THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: JOHN KNOLL- THE NEW 'JOHN DOE'!

Filming his scenes presumably on the ILM blue screen stage- John Knoll as Bravo 4.

There are always casualties in any war, and the Battle of Naboo is no exception, especially among the human pilots of Bravo Squadron. The first onscreen death belongs to Bravo 4 pilot: Lt. Rya Kirsch, played by a familiar face to all fans of the behind the scenes team that would bring the modern Star Wars films to life: Effects supervisor and all-round genius John Knoll, clearly loving his 'John Doe- cameo role experience!

With goggles on, as briefly seen in the movie.

"I'm holding out for an action figure. The exploding fighter set."

John Knoll - Empire magazine - 1999

Bravo 4 bites the dust in spectacular fashion.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DROID CONTINUITY!

Image by Keith Hamshere.

Always the most important element in bringing the iconic Artoo Detoo to life in the saga, Kenny Baker made a welcome return to EPISODE I, operating it once again and also being on hand to watch and give potential advice linked to the important three-legged electro-mechanical remote controlled versions newly built for the film, as seen here on set in 1997, watching the practice of a unit. Behind Baker are stand-ins Ray Griffith (left) and Gavin Hale, for Jake Lloyd and Liam Neeson.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: HOLD ON TIGHT, JAR JAR!

Obi-Wan finally thinks he's found a place for Jar Jar Binks to 'stay out of trouble', but trouble nonetheless manages to find its way to Jar Jar inside the droid hold area of the Naboo Royal Cruiser, the vessel soon under enemy attack. In a deleted moment, the ship is hit by enemy fire and goes into a spin, briefly sending Jar Jar into a dizzy spell. This would have taken place just before the Astro Droids (including Artoo Detoo) rapidly depart to the ship's exterior, so as to repair the damaged shield generator.

A good look at the Naboo Royal Cruiser's Astro Droid workforce.

CLASSIC IMAGE: MAKING PLANS!

The presence of General Grievous on Utapau has been confirmed, and now Obi-Wan Kenobi, with the aid of his current droid, make plans for the upcoming attack on the enemy stronghold located at the upper levels within Tipocca City. Another memorable image from EPISODE III.

BEHIND THE SCENES: HERO FROM THE HOLD!

Whatever the obstacles, whatever the dangers, you can always rely on that lovable hero Astro Droid R2-D2 to come and save the day (and deservedly win a cheer from the audience), as seen here in his Prequel 'introduction' of EPISODE I, within the Naboo Royal Cruiser hold. These scenes were shot at Leavesden Studios, London with the three-legged remote control version of the beloved character, though Kenny Baker would also be back in the two-legged construction.

BEHIND THE SCENES: RACING FOR DEPARTURE!

On the EPISODE I Theed hangar bay set at Leavesden Studios in Summer 1997, George Lucas and the film crew get set up for a scene involving Jake Lloyd and Celia Imrie (as fighter pilot Bravo Four) rushing to her ship with her trusty Astro Droid, as the Battle for Naboo begins. The completed brief scene ultimately ended up being deleted for timing and pace reasons.

EPISODE VIII: DUTIFUL DROIDS!

Loyal droids serving far different kinds of masters - cute BB-8 and shifty BB-9E - pose for a special merchandise/publicity image for The Last Jedi.

Brian Herring, one of the most recognisable faces behind BB-8's functioning, is interviewed:
http://www.starwars.com/news/bb-8-and-porg-puppeteer-brian-herring-on-his-journey-to-the-last-jedi

'STAR WARS' AT 40: ARTOO GETS A NEW FRIEND!

He's always been a rather sociable little Astro Droid with human 'friends', but Artoo Detoo is also a big hit with other droids of his ilk, as seen here in the Rebel briefing room on Yavin IV. I always thought this scene was very cute in the film- Artoo's got an admirer! One of those little editorial touches that makes the film such a continued and memorable standout.

Presumably, the other droid here was one of John Stears refurbished/repainted Artoo's from previous filming at Elstree. Whether it was operated by someone, or by remote control, is unknown.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FIGHT-BACK!

In the Theed City hangar on Naboo, Queen Amidala's loyal troopers, and members of an established resistance cell, gather together to take the fight back to the Trade Federation, in this action scene from EPISODE I.

EPISODE VII: THE ONE TRUE ARTOO!

He may not have been able to participate in playing Artoo Detoo this time around like he did nineteen years ago for EPISODE I, but actor/comedian/entertainer and all-round nice guy Kenny Baker remains an important and vital part of this new sequel universe unfolding, becoming the definitive R2-D2 consultant for his silver droid friend/persona during THE FORCE AWAKENS. Here's hoping the proper photo shoot taken here, seen in behind the scenes footage, gets an eventual release on the official STAR WARS site.

