Legendary Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill revealed how different the ending ofThe Empire Strikes Backalmost was, and it would have been a major tonal change forStar Wars.The Empire Strikes Backis largely considered one ofStar Wars’best movies, if not the single best. Not only did it include the shocking twist that Darth Vader was really Luke Skywalker’s father—one of the keywaysThe Empire Strikes Backchanged Hollywood forever—but it also introduced characters that have become iconic inStar Warsmovies and TV shows, including Master Yoda and Palpatine.
The Empire Strikes Backalso had some of the bleakest moments in the entire original trilogy, including Han Solo being put into carbonite and Luke Skywalker losing his hand (and lightsaber) to Darth Vader. It wasn’t clear whether the heroes would eventually triumph or if beloved character Han Solo would even survive. The one saving grace was the final scene, which concludedThe Empire Strikes Backwith a glimmer of hope—butaccording to Mark Hamill, that ending originally looked very different.
The Original Empire Strikes Back Ending Was Even Bleaker
The Empire Strikes Back’s Moment Of Hope Wasn’t Originally In The Movie
Following the devastating scenes of Luke Skywalker losing his hand to Darth Vader after finding out Vader is his father and Han Solo being placed in carbonite after he and Leia finally acknowledge their feelings for one another,The Empire Strikes Backstill ends with a feeling of hope. In the final scene of the movie, Luke receives a new hand, and Luke, Leia, C-3PO, and R2-D2 stand before a window together, looking out into space. While that scene didn’t guarantee that everything would turn out fine in the end, it was a reminder that not all hope was lost.
According to Mark Hamill, that glimmer of hope was almost absent fromThe Empire Strikes Back. OnMark Hamill’s X account, he revealed:
Filmed 4 months after we wrapped principal photography on #ESB, it wasn’t a ’re-shoot', it was an added scene. Concerned about the downbeat ending & thorough defeat of the protagonists, they wanted to add an uplifting moment of hope & rejuvenation to reassure the audience.
Evidently,The Empire Strikes Backalmost ended with the heroes having been beaten without any sense of hopeor indication that things were going to get better, massively changing the tone of the movie.
Was Star Wars Right To Change The Empire Strikes Back’s Ending?
This One Change Made A Huge Difference
It’s difficult to even imagineThe Empire Strikes Backwithout this added scene. WhileStar Warsis certainly not afraid of darker elements,it is a staple of the franchise that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments. Without this scene showing Luke and Leia ready to keep on fighting, especially with Luke’s new hand symbolizing a new beginning after this loss, it would have been a much sadder, more disheartening ending.
Every Major Star Wars Event Between Empire Strikes Back & Return Of The Jedi
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Adding this scene was absolutely the right decision. This ending is so much truer toStar Wars’message of hope and perseverance even in the face of impossible odds. While that still would have been the overarching message in light of all that happens inReturn of the Jedi, endingThe Empire Strikes Backon a more uplifting note ultimately made the movie so much better.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Cast
The Empire Strikes Back is the second installment in the original Star Wars trilogy, directed by Irvin Kershner. Released in 1980, it follows Luke Skywalker as he trains under Jedi Master Yoda, while Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the Rebel Alliance face ongoing threats from the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader.
