4. Stormtrooper Trap
Number 4 on this list goes to another change in A New Hope; the only film in the Original Trilogy that Lucas directed himself. As such, it makes sense that it fell most victim to his capricious hands. This change however does make sense in the context of the film.
Deep into the movie’s second act, our main characters find themselves fighting for survival aboard the Death Star. Lovable scoundrel Han Solo manages to get a group of Stormtroopers on the run as he chases them down an endless series of corridors. It’s what greets him at the other end that differed significantly between releases.
In the 1977 release of Star Wars, the Stormtroopers simply turn round and chase Han back when they reach the end of the corridor.
Lucasfilm changed this for the re-release. Han is instead greeted with an entire hanger full of Stormtroopers, Imperial Officers and even a stationary TIE Fighter.
Okay, maybe the whole hanger is a bit excessive. That being said, it makes more sense for Han to stop and retreat knowing how vastly outnumbered he is. Before, the Stormtroopers arbitrarily decided to turn round and just face Han anyway, finally realizing there were more of them.
This change, while a little indulgent and gratuitous, does justify what was previously a rather confusing scenario. It also serves to make the Stormtroopers a little more intelligent; willingly leading Han into a trap rather than not letting him chase them any longer.
