EPISODE VII: FISHY WARRIOR!

His experiences in tactical combat helped bring down the Galactic Empire, now Admiral Ackbar's resolute services have been recruited anew by General Leia Organa to fight the rising menace of the First Order, as the Calamarian becomes a vital part of the Resistance in The Force Awakens, the beloved character once more inhabited by Tim Rose.

'AHSOKA' SEASON TWO: CLASH OF THE TACTICIANS!

It's the space battle that Expanded Universe fans are waiting for and hopefully won't be disappointed by - the clash of New Republic against New Empire forces as skilled veterans on each side, Admiral Ackbar and the evil Grand Admiral Thrawn (now returned back to the Imperial Regions), finally lock horns in live-action for the eagerly awaited second season of Star Wars: Ahsoka, coming some time in 2027.

But who will win the  contest of champions?

Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 2 Premiere - 2027 | StarWars.com

EPISODE VIII: A LEADER TO THE END...

It was great to see his prior return during The Force Awakens, but with The Last Jedi we were soon very sorry to see fandom's favourite Mon Calamari leader, Admiral Ackbar, receive a sudden and unexpected demise via the First Order's TIE fighter attack on the Resistance space fleet. No one else will ever be able to say "It's a trap!" in the STAR WARS universe with such iconic delivery as he once did, back in 1983 for Return of the Jedi...

EPISODE VII: PREPARING FOR RETALIATION!

"We're still at war with First Order. A war that won't end until either it or the Resistance is destroyed. The next time, without Luke, we won't stand a chance."

A potential lead-in to the events of EPISODE VIII, General Leia Organa addresses the members of her Resistance, warning them that the First Order will retaliate with the destruction of Starkiller Base. This scene can be found in Alan Dean Foster's novelisation of THE FORCE AWAKENS and takes place just as Artoo is reactivating himself from self-enforced slumber. In post production, the gathering scene was likely cut/re-worked for pacing reasons, to hammer home the events of Han's death with Leia and Chewie and then get the audience swiftly perked up for Artoo's return with his vital piece of the holographic map leading to Luke.

ROGUE ONE: THE MON CALAMARI REBELS

Not much has been said online about the return of the Mon Calamari race to the STAR WARS universe with ROGUE ONE. Yes, we'd seen an older Admiral Ackbar recently with EPISODE VII, but his species appearance will surely prove critical in this prequel to the original STAR WARS. Technically, this is the first time they've appeared onscreen as part of the Rebel Alliance against the Empire, after a brief, ultimately deleted scene cameo of one of their species within the Delegation of 2000 committee against Palpatine's building power base in EPISODE III. Ever since Ackbar and his aquatic buddies were first announced back in 1982 (originally to have come from the planet Dac) for RETURN OF THE JEDI, they were always a critical part of the Alliance since its early days. This scene from ROGUE ONE, on Yavin IV, shows all the various spread out fractions finally coming together for this vital mission against the Death Star, and the Mon Cal sitting down must surely be one of the original leaders, before Ackbar.

New Mon Cal hero Admiral Raddus, played by Paul Kasey.

Much to Learn You Still Have: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Mon Calamari | StarWars.com

Is Admiral Ackbar's Mon Calamari Cruiser Returning in Rogue One?

CLASSIC IMAGE: REBEL ASSEMBLY!

The gang's all here again, part of the bigger, better armed Rebel fleet of determined men, women and aliens, getting ready to discuss their attack on the new Death Star, during a critical scene in RETURN OF THE JEDI.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FISHY HEROISM!

He was at the centre of the leadership of the Rebellion against the Empire, and now plays a vital part in the subsequent battle against the emergent First Order: Mon Calamari icon Admiral Ackbar and a few of his lieutenants pose for a RETURN OF THE JEDI publicity picture circa 1982.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO was sorry to hear of the recent passing of Ackbar voice actor Erik Bauersfield, who recently returned, along with Tim Rose, to bring the character back to life for THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Erik Bauersfeld Dead: Admiral Ackbar Voice Actor Was 93 - Hollywood Reporter
2015 interview: Erik Bauersfeld: The Voice behind Admiral Ackbar - YouTube

With thanks to Chris Baker

CLASSIC IMAGE: FISH OUT OF WATER!

Bold tactician and fiery leader Admiral Ackbar gives the orders, as Mon Calamari aides monitor the battle over Endor, in this early image showcasing the character and his race (originally to have emanated from the planet Dac) in a 1982 issue of the Bantha Tracks newsletter.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FISHY FINE DETAILS...