CLASSIC IMAGE: JAR JAR MEETS THE DROIDS!

As the damage alarms sound on the Naboo Royal Cruiser- the vessel hit by Trade Federation blockade laser fire - the curious Jar Jar Binks (here played in human form by Ahmed Best) encounters Artoo Detoo and other worker Astro Droids, in this scene from EPISODE I.

DELETED SCENE: SHADOWED BY A DARK LORD...

In one of the vast Death Star corridors, Vader stalks an old foe...

'STAR WARS' FOURTH REVISED DRAFT: 19th April, 1976

Scene 111: INT. DEATH STAR- NARROW PASSAGEWAY

Ben hides in the shadows of a narrow passageway as twenty or thirty stormtroopers * rush past him in the main hallway. He checks to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.

* Denotes change to six Stormtroopers- this is confirmed in Ann Skinner's continuity script and a scene marked colour Polaroid of the Stormtroopers on-set, within the BFI SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.

FROM 'THE ART OF 'STAR WARS'' BOOK 1978 MOVIE SCRIPT/TRANSCRIPT

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR NARROW PASSAGEWAY

Ben hides in the shadows of a narrow passageway as several stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hall in the opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.

Stormtroopers on their way through an arched shield door corridor. This image corresponds to a continuity Polaroid for Scene 111, with the same studio/set lighting.

On the same set, a stealthy Obi-Wan watches them disappear.

Again on that set, a droid (actor unknown) walks past before Vader appears in shot. Image: via STARWARZ.COM. 

Still in the corridor, a shot not in the film, likely linked to Vader catching a glimpse of Kenobi.

Looking at Ann Skinner's Continuity Script from the original 1976 filming, the moment of Vader silently shadowing Kenobi, following on from Ben's evading the Stormtroopers (and still part of Scene 111), was likely filmed, though it never made the finished cut. In STAR WARS post-production editing, several separately filmed sequences/retakes of Kenobi and Vader filmed in the same corridor were changed (a reaction shot of Kenobi was flipped to a different direction), cut, or shifted around across the Death Star interior sequences of the finished movie.

Another great variation image of Kenobi, with the background droid seen with the stormtroopers moving away.

Unless improvised whilst shooting and not listed (unlikely), Vader's sensing the nearby Kenobi (with lightsaber in hand), and the Dark Lord's heavy breathing rate altering as he feels the presence of his old master in the Force, were a clever addition by the film editors and Ben Burtt in post. This scene isn't in the Revised Fourth Draft Script of 19th April 1976, or in the later published script/transcript hybrid version of THE ART OF STAR WARS book. This second sensing by Vader of Kenobi, after the Falcon's tractor beam capture, would cleverly heighten his soon after exchange with Tarkin about the return of his old foe.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI SPECIAL COLLECTIONS for their help and assistance.

THE CLONE WARS: AHSOKA AND THE WOLF!

Dave Filoni once again combines his passions for Wolves and his co-creation (with Lucas) of the heroic young Jedi character of Ahsoka Tano, with a droid or two sprinkled around for extra effect, for this super piece of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS autograph art from the second CELEBRATION EUROPE of a couple of years back.

Recent news reports Stateside are pretty much confirming that Ahsoka will be returning to the animated STAR WARS universe with the second season of REBELS, arriving on the UK's DISNEY XD CHANNEL in a new regular Saturdays 9am time slot, from February 21st. Will she be revealed as the mysterious Rebel sympathiser codenamed Fulcrum?

Other STAR WARS character luminaries returning in key guest star episodes include the return of Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), Governor Tarkin (Stephen Stanton), Yoda (Frank Oz), and at least one more appearance from Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) in the not too distant future, and, in rumours that are gaining some weight, a certain Corellian space smuggler...

Back on UK TV from February 21st, 2015.

EPISODE I AT FIFTEEN: OLD FRIEND, NEW CHALLENGES...

Fresh out of the Droid Pen of Queen Amidala's starship, trusty Astro Droid Artoo Detoo makes his first appearance in the Prequel Trilogy and immediately makes an impact, rushing with his colleagues to the vessel's exterior to save it from blockade laser fire destruction, in a tense and heroic moment from EPISODE I.

I'm sure all of you out there are just as excited as I am to see what adventures both Artoo and Threepio will be getting up to for EPISODE VII.

