer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185150/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/pdir/pg4.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2007}}</ref> Working on a budget of $32.5 million,<ref name="ProdDir1">{{Cite journal |author=Richard Patterson |date=June 1983 |title=Return of the Jedi: Production and Direction, p. 1 |url=http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/pdir/pg1.htm |url-status=live |journal=[[American Cinematographer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185039/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/pdir/pg1.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2007}}</ref> Lucas was determined to avoid going over budget as had happened with ''Empire''. Kazanjian estimated that using ILM (which was owned by Lucasfilm) for special effects saved the production approximately $18 million.<ref name="ProdDir1" /> However, the fact that Lucasfilm was a non-union company made acquiring shooting locations more difficult and more expensive, even though ''Star Wars'' and ''Empire'' had been big hits.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" /> The production of ''Jedi'' was given the working title ''Blue Harvest'' with a tagline of "Horror Beyond Imagination." This disguised the production from fans and the press, and prevented [[price gouging]] by service providers.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" />

The first stage of production spanned 78 days at [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]] in England, where the film occupied all nine sound stages.<ref name="ProdDir4" /> The shoot commenced with a scene that was later cut from the film, in which the heroes get caught in a sandstorm as they leave Tatooine.{{Efn|The sandstorm scene was the only major sequence cut from the film during editing.}}<ref name="hearn" /><ref name="ProdDir3" /> For the [[rancor]], Lucas wanted to use a [[Suitmation|stunt performer in a suit]] in the style of the [[Toho]] ''[[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]]'' films. The production team made several attempts, but were unable to create an adequate result. Lucas eventually relented and made the rancor a puppet filmed at high speeds.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" />

In April, the crew moved to Arizona's [[Yuma Desert]] for two weeks of Tatooine exteriors.<ref name="hearn" /> Production then moved to northern California, where the crew shot Endor forest scenes in [[Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park]] on private land near [[Smith River, California|Smith River]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hesseltine |first1=Cassandra |title=Complete Filmography of Humboldt County |url=http://humboldt.filmhumboldtdelnorte.org/filmography |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013206/http://humboldt.filmhumboldtdelnorte.org/filmography |archivedate=October 13, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |website=Humboldt Del Norte Film Commission}}</ref><ref name="film">{{cite web |title=Map of the Movies |url=http://filmhumboldtdelnorte.org/sites/default/files/map-of-the-movies_0.pdf |url-status=deviated |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210213635/http://filmhumboldtdelnorte.org/sites/default/files/map-of-the-movies_0.pdf |archivedate=December 10, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-10 |publisher=Humboldt – Del Norte Film Commission}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] concluded with about ten days of [[Chroma key|bluescreen]] shots at ILM in [[San Rafael, California|San Rafael]], California. One small post-production unit shot background matte plates for a day in [[Death Valley]], and a [[Steadicam]] unit shot forest backgrounds for the speeder chase on Endor.<ref name="ProdDir4" /><ref name="Steadi3">{{Cite journal |title=Return of the Jedi: Steadicam Plates, p. 3 |url=http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/stcm/pg3.htm |url-status=live |journal=[[American Cinematographer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010949/http://www.theasc.com/magazine/starwars/articles/jedi/stcm/pg3.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2007}}</ref> [[Garrett Brown]], the inventor of the Steadicam, personally filmed these shots at less than one [[Frame rate|frame per second]]. By walking at about {{convert|5|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on|0}} and projecting the footage at 24 frames per second, the motion seen in the film appeared as if it were moving at around {{convert|120|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="EmpireOfDreams" /> Vader's funeral was filmed at [[Skywalker Ranch]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Star Wars in 100 Scenes |publisher=DK |year=2014 |isbn=9781465420121}}</ref>{{sfn|Rinzler|2013}}

Marquand and Anthony Daniels clashed on set, which led Daniels to record his [[Dubbing (filmmaking)#ADR/post-sync|dialogue]] with Lucas instead.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|pp=145-146}} Fisher also disliked working with Marquand. He often yelled at her, which caused her to burst into tears on one occasion. The tears ruined her makeup so thoroughly that it took an hour to reapply it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=2015-12-08 |title=Carrie Fisher's Crazy 'Star Wars' Ride: Cocaine, the Rolling Stones, and That Slave Bikini |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/08/carrie-fisher-s-crazy-star-wars-ride-cocaine-the-rolling-stones-and-that-slave-bikini |access-date=2023-11-23}}</ref>

=== Post-production ===
Lucasfilm encountered problems when it tested the film in a commercial theater. Lucas and his employees could not hear many of the sound effects they had mixed. To make matters worse, the background noise in the theater muffled the majority of the film's sound, which played through the theater's normal commercial sound system. Many theaters at the time had poor room acoustics with mono sound. Lucas would later solve this problem by founding a cinema audio company, [[THX]], and ensuring that all theaters playing his films used a sound system that THX developed.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 21, 2017 |title=Star Wars, George Lucas & A Disappearing Cello: The Story of THX Cinema Certification |url=https://medium.com/@thxltd/star-wars-george-lucas-a-disappearing-cello-the-story-of-thx-cinema-certification-81f6aeabb640 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301013605/https://medium.com/@thxltd/star-wars-george-lucas-a-disappearing-cello-the-story-of-thx-cinema-certification-81f6aeabb640 |archivedate=March 1, 2023 |access-date=October 1, 2021}}</ref>

Meanwhile, special effects work at ILM quickly stretched the company to its operational limits. While the experience gained from the previous two films allowed for increased efficiency, this was offset by the desire to have the closing film raise the bar set by each of these films.<ref name="ProdDir1" /> A compounding factor was the intention of several departments of ILM to either take on other film work or decrease staff during slow cycles. Instead, as soon as production began, the entire company found it necessary to remain running 20&nbsp;hours a day on six-day weeks in order to meet its goals by April 1, 1983. In total, ILM created about 900 special effects shots for ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref name="ProdDir4" />

