AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: MEANWHILE, AT ELSTREE...

Kurtz, Kershner and Norman Reynolds inspect an in-development Tauntaun at Elstree Studios.

The start of 1979, and the phasing of pre-production into production for The Empire Strikes Back is underway at Elstree Studios, a venue alive with activity in all its departments- from props building, set production, to make-up and creature construction. With the success of the original Star Wars, all of the film's UK technicians old and new are far more respectful of the potential franchise/continuance filming enterprise since the shaky days of 1976, and even more hard-working in all aspects, determined to help George Lucas deliver a supremely crafted sequel that will also further showcase how British technicians and craftsmen are the best in the world!

The first of many production department heads meetings to be held over the next three quarters of the year.

An Imperial Snowtrooper costume in development.

Producer Robert Watts tests an early hovercraft idea for a Snowspeeder or Rebel Tank.

The handy pointer to the film's Wardrobe Department!

UK movie publicist Alan Arnold confers with George Lucas.

Set building underway.

An Echo Base ice corridor nears completion.

The Rebel Medical centre interior is under construction.

Artoo strolls the newly built Millennium Falcon interior.

The Star Destroyer Bridge takes shape incorporating surviving Death Star sets kept in storage from the original Star Wars.

A work in progress maquette for the Rebel Command Centre.

The Mynocks take shape in the Freeborn lab.workshop.

Other creature development is fully underway at Stuart Freeborn's lab.

The new Millennium Falcon cockpit pod is under construction.

Looking at maquettes of the Dagobah swamp set to be built on the new Star Wars Stage by August 1979.

Spare Threepio parts and a Stormtrooper helmet are on the design table.

X-wing fighter model with height reference.

One of the Rebel base medical droids takes shape in the practical effects department.

A Rebel gun turret is readied for eventual transport to Norway.

Work continues on the Tauntaun heads and frame.

A Tauntaun takes final shape- notice the detailed fur colouring.

The film's diverse weapon props are inspected.

Now residing for a period in the UK, Ralph McQuarrie continues to be an essential part of the film's design team.

The Probe Droid and interior props for the Millennium Falcon take shape.

Freeborn with the Wampa head and Ugnaught masks needed for Spring filming.

Stuart Freeborn supervises the Wampa costume movement, with Des Webb playing the creature.