Klatooinian roster from the movies and television

Klatooinians were a mammalian species created for 'Return of the Jedi'. Their background was expanded for the first time in 'Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens - Enemies and Allies' by West End Games. The best known member from the movies and television is Barada, who was named (like many other Klatooinians) after Barada M'beg, the Klatooinian who settled the legendary agreement with the Hutts. Most Klatooinians from the movies are considered background characters. A lot of them appear in 'Attack of the Clones', but few have been given a proper name. The Klatooinians have been used as well in 'The Clone Wars'. 


* BARADA: One of Jabba's Skiff Guards who was responsible for the maintenance of the Repulsorlifts. Got killed by Luke during the Battle of Carkoon. Sometimes mistaken for Kithaba. Barada wears a white vest and an orange bandana. He can be seen on the 2nd Skiff.

* CASTAS: One of the Bounty Hunters who sided with Boba Fett during the Clone Wars. When Castas began to doubt their actions, he got himself killed on Florrum by Aurra Sing.

* CHOKK: One of Jabba's bodyguards during the Boonta Eve Classic in 32 BBY. The days before the race, he was seen around Mos Espa.

* GAMAL WIRONICC: Was created by Decipher on a CCG card, but he looks 100% like Umpass-stay. Therefor, this character can not be considered to be a different Klatooinian. Maybe his name can be used for a retcon in the future.

* KITHABA: An assassin (and musician) who served as a Skiff Guard during the Battle of Carkoon. He was eaten by the Sarlacc. Kithaba cannot be mistaken for Barada. He wears a yellow vest and a red bandana. He can be seen on the first Skiff.

* TARADOS GON: A Jedi who died at the Battle of Geonosis, despite the fact that he was one of the last Jedi to survive the battle in the Petranaki Arena.

* UMPASS-STAY: A bodyguard of Jabba the Hutt and a drummer in Jabba's Palace.

For more about the Klatooinians, check Yodapedia

Luke's Blaster during the Yavin 4 Ceremony

First created on Dec 07, 2006

Hasbro got it all wrong when they gave the most recent (2007) Luke Yavin IV Ceremony a DL-44 Blaster Pistol. Luke wasn't wearing a DL-44 at all during the ceremony at Yavin 4. Luke was wearing a Drearian Defender Sporting Blaster, just like the one Princess Leia used aboard Tantive IV.

Evidence 1: 
Here are some promotional pictures of Luke using a Drearian Defender. Don't recognise the outfit? That's because Luke doesn't wear his yellow ceremonial jacket:
Luke aiming
Luke & the Drearian Defender 

Evidence 2: 
The movie, of course. Let's have a look at some screenshots. You can detect the Drearian because of its extended barrel.
Luke 1 
Luke 2
Close-Up

This could confirm the Drearian Defender's status as a weapon of status and sometimes used as a ceremonial weapon.
I hope you enjoyed this short blog entry and maybe you even learned something you never noticed before.

About Had Abbadon, Sicemon & Ton-mummd: Drafting the planets

In this entry I've mentioned names of planets and locations that have appeared in drafts for all the Star Wars Movies. Most of them are - at this moment - no part of the Star Wars Lore. But some of them have found their way into the established Star Wars lore (Dac, Chatos and Utapau being the prime example). I have added new names, with the exception of Utapau because it had been used twice in a draft but never actually been used until 'RotS'. 

I used sources as the Annotated Screenplays & the Insider's Guide cd-rom to complete this blog.

- Academy of Chatos: Leia was to study in this academy - IV (!)
- Aquillae: Neva Kee was supposed to hail from this planet - I (!!)
- Aquillae: Was once the home of Kane Starkiller. Eventually became Tatooine - IV 
- Besspin-Kaaleita: A possible Rebel Base at the end of the movie being a garden world with 2 stars - V 
- Bestpenkoleta: Idem
- Bestpenkoluta: Idem
- Chuba: Dud Cullindaros was supposed to hail from this planet - I (!)
- Core Caves: This was the core of Utapau - I 
- Corell: Another name for Corellia - IV
- Corelli: Another name for the planet Corellia - IV
- Dac: This was the original name of Calamari - VI (!) 
- Fresnel: Mygeeto city - III 
- Geonasis: A draft name for Geonosis - II
- Granicus: This planet became Alderaan, then capital of the Empire - IV 
- Granita Cluster: Hoth was located in this area - V 
- Great Rift: The outer edges of the galaxy - IV 
- Green Moon: Small moon orbiting Had Abbadon. Also known as Moon Base 1 - VI 
- Had Abbadon: Was the capital of the Empire. Turned out to be Coruscant - VI (!)
- Hutt Spaceport: The Falcon was stationed here after Han en Chewie escaped from Jabba - VI 
- Jus-Endor: Another name from Green Moon - VI 
- Kazzook: A name for Kashyyyk - HS 
- Ketbrae: Gas Giant that changed into Bespin - V 
- Kettlebrae: Idem
- Kuroland: A desert on Townowi - IV
- Mazta: Another name for Polis Massa - III 
- Moon Base 1: Code name for the Green Moon - VI 
- Mustafa: An early name for Mustafar - III 
- Naboo City: This was the capital of Utapau - I 
- Nocturne: This was the place where the Opee Sea Killer lived on Utapau - I 
- Ogana Major: This planet became Alderaan & Ogana changed into the name Organa - IV 
- Ogana System: Contained Ogana Major - IV 
- Ophichi: Backwater planet where Han Solo fled - IV 
- Ophuchi: Rebel friendly planet - IV 
- Ophuchi: Mars Guo was supposed to hail from this planet - I 
- Ord Padrove: Boles Roor was supposed to hail from this planet - I 
- Outlands: A group of worlds at the edge of the Empire. The worlds were known as the Dark Planets - IV 
- Oxon: This was the capital of Utapau - I (!) 
- Polis Mazta: An early name for Polis Massa - III
- Sicemon: This was a grassworld where the Alliance gathered before the final battle - VI 
- Sise System: Contained Sisemon. Did this name influence the name Sise Fromm? - VI
- Siseman: This was a grassworld where the Alliance gathered before the final battle - VI 
- Sloth Pit: An early name for the Pit of Carkoon - VI 
- Sullest: This was a planet where laser swords were created. Changed into Sullust for 'RotJ' - IV 
- Ton-mummd: Was a possible Rebel Base at the end of the movie. Another grassworld - V 
- Townowi: Became Aquillae. Could this have influenced the name Towani? - IV 
- Townowi System: Contained Townowi - IV 
- Ttaz: Was a rocky desert world. It possibly became Geonosis in 'AotC' - V
- Utapau: Eventually became Naboo - I (!)
- Utapau: This was Tatooine in the drafts - IV (!) 
- Valker: In this area on Utapau, the Gungan army fought against the TF Army - I 

