UNVEILING THE ORIGINS OF STAR WARS: GEORGE LUCAS’S LOST 1974 DRAFT

UFew cinematic universes have sparked imaginations like the galaxy far, far away, but even the most devoted fans might be surprised to discover just how different Star Wars almost was. Tucked away in the archives lies George Lucas’s original 1974 draft—a bold and complex story that bears only a shadow of resemblance to the classic film that eventually took theaters by storm. This early script reveals a fascinating glimpse into Lucas’s initial vision, complete with alternative characters, epic battles, and an intricate tale of rebellion and redemption.

The Original Vision: A Galaxy on the Brink

Lucas’s rough draft, titled simply The Star Wars, opens with a universe oppressed by an iron-fisted Empire that has nearly wiped out the Jedi, an elite order of warriors who once kept peace across the galaxy. In this version, the story centers on Annikin Starkiller, a young fighter trained by his father, Kane Starkiller, to one day restore hope to a galaxy caught in the grip of darkness. The hero’s journey unfolds on planets with names both familiar and forgotten: Utapau, Alderaan, and Aquilae—each holding secrets and a part to play in the rebellion’s plan.

While names like Annikin and Luke Skywalker may sound familiar, the characters and storylines in this draft tell a tale far removed from the one fans know today. In this early script, we see General Luke Skywalker as an older, seasoned Jedi master leading the charge for freedom, alongside allies like Clieg Whitsun and Princess Leia. Far from the headstrong yet composed Leia we know, this version of the princess is a young girl thrust into peril, trying to protect her royal lineage.

Go to this link to download a copy of the rough draft of THE STAR WARS by GEORGE LUCAS.

Droids, Death Stars, and Sith: The Galaxy Emerges

Lucas’s draft provides many intriguing elements that would later be refined. The Knights of Sith serve as the Jedi’s ruthless enemies, led by the dark prince Valorum and the menacing Darth Vader—a stark contrast to the Sith order fans eventually met. The early scenes introduce us to Artwo Detwo and See Threepio, who, in this version, crash land on the desert planet Aquilae and immediately set off on an adventure.

Perhaps most striking is the Death Star, envisioned as a massive space fortress with power enough to devastate planets, which sets the stage for epic starfighter battles led by Aquilae’s pilots. This Death Star isn’t just a final threat; it’s a looming shadow that follows our heroes across space, amplifying the stakes in their fight for survival.

A Journey of Transformation: Lucas’s Revisions to the Saga We Know

Lucas’s 1974 script represents a period of exploration and experimentation. The characters, planets, and even philosophical elements reflect Lucas’s attempts to build a unique space epic, blending elements of myth, classic Westerns, and samurai cinema. Through his revisions, Lucas distilled this complex narrative into a simpler but universal story of hope and heroism, refining his characters, deepening the themes, and creating the iconic story arc that became A New Hope.

Many of the core themes in this draft survive in today’s Star Wars—the resistance against oppression, the journey of self-discovery, and the importance of friendship and sacrifice. However, Lucas’s 1974 script also shows us a darker, more complex vision, filled with nuanced characters and a galaxy where the line between good and evil isn’t always clear.

Plot Summary

1. Opening: Space and Roll-Up

The script opens in space, showing the planet Utapau with five moons drifting into view. The roll-up explains the galaxy’s history: the Jedi Bendu were once the galaxy’s most feared warriors, serving as bodyguards to the emperor and architects of the Imperial Space Force. They have been hunted to near extinction by their enemies, the Knights of Sith, who now dominate the galaxy under the New Empire.

2. Fourth Moon of Utapau: Annikin Starkiller’s Mission

On the barren Fourth Moon of Utapau, Annikin Starkiller, an 18-year-old warrior, is alerted to an incoming enemy ship. He rushes to warn his father, Kane Starkiller, and his younger brother Deak. Kane, dressed in Jedi robes, prepares for battle, showing that he’s still a warrior despite his age.

