‹ All movies

The Rewatchables ·

Star Wars: A New Hope

year 1977decade 70sdirector George Lucasgenre Science fiction
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyhost Van Lathan format Part Two
All 34 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 21:27

Chewbacca is the most overrated sidekick (disputed)

Bill Simmons: An early take labels Chewbacca the most overrated sidekick because his size makes him conspicuous and his speech is unintelligible to almost everyone.

The rebuttal credits Chewbacca as a co-pilot, mechanic, expert shot, and source of physical strength.

The film

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

Directed by George Lucas · Science fiction

121 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

1:05:10

Casting What-Ifs

The original casting search is reviewed across Luke, Leia, Han, Obi-Wan, Vader, Chewbacca, and physical Vader.

The original casting search is reviewed across Luke, Leia, Han, Obi-Wan, Vader, Chewbacca, and physical Vader.

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:10Read transcript
Share this discussion More Casting What-Ifs answers
1:11:42

Recasting Couch

Mark Harmon or young Kurt Russell as Luke

Mark Harmon or young Kurt Russell as Luke

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:42Read transcript
Share this discussion More Recasting Couch answers
1:12:44

Half-Assed Internet Research

The research block covers an early Han design, Lucas’s directing style, crew resistance, practical discomfort, the lo...

The research block covers an early Han design, Lucas’s directing style, crew resistance, practical discomfort, the lost cut, and studio notes.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:44Read transcript
  • An early script version made Han Solo a large green-skinned monster with gills. — Bill Simmons
  • Carrie Fisher recalled that Lucas gave little actor direction beyond faster or more intense. — Bill Simmons
  • The British crew reportedly disliked Lucas enough to stop promptly at quitting time even in the middle of a setup. — Bill Simmons
  • Hamill’s line about not seeing through the helmet was retained because he actually could not see. — Bill Simmons
  • The Chewbacca suit became foul after remaining wet following the trash-compactor sequence.
  • An early multi-hour assembly contained much more of Luke on Tatooine before later editors substantially tightened it. — Chris Ryan
  • Studio executives wanted Chewbacca to wear shorts, a note the panel considers disastrous. — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More Half-Assed Internet Research answers
1:25:22

Picking Nits

Coincidence, military competence, continuity, grief, Obi-Wan’s sacrifice, and the Death Star strategy drive a long ni...

Coincidence, military competence, continuity, grief, Obi-Wan’s sacrifice, and the Death Star strategy drive a long nitpick section.

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:22Read transcript
  • The escape pod carrying both droids lands improbably close to Luke, possibly through the Force.
  • The Empire declines to destroy an empty pod despite detecting it, allowing the plans to escape.
  • The possibility that R2-D2 is Force-sensitive is raised to explain repeated favorable outcomes.
  • Stormtroopers fail to inspect the Falcon effectively and repeatedly miss exposed targets at close range. — Bill Simmons
  • The mechanics of mapping and navigating a vast galaxy are questioned and answered only with hyperspace and existing maps.
  • The princess's white outfit stays too clean after the garbage dump and fighting. — Bill Simmons
  • The mentor's claim that he never had any droids conflicts with later-created prequel continuity.
  • The panel debates whether later continuity may be used to judge a 1977 movie whose mythology was not fully fixed.
  • Leia, Luke, and the others recover almost instantly from planetary destruction, burned relatives, and the mentor’s death. — Sean Fennessey
  • The mentor’s decision to accept death remains unclear because the Falcon crew might have escaped anyway.
  • Luke trusts a spiritual force learned days earlier enough to switch off targeting equipment during the galaxy’s decisive shot. — Chris Ryan
Share this discussion More Picking Nits answers
1:41:43

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The section asks about the gold protocol droid’s design, the Wookie’s body, and Halloween uniformity.

The section asks about the gold protocol droid’s design, the Wookie’s body, and Halloween uniformity.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:43Read transcript
  • The gold protocol droid’s shape is asked to resemble an Oscar, though the Metropolis robot is cited as the closer model.
  • The panel asks whether the Wookie has genitalia and how he goes to the bathroom.
  • Halloween 1978 is proposed as a peak for many people wearing the same costume.
Share this discussion More Probably Unanswerable Questions answers
1:48:02

Best Double Feature

Rogue One, Dune, American Graffiti, and Raiders
Star Wars: A New Hope
Rogue One
Dune
American Graffiti
Raiders of the Lost Ark
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:48:02Read transcript
  • Rogue One is the first franchise-internal pairing.
  • A Denis Villeneuve sand-planet movie is offered.
  • American Graffiti is proposed as a full-Lucas pairing.
  • Raiders is another Lucas adventure alternative. — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More Best Double Feature answers