During a recent appearance on the Graham Norton Show, Mark Hamill provided fans with an interesting tidbit about his iconic scene with Darth Vader in “The Empire Strikes Back.”He revealed that the line he originally heard while filming was markedly different from the well-known moment when Vader declares he is Luke’s father.
This revelation has sparked fans’ imaginations, prompting them to ponder a universe where, instead of acknowledging his parentage, Vader accused Obi-Wan Kenobi of killing Luke’s father. In this article, we delve deeper into this intriguing scenario and explore some of the most compelling “What if?”discussions surrounding it.
Understanding the Original Line in “Empire Strikes Back”
“Obi-Wan Killed Your Father”
The climactic revelation in “The Empire Strikes Back”is frequently misquoted as “Luke, I am your father.”In actuality, Darth Vader asserts, “No, I am your father,”following Luke’s claim that Obi-Wan informed him Vader killed Anakin Skywalker. This moment is considered one of the most significant plot twists in cinematic history. However, the original line delivered by David Prowse, who physically portrayed Vader, was actually “Obi-Wan killed your father,”a detail that was later re-recorded by the voice of Vader, James Earl Jones.
George Lucas aimed to maintain the narrative’s suspense with this misdirection, but the potential ramifications of this altered line have led many fans to wonder how different the Star Wars saga would be if it had been included. Such speculation has cemented its status as one of the greatest “What if?”scenarios in the franchise’s history, likely resulting in a vastly different narrative trajectory and cultural impact than what we know today.
Exploring Dark Horse Comics’ “Star Wars Infinities”Line
Initial Releases in 2002-2003
What many enthusiasts may not realize is that the “Star Wars”comics have a rich tradition of exploring alternate histories through the “Infinities”line. Launched in 2002 by Dark Horse Comics, “Star Wars: Infinities: A New Hope”presented a radically different version of the original film’s story. Following closely, “Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back”was released later that year, with “Infinities: Return of the Jedi”completing the trilogy in 2003.
Should the franchise choose to revisit the Infinities concept, this would provide an ideal platform to explore the ramifications of Vader’s claimed line, fulfilling the long-standing curiosity of fans eager for “What if?”scenarios.
These series are notable for their bold storytelling choices. For instance, in “Infinities: Return of the Jedi,”Vader survives his encounter and embraces redemption, while “Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back”takes a dramatic turn by having Luke die from injuries sustained on Hoth, drastically altering the story’s trajectory from that point onward.
Despite these bold narratives, there’s still an opportunity to delve into the implications of Vader’s claim regarding Obi-Wan, particularly its vast influence on the Star Wars universe. While Marvel now publishes Star Wars comics, reviving the Infinities concept would satisfy the enduring fan interest sparked by this twist.
Exploring “Obi-Wan Killed Your Father”– Option #1: “Evil Obi-Wan”
Transforming Kenobi into an Antagonist
Numerous avenues exist for Star Wars to pursue in crafting an alternate storyline based on the premise of “Obi-Wan killed your father.”One of the most prevalent theories suggests that, upon discovering the truth of Obi-Wan’s lie, a sinister aspect of his character would surface, revealing that he indeed killed Anakin Skywalker for justifiable reasons.
In this scenario, Obi-Wan morphs into an antagonist that Luke must confront. Depending on how the story unfolds, Obi-Wan’s actions could be seen as justified, forcing Luke to reconcile this complex truth about his mentor.
This shift would dramatically alter Luke’s dynamic with Obi-Wan, compelling him to reevaluate the nature of the Force’s Light and Dark sides. More significantly, this storyline could lead to realms where Darth Vader is not Anakin Skywalker, creating an inconceivable shift in the overall saga, with countless potential outcomes that could play out in endlessly fascinating ways.
Exploring “Obi-Wan Killed Your Father”– Option #2: “The Misdirect”
Vader as the Master Manipulator
Another compelling approach to exploring the “Obi-Wan killed your father”line would be to position it as a tactic of deception used by Darth Vader, intending to create doubt in Luke’s mind and drive a wedge between him and his mentor. In this version, the narrative could unfold similarly to the events depicted in “Revenge of the Sith,”where Obi-Wan defeats Anakin and leaves him for dead. This storyline could echo Obi-Wan’s assertion that Vader killed Anakin Skywalker, flipping it to reflect Vader’s perspective.
This story would introduce ambiguity, compelling Luke to navigate the moral complexities of the situation in the pivotal third act. Rather than overwhelming established canon, this retelling aligns more closely with the original Infinities premise, offering an alternate narrative route.
This portrayal would also amplify Vader’s manipulative traits, distancing him from familial ties to Luke. As a result, his potential for redemption becomes less feasible, though it remains an intriguing narrative possibility.
For more insights from Mark Hamill, you can check his interview on the Graham Norton Show.
Leave a Reply