New Star Wars Twists!?

Question

These are facts (lol): 
Star Wars came out in 1977 so it was (probally) written in 1975 or 1974 and filmed in 75/76.
George has always said his original choice for 'Han Solo' was Nick Nolte, who turned down the role thinking the movie would blow chunks.

Okay, the following is my own pure speculation. I've never read nor heard anyone else with this theory. So here's my theory. lol

Star Wars has always basically been a 'western in space'. A couple of years ago I caught an episode of 'Gunsmoke' on tv called 'The Tarnished Badge'. Matt Dillion captures a fugitive and returns him to the town of his old buddy, Sheriff Bo Harker. Here's the catcher: Sheriff Bo Harker runs a very tight town. All the citizens are polite in public but fear him in private. Kinda like an 'old republic'. Sheriff Bo Harker is dressed in black. From head to toe. Just like Darth Vader. Along the way Dillion meets a young Lonnie Weeks, who along with other townfolk, have been trying to orchestrate a rebellion against the Sheriff. Matt and the Sheriff go way back and Matt has nothing but praise for his old friend and how good of a man he was. Then comes 'Barney Austin' who's played by NICK NOLTE and dressed EXACTLY like 'Han Solo'. His girlfriend even has the Princess Leia hair-do! When Dillion discovers the townfolk's fears after witnessing the Sheriff stranglehold an old lady, Matt Dillion & townsfolk deploy a plan (ehr...rebellion) to overthrow the Sheriff; allowing 'Barney Austin' to become the new Sheriff. When Dillion finally confronts his old friend in black he speaks of him turning from 'good to bad'. At the very end, Sheriff Bo Harker realizes his mistakes; cries and asks for forgiveness; much in the same way at the end of 'Return Of The Jedi'.
There are MANY MORE simularities in this episode!

I have found the episode (FINALLY) on the internet! It's Gunsmoke: The Tarnished Badge (Season 20, Epis. 4) and if any Star Wars fans are interested, you'll be very glad you watched it. Here's the link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0594524/ Please leave comments now AND later, if you watch this great episode and let me know if my theory might be something...lol :)
Thanks All!
Since the episode aired in '74, it's possible George was watching it while working on his script.  lol

Rukh · Accepted Answer

I'd say it's possible that some elements may have influenced Lucas.

It's no big secret that Lucas took inspiration from many of the shows and films from his youth so it is possible that he may have seen the episode you describe.

There are behind the scenes stuff on the original creation of Star Wars showing that during the production George Lucas would sometime use clips from old war movies as fill-ins to set the general mood and action sequences for some parts of the movie to help composer John Williams create a corresponding musical piece. I distinctly remember the use of an old war movie (where bomber crews were trying to shoot down incoming enemy fighters) was used as a place-holder for when the TIE Fighter patrols attack the Millenium Falcon shortly after is escapes from the Death Star.

New Star Wars Twists!?

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