Obi-Wan Survives Death Star Duel with Vader | Today in Star Wars History (Jan. 01)

Today in Star Wars history, Obi-Wan survives his Death Star dual with Darth Vader...

On January 1st, 1976, instead of taking the day off like a normal person, George Lucas completes his fourth draft of Star Wars, or rather, The Adventures of Luke Skywalker as taken from the “Journal of the Whills.”

In this version, the iconic opening text is extended, reading, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away an incredible adventure took place....” Also, Luke’s home planet, “Utapau,” becomes “Tatooine,” and Obi-Wan Kenobi escapes the Death Star with his life intact.

George later realises that Kenobi has very little purpose in the rest of the story, and so, instead of closing a blast door on his former apprentice and escaping aboard the Millennium Falcon, the Jedi Master is ultimately cut down in an act of defiance.

Further amendments to the script continue to be made even after filming commences.