Jedi News reader and contributor Marc Zachacki sent in a handful of questions for the team, asking some familiar questions but from a certain point of view. Next up it’s busiest man on the other side of the Whale Pond, Justin LaSalata.
Q: What were your thoughts when Darth Vader told Luke he was his father?
A: I’m sure my reaction was the same as about 99% of the people who first heard him say that – Vader was lying. No way could this menacing tower of pure evil be Luke’s father. This is simply a trick by Vader to coerce Luke into joining him in wreaking havoc across the galaxy.
Q: How did you feel with two years before Luke talked to Yoda and Ben about this in Jedi?
A: Well, considering my young age at the time I saw Episode V, my focus was probably less on Vader’s famous line to Luke and more on just wondering what will happen next to Luke and company. Episode V ended on such a down note and our heroes endured so much pain throughout that film. Vader’s line to Luke was just the icing on the cake and really topped off an extremely rough film for Luke, Han, and Leia.
Q: In Empire, Yoda says, “no, there is another”. Who did you think this other was?
A: At the time, I didn’t think there really WAS “another” to be honest. Ben had placed so much faith in Luke that there was no way Luke could fail in his mind, so Yoda saying that line made me think he was just trying to ease Ben’s worries about Luke running off and potentially falling to the dark side or losing his life in the process of trying to save his friends.
Q: In Empire, when Luke lands on Dagobah and he encounters Yoda without knowing it, did you know that was Yoda, or did you find out when Luke found out?
A: I highly doubt I made that immediate connection when I first saw Episode V as a child. Here’s this little green dude with big ears and a funny way of speaking. No way could this “simple” life form be the powerful & wise Jedi Master that Luke was searching for. No way!
Q: What were your thoughts on Luke and Leia being twins. And looking back did that change them for you?
A: I wouldn’t say my thoughts on them changed looking back as much as they did looking forward. Once I knew they were twins, my mind raced with the possibility of seeing their story continue as Jedi brother & sister in future Star Wars adventures. Alas, we never saw a post-Episode VI film featuring Luke and Leia as Jedi Knights.
Q: The name Ewok was not said in Jedi. When was the first time you heard the name ‘Ewok’?
A: I was only around 6 or 7 years old when I saw ‘Jedi’ for the first time, so I’m pretty sure I didn’t hear the name ‘Ewok’ until I received my first Wicket Kenner Star Wars action figure. Which is funny you mention it because my Wicket figure that I received as a child is the only vintage Kenner Star Wars figure that I still have today. All of my other figures/vehicles/playsets from my childhood were destroyed. I had my Wicket figure professionally graded by Action Figure Authority about a year or so ago (graded 8.5 NM+) and it remains my most cherished Star Wars item in my entire collection. It is the only physical Star Wars item I have in my possession that links my childhood and adulthood together.