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Leigh Brackett

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description Leigh Brackett Overview

Leigh Brackett was an American author and screenwriter recognized for her significant contributions to both the science fiction genre and classic Hollywood cinema. As a novelist, she was known for her planetary romances and space operas, often drawing comparisons to the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. In film, she co-wrote the screenplay for the 1946 film noir "The Big Sleep" and later provided the initial story draft for "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) shortly before her death. Her dual career established her as a prominent figure in two male-dominated fields, leaving a lasting legacy in both literature and cinema.

help Leigh Brackett FAQ

How much of Leigh Brackett's Empire Strikes Back draft was used?

Brackett completed an early draft before her death in 1978, but the finished film was substantially rewritten. The 1980 screen credits name Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, with the story credited to George Lucas.

Why was Leigh Brackett chosen to write a Star Wars sequel?

George Lucas admired Brackett's science-fiction and adventure writing and hired her for the sequel that became The Empire Strikes Back. She was already known for planetary romances and novels featuring the hero Eric John Stark.

Which film noir classics did Leigh Brackett write?

Brackett co-wrote Howard Hawks's The Big Sleep with William Faulkner and Jules Furthman. She later worked with Hawks again on Rio Bravo and El Dorado.

Did Leigh Brackett write novels as well as screenplays?

Yes. Her fiction includes The Long Tomorrow and the Eric John Stark stories, alongside crime novel No Good from a Corpse.