GOODBYE, ANDREW JACK...

At their fortified-as-best-they-can hideout, stalwart Resistance General Emmat surveys the Crait salt landscape ahead, just prior to the heavy-duty attack by First Order forces, in a memorable moment from The Last Jedi.

Star Wars Aficionado was deeply sorry to hear of the passing of popular actor/voice coach Andrew Jack at the all-too-young age of 76, linked to the world tragedy that is the Corona virus. He was certainly a distinct part of the sequel trilogy's background cast and will be much missed by his family, friends and the Star Wars/film-making community at large, all of whom will remember his enthusiasm and dedication to his work.

With the other Resistance leaders in a time of crisis during EPISODE VII.

Another great character image from EPISODE VIII.

News:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-52111530

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/01/entertainment/andrew-jack-star-wars-coronavirus-dies-gbr-intl-scli/index.html

EPISODE IX: OF BELIEF AND COURAGE!

Bidding her dedicated and spirited Jedi pupil Rey a subtle and knowing goodbye in her mission to find the deadly realms of Exegol, General Leia Organa is equally aware that the next phase of her own life destiny in the Force will soon be determined, in a memorable and emotional moment from The Rise of Skywalker, out now on US Home Entertainment formats.

More on how Carrie Fisher/Leia was resurrected for EPISODE IX:

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-20/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-leia-carrie-fisher-brother

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2493553/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-originally-gave-leia-another-fight?fbclid=IwAR2KZlnW6VvIvZv3xVRS_Vd6YM4EWt0TnDiufX7DdF7OT79MXmFbTGxc4vU

EPISODE IX: WAR AMONGST THE WAVES!

Kylo Ren is more determined than ever to have the Force powerful Rey beside him on a throne of new Dark Side power, whether she wants it or not, leading to an epic lightsaber duel between the duo on the surface of the Death Star II. A sequence from The Rise of Skywalker that proved well staged due to fine action work choreography from Eunice Huthart, the dedication of Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver as on screen combatants, and some superb sound design. All these combined elements effectively brought the necessary atmosphere and danger to the big screen, filmed in cold November 2018 British weather, amongst even colder big water cannon blasts drowning the environment and actors constantly on the Pinewood studios backlot.

Relive the epic sequence now, as The Rise of Skywalker debuts on US home entertainment release.

A look at the lovely Target stores exclusive 4K release in the US.

https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-exclusive-covers

OUT NOW - THE ART OF 'STAR WARS - THE RISE OF SKYWALKER'

For the final time providing the evolving behind the scenes process of a post-George Lucas Star Wars/Skywalker family saga movie via fascinating facts/quotes and compelling conceptual art imagery (from some of the world's finest creative artists blessed with a burning passion for the universe they are spectacularly bringing to life) comes The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, written once more with depth and appreciative detail by Phil Szostak, and stylishly published by Abrams Books. It's the last gap needing to be filled in your vital Sequel Trilogy book collection, and an added indispensable visual experience alongside the now US-available home entertainment release of the hit film.

Book/art previews:

https://www.looper.com/197805/hidden-gems-that-the-art-of-the-rise-of-skywalker-reveals-about-the-movie-exclusive/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=twitter

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-art-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-landos-original-look-space-wolves-exclusive-concept-art-170048792.html

https://www.starwars.com/news/the-making-of-the-art-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker?cmp=smc%7C3239622470&fbclid=IwAR1pZpPpoI0Q6myDhWEnWOHQng3PLKsThNItUuNDzvwbgxUnuept_CZ28e0

Book release info:

The official behind-the-scenes concept, production, and post-production art for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Go inside the creative process behind the most anticipated film of the century. The latest trilogy in the Star Wars film series brings the Skywalker Saga to a close and The Art of The Rise of Skywalker will take readers into the creative process behind visualizing the epic worlds, creatures, characters, costumes, weapons and vehicles of the landmark conclusion more than 40 years in the making.

Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Star-Wars-Rise-Skywalker/dp/1419740385/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YBM46SEHOYJ8&keywords=the+art+of+the+rise+of+skywalker&qid=1585587715&sprefix=THE+ART+OF+THE+RISE+OF+SKYWALKER%2Caps%2C577&sr=8-1

EPISODE IX: GUIDANCE OF A JEDI MASTER!

