AGE OF THE SITH! CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF 'EPISODE III'

Art by Mike Mayhew for Marvel Comics.

It was the finale to the Prequel Trilogy that had to deliver the dramatic/action-packed goods to worldwide audiences eager to see the bridging between the worlds of darkness encapsulating both once Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker and his alter-ego Darth Vader. And for the most part, creator George Lucas delivered the epic goods in ways that we sometimes never expected, amidst a sea of CGI spectacle and lightsaber duels. Revenge of the Sith, now celebrating its iconic Twentieth Anniversary this May 19th, 2025, with its strong tone, fast pace and overall fine performances, has aged well in comparison to this current era of mostly disappointing superhero/sci-fi blockbusters being made, and a packed story continuing to inspire fans who love its doom-laden essence of tragedy seen-in with the rise of the evil Emperor Palpatine, as the fearsome Sith finally achieve their brutal aims against the Republic and their Jedi enemies.

But A New Hope is certain...

It was great to see how well the film did in its Anniversary re-release last month (April 2025), taking its box office final tally to nearly one billion whilst beating out modern films (like The Accountant 2) to a point that was astounding. Another incredible testament to the talent and imagination of George Lucas and his filmmaking team back in 2003.

Wookiee Basketball, Kid Han Solo, and a Kenobi Dummy: 20 Fun Facts about Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith | StarWars.com

Sam Jackson and Hayden Christensen at the El Capitan cinema launch night screening.

HAPPY 45TH BIRTHDAY TO 'THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK'!

Japanese release poster - 1980.

"Luke Skywalker and Han Solo rescued the Princess, destroyed the Death Star, but their story didn't end there..."

Early teaser trailer dialogue for The Empire Strikes Back - 1979.

And thank the Force it didn't end there, as Empire, the most expensive independent movie of its time, made its long awaited UK debut on May 20th, 1980, effectively and memorably delivering a dark and powerful new chapter in the now continuing Star Wars saga to thrilled audiences worldwide, and an adventure that cemented and built on the already special qualities of storytelling that George Lucas prior gave us three years earlier.

Enjoy this selection of great iconic character shots from the film...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 'TESB'!

Posing for publicity at Elstree.

Our trio on location in Norway.

Hamill and Prowse take an attacking stance!

A NEW HORIZON, A NEW HOPE...

A new hope to save the galaxy from the Galactic Empire has been safely delivered by his Jedi protector into the loving arms of the Lars family, at their faraway desert homestead on Tatooine. And now the long wait for the prophesied Balance of the Force begins. The subtly moving finale to EPISODE III, beautifully enhanced by the always-brilliance of composer John Williams.

A worthy final entry honoring the more respected in recent years Prequel Trilogy, and concluding the diverse entries comprising the Twentieth Anniversary celebrations for Star Wars Aficionado during 2023.

GOODBYE, BARRIE HOLLAND...

Barrie Holland, in one of two Imperial roles for Return of the Jedi's filming at Elstree Studios.

Sad news for the end of the year, and the closing celebrations of Return of the Jedi's landmark 30th Anniversary, as the announcement was made today of British background artist legend and cult favourite Barrie Holland's passing, at the age of 85. Holland played the now legendary Jedi Imperial figure Lt. Renz, who captured Han and Leia inside the Imperial Shield Generator bunker on Endor and delivered to them the classic, nay infamous, line that was, "You rebel scum!" Though his voiced line was later dubbed in post production, it was nonetheless a moment that the artiste was thrilled to do and which enjoyed an hilarious on-set response from Harrison Ford in one classic 1982 scene outtake that surfaced onto Blu-ray in 2011. 

Lt. Renz confronts the now captured General Solo and Leia Organa.

Especially a lover of classic films and selected TV, Holland enjoyed his background artist career to the full, and was to appear within a wide variety of classic films made in the UK, including the likes of The Shining, Batman (1989), Chariots of Fire, several James Bond adventures, Superman III and Raiders of the Lost Ark, amongst many other greats. He always enjoyed telling lots of anecdotes to fans about his time in the industry (plus the many luminaries he met along the way) and would certainly be quite the signing attraction of the Official Pix autograph table at the Los Angeles Celebration IV event when making his first surprise convention appearance there in 2007, followed by further success a few months later at London's Celebration Europe, followed by a smaller 2008 German event, Jedi Con, that proved to be enormous fun for fans and guests. Further conventions worldwide would follow for years to come, of which Holland's autograph was always a must-have for fans.

Holland's often-seen portfolio image.

R.I.P., Barrie. If there is indeed a heaven (or Force netherworld), we hope you're having a helluva good time up there chatting with all the classic stars of Hollywood and beyond...

Lieutenant Renz Actor Barrie Holland Dies, Aged 85 - Jedi News

EPISODE II: MEETING THE NABERRIES!

