Star Wars: 20 Things You Didn't Know About The Empire Strikes Back
18. Irvin Kershner Had To Be Convinced To Direct The Film
Many casual Star Wars fans still forget that the best Star Wars film wasn't directed by George Lucas but actually Irvin Kershner, Lucas' film teacher at USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Kershner, whose filmmaking career largely consisted of dramedies, Westerns, and thrillers, was an extremely unconventional pick to helm the Star Wars sequel, enough that the director himself even had to be talked into doing it.
Kershner had little interest in making a special effects film, but Lucas convinced him he was the perfect person to ensure the character development of the piece wasn't lost in the shuffle of the set-pieces.
And so, Kershner signed on, before spending several months working with co-writer Lawrence Kasdan to polish the script.