“It’s a trap!” Those words uttered by Mon Calamari leader, Admiral Ackbar, in the climactic moments of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi are among some of the most famous ever to emerge from the franchise. Given that this is such a massive moment in science fiction history, it’s a little surprising that more people haven’t realized that one extra almost ruined the entire scene.
In recent days, multiple gifs of an extra in Return of the Jedi have started to drag themselves back to the top of the Internet’s consciousness, and we honestly can’t get enough of them. Let us set the scene:
As Return of the Jedi neared its climax, the rebel fleet begins its approach to what they believe is a vulnerable Death Star 2.o. The Mon Calamari cruiser spearheading the attack is a flurry of activity as the amphibians prepare what they hope is the last major battle against the Empire. Unfortunately, one particular crew-member can’t seem to figure out where the heck his important data screen went:
Ackbar’s famous words emerge when the Rebel fleet discovers that the second Death Star’s deflector shield is ‘quite operational’. Given their plans of hammering a final nail into the Empire’s coffin are now almost completely scuppered, it’s understandable that there should be some panic among their ranks. But, a closer look at the background of the scene shows that the very same Mon Calamari has become so flustered, it’s completely forgotten what its job is.
Of course, this isn’t the only hilarious case of bizarre behavior from a Star Wars extra, but it’s right up there with the Stormtrooper who can’t fit through the door and Willrow Hood’s ice cream maker.