== Music ==
{{Main|Return of the Jedi (soundtrack)}}

[[John Williams]] composed the film's musical score and performed it with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]]. Orchestration credits also include [[Thomas Newman]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Greiving |first=Tim |date=October 17, 2015 |title=When John Williams Can't Go, Whom Does Spielberg Call? Thomas Newman |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/10/17/449417429/composer-thomas-newman-teams-with-spielberg-for-bridge-of-spies |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130092741/https://www.npr.org/2015/10/17/449417429/composer-thomas-newman-teams-with-spielberg-for-bridge-of-spies |archivedate=January 30, 2018 |access-date=April 4, 2018 |work=NPR.org}}</ref> The initial release of the film's soundtrack was on the [[RSO Records]] label in the United States. In 2004, [[Sony Classical Records]] acquired the rights to both the original trilogy scores and to the soundtracks for the prequel films ''[[The Phantom Menace]]'' and ''[[Attack of the Clones]]''. In the same year, Sony Classical re-pressed the 1997 RCA Victor release of ''Return of the Jedi'' along with the other two films in the trilogy. This set was released with new artwork mirroring the first DVD release of the film. Despite the digital re-mastering, which minimally improved the sound heard only on high-end stereos, the 2004 release has been described as essentially the same as the 1997 RCA Victor release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Star Wars / The Empire Strikes Back / Return of the Jedi (Original Soundtracks&nbsp;– 2004 reissue) |url=http://www.musicweb-international.com/film/2004/Sep04/star_wars.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410025604/http://www.musicweb-international.com/film/2004/Sep04/star_wars.html |archivedate=April 10, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2007}}</ref>

== Release ==
[[File:RevengeOTJedi.jpg|thumb|right|upright|''Revenge of the Jedi'' teaser poster with artwork by [[Drew Struzan]]]] 
''Return of the Jedi'' was released on May 25, 1983. It was originally slated to open on May 27, but was subsequently changed to coincide with the date of the 1977 release of the original ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' film.<ref name="ProdDir1" /> With a massive worldwide marketing campaign, illustrator Tim Reamer created the image for the theatrical poster and other advertising. At the time of its release, the film was advertised on posters and merchandise as simply ''Star Wars: Return of the Jedi'', despite its on-screen "Episode VI" distinction. The film was re-released in 1985.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baver |first1=Kristin |last2=Hidalgo |first2=Pablo |last3=Wallace |first3=Daniel |last4=Windham |first4=Ryder |title=Star Wars Year By Year New Edition |date=November 2021 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-7440-5566-5 |page=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GdAyEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Knox |first1=Kelly |last2=Sandell |first2=Clayton |last3=Bende |first3=S. T. |title=Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: A Visual Archive |date=April 2024 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=979-8-88663-529-4 |page=238 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzQAEQAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>

=== Title change ===
The original [[Trailer (promotion)|teaser trailer]] for the film carried the name ''Revenge of the Jedi''.<ref>''Revenge of the Jedi'' Trailer from Star Wars Trilogy Box Set DVD Bonus Disc, 2004.</ref> In December 1982, Lucas decided the word "Revenge" was not appropriate because a he believed a Jedi should never seek revenge. He returned the film to its original title, but by that time thousands of "Revenge" teaser posters had been printed and distributed. Lucasfilm stopped the shipping of the posters and sold the remaining stock of 6,800 posters to ''Star Wars'' fan club members for $9.50.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sansweet & Vilmur |title=The Star Wars Poster Book |year=2004 |publisher=Chronicle Books |page=124}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Greg Dean Schmitz |author-link=Greg Dean Schmitz |title=Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith&nbsp;— Greg's Preview |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/preview/1808406060 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219022835/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/preview/1808406060 |archivedate=February 19, 2007 |access-date=March 5, 2007 |publisher=Yahoo! Movies}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
[[File:University Theatre 1983.jpg|thumb|''Return of the Jedi'' showing at the University Theatre in [[Toronto]]. The marquee reads, "The Smash of 83".]]
''Return of the Jedi'' grossed $314.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $166 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $480 million, against a production budget of about $32.5 million.<ref name="mojo">{{cite Box Office Mojo|title=Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi|id=0086190|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191114042942/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0086190/|archive-date=November 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="numbers">{{Cite news |title=Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars-Ep-VI-Return-of-the-Jedi |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010447/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars-Ep-VI-Return-of-the-Jedi |archivedate=May 2, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