(!) Has later been retconned into Source / SW Lore
(!!) Aquilae with one 'l' is Source

From Warwick to Jhoff on Pesmenben IV: nuances between the movie and the novel 'Return of the Jedi'

Originally created on Jul 17, 2007


In this blog I'll compare the novelisation of 'RotJ', written by James Kahn and the movie. I have also created other blog entries regarding the novels of the other classic movies. This has completed the classic circle.

I read the novel of 'RotJ' several times many years ago. I had a neat Dutch edition that featured storyboards from the movie. It was nice to read the novel again and I was surprised to find several nice additions and differences to the movie. Especially several deleted scenes will catch your attention.

CHAPTER I
* Deleted Scene: In the novel, you will find the deleted scene where Luke hides his lightsaber into Artoo's cargo compartment. 
* In the novel Threepio just mentions that 'Lando Calrissian never returned from Jabba's Palace'. Threepio knows that Chewbacca isn't missing in action and will ask himself why Chewbacca couldn't deliver the message to Jabba.
* In the novel three instead of two Gamorreans meet the Droids in the Palace Hallway. The book also states that Gamorreans harbour a deep hatred towards Droids, something that hasn't been explored that much in later source.
* The novel says that Jabba's hair has fallen out due to several diseases.
* EV-9D9 introduces herself as 'Chief of Cyborg Operations'
* In the movie EV-9D9 says she has need for Artoo on Jabba's Sail Barge. The novel even explains why she does because why would Jabba be in need of Astromech Droids. It seems that lately, several Astromech Droids from the Hutt had disappeared and most likely stolen for parts'.
* The novel mentions Max Rebo as being a 'blue, flop-eared Jizz-wailer' (no idea why this word is banned)
* The book says that Han Solo had been frozen in Carbonite for 6 Tatooinian months.

Named members of Jabba's court: Bib Fortuna, Salacious Crumb, Oola, EV-9D9-, Boushh, Max Rebo, Yak Face, Ishi Tib, Barada, Weequay & Hermi Odle 

CHAPTER II
* Another interesting note. Jabba says to Luke when he confronts him in the Palace: "I was killing your kind when begin a Jedi meant something'.
* The Rancor is being compared as having the size of an elephant, an animal that does not exist in the SW galaxy.
* In the novel the Gamorrean who falls into the Rancor pit with Luke (who was later given the name Jubnuk) also fires at the Rancor with a Blaster.
* Deleted Scene: In the novel, the scene where Luke grabs the grid in the Court Room can be found. Pictures of this scene exist. Jawas mashed Luke's fingers with their rifles in the novel.
* When fighting the Rancor, Luke remembers Ben saying that pure evil was always self-destructive at the end. Luke realised the Rancor wasn't truly evil.
* The novel compares the Rancor's skull crushing to an axe slicing through a watermelon.
* The novel gives a nice description of Barada and the Weequay that accompany Luke & co on the Skiff. Strangely enough, the Klatooinian on the first Skiff has been renamed Kithaba afterwards. It's still a mystery to me why a prime source such as the novel was discarded regarding the Barada - Kithaba switch.
* Pesmenben IV: Lando mentions Pesmenben IV as being the location where he pulled a con on an Imperial Governor and his lithium carbonated dunes.
* Deleted Scene: In the novel, Ephant Mon (with Salacious Crumb) and Ree-Yees argue about a point of quark warfare and Threepio serves as a translator. At the end Ephant gets smacked. This is in fact a deleted scene, only in the filmed sequence it's Saelt-Marae who replaces Ephant Mon.
*When having to drink from Jabba's glass as a slave, Leia remembers the tortures of Darth Vader aboard the first Death Star.
* Luke compares his possible death on Tatooine as being: 'born and bred in a Bantha patch'.
* The novel mentions that Luke constructed his lightsaber in the hut of Ben Kenobi.
* In the novel, Jabba the Hutt dies before Boba Fett flies into the Sarlacc.
* In the novel, Boba Fett speaks another line to Solo: "Get out of my way, you blind fool' before Solo fires him into the Sarlacc's mouth.
* When Salacious Crumb is picking Threepio's eyes, he gets assistance from Hermi Odle in the novel. Artoo zaps Odle who jumped out of a window.
* Artoo and Threepio are picked up by a Electromagnet of the Skiff when they were stuck in the sand.

