Lucas takes a break from Star Wars to work on Raiders Of The Lost Ark with Steven Spielberg. Final script for Revenge Of The Jedi arrives at Elstree Studios in England, two months late. Harrison Ford expresses his desire to have Solo die in Jedi but Lucas won't hear of it. Ackbar and Mon Mothma's speeches will need to be re-recorded because of loud squawks from the pigeons who live in the rafters above the stage. This scene is later cut from the film.
Shooting begins in Yuma, Arizona.
Extra security is hired and the fire department is on site 24 hours to make sure nothing goes wrong. Enough rumours have been leaked that fans have travelled hundreds of miles to show up at the gates of the set. Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill finish the day's shooting at ILM by signing a pile of photographs. Mark signs his 'Follow the Force', while Harrison's read 'Force Yourself'. Ltd. No copyright infringement in these pages is intended.