[combatentropy]

Luke's plan was to destroy Jabba the Hut.

Jabba had been chasing Han since before A New Hope. If Luke just were to break Han out, then Han would be back in the same thicket he was before: running from Jabba. The group was tired of that.

The plan is rough, yes, but in a confident way: "If we just get us all inside the palace, it will be like planting dynamite."

Was it dishonest then, for Luke first to ask Jabba nicely? No, I don't think so. If Jabba sincerely gave up Han, then that means that Jabba's heart would have changed and would no longer be chasing Han. Therefore both goals would have been reached without blood (free Han and end the hunt). I don't think Luke counted on this. But even though Luke had a plan B, the chance presented to Jabba was real.

[ovao]

I like the explanation, but here's where I get hung up on it: at what point did Luke — in his collective scheming with the gang — inform Leia that she'd probably be put in a bikini and licked upon by a slug gangster if anything went even slightly wrong? Or was Leia in Jabba-bondage part of Luke's plan all along, and he is, in reality, just kind of an inconsiderate dick?

[_emacsomancer_]

Relatedly, at what point did George Lucas inform Carrie Fisher of the same?

[seanmcdirmid]

From what I remember reading, this was Carrie Fisher's idea.