Why Alec Guinness Thought George Lucas’s Original ‘Star Wars’ Script Had “Ropey” Dialogue

Before ‘Star Wars‘ emerged as a celebrated masterpiece, initial responses labeled it crude, unpolished, and cringeworthy. In fact, Sir Alec Guinness, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi, called it “ropey.” The late actor used this word in his first impression of George Lucas’s script.

Imagine the script being all over the place, so that it gets called mediocre. One wouldn’t expect that from the esteemed filmmaker’s roster at all. So, what transformed that fuddled script into a melodramatic, poetic, charged tale that still holds a place in everyone’s hearts? Let’s find out!

Jarring Jargon Ruined Alec Guinness’ First Impressions

For the uninitiated, Sir Alec Guinness wasn’t an actor restricted to merely films and television shows. He was an esteemed, established theater actor with extensive experience under his belt. From ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to ‘The Seagull,’ the late actor lent his voice and face to some of the finest theater productions.

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So, his immaculate nature and observation also came in handy when he first read the script for ‘Star Wars.’ However, his first impressions were quite dicey, and he did not hold back while sharing his opinion. But, as any experienced actor would, Guinness placed his faith in Lucas’ script. He admitted this while speaking on the BBC talk show ‘Parkinson,’ hosted by Michael Parkinson.

“I started reading, and it seemed to me that the dialogue was pretty ropey, but I had to go on turning the page,” he explained. “I mean, that’s essential in any script. You’ve got to know what happens next, or uh, or what’s going to be said next.” One major reason the actor thought the script was completely “ropey” could be its convoluted nature.

Since it was the first draft, it likely had its fair share of errors and plot holes. And that’s precisely where finesse and guidance worked their magic, leading to an elevated cinematic experience. Another reason was the rewriting, which gave the movie a much-needed edge. Here’s how it played out.

Star Wars: The Subtle Yet Underappreciated Art Of Rewriting 

Guinness wasn’t alone in having an issue with the first draft, as Harrison Ford also felt the same way. The Han Solo portrayer found the lines to be a bit cheesy. “You can’t type this sh–,” he even told Lucas. The writing team subsequently made the edits and changes, with Guinness aiding the rewriting process.

Moreover, it was mostly Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck who helped Lucas rejig the draft. In the same interview, Guinness recalled his contribution, saying, “I went on reading.” He added, “I thought, ‘No,’ and then I [was] like… ‘If only we can get some of the dialogue altered,’ and then I met him [Lucas], we got on very well, and I found myself doing it, that’s all, and he made more money than any other movie he ever made.”

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One reason the cast viewed the script as messy was its convoluted plot. For instance, Lucas mentioned names and ideas, but the storyline lacked direction. Han Solo was a green monster, while Luke was a Jedi General, and what made it overly complicated was the overload of political undertones. Lucas refined the script four times before finally completing it in 1976, with Guinness finally approving.

The actor earned 2.25% for his insights and expertise on the film’s script, but that was not all. The movie’s first screening left him invigorated and changed his perception of the sci-fi genre. He previously labeled the idea as “Oh crumbs” because he found the script clunky and not very character-driven.

But he later described the experience as refreshing, as London looked gritty and the film offered a fresh perspective. The actor appeared in the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy (1977-1983) as the beloved Obi-Wan Kenobi. Even 26 years after his passing, Guinness continues to shape and redefine cinema through his perspective and contributions.

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