Skip to main content
  • TotalFilm
  • Edge
  • Newsarama
  • Retrogamer
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Sci-Fi Movies
  4. Star Wars Movies
  5. Star Wars

New Star Wars book reveals what happened immediately after the Return of the Jedi ending

News
By Amy West published 12 July 2022

The Princess and the Scoundrel partly explores how Leia took *that* Darth Vader news

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

C-3PO, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Star Wars' Leia Organa learned that Darth Vader was her father towards the end of Return of the Jedi, but the film never really allowed itself the time to explore her reaction. Now, a new Lucasfilm book is set to change all that.

Titled The Princess and the Scoundrel, the novel was penned by Beth Revis, and will finally clue fans in on the princess's state of mind after Luke Skywalker told her the truth about himself and their dad. An except published by the studio picks up in the wake of the Battle of Endor, as a clearly conflicted Leia talks with Luke after he burned Vader's body in a funeral pyre. 

Welcoming of Luke being her sibling, Leia can't understand why he so easily accepts that Vader is their close relation. Leia reflects on the interrogation she endured at Vader's hands in A New Hope, and ultimately puts their different attitudes down to the fact that "Luke had never been tortured by their biological father the way she had." 

Return of the Jedi essentially forcing Leia to swallow admittedly bad news, and jump right back into the action, follows on from her having to do the same when she discovered that Alderaan had been destroyed in the first Star Wars movie. But this new piece of canon also checks out when you consider the character's level-headedness in the fight against the Empire. 

Her realization that Vader was indeed a human underneath that menacing helmet caused her to never lose sight of the fact that the Imperials were people as well as soldiers, even the most elite stormtroopers. Her empathy is showcased perhaps most obviously when her son Ben gives in to the power of the dark side.

All of the Star Wars movies are currently streaming on Disney Plus. If you've already made your way through the series several times, and are keen to see what franchise titles are on the horizon, check out our list of upcoming Star Wars movies.

Today's best Disney+ deals
Disney+
Disney+ Monthly with Ads
$11.99
/mth
View
at Disney+
Disney
Disney+, Hulu Bundle - Monthly (With
$7.99
$12.99
/mth
View
at Disney+
Disney+
Disney+ Monthly Premium
$18.99
/mth
View
at Disney+
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Disney Plus Streaming Services
Amy West
Amy West
Social Links Navigation
Entertainment Writer

I am an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things TV and film across our Total Film and SFX sections. Elsewhere, my words have been published by the likes of Digital Spy, SciFiNow, PinkNews, FANDOM, Radio Times, and Total Film magazine.

Latest in Star Wars Movies
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies The Mandalorian and Grogu runtime may have been revealed by a UK theater chain listing, but take it with a pinch of salt
 
 
The Mandalorian
Star Wars Movies Bo-Katan actor plays coy about whether she's in The Mandalorian and Grogu, but says we haven't seen the last of her
 
 
Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin unmasked in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies Pedro Pascal was as surprised as us when Lucasfilm randomly announced The Mandalorian and Grogu on social media
 
 
C-3PO, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Movies 22 years later, Star Wars fans are reassessing one 2004 Special Edition Return of the Jedi change
 
 
The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker
 
 
Grogu saluting in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies New Mandalorian and Grogu TV spot doesn't give much away about the movie, but it does show Baby Yoda sneezing everywhere
 
 
Latest in News
Grace enters a crime scene in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor "would love" to act in more video games: "I had so much fun"
 
 
Saga
Sci-Fi Movies Dune 3 reveals co-writer as Brian K. Vaughan, writer of one of the best comics of the 21st century
 
 
A screenshot of Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the best RPGs you can play in 2026
Games Daredevil actor Charlie Cox says he's acting in another video game after playing Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
 
 
Tangy TD developer Cakez appears emotional after learning of the game's sales
Games Solo dev breaks down in tears after opening Steam and learning his game made $250,000 in a week
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza Donkey Kong looking angry with his arms raised
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza producer says the game's positive reception helps him "communicate the potential for that character"
 
 
Pikmin
Animated Movies New Super Mario Galaxy Movie teaser confirms that Pikmin will appear in the new movie
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Grace enters a crime scene in Resident Evil Requiem
    1
    Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor "would love" to act in more video games: "I had so much fun"
  2. 2
    Dune 3 reveals co-writer as Brian K. Vaughan, writer of one of the best comics of the 21st century
  3. 3
    Daredevil actor Charlie Cox says he's acting in another video game after playing Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
  4. 4
    Arc Raiders has a hidden "magic" system, and you've never noticed it because you're not supposed to
  5. 5
    Solo dev breaks down in tears after opening Steam and learning his game made $250,000 in a week

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...