AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE OTHER 'BATTLE OF HOTH'!

Imperial Snowtroopers disembark a Walker in this great art by Joe Johnston.

The epic Battle of Hoth had many incredible action/visual moments to savour, but there were other intriguing ideas and planned geography for the conflict ultimately not used during the shaping of the sequence during its pre-production art and storyboarding phase. Some of the more graphic violence of the boards were not considered for filming (notably illustrations showing battle-retreating Rebel Soldiers being crushed to death by Walker feet!).

Early concept art by Joe Johnston for the Battle of Hoth, when it was originally to have had Imperial Tanks in conflict rather than Walkers.

Snowtroopers rush across the surface in a great unfilmed storyboard by Joe Johnston.

Repelling Imperial invaders!

Here's a further selection of intriguing art pieces to enjoy...

UK film talent Ivor Beddoes ideas for the movement and geography of the battle sequence.
 

A second Beddoes idea is pinned to the walls at Elstree during 1978/79.

Luke is trapped in the snow amidst a battlefield of dead soldiers, in an idea from Ivor Beddoes, working on action ideas for Irvin Kershner at Elstree.

Rebel Soldiers assist in blasting away at a fallen Walker in this storyboard idea.

Unused ground level idea of Rebel solders retreating from the Walkers legs, an action moment that was likely cut for being too ambitious and optically tricky to effectively realize.