CHAPTER III
* Deleted Scene: The famous sandstorm scene, still takes place in the movie. It confirms that the heroes arrived in the Falcon, Luke's X-Wing and a two-seater Y-Wing (BTL-S3). Han thanks Luke and Lando for coming to his rescue. 
* When Artoo once more joins up with Luke, Threepio says "Make the Maker bless you" to his companion.
* In the novel, we read how Luke actually walks to Yoda's hut.
* The novel explains that it was Yoda who forbade Ben Kenobi to tell Luke the truth about his father.
* The conversation with Ben Kenobi is interesting in the novel. It mentions the lava fight ("Your father fell into a molten pit").
* Luke's Mother & Leia: The novel also mentions pieces of what happened to Leia. This is not exactly how it happened in 'Revenge of the Sith'. Ben explains: "When your father left, he didn't know your mother was pregnant..." Anakin knew Padmé was pregnant, he just didn't know how many children she was pregnant with.
* Owen is Ben's brother: One of the most remarkable things about the novel is that it Ben says that Owen was his brother and that's why he gave Luke to Owen and Beru. Before Episode II was released, it was considered cannon.
* Ben also explains some nice information regarding Alderaan and the Organa family. He also says that Leia was instructed to contact him whenever she found herself in deep troubles.

CHAPTER IV
* The novel does mention Palpatine as the name of the Emperor while the movie does not. This is of course interesting, regarding the role of Palpatine in the prequels. It also gives a short history on how Palpatine became Emperor: "Through fraud, clever promises, and astute political manoeuvring, he'd managed to get himself elected head of the Council. And then through subterfuge, bribery and terror, he'd named himself Emperor." I think we can see this does concur with what happened in the prequels in general.
* Several types of ships are named in the Rebel Fleet: Corellian Battle Ships, Sullustan Cargo Freighters, Calamarian Tankers, Alderaanian Gunships, Kesselian Blockade Runners and Bestinian Skyhoppers. Strangely enough, all these planets exist in the novels of the movies and often the ships remind us of other existing types (Gunships, Blockade Runners, Skyhoppers).
* Mon Mothma's background is mentioned in the novel as being a Senator, just as Palpatine and Bail Organa.
* In the novel, Lando explains his adventures during the Battle of Taanab and the bandits from Norulac.
* Ackbar is stated as being the specialist regarding Imperial Defence Procedures.
* Controller Jhoff is mentioned in the novel, a character that is neglected by other sources. He's the Imperial Controller who deals with the Tydirium.
* In the novel, the Tydirium arrives in Sector Seven and it is identified as belonging to theLambda-class.
* Han uses the name of 'Sanctuary Moon' as well while in the movie, only Palpatine names Endor like that.

CHAPTER V
* When the Imperial Scout wants to kill Luke on Endor and races towards him when Luke has crashed his Bike, Khan compares this with a matador and his bull. Another example of real-life elements that were incorporated in the novel.
* Deleted Scene: Kahn still uses the scene where Vader strangles an Officer aboard the Death Star. This however is not Jerjerrod as in the filmed deleted scene.
* In the novel, Han meets up with the Rebel Commandoes at '0-30'. In the movie this is '0-300'. The novel says Han speaks with the Commando who is second-in-command. That would make him Major Bren Derlin.
* Wicket reminds Leia of her stuffed Wookiee doll she had as a child.
* Kahn compares Wicket as a Teddy bear... another real-life term.
* In the novel, only one Imperial Scout confronts Leia and Wicket.
* Leia remembers her father and her mother, Minister of Education. It's unclear whether Leia remembered her foster mother or her real mother in the novel. Of course we now know it has to be Breha.
* An Ewok cuts Han's arm when the fell out of the net.

CHAPTER VI
* Artoo is being freed before Threepio released his 'power' in the Ewok Village
* Chirpa's pet iguana and advisor is mentioned in the novel.
* During Threepio's story he tells the Ewoks about the Civil War, Luke, Leia and Han speak as well on behalf of the Rebel Alliance's cause.

Named Ewoks in the novel: Teebo, Wicket, Paploo, Logray, Chirpa and ... Warwick! Now I must admit, I had totally forgotten about him. This is truly a judge to Warwick Davis but it's no typo cause Kahn uses Warwick once more in the novel (read on ...)

CHAPTER VII
* Vader says "Ben once though as you do". This is impossible since Vader doesn't really know that Obi-Wan Kenobi was called Ben Kenobi on Tatooine. And if he found out, he would never use that name.
* In the novel, four Ewoks accompany the Strike Team to the bunker. The Ewoks are: Wicket, Paploo (as in the movie), Teebo and Warwick ! Yep, it's Warwick again !
* Han remembers the Spice Vaults of Gargon as another heavily guarded place they once got into.
* When Han sees the four Scouts guarding the bunker he says: "With just those guards this should be easier than breaking a Bantha".
* Chewbacca subdues the last remaining Scout in the novel. In the movie, Han lures him towards the Commandoes.
* Palpatine knows about Obi-Wan Kenobi and more important about Yoda's existence and even Yoda's death. When you know what happens in 'RotS', this scene gets a lot more importance.
* Deleted Scene: In the novel, the Rebel Strike Team faces Stomtroopers inside the Bunker. The progress of the Strike Team in the bunker was also filmed but never used.
* In the novel, three X-Wings crash into the Death Star's still operational Shield.
* Admiral Ackbar gets the news: "Admiral, we have enemy ships at Sector RT-23 and PB-4". In the movie it's just Sector 47.
* Also interesting to note is a quote used by Lando. This quote was absent from the classic edition but it appeared in the Special Edition! Lando says "We're sure in the middle of it, now".