3. Ambush at the Bluff

Kane leads his sons to a ridge to confront the incoming Sith warrior. Kane suspects this lone enemy is laying a trap. After waiting tensely, they are attacked by a towering, masked Sith warrior. During the fierce battle, Deak is killed, leaving Annikin to duel the Sith alone until Kane intervenes and slays the Sith knight. Heartbroken, Kane mourns Deak, and the two surviving Starkillers decide to leave for Aquilae to regroup.

4. The Imperial City of Alderaan

In a city of towering clouds and domes on the planet Alderaan, the dark emperor Cos Dashit and his officials, including Crispin Hoedaack, gather to witness an impressive military parade. They discuss their conquest plans, which include a coming battle against Aquilae, a system that still resists the Empire’s expansion and harbors rumored Jedi survivors.

5. Kane and Annikin Depart for Aquilae

After mourning Deak, Kane and Annikin embark on a journey to Aquilae, where Kane hopes they can rest and seek help in their struggle against the Empire.

6. Alderaan’s Nightclub: Clieg Whitsun’s Encounter

On Alderaan, Clieg Whitsun, a young, blond spy, visits a high-tech nightclub where he meets Bail Antilles, a Galactic trader. Whitsun warns Antilles of the Empire’s intentions to move against Aquilae. Suddenly, Imperial troopers enter, calling for all trade captains to report to the Ministry of Transport. Antilles is taken, but Whitsun manages to escape.

7. Governor Hoedaack and Darth Vader’s Strategy

In his quarters, Governor Crispin Hoedaack laughs with Darth Vader, who is introduced as a powerful general. They discuss the impending invasion of Aquilae and dismiss the remaining Jedi as myths. However, one tribunal member, Vantos Coll, insists that General Skywalker is real and could lead Aquilae’s resistance.

8. Palace of Aquilae: The Royal Family and General Skywalker

On Aquilae, King Kayos convenes an emergency meeting in his palace. Senators and military leaders debate whether to resist the Empire. They are interrupted by General Luke Skywalker, a seasoned Jedi warrior, who insists that Aquilae’s defense must be strengthened to withstand the Empire’s forces. Despite his warnings, some senators hesitate to engage in war, fearing the Empire’s overwhelming power.

9. Farewell to Princess Leia

The young Princess Leia of Aquilae prepares to leave for her studies at the Academy. She shares emotional farewells with her family, including her parents and her younger brothers, Biggs and Windy. The king and General Skywalker accompany Leia to the courtyard, where she departs in a speeder, symbolizing the royal family’s hope for the future.

10. General Skywalker Meets Kane Starkiller

Back at the palace, Kane Starkiller arrives with his son, Annikin, seeking Skywalker’s aid. They greet each other warmly, revealing a history of friendship and shared battles. Kane reveals that he is gravely wounded and mostly mechanical, a result of years of battles against the Sith. Kane asks Skywalker to train Annikin in the ways of the Jedi Bendu, hoping to keep the legacy alive. The general agrees, moved by Kane’s sacrifice and dedication.

11. The War Room: Strange Object Detected

In the Aquilae war room, General Skywalker and his aides detect an unknown object approaching the system. This “asteroid” is actually an Imperial space fortress, the Death Star, and signals the beginning of the Empire’s assault on Aquilae.

12. The Emperor’s Speech on Alderaan

The Emperor addresses his troops, declaring that the Aquilaean System must be conquered to complete the Empire’s expansion. He reminds them that the Jedi Rebellion once threatened the Empire, but with Aquilae’s fall, the Jedi’s last refuge will be lost. Clieg Whitsun witnesses the spectacle, disguised among the onlookers, but fears for Aquilae’s fate.

13. Aquilae Under Siege

The Imperial fleet, led by Darth Vader and Governor Hoedaack, launches its attack on Aquilae. Aquilae’s starfighter squadron, led by Pilot Leader Mace, engages the Death Star but faces overwhelming firepower. Despite their courage, most Aquilaean fighters are destroyed, underscoring the Empire’s dominance.