''Return of the Jedi'' earned a total of $6.2 million on its opening day, beating out ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' to have the highest single day gross in history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-journal-jedi-sets-box-office/156839542/ |title='Jedi' sets box office record |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009204432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-journal-jedi-sets-box-office/156839542/ |date=May 27, 1983 |access-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |page=2 |publisher=[[Daily Journal (Franklin, Indiana)|The Daily Journal]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> It would hold the record for having the highest pre-[[Memorial Day]] Wednesday gross until 1996 when ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'' surpassed it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-mission-imposs/156838665/ |title='Mission: Impossible' sets box-office record |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009203154/https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-mission-imposs/156838665/ |date=May 29, 1996 |access-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |page=131 |publisher=[[Syracuse Herald-Journal]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Return of the Jedi'' made $23 million from 1,002 theaters in its opening weekend and grossed a record $45.3 million in its opening week.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|date=June 1, 1989|page=1|title=Par's 'Last' Sets Another First|last=McBride|first=Joseph}}</ref> It set a new domestic opening weekend record, surpassing the $14 million opening of ''The Wrath of Khan''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-14 |title=Chronological History of Weekend Record Breakers at the Box Office |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/pastrecords.htm?sort=wkndate&order=ASC |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001958/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/pastrecords.htm?sort=wkndate&order=ASC |archivedate=August 14, 2018 |access-date=2023-07-25}}</ref> Its $22,973 per theatre average would stand as a record for a nationwide release on an inflation-adjusted basis for 36 years, until it was surpassed by ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-28 |title=Avengers: Endgame Assembles a Global Cultural Event for Unprecedented $357 Million Domestic, $1.2 Billion Global Debut - Boxoffice |url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/domestic-global-weekend-update-avengers-endgame/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.boxofficepro.com |language=en-US |archivedate=July 25, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725181355/https://www.boxofficepro.com/domestic-global-weekend-update-avengers-endgame/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Return of the Jedi'' finished first at the box office for six of its first seven weeks of release.<ref name="numbers" /> [[Box Office Mojo]] estimates that the film sold over 80 million tickets in the US in its initial theatrical run.<ref>{{cite web |title=Return of the Jedi (1983) |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars6.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804215940/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars6.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm |archivedate=August 4, 2016 |access-date=May 31, 2016 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> When the film was re-released in 1985, it grossed $11.2 million, bringing its initial theatrical gross to $385.8 million worldwide.<ref name="mojo2">{{cite web |title=Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr638341637/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229141154/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr638341637/ |archivedate=February 29, 2020 |access-date=February 29, 2020 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> During its {{Nowrap|re-release}} in 1997, ''Jedi'' grossed $16.29 million in its opening weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers - Weekend Box Office Chart for March 14, 1997 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/1997/03/14 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=The Numbers |archivedate=May 2, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010726/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/1997/03/14 |url-status=live }}</ref> When it was {{Nowrap|re-released}} in 2023 for its 40th anniversary, it grossed $5.1 million, placing fourth at the weekend box office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Numbers - Weekend Box Office Chart for April 28, 2023 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-chart/weekend/2023/04/28 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical response ===
The film critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave ''Return of the Jedi'' four out of four stars, calling it "a complete entertainment, a feast for the eyes and a delight for the fancy." He said that Lucas and his team "keep topping themselves."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=May 25, 1983 |title=Return of the Jedi |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/return-of-the-jedi-1983 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622173225/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/return-of-the-jedi-1983 |archivedate=June 22, 2013 |access-date=March 10, 2007 |publisher=RogerEbert.com}}</ref> [[Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' also gave the film his highest possible rating, calling it a "childlike delight" which features "every facet of filmmaking at its best."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Siskel |first=Gene |author-link=Gene Siskel |date=May 25, 1983 |title='Return of the Jedi': Another quality toy in 'Star Wars' line |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-gene-siskel-movie-review/80952847/ |access-date=March 23, 2024 |magazine=[[Chicago Tribune]] |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323162525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-gene-siskel-movie-review/80952847/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

James Harwood of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film a "visual treat" featuring an impressive array of creatures, but felt that Mark Hamill was not a skilled enough dramatic actor to carry the plot, and that Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams did not perform as well as in previous films. He thought Harrison Ford was not given enough to do. <ref>{{cite magazine |last=Harwood |first=James |date=May 18, 1983 |title=Film Reviews: Return Of The Jedi |url=https://variety.com/1983/film/reviews/return-of-the-jedi-1200425674/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811093221/https://variety.com/1983/film/reviews/return-of-the-jedi-1200425674/ |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=14}}</ref> [[Sheila Benson]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that the film is fully satisfying, overflows with "new inventiveness", and carries "a weight and a new maturity" without becoming any less fun than the previous films. She likened the characters of ''Jedi'' to close friends which the viewer must leave behind as the trilogy ends.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Benson |first=Sheila |date=May 25, 1983 |title='Star Wars' Continues with an Inventive 'Jedi' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/58299004/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 23, 2024 |magazine=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archivedate=March 23, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323162524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/58299004/}}</ref>

Gary Arnold of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' called ''Return of the Jedi'' a "feat of mass enchantment" and "an imposing landmark in contemporary popular culture".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Arnold |first=Gary |date=May 22, 1983 |title=Both Magical & Monstrous, the 'Star Wars' Finale Is a Triumph |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/returnofthejediarnold.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007070047/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/returnofthejediarnold.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2018 |magazine=[[The Washington Post]] |page=G1}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, Gerald Clarke described ''Jedi'' as better and more satisfying than ''The Empire Strikes Back'', but less exciting than ''Star Wars.''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 23, 1983 |title=Star Wars III: Return of the Jedi |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101830523,00.html?internalid=AC |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323005658/http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101830523,00.html?internalid=AC |archive-date=March 23, 2007 |access-date=March 10, 2007 |magazine=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Clarke, Gerald |date=May 23, 1983 |title=Great Galloping Galaxies |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,953915,00.html?internalid=ACA |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124043907/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,953915,00.html?internalid=ACA |archive-date=November 24, 2007 |access-date=March 12, 2007 |magazine=Time}}</ref> [[Colin Greenland]] of ''[[Imagine (game magazine)|Imagine]]'' magazine stated that "You would think a series like ''Star Wars'', fuelled by public adoration, coasting along on the hyperdrive of its own hyperboles, would get inexorably worse. It is not. It is getting better."<ref name="Imagine6">{{cite journal |last=Greenland |first=Colin |author-link=Colin Greenland |date=September 1983 |title=Film Review |journal=[[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|Imagine]] |type=review |publisher=TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |issue=6 |pages=35}}</ref>

