In a recent interview, Star Wars composer John Williams revealed that he mistakenly wrote a love theme for siblings Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia due to a misunderstanding of their relationship. The revelation that Luke and Leia were actually twins came as a shock in Return of the Jedi, especially considering the buildup of a potential romantic connection between the characters throughout the original trilogy.
Williams admitted that he was unaware of the sibling twist when composing the theme, stating, 'I learned later that they were brother and sister, so it was an incestuous idea to have a love theme for them.' This confusion was not unique to the composer, as the narrative direction of the films had hinted at a romantic relationship between Luke and Leia, culminating in a kiss in The Empire Strikes Back.
The decision to make Luke and Leia siblings was a deliberate one by Star Wars creator George Lucas, who needed a compelling reason for Luke to confront Darth Vader. By making Leia his sister, the emotional stakes were raised, leading to a pivotal moment where Luke's attachment to his family drives his actions.
This twist not only added a layer of complexity to the story but also set the stage for exploring the theme of attachment and its consequences in the prequel trilogy. The revelation of Luke and Leia's familial bond highlighted the dangers of emotional connections in the Jedi path, a theme that was further explored in Anakin Skywalker's arc in the prequels.
While the misunderstanding of Luke and Leia's relationship by John Williams may have led to an awkward situation with the love theme, it ultimately contributed to the rich storytelling and character development within the Star Wars saga.
