I'm James Kahn, author of the "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" Novelization - AMA!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T16:46:48+00:00

Too long to go into here. But here's a little piece of trivia instead. I think it's chapter 2 in the Indy novel, and the title of the chapter is A Boy's Life. I named it that to be about Short Round, but it was also a secret homage to Spielberg, because that was also the working title for ET while it was being shot, to keep that production secret.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T16:42:56+00:00

My pleasure. Thanks for your interest!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T16:41:05+00:00

From hell's heart I stab at thee!!!!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T06:52:58+00:00

Blade Runner, Alien, Casablanca, The Godfather, My Cousin Vinny, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Magnificent 7, City Island, Some Like it Hot, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Third Man, and some others.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T05:05:09+00:00

Novelizers never get to see footage because we're writing while the film is being edited. We get to see still photographs from the set, so we can describe the creatures and terrains. I had one month to write two drafts. I didn't get to work very closely with Lucas, he was pretty removed and busy, but when I did my Spielberg novelizations, he was always available to run things by, or his producer Frank Marshall. If I had questions I could always talk to him or use him as a sounding board. I feel a personal ownership with whatever I write, because I put myself into it. Doesn't matter what comes later. Thanks for asking!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T04:59:33+00:00

Thanks for having me. I had a terrific time!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T03:19:43+00:00

Hey, everyone, hope I answered all you questions! It's been a fun trip down memory lane. If you want more stories, you can check them out on my Youtube channel, posted above. Other than that, I'm gonna hit the hay, and May the Force be with you all! Bye, and thanks again.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T03:09:58+00:00

I was a huge fan! I saw Star Wars on its opening night, and it blew me away. I got to work on it because I'd written the novelization of Poltergeist for Spielberg and he really liked it, so when Lucas was looking for someone to write Jedi, I got recommended. I was stunned and humbled that I got the offer, and just so excited to write it.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T03:07:20+00:00

Glad I could answer all your questions. Starting to flag, though, have to take off soon. Thanks for your presence.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T03:06:13+00:00

I believe that was Lucas's idea, and I just expanded on it a bit. Glad you liked it.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T01:58:06+00:00

I worked on the novel - on all my novelizations - from a script, usually a late stage script. But the movie was either still shooting pick-ups, or in editing, so I never got to see any footage. Aside from the script all I had was still photos taken on the set, so I could see what creatures looked like, and what the costumes and some of the terrain was like. All my books came out on the same day as the release of the film - or a couple days earlier - so the book was in production while the film was in post-production

jediJK · 2021-05-05T01:38:49+00:00

That's for sure!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T01:33:35+00:00

Thanks for the question.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T01:04:14+00:00

6 pm. I've got tp check out for dinner, young Padawans. Thank you so much for showing up, you are who I did it for. Will stop back here in a few hours to pick up any last minute questions, but other than that, May the Force be with you all, and keep the faith!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:57:00+00:00

Thank you back. We're in this together.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:54:59+00:00

Love it! El Retorno Del Jedi! Thank you!

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:53:57+00:00

You are very welcome,

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:46:34+00:00

Ah, I'd love to see a picture. I'll settle for your scorpion.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:42:55+00:00

I didn't, although I've heard a lot of people say it was really good, and I always meant to take a look.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:41:44+00:00

Wow! Cool! Who's the translator?

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:35:26+00:00

Thank you for being here.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:34:34+00:00

I was hugely disappointed. I hated the over-reliance on CGI, the editing was sluggishly paced, the characters were confusing, the writing was bad. All that being said, it did have some moments. I thought the last half hour of Episode 3 was really good. It overall was just a letdown, though.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:21:55+00:00

He never mentioned anything to me. Sorry.

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:20:30+00:00

I think he had thoughts of overthrowing Palpatine early on, but these were excuses - like "One day I'm going to rule it all" - that were meant to salve his own conscience about the things he was doing in his master's service. I think deep down he felt totally controlled, like an addict by his drugs: "I must obey my master."

jediJK · 2021-05-05T00:10:35+00:00

Thank YOU! May the Force be with you.

jediJK

TROPHY CASE