Editor's Note: In last week's episode of The Clone Wars, Talz chieftain Thi-Sen is identified as the "Son of Suns," which prompted fan discussion of an old rumor. This story was originally presented as a podcast in 2007. It is re-presented here as a text-based feature to debunk said rumor.
During my time as the guy behind the Question & Answer column in Star Wars magazines, I received a question in the mail that really could only be answered in audio format.
At the ending of Episodes I and VI, it's audible among the crowds screaming the following quote: 'The Son of the Suns.' As a fan of the saga since 1978, we clearly have in mind the opening credits of the first Star Wars novelization:
And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior and he shall be known as THE SON OF THE SUNS -- Journal of the Whills 3:127
We hope that the Whills prophecy will be exploited in some future Star Wars achievement -- a book perhaps -- that will tell the story of Qui-Gon's meeting with the Shamans of the Whills, and the learning about immortality. Until then, can you tell us who really is 'The Son of Suns' that the crowd at the end of first and last films of the saga is saluting? Is it Luke or is it Anakin?
So that was the question, and it really is a good one, and it's been floating around the Internet for quite some time. I've seen it on message boards here and there. The problem is that it's based on a number of misconceptions that I hope to clarify.
First of all, the original Star Wars novelization makes no reference to the Son of Suns. The above quote actually comes from an early draft script of Star Wars, one that's never been published, but it is available on the Internet if you know what to search for. The second draft script of Star Wars has that quote, but the actual prophecy that names the "Son of the Suns" has never made its way into modern Star Wars publishing.
"You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy?" -- Mace Windu, Episode I"A prophecy that misread could have been." -- Yoda, Episode III
"You were the Chosen One! It was said you would destroy the Sith not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!" -- Obi-Wan Kenobi, Episode III
Its popularity was spread as a result of fervent Internet speculation, particularly when it was known that Anakin Skywalker was the child of prophecy. With very little to go on, "The Son of the Suns" was a good as place as any to look for clues as to what the future may hold for Anakin.
So if "The Son of the Suns" was an abandoned idea from an early draft script, what are those characters screaming out at the end of Return of the Jedi and Episode I? Well, let's listen very carefully.
To play, click the play button on the player below.
Audio Clip: Your browser does not have the latest version of the Flash Player. Get it here.
At the end of Return of the Jedi, there's a shot of Coruscant and people celebrating the defeat of the Empire. You can definitely hear someone screaming something that sounds like "The Son of Suns". What makes this rumor all the more enticing is the fact the exact same quote is barely audible in the Naboo celebration from Episode I. Are they really yelling out "The Son of Suns?"
Well, I don't think so. But for the longest time I didn't know what they were saying. By zooming in specifically to the audio, I listened carefully. And without any prompting all I heard was someone yelling out "Hari Krishna!" Of course, that's not actually what they're saying. So, I went to Skywalker Sound and asked someone if they could clarify what was being said.
Matthew Wood, Supervising Sound Editor on the Star Wars prequel trilogy got back to me. He provided me an audio clip of the raw recording session that was used to record that line of dialogue. There was no audio file that just had the one guy shouting the line. It was recorded in a group session with a bunch of wild lines and people shouting things like "Long Live the Republic!" and "Down with the Emperor!" and "Freedom!" Matt identified the performers in this scene as editors at Skywalker Sound. The take that was used in both movies -- Episode I and VI -- has someone yelling "Gi Shatta Gasha" [sic]. It looks like it was the result of Ben Burtt making up some Huttese language because, after all, not everyone in the Star Wars galaxy speaks Basic (or English).
So what we're hearing is not "The Son of Suns," but rather a Huttese quote: "Gi Shatta Gasha." So provided here is the actual audio source from the recording session of this confounding clip that's been spreading rumors all over the net.
To play, click the play button on the player below.
Audio Clip: Your browser does not have the latest version of the Flash Player. Get it here.
It's not the most satisfying answer, I know, compared to the thought that there might be clues as to an ancient Jedi prophecy hidden in the soundtracks of Episode I and VI. It's really just a jubilant spectator shouting out some Huttese words of praise.
