Movies - TV
The Star Wars Special Editions Were More Than Oola’s Actress Bargained For
By JENNA BUSCH
While the “Star Wars” special editions received a mixed reception from fans, the new addition did give some characters more to do, like Femi Taylor’s Oola.
Taylor played Jabba the Hutt’s enslaved Twi’lek dancer in “Return of the Jedi.” The actress was brought back for the special editions and said she got more than she bargained for.
In the 2009 “Star Wars Insider” #108, Taylor shared that she was the only person brought back and that George Lucas was directing the scene.
Taylor got to know Lucas better this time, saying, “In 1983, I didn’t know George at all. I saw him once when I had a wardrobe fitting and was just introduced to him.”
She added, “I originally mistook him for a second-unit camera guy because he was always behind the camera. Coming back 16 years later, I got on with him like a long-lost pal!”
Although she initially returned to do some blue-screen work, Taylor was told of an idea to extend a scene and was asked if she could stay longer.
She shared, “I felt very honored that they spent two days building that set, to extend my scene.” Their work resulted in Oola’s death scene at the hands of the Rancor.