In contrast, [[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called ''Return of the Jedi'' the "dimmest adventure" of the trilogy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Canby |first=Vincent |date=May 25, 1983 |title=Lucas Returns with the 'Jedi' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/film/052583jedi.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060424081513/http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/052583jedi.html |archivedate=April 24, 2006 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Canby |first=Vincent |date=May 29, 1983 |title=The Force Is With Them, But the Magic Is Gone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/29/movies/film-view-the-force-is-with-them-but-the-magic-is-gone.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524143431/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/29/movies/film-view-the-force-is-with-them-but-the-magic-is-gone.html |archivedate=May 24, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=H15}}</ref> [[Pauline Kael]] of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' felt the film's imagery was lackluster, and that ''Jedi'' on the whole was ''"''an impersonal and rather junky piece of moviemaking."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kael|first=Pauline|date=May 30, 1983|title=The Current Cinema: Fun Machines|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|page=88}}</ref> In his review for ''[[Ares (magazine)|Ares]]'' magazine, Christopher John called ''Jedi'' a failure, and "a cheap and tarnished crown for the series which shook the world of film when it started out".<ref name="Ares">{{cite journal | last=John | first=Christopher | title=Film | journal=[[Ares (magazine)|Ares Magazine]] | publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]] | date=Fall 1983| issue=15 | pages=10–11}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" border="1"
|-
! Year
! Organization
! Award
! Result
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[56th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]<ref name="Oscars1984">{{cite web |title=The 56th Academy Awards (1984) Nominees and Winners |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1984 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402004202/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1984 |archivedate=April 2, 2015 |access-date=October 9, 2011 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Art Direction]]
| [[Norman Reynolds]], [[Fred Hole]], [[James L. Schoppe]] and [[Michael D. Ford]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| John Williams
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]]
| [[Ben Burtt]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| Ben Burtt, [[Gary Summers]], [[Randy Thom]] and [[Tony Dawe]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Special Achievement Academy Award]] for Visual Effects
| [[Richard Edlund]], [[Dennis Muren]], [[Ken Ralston]] and [[Phil Tippett]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[37th British Academy Film Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Makeup and Hair|Best Makeup and Hair]]
| Phil Tippett and [[Stuart Freeborn]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]]
| Norman Reynolds
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| Ben Burtt, Gary Summers and Tony Dawe
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects|Best Special Visual Effects]]
| Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston and [[Kit West]]
| {{Won}}
|-
|Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special
|John Williams
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|Hugo Awards
|[[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Best Dramatic Presentation]]
|Richard Marquand, Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="10" | [[11th Saturn Awards|Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film|Best Science Fiction Film]]
| Howard Kazanjian
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Richard Marquand
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Mark Hamill
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Carrie Fisher
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
| Billy Dee Williams
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Writing|Best Writing]]
| Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| [[Aggie Guerard Rodgers]] and Nilo Rodis-Jamero
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Make-up|Best Make-up]]
| Phil Tippett and Stuart Freeborn
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Music|Best Music]]
| John Williams
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren and Ken Ralston
| {{Won}}
|}
In 2021, ''Return of the Jedi'' was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]] for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=December 14, 2021 |title=National Film Registry Adds ''Return Of The Jedi'', ''Fellowship Of The Ring'', ''Strangers On A Train'', ''Sounder'', ''WALL-E'' & More |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/national-film-registry-2021-list-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-fellowship-of-the-ring-sounder-nightmare-on-elm-street-wall-e-1234890666/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702231423/https://deadline.com/2021/12/national-film-registry-2021-list-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-fellowship-of-the-ring-sounder-nightmare-on-elm-street-wall-e-1234890666/ |archivedate=July 2, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=StarWars.com Team |date=14 December 2021 |title=Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Joins National Film Registry |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-national-film-registry |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217155446/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-national-film-registry |archivedate=December 17, 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |publisher=StarWars.com |quote=}}</ref>

== Post-release ==
=== Re-releases ===
In 1997, for the 20th anniversary of the release of ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'', Lucasfilm released the ''Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition'' in theaters.<ref name="EmpireHomeVideo">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=November 28, 2019 |title=Who shot first? The complete list of ''Star Wars'' changes |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-changes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824220958/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-changes/ |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref><ref name="StarWars.com 2015">{{cite web |date=November 10, 2015 |title=Collectibles from the Outer Rim: ''Star Wars'' VHS releases! |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/collectibles-from-the-outer-rim-star-wars-vhs-releases |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910102031/https://www.starwars.com/news/collectibles-from-the-outer-rim-star-wars-vhs-releases |archive-date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref> All three films in the original trilogy contained [[Changes in Star Wars re-releases|changes and additions]] in the Special Edition''.'' Changes in ''Return of the Jedi'' include the addition of several new aliens  in Jabba's throne room, a different song performed in the throne room, the addition of a beak to the Sarlacc, the insertion of various worlds celebrating the fall of the Empire, and different music during the closing scene.<ref name="Changes">{{cite web |date=September 8, 2006 |title=Episode VI: What Has Changed? |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-vi/release/video/f20060908/index.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229064256/http://www.starwars.com/episode-vi/release/video/f20060908/index.html |archivedate=February 29, 2008 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref> The runtime of the Special Edition—and all subsequent releases of ''Return of the Jedi''—is approximately five minutes longer than the original theatrical version.

''Return of the Jedi'' was re-released theatrically by [[20th Century Studios]] on April 28, 2023, to commemorate the film's 40th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonifacic{{!}} |first=Igor |date=April 8, 2023 |title=Disney is bringing 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' back to theaters on April 28th |work=[[Engadget]] |url=https://www.engadget.com/disney-is-bringing-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-back-to-theaters-on-april-28th-204108642.html |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archivedate=April 8, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408204741/https://www.engadget.com/disney-is-bringing-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-back-to-theaters-on-april-28th-204108642.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=April 30, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Super Mario Bros.' Triumphs Again in Fourth Weekend, 'Are You There God?' Debuts to Dispiriting $6.8 Million |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-super-mario-bros-triumphs-again-are-you-there-god-debuts-1235598841/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |archivedate=April 30, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430232720/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-super-mario-bros-triumphs-again-are-you-there-god-debuts-1235598841/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Home media ===
{{Anchor|Home video|Video|DVD}}
[[File:Return of the Jedi (1997 re-release poster).jpg|upright|thumb|The 1997 theatrical release poster of the Special Edition version of ''Return of the Jedi'']]
The original theatrical version of ''Return of the Jedi'' was released on [[VHS]] and [[Laserdisc]] several times between 1986 and 1995.<ref name="video timeline">{{cite web |title=Star Wars Home Video Timeline: Return of the Jedi |url=http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/starwars/ep6.htm |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710215456/http://www.davisdvd.com/misc/starwars/ep6.htm |archivedate=July 10, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2007 |publisher=davisdvd.com}}</ref> The Special Edition was published on VHS and Laserdisc between 1997 and 2000. Some of these releases contained featurettes. Boxed sets of all three films in the trilogy were also published.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