14. Escape of the Royal Family and General Skywalker’s Plan

Back on Aquilae, the royal family is gathered in the palace’s underground fortress. General Skywalker realizes that they are outnumbered and suggests that Princess Leia and her brothers must be taken to safety. Queen Breha and Skywalker agree that they should be smuggled to the Ophuchi System to find allies and regroup. Kane Starkiller sacrifices himself to help power the escape, passing his legacy to Annikin, whom Skywalker promises to train as a Jedi.

15. The Hidden Fortress and the Two Robots

As the Death Star’s assault devastates Aquilae, Artwo Detwo (R2-D2) and See Threepio (C-3PO), two droids from the Imperial fortress, manage to escape in a lifepod. They land in the Aquilaean desert and, after a heated argument, go their separate ways. Artwo eventually encounters Annikin Starkiller and Princess Leia, who are escaping with General Skywalker. Threepio is also rescued, reuniting with Artwo, and they join the group’s journey to safety.

16. The Journey to Gordon Spaceport

General Skywalker and his group, including Han Solo, Annikin, the droids, and the royal children, make their way to the city of Gordon to reach a transport off-planet. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including Imperial patrols. Annikin and Leia frequently clash, but their relationship begins to soften.

17. Encounter with Prince Valorum, the Sith Knight

Arriving at Gordon, they attempt to board a Baltarian freighter, but are ambushed by Prince Valorum, a Sith knight and powerful enforcer of the Empire. Valorum captures Skywalker and Han, but the two Jedi warriors use their skills to escape and free the others. A brutal battle ensues, during which they successfully retrieve the suspended-animation pods containing Leia’s brothers, Biggs and Windy.

18. Journey Through Space and Alliance with the Chrome Companies

With Valorum defeated, the group escapes aboard the Baltarian freighter. They rendezvous with the chrome companies in the Ophuchi System. These companies, powerful industrial entities, agree to support Aquilae in exchange for valuable scientific knowledge. The chrome companies prepare the group for an eventual return to liberate Aquilae from the Empire.

19. Aquilae’s Rebellion Begins

Back on Aquilae, rebellion stirs among the oppressed populace. The Aquilaean partisan underground grows stronger, encouraged by the rumor that the royal family is still alive and gathering forces. The underground leaders eagerly await the return of the general and the royal family to lead them against the Empire.

20. The Final Showdown and Valorum’s Redemption

The group returns to Aquilae in disguise, working with the underground rebels to infiltrate the Imperial stronghold. During an intense battle, Prince Valorum, initially an enemy, confronts General Skywalker. However, Valorum, inspired by the Jedi’s noble spirit, ultimately redeems himself by turning against the Empire to help the Aquilaean resistance. He sacrifices himself in a climactic duel with Darth Vader, allowing the royal family and the rebels to overthrow the Imperial forces.

21. Victory and Restoration of Aquilae

With the defeat of Darth Vader and Governor Hoedaack, Aquilae is liberated. Princess Leia and her brothers are restored as rulers of Aquilae, and General Skywalker and Annikin are honored as heroes. Skywalker vows to continue training Annikin, keeping the Jedi legacy alive. The story closes with hope for the galaxy’s future, as the surviving Jedi and their allies prepare for further battles against the lingering forces of the Empire.

