<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $32.5--42.7 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $475.1--572.7 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Return of the Jedi (also known as Star Wars: Episode VI--Return of the Jedi) is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand . The screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas was from a story by Lucas, who was also the executive producer . It is the third installment in the original Star Wars trilogy and the first film to use THX technology . The film is set one year after The Empire Strikes Back and was produced by Howard Kazanjian for Lucasfilm Ltd . The film stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew and Frank Oz . </P> <P> The Galactic Empire, under the direction of the ruthless Emperor, is constructing a second Death Star in order to crush the Rebel Alliance once and for all . Since the Emperor plans to personally oversee the final stages of its construction, the Rebel Fleet launches a full - scale attack on the Death Star in order to prevent its completion and kill the Emperor, effectively bringing an end to the Empire's hold over the galaxy . Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker, a Jedi apprentice, struggles to bring his father Darth Vader back to the Light Side of the Force . </P>

When did star wars return of the jedi come out