The Sandstorm

About this scene:

After Jabba's barge explodes, our heroes rendezvous once more before taking off and going their separate ways, but they end up having to struggle through a tremendous sandstorm to get to their ships. Chewbacca has been wounded during the battle, and is hobbling along with the help of Luke and Lando. They reach their ships and prepare to part, exchanging feelings and farewells.

This scene would explain how everyone got on and off the planet. Parked out in the desert here is the Milennium Falcon and Luke's X-wing. The script also mentions a two-seated Y-wing being there as well.

Although this scene was the first scene filmed for Jedi, none of it made it into the final film. Footage from this scene has shown up so far only as a snippet on one of the trailers for Jedi, as well as in still photographs in various places including the original West End Games Star Wars role-playing game books, the Behind The Magic CD ROM, and the Star Wars Insider.

To download and watch a tiny snippet of this scene in QuickTime format, click here.
(Quicktime movie file, 340 KB, color, no dialogue - from a trailer for Return Of The Jedi)

 

EXT DUNE SEA - LANDING AREA

Close-up of landing zone area matte painting, which was actually used for another cut scene of Luke putting his saber into Artoo. Notice the Y-wing is missing here.

A ferocious sandstorm blocks our view. Then, through the ROAR, we HEAR THE VOICES of our heroes. They emerge slowly from the veil of sand, pressing on against the wind.

Artoo leads the party through the storm following a homing beacon, according to the novel. From the Star Wars Insider #35. Threepio and Artoo surrounded by blowing sand. From the Star Wars Insider #35.

First come Artoo and Threepio, followed by Leia guiding Han, then Luke and Lando come into view, each supporting one side of the towering Chewbacca, who hobbles from his wound.

Leia and Han come into view. Note the crewmember's arm in the foreground. From the Star Wars Insider #35. Luke and Lando appear, supporting Chewbacca. Image source unknown.

Soon, they can make out some large vague shapes in the blowing sand. It is the Millennium Falcon and, parked beside it, Luke's trusty X-wing and a two-seated Y-wing. They must shout to be heard.

HAN
I don't know. All I can see is a lot of blowing sand!

LEIA
That's all any of us can see.

HAN (blinking)
Then I guess I'm getting better.

Lowering the ramp. Image source unknown. Helping Chewie into the Falcon. From the Behind The Magic CD ROM.

As soon as the group huddles under the bulk of the Falcon, the wind dies down to something more describable as a severe weather condition. Threepio hits a switch, and the gang-plank lowers with a HUM.

The group rendezvous under the Falcon. Image source unknown. Threepio pauses outside the Falcon. From the Star Wars Insider #35. A close-up of Threepio outside the Falcon. Image from www.starwars.com.

Threepio ducks under the Falcon. From the Star Wars Insider #35. Han, Luke and Leia talk below the Falcon. From West End Games' Star Wars The Role Playing Game (second edition).

HAN (turning to Luke)
I've got to hand it to you, kid, you were pretty good out there.

Han and Leia, wearing sand-protective goggles. From the Star Wars Insider #35. Luke with goggles. Image source unknown. Han congratulates Luke. Image source unknown.

LUKE (shrugging it off)
I had a lot of help. Think nothing of it.

Luke shrugs off Han's praise. From the Star Wars Insider #35.

HAN
No, I'm thinking a lot about it. That carbon freeze was the closest thing to dead there is. And it wasn't just sleepin'. It was a big wide awake nothing!

Luke nods, as Chewie growls affectionately at the young Jedi warrior, mussing his hair like a proud uncle. And Leia warmly hugs him.

Leia hugs Luke as he leaves. From the Star Wars Insider #35.

LUKE (moving to his ship)
I'll see you back at the fleet.

HAN
Why don't you leave that crate and come with us?

LUKE
I have a promise I have to keep first... to an old friend.

Luke pulls on his black glove, covering his mechanical hand. From the Star Wars Insider #35.

Luke and Artoo take off in their spacecraft.

HAN (looking dubiously at Lando, obviously remembering his friend's betrayal and subsequent aide)
Guess I owe you some thanks, too, Lando.

LANDO
Figured if I left you frozen like that you'd just give me bad luck the rest of my life, so I might as well get you unfrozen sooner or later.

LEIA
He means "You're welcome."

LANDO
Come on, let's get off this miserable dust ball.

Behind the UnScenes

Crew members sweep up the sand in preparation for filming. Mark Hamill and a crew member between takes.

Crew members ready the sandstorm set for another take.

The Falcon sits, half-built and ready for filming. From 'The Making of Return Of The Jedi', image scan courtesy of Greg Rossiter. Crews stand back and man the cameras and giant fans. From 'The Making of Return Of The Jedi', image scan courtesy of Greg Rossiter.

The massive Falcon set.