Key Differences Between the Draft and the Movie

Here’s a list of the major differences between George Lucas’s original 1974 Star Wars draft and the final 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope:

1. Characters and Their Roles

Annikin Starkiller is the young protagonist in the draft, whereas in the film, the main hero is Luke Skywalker. Annikin has no resemblance to the later Anakin Skywalker character, except for the name.
General Luke Skywalker is an older, experienced Jedi warrior in the draft, not the farm boy who discovers his destiny. He serves as a mentor and military leader akin to what Obi-Wan Kenobi later becomes.
Kane Starkiller is Annikin’s father and another Jedi warrior, heavily augmented with cybernetic parts. He sacrifices himself to aid the rebellion, a character not present in the final film.
Darth Vader appears as a prominent Imperial officer but is not a Sith Lord or the main antagonist we know in the 1977 film. His role in the draft is more militaristic, and he lacks the backstory and complex relationship with Luke.
Prince Valorum is the leader of the Sith and a rival to the Jedi. He ultimately redeems himself by helping the rebellion, a storyline dropped in favor of a purely villainous Sith order in the later canon.

2. The Jedi and Sith Orders

The Jedi Bendu are described as an ancient warrior sect with a more mystical background, but the draft lacks the structured Jedi Order seen in the movie.
Knights of Sith exist as a separate warrior order opposing the Jedi. In the draft, they have more in common with an ancient enemy faction, rather than the Sith we know today.

3. Plot Structure and Setting

The story centers around the planet Aquilae, a rebellious system under siege by the Empire, as opposed to Tatooine and the journey to the Death Star in the final film.
The Imperial capital is Alderaan, which in the movie becomes the peaceful planet destroyed by the Death Star.
The final film’s main plotline of rescuing Princess Leia is absent; instead, the royal family of Aquilae (Princess Leia and her brothers) is trying to escape to find safety and allies.

4. The Role of Princess Leia

Princess Leia is much younger in the draft, around fourteen, and is part of Aquilae’s royal family with two younger brothers. She has a more limited role and is not the rebel leader we see in the final film.

5. Death Star and the Empire’s Role

The Death Star in the draft is a space fortress controlled by the Empire but is more of an invading, mobile base rather than the massive superweapon used to destroy planets.
Governor Hoedaack and Emperor Cos Dashit are key figures leading the Empire, while the Emperor’s presence is minimal in the 1977 film and is further developed in later movies.

6. Clieg Whitsun and Han Solo

Clieg Whitsun is a young, brave spy for Aquilae, similar in courage to the Luke character, but he’s not part of the final movie.
Han Solo in the draft is described as a large, green-skinned alien with gills. He’s very different from the scrappy smuggler played by Harrison Ford in the movie.

7. The Tone and Complexity of the Story

The draft has a more complex and darker tone, with a heavier focus on political intrigue, inner struggles within the Empire, and a wider range of battles.
The film simplifies the story, focusing on the hero’s journey and the clear conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire.

8. The Robots and Their Journey

Artwo Detwo (R2-D2) and See Threepio (C-3PO) have more limited roles, though they do escape from an Imperial ship and wander the desert in a similar way to the final film. However, their journey is not as central to the plot as it becomes in the movie.

9. Valorum’s Redemption Arc

Prince Valorum begins as a Sith knight but ultimately changes sides to help the rebellion, showing a complex moral arc that would later be abandoned in favor of simpler, darker Sith characters.

10. Annikin’s Role and Destiny

Annikin Starkiller is already somewhat trained as a Jedi and serves as a soldier, contrasting with the movie’s Luke Skywalker, who begins as a naive farm boy unaware of his lineage and powers.

The Legacy of Star Wars: A Story Still Being Told

Reading Lucas’s early draft is like peering into an alternate universe, one where familiar names exist in surprising forms and where battles unfold on unexpected fronts. It reminds us of the incredible journey from concept to screen and how even the most celebrated stories can begin as rough ideas with potential. This draft also highlights the collaborative nature of filmmaking, as later revisions and input from actors, writers, and directors helped shape Star Wars into a cultural phenomenon.

In the end, Lucas’s early script is a fascinating piece of Star Wars history, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the galaxy we all know and love. This lost version of The Star Wars isn’t just a window into Lucas’s original vision—it’s a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling, adaptation, and the evolution of a legendary saga that, even today, continues to expand and inspire.