CHAPTER VIII
* In the novel, the Liberty is mentioned as the first victim of the Death Star's Superlaser.
* A very interesting subplot in the novel that is missing in the movie is that Palpatine orders Jerjerrod to blow up Endor if the Shield was destroyed.
* In the novel, Teebo sounds the alarm instead of an unnamed Ewok in the movie.
* For a moment it seems that Teebo and Wicket died in the battle for it says that they both crashed. But later, it seems they are healthy Ewoks! In the novel it's Teebo and Wicket that accompany Chewbacca in the AT-ST cockpit instead of the still unnamed Ewoks in the movie.
* In the novel, Vader receives Luke's lightsaber when Luke is hiding in the depths of the Throne Room and he refuses to fight his father. When he turns into his rage, Luke grabs the saber with the Force out of Vader's grip.
* In the novel, Luke manages to repel the Force Lightning of Palpatine at first.

CHAPTER IX
* The Empire's Main Communication Ship is mentioned and destroyed in a passage absent from the movie. Blue Leader perishes in that battle. Blue Group is never mentioned in the movie. The large hangarless Destroyer, retconned later as the Tector-class Star Destroyer, is also present as 'the belly of the Imperial leviathan'.
* In the novel, it's Green Leader himself who accompanied Lando and Wedge in the Death Star. He escapes as ordered by Lando. In the movie it's Jake Farrell who escapes from the Death Star.
* In the novel, there is an interesting part when Jerjerrod is turning the Death Star's Superlaser towards Endor as was commanded by Palpatine. It reminds us of the sequence in 'ANH'. When everybody was panicking, Jerjerrod kept his cool and concentrated on destroying Endor. This would finally seem to make up for his more coward like character.
* When Luke takes off Anakin's mask, Anakin remembers the wonders of nature, his wife and his friend Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin also wished he had met Yoda to thank him for training Luke ... well that's another funny thing that happens when you make movies in a non-chronological order.
* In the novel, the appearance of the Jedi spirits is not as obvious as in the movie.

At the end, it turned out that the novelisation of 'Return of the Jedi' contains a lot of deleted scenes, some new names and some additions to the movie. Like the other novels, I advise it to every fan.

Gank Killers who had Dormo-Shocks on Triton Moons: nuances between the novel and the movie: TESB

Originally created on Apr 04, 2007


In this blog I'll compare 'Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back' with the novelisation of Donald F. Glut. 

Some time ago, I added the blog entry about the discrepancies between the novel and the movie 'A New Hope' (http://blogs.starwars.com/teekay-421/65). It turned out that the novelisation of Episode V doesn't differ that much from the actual movie. Glut may be a known and respected author; it seems he (had to?) stayed close to the final screenplay of Lawrence Kasdan. Nevertheless, the novel is still a nice read and it has some nice memories attached to it for many among us, I believe.

CHAPTER I
* The book says that Echo Base has been established for a month on Hoth when the movie starts.
* Grammar: When Luke is about to be attacked by the Wampa he mutters: "Son of a jumping...". Another Star Wars curse.
* In the book, the Viper Probe Droid appears after the Wampa had ambushed Luke.
* Jabba the Hutt is spelled correctly in the novel, compared to the spelling of his name in the novel of 'ANH'
* Terminology: Han Solo: "I'm going to pay off Jabba before he sends any more of his remotes, Gank Killers, and who knows what else. Gank Killers are favoured hunters by Huttese Crimelords. In 'A Guide to the Star Wars Universe', they are sourced as hailing from the 'Dark Empire' comic book, while in fact they appeared more than 10 years before the publication of that horrific EU monster.
* In the book, Han and Leia argue more in the southpassage. After Han says he can arrange Leia to be kissed by a Wookiee, the discussion goes on about Leia's feelings and about Han having 'the breeding of a Bantha'.

CHAPTER II
* You will find an amusing duel between a Wampa and the Viper Probe Droid in the book.
* When Luke hangs in the Wampa cave, he hears the voice of Ben Kenobi talking to him. "Think of the Lightsaber in your hand". Here is what the novel has to say about Ben's voice: "... it was that soothing spiritual presence which occasionally visited Luke in moments of stress and danger..."
* In the book, Ben's spirit that appears a bit later has more to say. He urges Luke to remain conscious and that he has to survive because he is the only hope.
* Astrology: When Han's Tauntaun freezes to death he mutters: "Deader than a Triton Moon". Triton is a planet located in the Mayagil Sector (Clack'dor VII).

CHAPTER III
* Code: 'Sector four-six-one-four by eight-eight-two': The location of Luke and Han according to Zev Senesca.
* When Luke is in the Bacta Tank, he mumbles about Yoda. "He doesn't make sense to me either, Chewie," Han replied.
* Terminology: "Commander Skywalker has been in dormo-shock but is responding well to the Bacta" is the diagnosis of 2-1B.
* Deleted Scene: In the novel 2-1B removes the protecting pad from Luke's face. This scène was filmed but not used in the movie.
* In the novel Han uses the expression: "You look strong enough to wrestle a Gundark" instead of "to pull the ears off a Gundark".
* Echo Station 38 is the Station where the Viper Probe Droid is discovered. In the novel they have contact with Echo Base. "What the ...? Oh no!"
* When the images of the Probot have reached the Executor, Darth Vader sees a different image than in the movie. In the novel he sees Snowspeeders instead of the Shield Generator.

