Return of the Jedi: Why Kevin Smith Loves C-3PO Story Scene
Director Kevin Smith has explained why he loves one particular C-3PO scene in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Smith's career in Hollywood has spanned decades. He's well-know for his View Askewniverse, which includes several films written and directed by Smith. One of the movies, Mallrats, will soon get a sequel titled Twilight of the Mallrats, which will feature much of the original movie's cast. Smith has also been working on Clerks 3, putting in time on the script during the pandemic. In addition to his work writing and directing, Smith has become an authority among fans of many franchises thanks to his knowledge of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and more.
One of the more divisive Star Wars movies, Return of the Jedi, features a notable scene with C-3PO that's nonetheless a favorite with audiences. In it, C-3PO rehashes the story of what happened in Star Wars: A New Hope, as well as The Empire Strikes Back. It's a rare moment of rest for the characters, which increases its impact. Also, the Ewoks essentially serve as stand-ins for Star Wars' many loyal fans, lending the scene a meta element.
This week, Smith weighed in on that particular Star Wars: Return of the Jedi moment via Twitter. He voiced his appreciation for the scene, explaining why he loves it so much in a brief commentary. Check it out below:
This is far from Smith's only connection to Star Wars. The director and actor filmed a cameo for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, playing a "bundled-up local" who walks alongside a cyborg on the planet Kijimi. There have also been rumors over the years Smith would direct a Star Wars movie, though he debunked those himself back in 2018. Smith has also frequently voiced his opinion on Star Wars projects, sometimes offering theories of his own. For example, the director recently weighed in on Baby Yoda's controversial eating of Frog Lady's eggs in The Mandalorian, jokingly calling it "genocide."
Smith makes a great argument for the importance of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi's C-3PO story scene. As Smith says in his tweet, the moment is meaningful for both audiences and the characters alike, which provides a one-two punch. The scene could have easily felt like filler, but instead it's an essential part of the movie. Smith's commentary on Return of the Jedi shows his love for the franchise. It's no wonder fans continue to rely on Smith for his take on all things Star Wars.
Source: Kevin Smith