Outside Padme's family home, Pooja (Hayley Mooy) and Ryoo Naberrie (Keira Wingate) enjoy the company of R2-D2 in a noted deleted scene from EPISODE II.

Taking a much welcome respite from both the darkness and important political decision-making surrounding her, Padme Amidala lets her true self show when she brings her Jedi protector Anakin Skywalker along with her to a peaceful suburban area of Naboo to meet her parents, sister and her nieces. A charming sequence, ultimately cut for ongoing problematic time and pacing reasons (filmed at the Australian FOX Studios and with location scenes at Lake Como, Italy in 2000), this would have helped further develop Padme's character whilst solidifying her own secret affection for the handsome Anakin, a fact that doesn't go unrecognised by her loving family, nor the potential building danger of her current in-hiding situation...

Arriving at the district house containing Padme's family, on the outskirts of Theed City on Naboo.

Despite their roles being cut, kudos to Prequels casting director Robin Gurland for the choice of fine local Australian talent playing Padme's family. Bar Claudia Karvan's character, the rest of the onscreen family would briefly return for their daughter's onscreen funeral on Naboo, at the end of Revenge of the Sith. 

Padme enjoys a warm reunion with her older sister.

The duo watch as Anakin enters the dining area.

Anakin meets the intrigued Naberrie women.

The playfully inquisitive Sola (Claudia Karvan) soon teases her sister Padme about the handsome young man in her life.

Anakin enjoys the family atmosphere he wishes he could've had as a child, in a lovely moment adding further nuance to his character.

Padme's father Ruwee Naberrie (Graeme Blundell) readies dinners at table.

The meal begins as curiosity about Padme and Anakins's friendship and his protectorate status are asked.

A lovely shot of Natalie Portman from the scene.

Jobal (actress and singer Trisha Noble) is worried when she hears that her daughter's life is in danger, which Padme tries to play down... 

... yet Anakin must ultimately convey the seriousness of the situation to the family to her father.

A seasoned former diplomat, Ruwee confers with Anakin about Padme's situation with Anakin, in a scene filmed on location at a luxury house and its gardens at Lake Como, Italy.

Sola sees Padme's clear affection for her Jedi protector.

A brief moment that appeared in one of Episode II's first trailers.

Natalie Portman has fun being directed on set by George Lucas in 2000.

Natalie Portman's deleted scene wardrobe as Padme.

REVISITING THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF 'SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY'!

Solo awaits entry into the lair of crime boss Lady Proxima, in an unused shot from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Never has a Star Wars film deserved to do better box office success than Solo: A Star Wars Story when it debuted in cinemas during mid-2018. The film is great fun and Ron Howard and his cast and crew did a splendid job of crafting the young Han Solo's first rogue adventure. The amount of re-filming needed for the movie beyond what was originally shot by ultimately replaced original directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord has never been fully pinned down (sources vary between sixty and eighty per cent!), and photos of certain intriguing scenes cut or revised are unlikely to ever see the light of day post release (especially related to the late Michael Kenneth Williams leonine alien version of Dryden Vos), but we can at least sample a small amount of the originally planned material showcased through the film's media and publicity build-up and in selected tie-in books released during 2018. 

Enjoy this compendium celebrating the alternate version (and deleted scenes) of the film... 

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': CORELLIA RECRUITMENT!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': REVISITING A CANTWELL CLASSIC!

 STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': CHEWIE'S WINTER BREAK!

Alternate scene by Lord and Miller linked to Lady Proxima's crime den.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': RIDE 'EM, CHEWIE!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': GOING UP!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': THE KESSEL PLAN...

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': BAD HAIR DAY!

We may never see the archived footage of Michael Kenneth Williams' original baddie (replaced by Dryden Vos in re-shoots) but we can surmise that he looked like the Leonine-visaged Hylobon mercenaries, to whom he was originally part of the same race.

Other related info:

‘Solo’: Phil Lord & Chris Miller Scenes Still in the Movie – IndieWire

Does This 'Solo' Deleted Scene Give Us a New Glimpse at Lord and Miller's Version? - TheWrap

'Star Wars' Deleted Scenes: How Cut 'Solo' Scenes Connect to 'Lego' Directors

This deleted scene from 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' shows how different the movie could have been

'JEDI' AT 40: SUMMERTIME SPECIAL!

Remembering, but importantly celebrating, the very-much missed Carrie Fisher on the day of her sad passing back in 2016, these rarer images from the Rolling Stone magazine shoot taken at Stinson Beach. California in Summer, 1983 by Aaron Rapoport, show the talented actress/writer/singer and all-round gorgeous star in her lively, imaginative and exuberant, sexy prime alongside some old friends from the Original Trilogy, and Return of the Jedi... 

Rare photos of Carrie Fisher's 'Star Wars' beach photo shoot

More images here:

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CLASSIC IMAGE: SUMMER FUN!