Wednesday 17 June 2020

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE TAUNTAUN - PART TWO: MADE IN BRITAIN!

Test Rider on the Tauntaun prop.

Phil Tippett's design for the Tauntaun would be built practically for filming on location in Norway and with studio work at London's Elstree Studios in 1979, working from a maquette and creature body diagrams. Originally, a version of the beast was created that an actor could operate within the creature's feet (with false human legs astride it) but the results were less than impressive in filmed footage and the idea was ultimately abandoned - instead a full-size practical effects operated version and a partial body for close-up work were ultimately used in both Norway location and London studio filming.

Here's a selection of great behind the scenes images from the London pre-production phase of the Tauntaun for The Empire Strikes Back.

UK art department dvelopment maquette


Tauntaun reference pictures sent for the practical construction.


Construction blueprint.

The Tauntaun takes reality- the version with human legs operating it inside.











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