In September 2004, the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy was released in a boxed set on [[DVD]] with digital restoration and new alterations made by Lucas.<ref name=":1" />{{efn|The DVD features Dolby Digital 5.1 EX surround sound and commentaries by George Lucas, [[Ben Burtt]], [[Dennis Muren]], and Carrie Fisher. The bonus disc included documentaries including ''[[Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy]]'' and several featurettes including "The Characters of Star Wars", "The Birth of the Lightsaber", and "The Legacy of Star Wars". Also included were teasers, trailers, TV spots, still galleries, and a demo for ''[[Star Wars: Battlefront]]''.}}
In this version of ''Return of the Jedi'', [[Hayden Christensen]] was inserted into the final scene as Anakin's Force spirit, replacing [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]]; Christensen portrays Anakin in ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith''.<ref name="ghost">{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=January 6, 2017 |title='Star Wars' Jedi Force-Ghosts Appearing Young In Sequels Makes Perfect Sense |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2017/01/06/star-wars-jedi-force-ghosts-appearing-in-sequels-makes-perfect-sense/#6bb970d2215d |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032747/https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2017/01/06/star-wars-jedi-force-ghosts-appearing-in-sequels-makes-perfect-sense/#6bb970d2215d |archivedate=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 3, 2017 |work=Forbes}}</ref> All three films of the trilogy were released individually on Limited Edition DVDs in 2006, with the original unaltered versions included as bonus features.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |title=Return of the Jedi Limited Edition 2006 DVD Review |date=September 13, 2006 |work=IGN |publication-date=12 Dec 2018 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/13/double-dip-digest-return-of-the-jedi |access-date=2021-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026183628/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/13/double-dip-digest-return-of-the-jedi |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> These were collected in a boxed set on November 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 28, 2008 |title=Star Wars Saga Repacked in Trilogy Sets on DVD |url=https://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026032957/http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html |archivedate=October 26, 2008 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |work=Lucasfilm |publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref>

In September 2011, all the films of the original trilogy and the [[prequel trilogy]] were released together on [[Blu-ray]] by [[20th Century Home Entertainment|20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Peck |first=Aaron |date=September 17, 2011 |title=Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray Review {{!}} High Def Digest |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3894/starwarscollection.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153343/https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3894/starwarscollection.html |archivedate=January 11, 2023 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=High-Def Digest}}</ref> The version of ''Return of the Jedi'' in this set contained some new changes, including Ewoks blinking and Vader yelling "No!" as he throws the Emperor to his death, an alteration which drew sharp negative criticism.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kirby |first=Ben |date=January 31, 2017 |title=Who Shot First? The Complete List Of Star Wars Changes |url=http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-changes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507084052/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-changes/ |archive-date=May 7, 2017 |access-date=2021-10-26 |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinette |first=Eric |date=2020-10-11 |title='Star Wars': Why Do People Hate Vader's Added Line in 'ROTJ' So Much? |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/star-wars-why-do-people-hate-vaders-added-line-in-rotj-so-much.html/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014024642/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/star-wars-why-do-people-hate-vaders-added-line-in-rotj-so-much.html/ |archivedate=October 14, 2020 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet |language=en-US}}</ref> Several deleted scenes from the film were included as special features, including a scene in which Vader communicates with Luke using the Force, a sandstorm sequence following the Sarlacc pit rescue, and a scene featuring Imperial officers during the Battle of Endor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2010 |title=George Lucas Announces Star Wars on Blu-Ray at Celebration V |url=https://www.starwars.com/themovies/saga/mebd/bluray/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816235346/http://www.starwars.com/themovies/saga/mebd/bluray/index.html |archive-date=August 16, 2010 |access-date=August 15, 2010 |website=Lucasfilm |publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

In April 2015, all six films from the two existing trilogies were [[Digital distribution|released digitally]] through the [[iTunes Store]], [[Amazon Video]], [[Vudu]], [[Google Play]], and [[Disney Movies Anywhere]].<ref name="digital download">{{cite news |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=April 6, 2015 |title='Star Wars' Movie Franchise Headed to Digital HD |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410030917/https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673 |archivedate=April 10, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] reissued ''Return of the Jedi'' on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=August 8, 2019 |title=Newest Star Wars Saga Blu-rays Get Matching Artwork |url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926042851/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10 |archivedate=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2019 |website=Comicbook.com}}</ref> Additionally, all six films were made available for [[4K resolution|4K]] [[High-dynamic-range video|HDR]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] streaming on [[Disney+]] upon the service's launch in November 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Entire 'Star Wars' Franchise Will Be On Disney+ Within Its First Year |url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/star-wars-franchise-coming-to-disney-within-first-year-after-launch-1202594388 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414084638/https://deadline.com/2019/04/star-wars-franchise-coming-to-disney-within-first-year-after-launch-1202594388/ |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |access-date=April 23, 2019 |website=Deadline}}</ref> The Disney+ version of ''Return of the Jedi'' was released on [[4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]] in March 2020.<ref name="SkywalkerSagaBoxSet">{{Cite web |last=Lussier |first=Germain |date=March 27, 2020 |title=Let's Dive Into Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's 27-Disc Box Set |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313074612/https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774 |archivedate=March 13, 2021 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |website=[[io9]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
According to the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 84% of critics have given the film a positive review with an average rating of 7.30/10, based on {{RT data|count}} reviews from critics. The website's critics consensus reads: "Though failing to reach the cinematic heights of its predecessors, ''Return of the Jedi'' remains an entertaining sci-fi adventure and a fitting end to the classic trilogy."<ref name="Rotten">{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=star_wars_episode_vi_return_of_the_jedi|title=Star Wars: Episode VI -- Return of the Jedi (1983)|type=m|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011055840/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vi_return_of_the_jedi/|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100 based on 24 reviews from mainstream critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=star-wars-episode-vi---return-of-the-jedi |title=Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Reviews |type=m |access-date=April 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512174551/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/star-wars-episode-vi---return-of-the-jedi |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CinemaScore |url=http://www.cinemascore.com/find_a_movie.epl?id=Return_Of_The_Jedi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011226161902/http://www.cinemascore.com/find_a_movie.epl?id=Return_Of_The_Jedi |archive-date=December 26, 2001 |access-date= |website=[[CinemaScore]] }}</ref>

