10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Death Star
5. Return Of The Jedi Almost Had Dozens Of Them
Return of the Jedi went through several different iterations of its plotline before full scripts started emerging. In particular the state of the Galactic Civil War, with the Rebellion having taking a proper kicking after Hoth, shifted numerous times before reaching the situation given in the opening crawl.
Initial treatments for the plot had the Empire building dozens more Death Star battle stations, creating the tantalising image of dozens of Death Stars hovering evilly in the skies of Coruscant.
Subsequent treatments described the Empire making two Death Stars for the Alliance to contend with. It was plot and pacing reasons, as well as budget, that led to these plants being changed.
The Death Star II was something of a compromise, a threat echoing that from A New Hope but one that was much bigger (200km across up from the first Death Star's 120km), and capable of firing every few minutes instead of needing hours to recharge.