CLASSIC IMAGE: BIRTH OF AN ICON!

Rare image from a classic Harrison Ford publicity shoot as Han Solo, for the original Star Wars, taken at Elstree circa Summer 1976.

In the thirty years leading up to the debut of the original Star Wars of 1977, most of the heroes we'd seen in film and TV science fiction/fantasy were of the clean-cut, square-jawed, saving the galaxy variety. But George Lucas's supreme saga, though following some of the genre's past traditions with his central hero of Luke Skywalker, would also cleverly introduce a vital 'rogue element' to compliment yet clash with such noble ideals, crafting an altogether different yet relatable for-our-times figure caught in those larger-than-life adventures of the young farm boy Skywalker and his pained transition from gosh/golly wide-eyed innocent to eventual Jedi Knight. That figure in question: Han Solo - self-made man of the galaxy, a top pilot and often in-over-his-head smuggler for the major crime cartel controlled by super-slug Jabba the Hutt on that far-off desert world of Tatooine where we'd first memorably encounter him, negotiating a new charter with a bizarre duo that wants to 'avoid any Imperial entanglements' via a necessarily speedy trip to the Alderaan system. Solo must have subtly smelt potential trouble with that 'damn fool' Kenobi, but with so much debt to pay off, there'd be no choice but to take the money and fly like a thief.

Soon and sure enough, the smuggler, and his trusty wookiee partner, Chewbacca, would be caught up in an intergalactic struggle beyond anything they could prior imagine!

Played with cool authority, alongside a John Wayne-esque swagger of confidence and an air of not suffering fools gladly, Harrison Ford's contribution to the life and birth of this incredible icon character of pop culture in Solo is not to be under-estimated.

Find out more about Solo's creation and development over forty years, plus Ford's film history-making part in the Star Wars saga, inside the truly gorgeous and comprehensive new Ilex Press book release gloriously celebrating the franchise's number one favourite character, and his unique and exciting life and times: Star Wars Icons: Han Solo.

Here's the advance book release information:

Smuggler. Rogue. Hero of the Rebellion. Scruffy-looking nerf herder. 

Han Solo has been called all these things and more since making his debut in the original Star Wars film back in 1977. Four decades later, the irrepressible Solo continues to be one of the most iconic and enduring elements of the saga.

Star Wars Icons: Han Solo covers the character's entire journey, from his genesis in George Lucas's first drafts of Star Wars to Harrison Ford's iconic performances in the original three films and The Force Awakens, and the character's rebirth in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The book also takes an in-depth look at Solo's role in the Star Wars universe, through novels, comics, video games, and more, and the indelible impression the character has made on pop culture.

Illustrated with a treasure trove of rare and previously unseen imagery, including candid on-set photography and stunning concept art, this deluxe volume also features exclusive new interviews with Harrison Ford, Alden Ehrenreich, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Peter Mayhew, Ron Howard, J. J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, Jonathan Kasdan, and many more key creatives.

Comprehensive and revelatory, this is the definitive book for Han Solo fans across the galaxy.

Get the book here (available from November 27th, 2018)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Icons-Han-Solo/dp/1781576971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542378341&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+icons+han+solo

BEHIND THE SCENES: TO DUEL A SITH!

After a prior brief but busy period of stunt rehearsal with coordinator Peter Diamond, Sir Alec Guinness commences his filming duties with Dave Prowse, playing the intimidating opponent in Darth Vader, for the first and now classic lightsaber duel of the original Star Wars, watched on-set at Elstree Studios by writer/director George Lucas. Here you can see Guinness holding one of the many lightweight (and all too easily broken) lightsaber-handled rods used for the duel.

This previously unseen image is part of an incredible compilation of rare materials (photos/documents/conceptual art) to be savoured within Taschen Book's eagerly awaited and supremely lavish all-new 600+ page hardcover The Star Wars Archives: 1977- 1983, available next month, gloriously focusing on the making of the beloved Classic Trilogy of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, collated and written by Paul Duncan.

Check out our original preview of the book:
https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2018/05/coming-soon-star-wars-archives.html

Get the book here:
https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/film/all/01170/facts.the_star_wars_archives_19771983.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1bbpk8jW3gIVSrDtCh0z6wi3EAAYASAAEgLewvD_BwE

ROGUE ONE: REBEL MOVER!

Rebellion corvette vessel five speeds alongside the recently crippled Star Destroyer orbiting above Scarif, ready to initiate a bold plan for Admiral Raddus, in a memorable moment from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

EPISODE VII: THE SHIELDS OF STARKILLER!