In his review of the [[Changes in Star Wars re-releases|1997 Special Edition re-release]], the film critic James Kendrick called ''Return of the Jedi'' the weakest of the three original films, saying it depended "too much on the slick commercialism" of the franchise but that it was still "a magnificent experience in its own right".<ref>{{cite web |last=Kendrick |first=James |title=Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi: Special Edition Review of "Return" |url=http://www.qnetwork.com/?page=review&id=669 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207082448/http://www.qnetwork.com/?page=review&id=669 |archivedate=February 7, 2008 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |publisher=Q Network}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] described it as the least enjoyable and least innovative film of the trilogy. He felt that the Special Edition was not saved by the alterations, but that it was nevertheless a "must-see" for fans as the conclusion of the trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berardinelli |first=James |title=Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – Reelviews Movie Reviews |url=https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw3.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131212821/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw3.html |archivedate=January 31, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2017 |work=Reelviews Movie Reviews}}</ref>

Some fans have questioned the realism of the scene in ''Jedi'' in which the small Ewoks capably fight with primitive weapons against Imperial troops. Lucas has defended the scene, saying that the Ewoks' purpose was to distract the Imperial troops, and they did not really win.<ref name="DVDcom2">''Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'' DVD commentary featuring George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren and Carrie Fisher. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2004</ref> The Ewok battle scene was inspired by the [[Vietnam War]], during which the [[Viet Cong]] prevailed against the technologically superior [[United States in the Vietnam War|United States]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Immerwahr |first1=Daniel |title=21 The Galactic Vietnam: Technology, Modernization, and Empire in George Lucas's Star Wars |journal=Ideology in U.S. Foreign Relations |date=December 31, 2022 |pages=435–451 |doi=10.7312/nich20180-022|isbn=978-0-231-55427-5 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Michael |title=The History of ''Star Wars''{{'}} Ewoks |url=https://nerdist.com/article/the-complete-history-of-ewoks-in-star-wars-movies-books-tv-and-more/ |website=[[Nerdist]] |date=August 10, 2023}}</ref>

== Marketing ==

=== Novelization ===
{{Main|Return of the Jedi (novel)}}

The novelization of ''Return of the Jedi'' was written by [[James Kahn]] and was released on May 12, 1983, thirteen days before the film's release.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Star Wars, Episode VI&nbsp;— Return of the Jedi (Mass Market Paperback) |date=May 12, 1983 |publisher=Amazon.com |isbn=0-345-30767-4}}</ref>

=== Radio drama ===
{{Main|Star Wars (radio)}}

A three-hour radio drama adaptation of the film was written by [[Brian Daley]] with additional material contributed by [[John Whitman (author)|John Whitman]] and was produced for and broadcast on [[National Public Radio]] in 1996 (over a decade after the radio adaptations of the first two ''Star Wars'' films). It was based on characters and situations created by George Lucas and on the screenplay by Kasdan and Lucas. Anthony Daniels reprised his role from the film as C-3PO, but Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams (who lent their voices to the previous radio adaptations) were replaced by newcomer Joshua Fardon and character actor [[Arye Gross]], respectively. Bernard Behrens and [[Brock Peters]] reprised their roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, respectively. [[John Lithgow]] voiced Yoda, and veteran character actor [[Ed Begley, Jr.]] played Boba Fett. [[Ed Asner]] voiced Jabba the Hutt, speaking only in grunts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Return of the Jedi Produced by NPR |url=http://www.highbridgeaudio.com/returnofjedi.html |url-status=deviated |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105043650/http://www.highbridgeaudio.com/returnofjedi.html |archivedate=November 5, 2006 |access-date=March 6, 2007 |work=HighBridge Audio}}</ref>

