A script purporting to be an original for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope has been discovered in the University of New Brunswick science fiction archives and solves the ‘Han Shot First’ debate, as well as showing off some key differences between George Lucas’ original drafts and the finished concept.
The script, which is dated March 15, 1976 and features the Lucasfilm Industries stamp, has been called a fan-made replica of the actual early script copies sold at conventions by Lucasfilm Publicity, although it should be noted that at no point has anybody affiliated with the Star Wars franchise deemed the Star Wars script a fake.
Kristian Brown, a librarian at the University of New Brunswick, has been sifting through the library’s extensive science fiction collection when he stumbled upon the script. Speaking to CBC News, Brown said of finding the script:
“I was just looking actually for something else entirely and then I just found this unique looking item…No matter how many new things are made, it all basically came from this first thing. And it’s just good to look back at the origins of the entire thing and not forget, you know, what came first.“
Of the infamous scene between Han Solo and Greedo, which has been heavily altered by George Lucas in subsequent new editions of the film, we can find confirmation of who actually shot first; of course, fans may not be surprised to find out that Han was indeed the one who shot first.
The script is also characterized as Star Wars Saga I while the film would later be re-titled as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope after it became a box office success and spawned several sequels and prequels. Sections of the script showcase characters written differently than they appear on screen, not to mention scenes that were cut entirely.
What do you think of the find? Were you surprised to find out that Han shot first? Let us know!
Luke Luby is a journalist currently based in Cork, Ireland. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Higher Diploma in English. For the last several years, he has been writing for a number of different publications.
