George Likes to Tinker

I finally finished watching the Return of the Jedi DVD. I got the 4-disc original triology set for Christmas, but only today got through all three movies. The DVDs, like all of the later Star Wars VHS releases, feature not the original theatrical versions of the movies, but the 1997 special editions. I could write a book on my grievances with the New Hope and Jedi special editions (Empire was actually very tastefully done), but I noticed today that George Lucas has done some additional work on the movies since the latest VHS release of the special editions.

During the final celebration scene, Luke (and Leia and Han) greet the Jedi apparitions of Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin. In all previous versions, the "ghost of Anakin" is Sebastian Shaw, who plays the unmaked Darth Vader toward the end of Jedi. On the Jedi DVD, Anakin's spirit is portrayed by Hayden Christensen, Anakin from Episodes II and III. Curiously, Ewan McGregor does not play the part of Obi-Wan's ghost.

Showing Sebastian Shaw made sense, because Anakin was not ultimately redeemed and turned away from the dark side until the end of Jedi. Hayden Christensen's Anakin was already inching toward the dark side early in Attack of the Clones. Maybe Revenge of the Sith will enlighten us on the still unclear rules for Jedi's who appear to the living after they have died. Or, maybe George just couldn't keep his hands off.