=== Comic book adaptation ===
<!-- [[Return of the Jedi (comic)]] redirects here. -->
[[Marvel Comics]] published a comic book adaptation of the film by writer [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]] and artists [[Al Williamson]], Carlos Garzon, [[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]], and [[Ron Frenz]]. The adaptation appeared in ''[[Marvel Comics Super Special|Marvel Super Special]]'' #27<ref>{{cite web |title=GCD :: Issue :: Marvel Super Special #27 |url=http://www.comics.org/issue/36999/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225083503/http://www.comics.org/issue/36999/ |archivedate=February 25, 2013 |access-date=May 3, 2013 |publisher=comics.org}}</ref> and as a four-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]].<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/2765/ ''Star Wars: Return of the Jedi''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225081042/http://www.comics.org/series/2765/ |date=February 25, 2013 }} at the Grand Comics Database</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Edwards |first=Ted |title=The Unauthorized Star Wars Compendium |chapter=Adventures in the Comics |publisher=[[Little, Brown and Company]] |year=1999 |page=[https://archive.org/details/unauthorizedstar00edwa/page/87 87] |isbn=978-0-316-32929-3 |quote=The adaptation of ''Return of the Jedi'' was published in ''Marvel Super Special'' #27 and in a separate miniseries, once again penciled by Al Williamson and inked by Carlos Garzon. |chapter-url-access=registration |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/unauthorizedstar00edwa/page/87 }}</ref> It was later reprinted in a mass market paperback,<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/543230/ ''The Marvel Comics Illustrated Version of Star Wars Return of the Jedi''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223135828/http://www.comics.org/issue/543230/ |date=February 23, 2013 }} at the Grand Comics Database</ref> as well as collections of Marvel's [[Star Wars (1977 comic book)|self-titled ''Star Wars'' series]]. Marvel Super Special #27 was mistakenly released in April 1983, a month before the film itself, giving away spoilers to the film's plot. Hamill is a comic book fan and while he was in a comic book store, he discovered that the comic book was on sale there and alerted Lucasfilm. According to [[Carol Kalish]] who was Marvel's direct sales manager at the time, Marvel quickly [[Recalled comics|recalled the book]] upon learning this mistake though it did not stop the premature revelation of the secrets of the film's plot. Kalish kept her job, as did everyone else in the Sales Department, as the incident was apparently considered a simple mistake.<ref name=ReliableAuthority>David, Peter. "I Have it on Reliable Authority", ''But I Digress'' collection, 1994, Page 168, Reprinted from ''Comics Buyer's Guide'', January 8, 1993</ref><ref>[http://cbgxtra.com/uncategorized/cbg-1216-97-a-look-back-at-marvels-star-wars-comics "The Jedi returns but just a bit too soon!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120708000733/http://cbgxtra.com/uncategorized/cbg-1216-97-a-look-back-at-marvels-star-wars-comics |date=July 8, 2012 }} ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' #1216 (March 7, 1997)</ref>

=== Book-and-record set ===
Lucasfilm adapted the story for a children's book-and-record set. Released in 1983, the 24-page ''Star Wars: Return of the Jedi'' read-along book was accompanied by a 33⅓ rpm {{convert|7|in|cm|adj=on|disp=flip}} [[Phonograph record|gramophone record]]. Each page of the book contained a cropped [[Film frame|frame]] from the film with an abridged and condensed version of the story. The record was produced by [[Walt Disney Records|Buena Vista Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2013 |title=Star Wars In The UK: Read Along Adventures |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-read-along-adventures |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120071755/http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-read-along-adventures |archivedate=January 20, 2018 |access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>

== Prequels and sequels ==
{{Main|List of Star Wars films|Star Wars prequel trilogy|Star Wars sequel trilogy}}

16 years after the release of ''Return of the Jedi'', Lucas wrote and directed the prequel trilogy, consisting of the films ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'', and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]''. The films chronicle the history between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, and the latter's fall to the darkside and transformation into Darth Vader. The prequel trilogy was financially successful, and polarized critics and fans on their release for the storylines and some new characters.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources: <ref name="IndependentPrequels">{{cite web |last=Loughrey |first=Clarisse |date=May 19, 2020 |title=Phantom menaces: Why the Star Wars prequels finally deserve some respect |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/star-wars-revenge-sith-anniversary-prequels-defence-anakin-padme-a9519701.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145321/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/star-wars-revenge-sith-anniversary-prequels-defence-anakin-padme-a9519701.html |archivedate=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="ScreenRantPrequels">{{cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=December 7, 2020 |title=Sequels vs. Prequels: Which Star Wars Trilogy Is Better |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-sequel-prequel-trilogies-comparison-better/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217033234/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-sequel-prequel-trilogies-comparison-better/ |archivedate=December 17, 2020 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref name="GuardianPrequels">{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Lucy |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Star Wars prequels 'not very much liked', admits Ewan McGregor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/apr/28/star-wars-prequels-not-very-much-liked-says-ewan-mcgregor |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145336/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/apr/28/star-wars-prequels-not-very-much-liked-says-ewan-mcgregor |archivedate=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="PrequelTrilogyBFI">Multiple sources, in chronological order:

* {{Cite web |title=Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b809116f3 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405231604/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b809116f3 |archivedate=April 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]]}}
* {{Cite web |title=Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8318ab4d |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405231648/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8318ab4d |archivedate=April 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]]}}
* {{Cite web |title=Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b88f414fd |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405231831/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b88f414fd |archivedate=April 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]]}}</ref><ref name="CNetPrequels">{{cite web |last=Priest |first=David |date=December 13, 2019 |title=The New Star Wars trilogy is worse than the prequels |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/why-new-star-wars-trilogy-is-worse-than-the-prequels/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145521/https://www.cnet.com/news/why-new-star-wars-trilogy-is-worse-than-the-prequels/ |archivedate=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref>}}