CHAPTER IV
* In the novel it is Captain Need who says: "Our first catch of the day" and it is the Avenger that gets zapped by the Planetary Ion Cannon. In the movie the ISD is the Tyrant commanded by Captain Lennox.
* Code: In the Rebel briefing that Leia gives to Rogue Group she adds: "Code One Five will be transmitted when evacuation is complete".

CHAPTER V
* During the Battle of Hoth, the AT-AT Driver reads a different distance to the power generator than in the movie. In the novel it is "Six-Four-One". In the movie it is "17,28".

CHAPTER VI
* Vehicle: When a collision in the Echo Base blocks the passage for Leia to her transport, Han talks into his Comlink: "Transport C One Seven!". It seems this was the code for Thon's Orchard; the Rebel Transport Leia was destined to take.
* In the aftermath of the Battle of Hoth, two characters perish in the novel that are still alive in the chronology: Maximilian Veers and Derek Klivian (Hobbie). Hobbie crashed into Veers' cockpit. This is not correct and is considered a continuity error since Hobbie is one of the pilots during the Battle of Endor.
* In the novel, there is an added part where Piett actually has landed on Hoth and informs Vader that seventeen Ships have been destroyed. Vader says he really wants the Millennium Falcon.
* Technology: During the Falcon's escape from Hoth, Threepio notices something else is in need to be fixed than in the movie: "I noticed earlier that the entire main para-light system seems to have been damaged".

CHAPTER VII
* Threepio calculated other odds for successfully navigating an asteroid field in the novel: 2467 to 1. In the movie they're even slimmer with 3720 to 1.

CHAPTER VIII
* In the novel Vader receives twenty Holographic messages from Imperial Officers on the Executor.
* Technology: While preparing the repair the Falcon, Han says to Leia: "How are you with aMacrofuser, Your Holiness."
* When Luke meets Yoda for the first time, the small Jedi Master gives a glimpse of the future in the novel. When Luke says he's stranded because he cannot get his ship out, Yoda comments: "Have you tried? Have you tried?"
* In the novel it is Chewbacca who witnesses the kiss between Han and Leia in the Falcon. In the novel they even kiss twice.
* In the novel the voice of Ben Kenobi gives Yoda more reasons to accept Luke as his apprentice: "We've come this far. He is our only hope."

Chapter IX
Some of the scenes that differ most from the movie take place on Dagobah during Luke's training. 
* For instance, Yoda starts with throwing a metal bar at Luke that he has to slice in two with his Lightsaber. At his first attempt, Luke fails.
* Fauna & Flora: "...Yoda chewed on his Gimer Stick, a short twig with three small branches at the far end."
* The introduction of the Bounty Hunters has always been one of my favorite parts in the novel. It mentions every one of them, except 4-LOM. 
** Bossk: whose soft, baggy eyes gawked at Vader with huge bloodshot eyes.
** Zuckuss & Dengar: Two human types, battle-scarred by innumerable, unspeakable adventures. When Zuckuss is called a 'human type', there is no wonder that he was often mistaken for Dengar in the beginning.
** IG-88: a battered and tarnished chrome-colored droid.
** Boba Fett: He was dressed in a spacesuit, the kind worn by evil warriors defeated by the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars. This probably could refer to the Battle of Galidraan that took place in 32 BBY, ten years before the Clone Wars.

CHAPTER X
* Another example of Yoda's expanded training are Seeker Droid balls that Yoda uses to test Luke. At first he uses two of them next he adds two more.
* During these tests, Yoda delivers the speech about the 'Dark Side of the Force' he says in the movie while sitting in Luke's backpack when he runs through the Dagobah jungle.
* In the novel, two Stormtroopers take away the corpse of Needa instead of two Naval Troopers.
* In the novel Threepio has already been shut down in the Falcon when it's hanging behind the Avenger.
* Sports & Gambling: The novel mentions 'Sabacc'. Han Solo: "A Tibanna gas mine. Lando won it in a Sabacc match, or so he claims..."
* Luke still has to run with Yoda on his back but it takes place much later in his training than in the movie. While running he slices another metal bar into four pieces.

CHAPTER XI
* In the novel, the Falcon is welcomed on Cloud City not only by Lando, Lobot and the Wing Guards but also by aliens and droids...
* In the novel Luke's vision about Cloud City doesn't happen when he's standing upside down. He first successfully completes this training and then goes into a meditation where he sees the city in the clouds.
* At the end of Luke's training, Luke cooks for Luke and himself in Yoda's hut. He fell asleep in front of the house but woke up and uttered Yoda once more that he had to leave to safe his friends.

CHAPTER XII
* When Han and Leia kiss goodbye in the Freezing Chamber, Han doesn't use his famous reply "I know". Instead he says "Just remember that, because I"ll be back". That's because Ford came up with the 'I know' line when they had to film the scene on set.
* In the novel, the deal with Vader is even worse for Lando because Vader is keeping a detachment of his troops on Cloud City, which he never did in the movie before Lando decided to revolt against the Imperials.
* In the novel, the duel between father and son starts differently. Luke utters the words: "Lord Vader. I feel your presence. Show yourself."

