HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (2021)

Tis the season to have and share the nightmares! Our Star Wars icon regulars continue to indulge in their extra-curricular nocturnal activities for this fun image.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends 'Happy Halloween' greetings to all its world wide readers!

EPISODE IX: TRAINED TO RESIST!

Two heroes who abandoned the tyranny and fear of being within the First Order, Finn and his new friend and fellow warrior, Jannah, prepare to attack the heart of the original Empire's hidden forces, using unorthodox and truly unexpected, audience-pleasing battle tactics in the action-packed finale to The Rise of Skywalker.

https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2021/08/rumor-john-boyega-could-be-starring-in-a-disney-plus-finn-series.html

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: TRAPPED IN PERSPECTIVE!

Luke's desperate situation is created in advance for the filmmakers, as seen in this pre-production set maquette (with A New Hope-era character cut outs), for the planning of the dramatic revelation scene to be shot at Elstree.

Ralph McQuarrie thumbnail ideas for the scene.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE DARK SIDE REACHES OUT...

A series of safety mattresses are laid out beneath Mark hamill at the gantry edge,

"You do not realise your importance. You have only begun to discover your powers." - Darth Vader

"I'll never join you." - Luke

"If you only knew the power of the Dark Side." - Darth Vader

Evading Darth Vader, the injured Luke tries to ignore his opponent's dark side temptations, before a shocking revelation ultimately sends the boy into an horrendous psychological ordeal...

Shooting some closer-in material of Hamill on the gantry set at Elstree.

Whereas Mark Hamill would hang over the ledge himself (the actor nervy about any height, especially within his new father status), it is likely that for the wide shot that Bob Anderson once again performed stunt duties as Vader, whilst Dave Prowse did reaction/clenched fist shots.

Outtake images from the establishing footage of the filming.

Colin Skeaping holds onto Mark Hamill as they rehearse the tricky scene.

Dave Prowse and Peter Diamond watch Hamill with Colin Skeaping.

Luke has nowhere else to go...

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: GOING TO THE EDGE!

Seriously wounded, Luke retreats to the final part of the gantry era, as Darth Vader offers him the unique chance to join him and 'bring order to the galaxy'.

His bulky frame blasted by noisy wind machines on set, Dave Prowse returns to play Vader for the film's critical scene, though he is unaware that he will be saying completely different fake dialogue to anything that Mark Hamill will be reacting to...

Filming Luke's perilous backwards movements.

The final scene with added matte painting work from ILM.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE CRIPPLING BLOW!

From Media Historian/Author/Star Wars Archivist Paul Duncan on Facebook - July 2021:

The shot of Luke’s right hand being cut off was filmed on July 27, 1979 in three takes with two cameras. The scene was repeated with different lenses, different framings, and different angles. Director Irvin Kershner knew that this was the key scene of the movie and was keen to capture it in full.

Ivor Beddoes storyboard for the all-important sequence.

"There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you..."

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: GOING HAND-LESS!

Peter Robinson and Bob Anderson watch Mark Hamill as they prepare to film Luke's decapitation.

Mark Hamill prepares to film his scene where his ejectable 'lightsaber hand', previously sculpted by Stuart Freeborn's team, will go flying, from Darth Vader's (Bob Anderson) severance anger.

Alternate angle footage.

Four alternate angle take screenshots.

INDY V - LATEST NEWS (OCTOBER 2021)

His shoulder hopefully recovered from injury, Harrison Ford has resumed work on Indy V, filming scenes on location in Sicily, as is Mads Mikkelsen, who is believed to be one of the film's baddies. Serious stuff, for sure, but Ford did also get to (hopefully) enjoy some behind the scenes mirth with a collection of Indy imposters! 

Make the most of all the behind the scenes stuff getting out, especially with the frustrating news that the film's release date has sadly been moved to July 2023!

