Jabba the Hutt in Star Wars: Humans vs. Slugs - A Deep Dive
Jabba the Hutt, often portrayed as a large, slug-like alien, has not been depicted as a human in any of the Star Wars films. This article delves into the fascinating history and evolution of Jabba the Hutt's appearance in the Star Wars saga, examining both the on-screen and behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped his iconic role.
Early Concept and Design
Before the first Star Wars film was released, the production team faced a significant challenge in deciding on what kind of alien Jabba the Hutt should be. At one point, a human actor, Declan Mulholland, was cast to play Jabba in a fur coat. However, as special effects technology advanced, Jabba was redesigned as a full-sized creature, transforming him into the iconic alien we know today.
The Deleted Scene
A fascinating scene featuring a human actor (Declan Mulholland) playing Jabba was shot for the original Star Wars. This scene aimed to introduce Jabba before the climactic events of the film, showcasing a humanoid version of him. The intention was to have Jabba engage in a dialogue with Han Solo before the latter left Tatooine, creating a potential storyline that was simplified and eventually removed from the final edit.
Some parts of this early design can still be seen in the original Marvel comics adaptation of the movie, which includes several deleted scenes. However, the scene was ultimately cut for a combination of reasons, primarily because it provided no new information to the audience. Han Solo's encounter with Greedo in the cantina already imparted much of what the deleted scene intended to reveal.
CGI and Restoration
In the 1997 Special Edition release, the deleted scene was restored, but this time with a CGI version of Jabba overlaid on the human actor. This restoration was generally well-received by fans, as the CGI improved significantly from the original. However, some issues with the scene's blocking and the inessential nature of the content remained. For instance, Jabba appears noticeably smaller than in Return of the Jedi, and Han steps on Jabba's tail as he walks around him, which was never part of the original design.
The 2004 home video release saw an upgrade in the CGI technique, but the problems with blocking and the scene's essential nature remained.
Fan and Critical Reception
While the CGI Jabba in the 1997 Special Edition was generally well-received, many fans still prefer the original creatures' portrayal. The restoration introduced new problems such as Jabba's size being less than his definitive appearance in the original trilogy and the awkward visual of Han stepping on Jabba’s tail. These critiques and the general discomfort with the CGI version highlight the complexity of balancing special effects and character design in film.
Interestingly, the Marvel comics adaptation that I read in 1977 or 78 included this deleted scene, suggesting that had it been included, Jabba the Hutt would have appeared as a human in every film. Yet, this did not happen, as Jabba's final appearance remains as a large, slug-like alien in all the films.
In conclusion, the evolution of Jabba the Hutt's portrayal in Star Wars reflects the challenges and decisions faced in creating and refining characters in live-action films. The deleted scene and CGI restoration offer fans a glimpse into the creative process behind one of the most memorable villains in the Star Wars universe.