CHAPTER XIII
* Code: Lando uses "Code Force Seven", meaning the Wing Guards and Lobot overpowered the Imperials that escorted them back to Vader's ship. 
* Vader speaks when he throws machinery at Luke. In fact he almost uses the same words as later in the duel: "You are beaten. It is useless to resist. You will join me or you will join Obi-Wan in death."
* Tijdens het duel krijgen Luke en Vader een bericht te horen via een intercom: "Fugitives heading toward Platform 327. Secure all transports. All security forces on alert."
* In the novel Luke falls from the weather vane and the Falcon picks him up while falling.
* Technology: When trying to repair the Falcon once more, Lando asks Chewie to the check the secondary deviation controls.
* In the novel, Luke and Vader do not have contact with their minds after Bespin when Luke rests in the Millennium Falcon.

CHAPTER XIV
None

The novel of 'TESB' sure brings back a few things. It doesn't differ that much from the movie and it doesn't add many new things. Most interesting is probably Luke's time on Dagobah because of the small and larger changes in it. If there is something I forgot to mention, please let me know.

Sompeetalay

About Tocneppil, ducks & dogs: nuances between the novel and the movie: 'Star Wars A New Hope'

Originally created on May 31, 2006


Last week I decided to pick up an old friend. The novelisation of 'Star Wars' was the first novel I ever read and now I thought it was time to read it again. Although the cover says George Lucas himself wrote it, it was actually Alan Dean Foster who ghostwrote the novel from the script. It's a novel every fan should have read and in this blog you'll see why you should. 

In this blog entry, I have studied the nuances and differences between the novel and the movie 'Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope'. These differences include changes in quotes, deleted scenes, added planets, added characters, added information, etc ... I've come to the conclusion that these changes are weird, funny and interesting. 

PROLOGUE: The novels starts with one of the most bizarre and interesting pieces ever written in 'SW'-literature. If you read it you already know the rough layout of the prequels. I never understood the wild speculations about prequel stories on the Internet. The true story was right before our own eyes, but nobody knew, because they hadn't read it. I have quoted a small piece of it: "So it was with the Republic at its height. Like the greatest of trees, able to withstand any external attack, the Republic rotted from within though the danger was not visible from outside. Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals within the government, and the massive organs of commerce, the ambitious Senator Palpatine caused himself to be elected President of the Republic ... Having exterminated through treachery and deception the Jedi Knights, guardians of justice in the galaxy, the Imperial Governors and bureaucrats prepared to instute a reign of terror...". 

What's also notable is that this is the only official time the 'Journal of the Whills' is mentioned. The prologue is an excerpt 'From the First Saga'. This Journal could be some kind of history of the 'SW'-galaxy, written many, many years after the Galactic Civil War. Also pay attention to a neat quote by Princess Leia that concludes the prologue: "They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally they became heroes."

CHAPTER I
* Threepio says: "There'll be no escape for the Captain this time". This line explains better why Threepio has never heard nor seen the Princess. This behaviour was explained in the Radio Drama.
* Deleted Scene: Threepio tumbles into wires of the Tantive IV. He calls Artoo a 'half-sized thermocapsulary dehousing assister'.
* Character: Lieutenant Hija is mentioned being the gunner who reported there was another Escape Pod flying away from the Tantive IV.

CHAPTER II
* In the book, Luke is introduced much earlier than in the movie. The chapter starts with threeDeleted Scenes: Luke & Treadwell, Luke arrives at Tosche Station, Luke and his friends look at the sky. The book says that Luke is 20 years (he's twice the age of the ten-year old Vaporator). The Fixer, Camie, Deak, Windy and Biggs Darklighter are also mentioned.
* Creatures: 'Sandflies buzzed lazily in the cracked eaves of pour stone buildings. A dog barked in the distance ...'. This is mentioned when Luke is about to enter Anchorhead. But then again we knew that dogs were known in the SW universe "Die, Jedi-dogs!" (C-3PO / Battle Droid).
* Creature: "I thought you'd be here with these other two nightcrawlers" (Biggs).
* Vehicle: Biggs reports that he has been made First Mate on the Rand Ecliptic.
* Have you ever noticed that there is a red glow behind Vader's eyes in 'ANH'? 'Above her towered the threatening bulk of Darth Vader, red eyes glaring...'
* When Vader is questioning Leia, she dares to spit at his mask.
* The novel gives the full version of the official statement of what happened to the Tantive IV: "Send out a wide-band distress signal. Indicate that the Senator's ship encountered an unexpected meteorite cluster it could not avoid... Inform her father and the Senate that all aboard were killed." (Darth Vader)
* The novel also explains what the Empire did to the Tantive IV: "Vaporize this fighter - we don't want to leave anything". (Darth Vader)
* Then comes another famous Deleted Scene where Luke and Biggs say goodbye.
* Planet: "A friend of mine from the Academy has a friend on Bestine who might enable us to make contact with an armed rebel unit." Bestine is the homeplanet of Jek Porkins and Zev Senesca.

