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Obi-Wan Kenobi Originally Wasn't Going to Die in ‘Star Wars' Duel

The actor who played Chewbacca in "Star Wars" tweeted images of the original scripts

Obi-Wan Kenobi died a little sooner than originally intended.

The character's death was one of the most defining moments in the original "Star Wars," and now fans are learning the Jedi Master's death was not in the initial script of 1977's "A New Hope" — the film that kicked-off the blockbuster franchise set in a galaxy far, far away.

For the past few weeks, Peter Mayhew, the actor who plays Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" movies, has been tweeting pictures of early scripts for "Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope" with the hashtag #chewscript.

Mayhew tweeted images Wednesday indicating that Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Alec Guinness, was originally supposed to live through his light saber duel with Darth Vader on the Death Star. 

North Texan Mayhew also ended debates about whether Han Solo or Greedo fired the first shot in one of the film's early scenes. In the original release, smuggler Solo is confronted by gun-wielding bounty hunter Greedo in the Mos Eisley cantina. An unsuspecting Greedo meets his end when Solo shoots him from under the table.

For the 1997 special edition re-release of "Star Wars," director George Lucas inserted a few frames that show Greedo shooting first at Solo and missing before Solo returns fire, killing Greedo. The controversial change angered many longtime fans of the series and spawned the catchphrase: "Han shot first."

Online: Follow Peter Mayhew @TheWookieeRoars

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