Star Wars: Episode VI - "Revenge of the Jedi" (TCF, 1981), Author James Kahn's Hand-Annotated Unique 3rd Draft Product...

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Star Wars: Episode VI - "Revenge of the Jedi" (TCF, 1981), Author James Kahn's Hand-Annotated Unique 3rd Draft Production Script for Novel Adaptation. Original bound and bradded 8.5 x 11" Third Draft script for Revenge of the Jedi by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas, housed in an official "Lucasfilm Ltd." cardstock cover and dated December 1, 1981. Every script page bears the ink-stamped "ROJ" with a serial production security code. An official studio draft of Revenge of the Jedi-the film's original title before it was changed to Return of the Jedi-would be a valuable collector's item on its own. But this is the only known copy personally-annotated by James Kahn, author of the official novelization beloved by generations of Star Wars fans. Signed by Kahn on the first page, the script is filled with his handwritten notes, annotations, underlines, and additional dialogue-brimming with insights and revelations. Among the surprises: in this draft, Luke kills Emperor Palpatine, rather than the Emperor dying at the hands of Darth Vader. One especially compelling note reflects Kahn's intention to add an internal monologue for Leia during her iconic moment chained to Jabba the Hutt on the sail barge. Other annotations include filled-in dialogue that was still being written by Lucas and Kasdan while Kahn was actively crafting the adaptation. The author's notes to himself include adding detail to writing Vader's death scene-highlighting the pain and emotional complexity of the character's relationship with Luke-offer a rare glimpse into the emotional depth the novelization author brought to the page. Of particular interest to film historians is the absence of Anakin's Force-image in the final bonfire scene-a shot added after the film's completion and after the final revision pages of this draft, dated 6/16/1982. There is only one script used by the novelization author to write the official Return of the Jedi novelization, and this is it. Photos and further details are included in Kahn's new book, My Jedi Memoir: A Double Life, available from BearManor Media or Amazon. Author James Kahn will personally inscribe a copy of his memoir to the winning bidder. A must-have for collectors and Star Wars literature enthusiasts, and a rare artifact showcasing the adaptation process from script to story. Exhibits bumped corners, edge wear, minor staining on the front cover, and extensive author notes in pen throughout. Provenance: From the author, James Kahn. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.