Mads Mikkelsen on location, and in character for filming.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10025479/Indiana-Jones-5-resumes-filming-Londons-Hatton-Garden-transformed-1960s-America.html

More on the Sicily filming. SPOILERS!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10092955/Phoebe-Waller-Bridge-seen-shooting-Indiana-Jones-5-time-Harrison-Ford.html

Meanwhile, legendary composer John Williams is gearing up to write the score:

https://www.fanthatracks.com/news/conventions-events/john-williams-starts-writing-the-music-of-indiana-jones-5-in-1-2-weeks/

SAMURAI WARS! OUT THIS MONTH: 'STAR WARS VISIONS: RONIN'

The Star Wars saga's distinctive homage ties to the universe of Japanese culture were fused into its very being back in 1973 - courtesy of the talented mind of George Lucas, whose particular love for the acclaimed films of director Akira Kurosawa, and for the Samurai warrior culture, were notable examples. Such celebrational influences, and more besides, continue to resonate within the franchise in all its aspects forty-five plus years on, what with the huge success of the experimental Star Wars Visions animated series on Disney+ last month, which itself has now spawned this intriguing new bestseller-for-sure novel from author Emma Mieko Candon: Star Wars Visions: Ronin, available from 23rd October, 2021 in the UK, hardback published by Century. 

Here's the official release info:

A mysterious former Sith wanders the galaxy in this stunning Star Wars tale. An original novel inspired by the world of The Duel from the Star Wars Visions animated anthology.

The Jedi are the most loyal servants of the Empire.

Two decades ago, Jedi clans clashed in service to feuding lords. Sickened by this endless cycle, a sect of Jedi rebelled, seeking to control their own destiny and claim power in service of no master. They called themselves Sith.

The Sith rebellion failed, succumbing to infighting and betrayal, and the once rival lords unified to create an Empire . . . but even an Empire at peace is not free from violence.

Far on the edge of the Outer Rim, one former Sith wanders, accompanied only by a faithful droid and the ghost of a less civilized age. He carries a lightsaber, but claims lineage to no Jedi clan, and pledges allegiance to no lord. Little is known about him, including his name, for he never speaks of his past, nor his regrets. His history is as guarded as the red blade of destruction he carries sheathed at his side.

As the galaxy's perpetual cycle of violence continues to interrupt his self-imposed exile, and he is forced to duel an enigmatic bandit claiming the title of Sith, it becomes clear that no amount of wandering will ever let him outpace the specters of his former life.

Get the intriguing book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Visions-Mieko-Candon/dp/1529101956/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GXC2R6S2MIP5&dchild=1&keywords=star+wars+ronin+book&qid=1634466289&sr=8-1

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: A LITTLE HAND CRAFTING!

The Freeborn workshop at Elstree not only has to come up with a variety of creatures for the first Star Wars sequel but also has to do lots of additional and rather yucky duties for the human cast, firstly doing a face cast of Harrison Ford for his carbonite visage, then a recreation of Mark Hamill's lightsaber holding hand for the moment when our hero becomes an amputee from Darth Vader's own blade.

Hamill poses for some fun shots at Stuart Freeborn's lab!

For the scene before the all-important reveal, where Luke loses his lightsaber hand, a special dummy hand was created by Stuart Freeborn. He recalled to STAR WARS INSIDER in 2008: “We made (Luke’s hand) from hardened resin holding the handle of his sword that contained a cable release. The two inner parts were painted red to give a realistic flesh colour. You always have to be prepared to make odd little things like that on film!”

A look at the finished dummy hand.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: DARK LORD'S FURY!

A shoulder wounded Vader fiercely reacts to Luke Skywalker's challenge, of which the boy escapes a lightsaber move that severs a nearby piece of heavy gantry. Vader's continued swordsman skill, however, will soon deliver a crippling blow to his opponent...

Getting the gantry area ready for filming- note the assembled floor boxes for stunt fall support.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: LUKE FIGHTS ON!

Having deflected a blow from Vader, the cornered Luke manages to pick himself back and up the stairs to the end of the gantry fin, as the duel continues- a brief duelling scene that never made the final cut of the movie.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: CORNERED!

Dave Prowse returns to playing Vader, suiting up for the tense moment where the Dark Lord corners Luke at the end of the Cloud City gantry vent area. A great behind the scenes shot (a different take image from the one normally seen in magazines) watched on by/involving Assistant Director David Tomblin (left, by rail) and his team, plus Stunt Coordinator Peter Diamond (looking at Prowse and Hamill).

"You are beaten. It is useless to resist."

Luke fights back, deflecting Vader's approaching blade.

Another great outtake behind the scenes image, as Kershner can also be seen on set.