CHAPTER III
* The Imperial briefing takes place much sooner in the novel. During the conversation the lines from Tagge, Motti and Tarkin are often changed. Its Tagge who gets Force choked. 
* Character: "I beg to differ with you, Romodi" (Tagge). Romodi is an Imperial Officer who says a line that belongs to Motti in the movie. Romodi could be one of two unknown Imperials during the conference.
* During this scene, Vader grabs a cup with the Force. What he was planning to do with that is unknown.
* 'Hidden Fortress': Tagge snares that Vader hasn't been able to find the Rebel's hidden fortress. This could well be a link to Kurosawa's movie, which has been of great influence to Lucas. It's not the only time 'hidden fortress' is used in the novel.
* The Jawas only auction five Droids in the novel.
* Technology: 'A few seconds later they were striding down a ramp kept clear of drifting sand by electrostatic repellers'.
* Threepio says he's a third degree Droid to Luke. According to 'SW'-lore Droids are divided into five-degree classes. Luke actually mentions the name Tatooine when Threepio wants to know on which planet he's.
* The famous line that Leia speaks in her holo message has been slightly changed. In the novel she says "Obi-Wan Kenobi, help me! You're my only remaining hope".
* The name Obi-Wan is always spelled: 'Obi-wan' in the novel.
* Character: "Our last master was Captain Colton" (C-3PO). Instead of Antilles, Colton is the master of the droids in the novel. This - of course - is a wonderful link to the character in 'RotS'.
* In the novel Luke explains a bit more about what he knows of Ben Kenobi: "He's kind of a local character - a hermit. Uncle Owen and a few of the other farmers say he's a sorcerer. He comes around once in a while to trade things. I hardly ever talk to him, though. My uncle usually runs him off."

CHAPTER IV
* Contrary to the movie, the character of 'Tank' (Janek Sunber) is not mentioned by Luke.
* Droid: "Astromech droid are becoming too iconoclastic even for me to understand, sometimes" (C-3PO). The name 'Astromech Droid' already appeared in the novel it seems.
* The "Look, sir. Droids!" scene where the Sandtroopers discover the pod takes place much later in the movie. It takes place after Owen finds out that Luke has gone out with the droids in the morning.
* Creature: '... that Threepio might not know a Bantha from a panda'. Now, we know what a Bantha is, but what is a panda? This earth creature must somehow have found its way into the SW universe as well.

CHAPTER V
* This is quite funny. "I can't seem to remember owning a droid, least of all a modern Artoo Unit" (Ben Kenobi). Obi-Wan's memory must really be fading away because these modern Artoo Units were exactly the same when he was still a Padawan learner.
* Creature: "That's a Krayt Dragon call!" (Luke). The novel explains what Ben's call really was.
* In Obi-Wan's hut, the message that Artoo carries is played before Kenobi explains to Luke who his father really was.
* In Leia's holo message, the name Bail Organa is mentioned: "I break your solitude at the bidding of my father, Bail Organa, Viceroy and First Chairman of the Alderaan system" (Leia).
* Obi-Wan smokes a waterpipe (hookah) in the novel. That would have been a neat link to 'Lawrence of Arabia' where Guinness plays the Arabian prince Feisal.
* Creature: "Still, even a duck has to be taught to swim" (Obi-Wan) and Luke responds, "What's a duck". 
* Another weird thing Obi-Wan says: "Your father's Lightsaber. At one time they were widely used. Still are, in certain galactic quarters." I wonder where that's supposed to be... Two of the four remaining Jedi / Sith never use their Lightsaber in the classics (Sidious & Yoda).
* Technology: 'Anyone can use a blaster or fusioncutter...'
* Kenobi does say some very interesting stuff about the Jedi: "In many ways they were too good, too trusting for their own health. They put too much trust in the stability of the Republic, failing to realise that while the body might be sound, the head was growing diseased and feeble, leaving it open to manipulation by such as the Emperor".
* At Leia's torture, Tarkin is present as well.

CHAPTER VI
* Creatures: 'He would consign no one to the bone-gnawers and gravelmaggots, not even a filthy Jawa'. These creatures are mentioned when the dead Jawa corpses are being burned.
* Location: "No ... no, we live in the west, near Bestine Township". (Luke to Sandtrooper patrol) This is the 2nd time Bestine is mentioned. This however, is the official capital city of Tatooine, named after the planet.
* Characters: "Corellians - pirates, most likely" (Obi-Wan). The novel says that Ben talks to Corellians before talking to Chewbacca. This implies that Bo Shek is indeed Corellian.
* The name Wookiee is always spelled with one 'e'. This could be the result of George Lucas' spelling that seemed to be always changing in the drafts.
* Ponda Baba and Dr Evazan are not the same in the novel. Here, Luke's attacked by three goons: a large squarish monstrosity of multiple eyes, a cross between a capybara and a small baboon and a short grubby-looking human. The two aliens are halved and the human has its arm cut off.
* Character: 'At their approach the man sent the humanoid wench who had been wiggling on his lap on her way'. The man is Han Solo and the wench could be 'Jenny', one of Solo's girlfriends who appeared in the Cantina Deleted Scene.
* Han Solo says they will be leaving in the morning instead of immediately after the encounter in the cantina.

CHAPTER VII
* Wioslea (name not mentioned in the novel) is here believed to be a male by Luke. It seems Luke has a lot to learn about Vuvrian sexes.
* The Deleted Scene with Jabba the Hutt (that was inserted once more during the SE and the dvd editions) is also present.
* Hutt is spelled with one 't'. Same explanation as Wookiee
* In the dialogue, Han agrees to have Jabba 20% instead of 15% from the final version.
* Deleted Scene: Here's the rough scene between Chief Bast and Vader that can be seen in the Holiday Special where the two are talking about the Rebel Base. It takes place right after Jabba has left Docking Bay 94.
* More Star Destroyers join the hunt for the Falcon in the novel and 'jump to Hyperspace' is called supralight jump.
* Creature: 'Oddly, Luke was thinking of a dog he had once owned ...' Yep ... here it is again: Canis lupus familiaris.
* Creature: '...wrenched at the ship's hull with a strength of a fallen angel'. Now this is interesting because we know Angels exist on the Moons of Iego.
* The destruction of Alderaan is not really 'shown' in the novel as in the movie. The scene where Obi-Wan feels the destruction of Alderaan is not in the novel.