The Stormtroopers inside deflector shield control have been taken out by our heroes, now the captured Captain Phasma must shut Starkiller Base's protection down once and for all, in this deleted scene moment from The Force Awakens.

GOODBYE, STAN LEE...

Very sad to hear the news of the passing of the great comics creative genius, legend, showman and all-round nice guy Stan Lee- the man who gave us so many memorable heroes and villains to discover and enjoy within his MARVEL publishing empire, and whom importantly made worldwide kids of all ages (and those successors-to-be talents in his company) read and indulge in fantasy and adventure, whilst also giving us some very cleverly hidden morality tales to think about within his stories.

One of the classic MARVEL comic adaptation tie-ins to the original Star Wars. 

And, of course, he was the man who launched the original Star Wars saga into comic book form in the US. As many of the fantasy and sci-fi titles MARVEL had released at that time in the early seventies hadn't always performed so well, Lee wasn't at first apparently willing to do a tie-in comics adaptation of the upcoming space movie then in production in the UK. But the acclaimed Roy Thomas, then working for his comic empire with the likes of the popular Conan the Barbarian, managed to persuade him, helped along by the film's casting news of Sir Alec Guinness in a lead role. Lee had always liked and admired Guinness work and, because of that casting, took a chance. A chance that paid off nicely, launched a sell-out first issue and a glorious original reign for the title for nearly ten years, whilst saving Lee's company from potential bankruptcy at one point.

http://www.comicbookschool.com/marvel-star-wars-1977/

At the 2015 Emerald Comic Con, Lee was presented with a superb piece of new MARVEL Star Wars art.

Thank you, Stan Lee. Your work in storytelling and entertainment work will live forever! Excelsior!

CLASSIC IMAGE: DROID PURSUIT!

In his wheel bike, General Grievous proves more slippery to catch than ever, as Obi-Wan, astride the noble Boga, pursues the droid general through the depths of curving Utapau's road system. Another memorable action moment from EPISODE III.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A HEAVY AMONG HEROES!

The long-lasting US magazine has had its fair share of powerful and beautiful people gracing its covers over the years, but who'll ever forget the headliner that was Jabba the Hutt itself. A great issue celebrating the then 1983 release of Return of the Jedi, as well as other icon cinematic favourites from that memorable year.

CLASSIC INDY: THE DOUBLE, DOUBLE, DOUBLE CROSS!

Inside their unique sanctuary kingdom (kudos to some marvellous production design from Guy Hendrix Dyas) the treasure of the alien Crystal Skull historians has been revealed, and now a debt-ridden Mac is determined to reap the to-be-plundered rewards to the fullest, once more betraying his old friend Indy to the Russians in the process. It's the near finale to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. and those power-in-unison guardians are soon in no mood for intruders!

CLASSIC IMAGE: TO QUELL A NIGHTMARE!

Once more troubled by nightmare Force visions and cries for help from his mother on Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker knows that he must go to her aid, even if it complicates his continued duties as Senator Amidala's protector. A scene filmed at the beautiful location of Lake Como, Italy in 2000, for EPISODE II.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE BEST OF (FR)ENEMIES!

Sometimes friends, sometimes rivals. Even, on a few sometimes, enemies. The distinct and unique relationship between smuggler Han Solo and businessman/entrepreneur and 'old smoothie' Lando Calrissian has never been more fascinating since their 'history' was introduced and alluded to during the last act of The Empire Strikes Back Back in 1979, developed with roguish onscreen embellishment thanks to the excellent performances of Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams. We recently had the origin of their legendary first encounter notably brought to life so marvellously in Solo: A Star Wars Story, too, followed by lots of galaxy-hopping adventures, exchanging verbal fireworks and often discharging blasters at common foes, in the original Expanded Universe.

The latest official novel tie-in adventure for the pairing, set between the numerous timelines pre and post Classic Trilogy, debuts this month in Arrow UK paperback- bestselling author Daniel Jose Older's acclaimed Last Shot- A Han and Lando Novel, involving a speedy quest for a droid controlling technological artifact linked to their past (with an important connection to Solo: A Star Wars Story) which, if landed in the wrong hands, could be put to use across the galaxy with terrifying and murderous intent.

Check out AFICIONADO's hardback release review here:

https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2018/05/aficionado-review-last-shot.html

Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Shot-Star-Wars-Lando/dp/0525622144/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538666043&sr=8-2&keywords=STAR+WARS+LAST+SHOT