The Force and the Force of Jedi Master Luke Skywalker has never been stronger, nor more respectful of a Jedi's weapon, as our hero returns to the saga one last time to help Rey confront her destiny, as Mark Hamill shows the kind of mercurial confidence in his performance that's not unlike Sir Alec Guinness's performance as Ben 'Obi-Wan' Kenobi in the original Star Wars. With no return to Skellig Island for The Rise of Skywalker, the landscape for the important cameo sequence was strikingly recreated on the backlot of Pinewood Studios.

The sequence where Luke raises his X-wing fighter out of the water on Ahch-To, where once as a boy on Dagobah he couldn't, was a fine upbeat moment worthy of the series and a return to the more optimistic character of old.

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2493293/jj-abrams-wasnt-sure-about-one-rise-of-skywalker-moment-that-ties-back-to-empire-strikes-back

https://www.nme.com/news/film/star-wars-mark-hamill-played-a-secret-role-in-the-rise-of-skywalker-2592445

EPISODE IX: 'BEING' BABU FRIK!

When it comes to hacking droids and other sophisticated systems for important info (especially of the top secret or forbidden kind), whether for itself or potentially lucrative gain, no one can match the diminutive and resourceful Babu Frik, who, despite only being in a few scenes, proved a terrific scene stealer in The Rise of Skywalker, voiced and uniquely animatronic puppet operated by popular UK actress Shirley Henderson, guided by Neal Scanlan's team of visual engineers.

Behind the scenes info:

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2489353/why-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalkers-babu-frik-actress-learned-puppeteering-for-the-role

https://www.polygon.com/star-wars/2020/3/20/21187241/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-babu-frik-maz-kantata-behind-the-scenes-interview-neal-scanlan

EPISODE IX: DROID ADVENTURERS!

On the mountainous/desert realm of Pasaana, our iconic hero C-3PO may impart tourist advice at the wrong time to his human Resistance cohorts, but at least lovable BB-8 enjoys some fellow droid company, as seen in this lovely posed image taken by on set photographer Jonathan Olley, in Jordan, during location filming of The Rise of Skywalker. It's a shot that's likely done in tribute to the famous one of Threepio and Artoo together at the Lars Homestead, from back in 1976.

Anthony Daniels various:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvQ-ktdG5WE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FxVPvpK1xA&feature=emb_logo

EPISODE IX: CHARGE OF THE FINN BRIGADE!

More determined than ever to stop the First and Final Orders from getting their fleet beyond the perilous atmosphere of Exegol, Finn and his friend and fellow Stormtrooper deserter Jannah lead an army of Orbaks into battle in this super image and moment from The Rise of Skywalker.

https://www.insider.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-space-horses-without-vfx-2020-3

EPISODE IX: THE RETURN OF MAZ!

Disappointingly, our favourite 'smuggler queen', barkeep and First Order fighter in Maz Kanata, so well voiced and quirkily played by Lupita Nyong'o, had very little to do in The Rise of Skywalker other than impart certain bits of plot information, though it's likely one scene of her with Leia linked to Luke's lightsaber (originally shot for The Force Awakens and re-jigged in a new way) might make its way to a future IX home entertainment release.

Interestingly, Maz was this time realized as a practical animatronic creation on set by Neal Scanlan and his dedicated creatures team, with some CGI added subtleties added later.

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487978/star-wars-took-a-different-approach-to-maz-kanata-for-rise-of-skywalker-but-worked-hard-to-make-it-seamless

https://www.movier.net/maz-kanata-was-an-animatronic-in-the-rise-of-skywalker-304802

EPISODE IX: SOMETHING WICKED...

The Emperor- back from the dead!

His consciousness prior transferred to a temporarily weak clone body after the events of Return of the Jedi, Emperor Palpatine's designs on eternal control of the galaxy, decades in the making, are about to be unleashed across the galaxy, as Ian McDiarmid makes a welcome and deliciously evil (as ever) return to the Star Wars universe, witnessed in these great behind the scenes images from The Rise of Skywalker.

On set and rehearsal prior to make-up and filming, and always attracting attention! Note costume designer Michael Kaplan (far left).

In new/old make-up

And gaining a brand new blood red layered costume for his later fully resurrected scenes.

For more background info on the return of Palpatine and the new Sith, check out New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson's hugely enjoyable 'Expanded Edition' adaptation of the film, out now in UK hardback, from Century.

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Skywalker-Expanded-Star-Wars-ebook/dp/B07YJZRNDG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=rise+of+skywalker+novel&qid=1585075538&sr=8-1