After Lucas sold the ''Star Wars'' franchise to [[the Walt Disney Company]] in 2012, Disney developed a sequel trilogy, consisting of ''[[The Force Awakens]]'', ''[[The Last Jedi]]'', and ''[[The Rise of Skywalker]]''.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources: <ref name="TheGuardianSequelTril">{{cite web |last=Child |first=Ben |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Would George Lucas's Star Wars sequels have been better than Disney's? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/12/george-lucas-star-wars-sequel-trilogy-disney |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117211259/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/nov/12/george-lucas-star-wars-sequel-trilogy-disney |archivedate=November 17, 2020 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="SequelTrilogy">{{cite news |last=Leonard |first=Devin |date=March 7, 2013 |title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for 'Star Wars' |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308091739/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |archivedate=March 8, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]}}</ref><ref name="EpisodeVII">{{cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=December 7, 2015 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': When the Film Opens Around the World |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-worldwide-846428 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209224531/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-worldwide-846428 |archivedate=December 9, 2015 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref name="EpisodeVIIITitle">{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=January 23, 2017 |title='Star Wars: Episode VIII' Title Revealed |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-8-title-929351 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331104747/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-8-title-929351 |archivedate=March 31, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref name="EpisodeIXTitle">{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Star Wars: Episode IX has a title — The Rise of Skywalker |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/12/star-wars-episode-ix-title/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331100218/https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/12/star-wars-episode-ix-title/ |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>}} Original trilogy cast members including Ford, Hamill, and Fisher reprised their roles, alongside new characters portrayed by [[Daisy Ridley]], [[John Boyega]], [[Adam Driver]], and [[Oscar Isaac]].<ref name="EpisodeVIIBFI">{{cite web |title=Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/568f1ba214607 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021190327/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/568f1ba214607 |archivedate=October 21, 2020 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]]}}</ref> [[Star Wars#Films|Standalone films]] and [[Star Wars#Television|television series]] have also been released, exploring adventures set around the main trilogy arcs.<ref name="ObserveSequelTrilogy">{{cite web |last=Katz |first=Brandon |date=July 15, 2020 |title=No, Disney Isn't Erasing the 'Star Wars' Sequel Trilogy |url=https://observer.com/2020/07/disney-isnt-ignoring-erasing-star-wars-lucasfilm-box-office/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145632/https://observer.com/2020/07/disney-isnt-ignoring-erasing-star-wars-lucasfilm-box-office/ |archivedate=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[The New York Observer]]}}</ref><ref name="VarietySolo">{{cite web |last=Tapley |first=Kristopher |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Inside 'Solo': A 'Star Wars' Story's Bumpy Ride to the Big Screen |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/features/solo-a-star-wars-story-directors-reshoots-ron-howard-1202817841/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145624/https://variety.com/2018/film/features/solo-a-star-wars-story-directors-reshoots-ron-howard-1202817841/ |archivedate=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="TimeRogueOne">{{cite magazine |last=Dockterman |first=Eliana |date=December 13, 2016 |title=How Rogue One Fits Into the Star Wars Timeline |url=https://time.com/4594017/rogue-one-star-wars-timeline/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145617/https://time.com/4594017/rogue-one-star-wars-timeline/ |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> Most relevantly, the Disney+ streaming shows ''[[The Book of Boba Fett]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Ahsoka|Ahsoka]]'', ''[[The Mandalorian]]'' and the latter's upcoming spin-offs are set a few years after ''Return of the Jedi'', bridging the time period between that film and ''The Force Awakens''.<ref name="GRadarOthers">{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Edwards |title=Star Wars timeline: Every major event in chronological order |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/star-wars-timeline/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |date=August 12, 2021 |accessdate=September 1, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425000131/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/star-wars-timeline/ |archivedate=April 25, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |date=2021-02-02 |title='Mandalorian' Season 3 might fix the Star Wars sequels, Favreau hints |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/mandalorian-season-3-fix-star-wars-sequels-jon-favreau |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211105955/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/mandalorian-season-3-fix-star-wars-sequels-jon-favreau |archivedate=December 11, 2021 |access-date=2021-12-11 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{Cite book |last=Arnold |first=Alan |title=Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of Making the Empire Strikes Back |publisher=Sphere Books |year=1980 |isbn=978-0-345-29075-5 |location=London}}
* {{cite book |last=Daniels |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Daniels |title=I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story |date=2019 |publisher=[[DK (publisher)|DK]] |edition=Hardback |isbn=9780241357606 |location=London}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Hidalgo |first1=Pablo |title=The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia |last2=Sansweet |first2=Stephen |publisher=Del Rey |year=2008 |isbn=9780345477637 |edition=First |volume=III |location=New York}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |title=The Making of Return of the Jedi |publisher=Del Rey |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-345-51146-1 |location=New York}}
* [https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/return-jedi-star-wars-episode-vi-george-lucas-quits-on-top Return of the Jedi archive review: George Lucas quits on top]. ''Sight & Sound.'' December 18, 2019.

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-vi-return-of-the-jedi}} at {{URL|http://www.starwars.com|StarWars.com}}
* {{Official website|https://www.lucasfilm.com/productions/episode-vi}} at {{URL|https://lucasfilm.com|Lucasfilm.com}}
* {{IMDb title|86190}}
* {{TCMDb title|88074}}
* {{AFI film|58057}}

{{Navboxes
|title = ''Return of the Jedi''
|list =
{{Star Wars Trilogy}}
{{Star Wars|state=collapsed}}
{{Lucasfilm}}
{{George Lucas}}
{{Lawrence Kasdan}}
{{Richard Marquand}}}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Return of the Jedi''
|list =
{{Academy Award Best Visual Effects}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film}}
{{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation 1981–2002}}}}
{{Yearly highest-grossing US films}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|1980s|Film|Science fiction|Speculative fiction|United States}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Return of the Jedi}}
[[Category:Return of the Jedi]]
[[Category:1983 films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:BAFTA winners (films)]]
[[Category:Films directed by Richard Marquand]]
[[Category:Films produced by Howard Kazanjian]]
[[Category:Films scored by John Williams]]
[[Category:Films set in deserts]]
[[Category:Films set in forests]]
[[Category:Films shot in Arizona]]
[[Category:Films shot in England]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by George Lucas]]
[[Category:Lucasfilm films]]
[[Category:Films about rebellions]]
[[Category:Star Wars Skywalker Saga films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Lawrence Kasdan]]
[[Category:1983 science fiction films]]
[[Category:American science fiction films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Visual Effects Academy Award]]
[[Category:American science fantasy films]]
[[Category:American science fiction war films]]
[[Category:Films about father–son relationships]]
[[Category:Films about princesses]]
[[Category:American epic fantasy films]]
[[Category:United States National Film Registry films]]