'SPECIAL EDITION' CLASSIC IMAGE: BACK WHERE THEY BELONG!

This week sees the 25th Anniversary of the now controversial Star Wars Trilogy Special Editions, which were enjoyed by fans upon original release, kickstarting the saga anew on the big screen to delighted audiences old and new worldwide, and they made a helluva lot of money (more than anyone expected for a then twenty-year old film), much of the tie-in profits going towards the production costs of the then eagerly-awaited, upcoming Prequels.

Here's one of the above American newspaper ads heralding the saga's return to cinemas in 1997 - poster art by the legendary Drew Struzan.

CLASSIC INDY: 'IT BELONGS IN A MUSUEM!'

It's been a pursuit that has taken him across the world since his teenage years, now Indiana Jones' personal quest to recover the stolen Cross Of Coronado nears success. But first he has to retrieve it from the evil 'Carnation Man' and get off a doomed sea transport, in this superb action scene concluding the vigorous past prologue opening to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989.

EPISODE VIII: SPACE SLAUGHTER!

The last remnants of the Resistance fleet have already taken a furious pounding from Kylo Ren's heavily-armed, speedy fighter, and his two escorts. But the worst is to come for our heroes, as they suffer further losses from ever-pursuant First Order Star Destroyers in this memorable moment from The Last Jedi.

ROGUE ONE: FINDING 'STARDUST'!

Amidst the labyrinth data vaults of the Imperial facility of Scarif, Rebel spies Captain Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso finally discover and begin to retrieve the top secret Death Star schematics, specially 'codenamed' by Jyn's late adoring father, Galen, in another terrific moment from the superb Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

COMING SOON - 'THE ART OF STAR WARS - THE MANDALORIAN (SEASON TWO)'

A unique friendship beyond the stars continues in The Mandalorian. Gorgeous, specially commissioned official cover art by Doug Chiang.

Achieving what many thought impossible, making George Lucas's encompassing Star Wars saga into a magnificent, broad-in-scope, character-rich action continuing TV mini-series adventure made through the mixing of old school special effects with pioneering effects technologies that go beyond anything else on the small(ish) screen, going on to rival (and in some cases excel over) the saga's very own big screen sequel entries, Season Two of the critically-acclaimed The Mandalorian was a triumph for Lucasfilm and Disney+, realised by Writers/Producers/Directing talents Jon Favreau and modern franchise legend Dave Filoni, working tirelessly with an equally dedicated team of artists and other behind the scenes talents wonderfully bringing the evolving adventures and destinies of the titular Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his lovable mystery green frog friend, vulnerable former Jedi Knight, Grogul (aka 'The Child'), to onscreen reality. This time out in the 8 episode season, the remarkable and beloved duo navigate life beyond the pursuant remnants of the Empire whilst also attracting the attentions of legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett, back from the dead with new colleague, part-android Fennec Shand, in tow; meet the dedicated former Jedi Ahsoka Tano as she emerges to begin her own perilous quest linked to her coming soon spotlight series, and ultimately engage in a conflict with the ambitious Darksaber-wielding Imperial Moff Gideon, resultantly seeing our evil-battling heroes encounter no less that the timeline's mighty Jedi of building legend, Luke Skywalker - the crowd-pleasing, emotional return of Mark Hamill to his iconic role for the show's barnstorming, emotional season finale - a delightful surprise not just for the viewers, but a top secret reveal that also caught many of the behind the scenes team unawares!

Many of the finest conceptual art and production paintings for Season Two's key sequences, from the likes of alumni Doug Chiang (providing another inspirational foreword to the Art of range) to Christian Alzmann, Amy Beth Christensen, Erik Tiemen and other notables, have been once again compiled, with key behind the scenes filming notes and interview quotes, by veteran SW author and modern franchise historian/imagineer Phil Szostak for Book Two of the continuing, gorgeous coffee table book series that is The Art of Star Wars - The Mandalorian, out next month from Abrams Books. 

Behind the scenes of the exciting new title with Phil Szostak, featuring in-depth art showcasing:

https://www.starwars.com/news/the-art-of-the-mandalorian-season-2-interview

Honouring the past but also embracing the future, here's the publicity blurb for the new artistic release (available 15th February, 2022):

The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season Two) takes fans behind the scenes of the second season of the Emmy Award–winning Disney+ live-action Star Wars television series. Filled with concept art, character, vehicle, weapon, and creature designs, and interviews with key crew and creatives, including executive producer/showrunner/writer Jon Favreau and executive producer/director Dave Filoni, The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season Two) will provide readers with an exclusive look at the stunning art and design work that helped bring new and returning characters and locations to life.

Season two of The Mandalorian tracks the continuing adventures of Din Djarin and The Child as they explore the far reaches of the Star Wars Galaxy, alongside returning allies from the first season. Along the way, they encounter a gallery of exciting new cast members including Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Kids) as Ahsoka Tano, Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Deadwood) as Cobb Vanth, Katee Sackhoff (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Battlestar Galactica) as Bo Katan, and Temuera Morrison (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones) as the fan-favorite bounty hunter Boba Fett.

The release cover. Image: Abrams.

Already an online pre-order bestseller, get the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Star-Wars-Mandalorian-Season/dp/1419756516/ref=sr_1_2?crid=NX2FLEGOW1UA&keywords=the+art+of+the+mandalorian+book+two&qid=1643125807&sprefix=the+art+of+the+mandalorian+book+two%2Caps%2C757&sr=8-2

THE 'STAR WARS' SAGA - BACK ON FRENCH 4K ULTRA HD...

