Friday, 23 July 2021

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: OUR HEROES DEFEATED?




Their situation within Imperial captivity has never been grimmer for Chewbacca and Princess Leia Organa as they watch their loved one in Han Solo withdrawn from the Carbon Freezing pit within his new locked-in frozen visage now cruelly revealed.

Interestingly in an early draft, writer Lawrence Kasdan thought it would be an interesting idea if Chewbacca early-on showed some mild jealousy towards Leia for her building relationship with Solo. Ultimately, on screen, Chewbacca would become her devoted protector in many ways, a scenario enjoyed by actor Peter Mayhew by the film's final act.




Filming of the scene would prove quite intense for all the actors, especially Carrie Fisher who was unhappy with last minute script changes being made without her knowledge, and whom needed careful emotional handling in her direction from Irvin Kershner, with additional assistance from Gary Kurtz. No matter the problems offscreen, the onscreen results of Miss Fisher's dramatic work are outstanding.

Going through the dramatic scenes with Irvin Kershner whilst a mask-less Peter Mayhew and background stormtroopers take a break on set.


The carbon frozen Han block is moved into position on set.

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