AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: WITHIN CARBON HELL!

Arrived in the carbon freezing chamber, Luke Skywalker awaits his destiny in facing the man/creature who killed both his father and mentor in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, in this great production art from Ralph McQuarrie. Ultimately, McQuarrie's interior design wasn't to be used in The Empire Strikes Back. Instead, UK Production Designer Norman Reynold's circular level and walkway outcroppings concept replaced it, primarily because its greater expanse opened up the potential for more physical action sequences and atmosphere to be created during Luke and Vader's epic lightsaber duel.

Set maquette for the ultimately unused first design for the Carbon Freeze Chamber.