French Star Wars (aka La Guerre des Etoiles) saga fans are in for a high-definition treat with a special exclusive territory release of the (Special Editions) Original, Prequel and Sequel trilogies in all-new release packaging (with accompanying, likely meagre amounts of bonus extras that we've already had before). The brand new cover characters art for each set looks pretty nice considering we now live in a land of cut and paste actor/publicist-approved photo imagery. 

No news on any new kind of combined release for Rogue One or Solo in France, but if anyone has more info on any of these upcoming titles, please get in touch... 

'THE MANDLOARIAN': CATCHING UP WITH A CERTAIN JEDI...

As focused and determined as ever, a double lightsaber armed Ahsoka Tano enters the well-guarded city of Calodan, on a mission to free its people and retrieve important info from its formidable leader, Imperial Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth, in a memorable scene from The Mandalorian Season Two episode, The Jedi.

It was great to see fan-beloved Ahsoka Tano make her (inevitable) live-action reality, well played by film actress Rosario Dawson in the character's mature years long after the Prequels, and whom we all look forward to seeing again in action very soon with the promising Dave Filoni written/directed series, Ahsoka.

News on the upcoming Disney+ series:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/star-wars-hayden-christensen-ahsoka-show-1235035459/

https://www.starburstmagazine.com/everything-we-know-star-wars-ahsoka-tv-show

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/star-wars-mary-elizabeth-winstead-ahsoka-1235078843/

https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-ahsoka-plot-details-filming-start-date/?utm_source=CBR-FB-P&utm_medium=Social-Distribution&utm_campaign=CBR-FB-P&fbclid=IwAR1OW88UzX9J3nO1btZXfccTGaWd25fQbMRy0i8MGZde2yVU8913qup8Azw

EPISODE VII: THE PLAYERS OF A NEW SAGA...

A superb launch film whose cultural impact and critical glory was never quite recaptured with subsequent films VIII and IX, the new sequel era Star Wars saga heroes and villains of The Force Awakens are immortalized in this lovely fan art. If anyone knows the artist's name, please get in touch.

EPISODE III: SPOT THE KENOBI!

Amidst a hive of activity on the Australian FOX Studios floor below, Ewan McGregor continues having fun on the EPISODE III set, via his cave wall upper view. A great behind the scenes image from 2003.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A VISIT TO THE EMPEROR!

The final movie of the Classic Trilogy boasted many superb original sets created by UK production designer Norman Reynolds, but the atmospheric and dripping with technologically evil Throne Room on the Death Star II was one of the finest, so vast in scope. Built on two levels, with an additional third underlayer that would lead into the space station's core, the setting proved perfect for the later intense lightsaber duelling between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. 

Seen in this full-length shot is the elevator centre, of which Vader, in an earlier scene, makes an unexpected visit to see The Emperor regarding an important family matter. The shadowy galactic leader is protected by two impressive and highly trained crimson-robed royal guards (one played by Quentin Pierre, who previously appeared as a Bespin Guard in The Empire Strikes Back).

CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF 'ATTACK OF THE CLONES'!

Intrigue, mystery, a building manipulative conspiracy from a dark force, the beginnings of an ultimately tragic and disturbing relationship between a former Queen and a young Jedi all too ready to bend the rules to his own advantage, all fused with the detonation of a universe shattering war, are the key elements to the important second film in George Lucas's prequel opus, Attack of the Clones, whose main characters are featured in this super art for the Japanese edition of R. A. Salvatore's novelisation from 2002, and a piece that was ultimately far better than anything released for the book covers of the US and Europe versions.

The Twentieth Anniversary celebrations of this sequel adventure begin on STAR WARS AFICIONADO...

CLASSIC IMAGE: BACK TO BICKERING!

They're the best of friends, despite their constant squabbling- cinema and science fiction's friendliest onscreen robots, C-3PO and R2-D2 return for The Empire Strikes Back.

In the film's post production phase, George Lucas takes the first eight minutes of the film and apparently cuts out half the film's early footage, of which Artoo and Threepio’s bickering scene from the Rebel base corridor into the main hangar would be one of the first trimming casualties. When Anthony Daniels asks editor Paul Hirsch why it was trimmed, having been happy with the performance, Hirsch replies: “It’s the first time we see you in the movie. That angry-where do you go from there?”

CLASSIC ART: EPISODE I - THE STORY SO FAR...

Great scene-setting work from UK artist Steve McGary for the Sunday People magazine supplement of April 18th, 1999, who, recognising potentially strong sales, devoted a whole issue to EPISODE I, previewing an eagerly-awaited film and its story/characters that wouldn't be released in the territory until July of that year.

'STAR WARS' AT 45: WELCOME TO JAPAN!

They may have have been the last worldwide territory to screen the film back in January 1978, but the Japanese were more than ready and excited for the original Star Wars, as seen in this lively action-packed poster which has a delightful, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-in-it feel in promoting the adventure's key characters (including the silver Rebel Blockade Runner protocol droid, no less!) and special effects.

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NEW YEAR, OLD FAVOURITES!

More enjoyed and discussed than ever, the original six-film George Lucas-created character era of the Star Wars galaxy (1977 - 2005) thrives in this great poster art from a few years back by popular US genre veteran, Matt Busch.