Inside the bulky Mon Calamari costume, actor/puppeteer Tim Rose delivers important dialogue as Rebel leader Admiral Ackbar, during Elstree filming of February 1982, for RETURN OF THE JEDI.

He went to make an appearance in THE CLONE WARS, and here's hoping old Acky returns for more hand gesticulating, plan-making Republic-dom for EPISODE VII.

ROTJ AT 30: IT'S DO-OR-DIE TIME

Inside the briefing room of the huge Base One cruiser, the Rebel leaders (including Admiral Ackbar, General Madine and Mon Mothma) outline their plans for the final, decisive battle against the Empire at Endor, in a critical scene from Return of the Jedi.

The of its time, deliberately scratched by Lucasfilm reference image for KENNER comes via The Earth Collectible Toy Mall site.

ROTJ AT 30: FISH FINGERS!

A worthy successor to the late Ray Harryhausen with his own pioneering stop-motion work- Go Motion- for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI, Phil Tippett adds some spray details to the numerous Mon Calamari masks at the ILM Creature Shop in San Francisco, specially activated on George Lucas's requests in 1981 for the huge amount of monsters needed for a film project once known as REVENGE OF THE JEDI.

THE LIFE AQUATIC: THE REAL ADMIRAL ACKBAR SPEAKS!

Iconic Rebel Alliance hero Admiral Ackbar of the Mon Calamari has had a very good 12 months, what with his appearance in the epic four-part story arc that was the CLONE WARS adventure Water War, and as a comedian in fun spoofs like ROBOT CHICKEN. His classic line, "It's a Trap!", has now become legendary, too.

Operated as a puppet by Tim Rose on the Elstree sets of England during February 1982, the final voice of the character in 1982/83 post-producion was ultimately provided by actor/academic Erik Bauersfeld. Check out this recent interview that he did for the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: Being Admiral Ackbar: Berkeley man reflects on brush with “Star Wars” | The Big Event | an SFGate.com blog, in which he talks about how he got the role of Ackbar and the legacy of playing the part (as well as voicing Bob Fortuna and being a voice test candidate for ESB's Yoda when it wasn't confirmed that Frank Oz would be doing the final voice).

With thanks to the OFFICIAL STARWARS.COM site for the heads-up...

COMING SOON: "THE CLONE WARS" - "WATER WAR"!

Aside from the Blu-rays, there's also the excitement of the US CARTOON NETWORK's September 16th premiere of Season 4 of THE CLONE WARS, with the episode Water War, which, taking place within the waters of Mon Calamari, features our heroes Anakin, Padme and Ahsoka teaming up with Captain Ackbar, and looks set to be another action packed, jaw dropping animation spectacular!

Here's a new trailer I hadn't seen before for Season Four: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 4 Trailer Teletoon - YouTube

CLASSIC IMAGE: ON ACKBAR'S WATCH

On the top deck command bridge of the immense Rebel Cruiser Home One, the skilled Mon Calamari tactician Admiral Ackbar, as voiced by the multi-talented Tim Rose, overseas the upcoming attack on the Death Star II.

OLD FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES. "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON FOUR

A young Admiral Ackbar, joined with Ahsoka, leads his underwater forces into battle. 

Anakin captured by Dooku!

Padme (in her EPISODE ONE Naboo battle outfit) to the rescue?

Dooku wants revenge on Naboo and the Senator.

The battle re-joined. Anakin versus Dooku part three.

The attack on Naboo continues as the Gungans and Captain Tarpals (?) takes on Grievous... 

And it looks like the General may get his butt kicked!

A mighty space battle above Naboo.

Another dangerous mission to come for our Clone Trooper heroes...

And Rex takes on a dangerous new opponent.

MONSTER AUCTION!

My good buddy Chris Baker recently got in touch with me on an event from last year that I wasn't previously aware of, and which I thought I'd pass the info and photos on. Here's what he said:

“These (attached) images are from a PIH Hollywood Auction Catalog I found online yesterday. The Auction actually happened back on December 17 & 18th of 2010, from the Saban Theatre in Beverley Hills. Phil Tippett added several pieces from his personal collection, These are the 'SW' ones from his lot

 

... wish I had a few extra hundred thousand just sitting around (lol)

    

(the images-click to blow up for more detail and caption info- are numbered in the order they were presented in the catalogue)”

Thanks for the info, Chris.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: CALAMARI BUDDIES!

ILM technician/creature shop maker Kirk Thatcher (later to be well known to STAR TREK fans as the punk rocker nerve pinched by Spock in STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME) poses with some well-known friends at the US workshop in late 1981/early 1982 prior to the upcoming filming of REVENGE OF THE JEDI.