With prior 1976 filming commitments to the second season of Gerry Anderson's lavish sci-fi TV series Space:1999, acclaimed British special effects veteran and director Brian Johnson sadly turned down George Lucas and Gary Kurtz's original offer to work on Star Wars vital special effects requirements. Fortunately, by the time of The Empire Strikes Back's commencement in 1978, he would be available (further persuaded by UK FOX boss Peter Beale), utilising his experience and problem solving techniques across all manner of intriguing effects challenges - both practical and model - alongside the youthful energy and emerging talents of the transatlantic ILM.
The Prop Gallery | Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - ILM Oscar statuette gifted to Brian Johnson
After Empire, and having had several enthusiastic meetings with Steven Spielberg, Johnson hoped to work on Raiders of the Lost Ark, but Lucas insisted that he worked on Dragonslayer's British-filmed ambitious effects instead - it was a job that Johnson wasn't all that happy in doing. This may have been a factor in why he would ultimately not return to work with ILM on Return of the Jedi.
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