CHAPTER VIII
* Character: "Yes, what is it, Cass" (Tarkin). Officer Cass is mentioned, the high ranking officer who told Tarkin that Dantooine was deserted.
* Character: "THX-1138, why aren't you at your post? THX-1138, do you copy" (Lt. Treidum). In the novel TK-421 was called THX-1138. No reason to explain why. I'm happy they replaced it, because the Belgian Fanclub would have been named differently.
* When Ben leaves Luke at the Death Star, he does not say "The Force will be with you. Always".
* Technology & Food: "... I traded it for a ten-carat Chrysopaz and three bottles of good brandy ..." (Han Solo)
* Planet: "I traded it for a ten-carat Chrysopaz and three bottles of good brandy about five years ago on Commenor" (Han Solo). Commenor is a planet in the Colonies near Corellia and Neimoidia.

CHAPTER IX
* Character: "Prisoner transfer from block TS-138" (TK-421). Where the real link to THX is in the movie, this was no THX reference in the novel.
* Vader speaks highly of his former master: "He is the last of the Jedi - and the greatest". If only Obi-Wan could have heard that.
* Luke is the last one to jump in the Trash Compactor in the novel
* Something strange is written when Threepio and Artoo are to leave the Docking Bay patrol room where they tricked Stormtroopers to head to the prison levels. When two (instead of one) guards remain, the novel says: '... it occurred to the guard that the taller of the two droids was of a type he had never seen before.' This trooper must have been freshly squeezed from the clone labs for sure.
* The number of the Trash Compactor is different. In the novel its: 366117891 instead of 3263827.

CHAPTER X
* Even wondered what happened to the real TK-421 and TK-422? The novel says they were found, unconsciously in the service lockers of the Falcon. It still doesn't explain what happened to the scanning crew, though.
* Location: "Getting back to the ship's going to be like flying through the five Fire Rings of Fornax" (Han Solo). Another great Solo quote from the novel where he mentions something that has widely been ignored ever since in the 'SW'-universe.
* When Leia and Luke are to make their swing across the chasm, the bridge only seems to work in one direction, so the explanation used in the movie (Luke shot it) isn't used here. In the novel Luke has to throw his cable two times before it remains stuck. There are also no Stormtroopers firing at them from a higher ledge.
* Character: "Of course I can find the ship from here - Corellians can't get lost. Tocneppildoesn't count; he wasn't Corellian. Besides, I was drunk." (Han Solo). A marvellous quote where a character is mentioned that has never been seen afterwards in the 'SW' lore.

CHAPTER XI
* Planet: 'Yavin was not a habitable world. The huge gas giant was patterned with pastel high-altitude cloud formations...' The novel gives a detailed description of the planet Yavin. Grant Boucher (author of Galaxy Guide 1) once told me that because he had forgotten this passage WEG had skipped his Yavin passage in 'Planets of the Galaxy 1'. Grant had portrayed Yavin to be a Martian world colored in red hues.
* Commander Willard and General Jan Dodonna are mentioned. 
* During the briefing its Red Leader (Garven Dreis) who asks what good are snub fighter going to be against the Death Star. In the movie its Gold Leader (Jon Vander) who asks this.
* During the Battle of Yavin, the novel implies that there are 4 squadrons participating. "Yellow squadron will cover for Red on the first run. Green will cover for Blue on the second" (Dodonna).
* In the novel Blue Squadron is the name of Red Squadron and Red Squadron is the name for Gold Squadron.
* Leia says 'May the Force be with you' to Luke when he departs from Yavin 4.
* Deleted Scene: The scene where Biggs and Luke meet each other at Yavin is longer in the novel than it is in the SE or dvd editions. In this scene Red Leader speaks to his newest pilot.
* Ship: "Have you been checked out on the Incom T-65?" (Garven Dreis).
* "I met your father once when I was just a boy, Luke. He was a great pilot. You'll do all right out there. If you've got half your father's skill, you'll do a damn sight better than all right" (Garven Dreis). Red Leader actually flew with Anakin during the Battle of Virujansi during the Clone Wars. It would be the same Anakin Skywalker who would spell certain doom for Red Leader during the battle.
* The slogan of Luke and Biggs is also present in the novel: "We're a couple of shooting starts that can't be stopped'. In the movie 'they'll never stop is, is all that remains.
* In the novel there is no Death Star countdown as there is in the movie.

CHAPTER XII
* Characters: "Execute" Blue Leader commanded, when John D. and Piggy had indicated their readiness. Piggy could be Jek Porkins.
* Character: "You pinned it, Pops,' Red Leader admitted. Pops is the nickname for Gold 5: Davish Krail.
* Creature: "We're sitting ducks down here," (Jon Vander). This is the 1st time this expression is used in the 'SW'-universe.
* Character: "Sorry ... it's your baby now. So long, Dave..." (Davish Krail). Since he's talking to Garven Dreis, you could assume that Dave is a nickname for Garven. Perhaps Krail was talking to himself and saying goodbye to Dave (his son? Friend? lover?).
* The death of Biggs is portrayed more dramatically in the novel. Luke gets tears in his eyes when Wedge reports that Biggs has died.

CHAPTER XIII
* Threepio walks along Luke, Han and Chewbacca during the Yavin Ceremony. He does step aside to take place beside Artoo.
* And finally ... Chewie gets his medal in the novel!

I hope you have enjoyed this blog entry. If you know any important changes that I have forgotten to mention over here, please let me know.

Sompeetalay