“I was thrilled (to be on EPISODE I). I had a lot of fun working on the film. Everyone was very excited about doing the movie and they said it was nice to have me back, because I was one of the only people from the original films. Somebody said it was just like STAR WARS again because I was back in the studio. I was the only cast member to reprise his role in the original costume.”

KENNY BAKER - STAR WARS UK FAN CLUB: JEDI JOURNAL MAGAZINE -WINTER 2000/2001

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: INTO THE STARS!

A Naboo pilot and his trusty Astro Droid take to the skies, ready to attack the immense and weapons packed Trade Federation Droid Control Ship, in this specially rendered ILM image for EPISODE I from 1999.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A BAD MOTIVATOR!

At the Lars Homestead, Luke and Threepio watch as the Jawas tend to the smoking, malfunctioning "Red" R5-D4, in a classic scene from STAR WARS. In Brian Daley's radio adaptation of the classic film, it was R2-D2, on his "important mission", who ultimately sabotaged his droid rival in order to be chosen by Luke Skywalker and accompany Threepio.

'THE CLONE WARS' SEASON ONE. AFICIONADO's TOP FIVE EPISODES. NUMBER FOUR - 'DUEL OF THE DROIDS'

The countdown of our top five Season One episodes continues. So many great tales in this premiere year- Rookies, Cloak of Deception and Storm Over Ryloth were hot candidates for our prized number four position, but episode seven of the run, the exciting, gung-ho adventure story in the best STAR WARS tradition: Duel of the Droids, won the day. And here's five reasons why...

1. Artoo the hero. In the previous episode, Downfall of a Droid, our lovable blue lined Astro Droid was having going through hard times: lost in space after fierce battle, taken by a smelly, farting Trandoshan, and now delivered to General Grievous and quickly assembled for the vital information he carries about the Republic's war strategies, but his devoted friend and master Anakin Skywalker never gives up in his search for him, and finally traces his distress signal to his location on the sky world of one of the moons of Ruusan. Liberated by Anakin in a very cool sequence - with dark hints of Darth Vader emerging from him as he declares "Let him go" to the MagnaGuards keeping his pal prisoner- Artoo is soon back to his heroic best and returns the heroic favour in kind, cornering the gold traitor droid R3-S6 in a climactic duel to the death outside the now destructing Separatist base. We've always considered Artoo to have very human qualities, which is why he's so enduring to fans young and old, but his survival instincts prove equally intriguing, shining through in the last few moments during this fats and furious, spectacularly animated section, directed by Rob Bowman, as he has no choice but to cut loose the enemy droid and let him die. There's a hint here that Artoo had a bit of a grudge/dark side moment here, but just a little bit.

Watch out for the quirky synthesiser theme that music composer Kevin Kiner gives Artoo in this two-parter. The droid has never really had a theme before, so it stands out. It's an experiment that's neve  heard again in the series.

2. Arthree the baddie. We're used to the STAR WARS sagas colourful squat Astro Droids being a positive and commonplace force in the galaxy, either piloting alongside our Jedi heroes into dutiful battle, assisting dignitaries and Clone Troopers and generally just generally being there. So when you get  a traitor droid from their ilk-the first we've ever seen in the series- its a great idea and visual opportunity for the writers and production team to grab a hold of. Masking his scheming and loyalty to General Grievous by making it look like he's new to the job- an incompetent and slow creation, Arthree is anything but, more cunning and calculating than a Battle Droid and, like Artoo Detoo, a real box of tricks with his devices. Eventually, finally revealed as a traitor to a gob-smacked Ahsoka, who had earlier pushed so hard for it and its abilities to Anakin as a replacement for Artoo, Goldie's turncoating  on our heroes is finally crowd-pleasingly paid for as Artoo heroically dispatches him into the seemingly endless skies of the Ruusan moon.

Special note to Dave Accord and Matthew Wood on their clever sound design for Arthree, subtly making it stand out as a villains, with a colder personality than a normal Astro Droid.

3. Ahsoka versus Grievous. As our heroes, using the mission cover of destroying the Ruusan moon's enemy base in order to rescue Artoo, are quickly betrayed by "Goldie", headstrong and spirited Padawan Ahsoka Tano takes on lethal Jedi killer General Grievous in an epic lightsaber duel. She's foolish enough to think that she can find a way of dispatching him/it, even though so many other more accomplished and battle seasoned colleagues have already failed. Despite a game effort, she's soon outmatched and has no choice to but to hide in and out of a storage locker area to avoid his grasp, the General almost coming close to choking the life out of her when he finally corners her, and only her lithe, flexible frame and some unorthodox moves save her to live and fight Grievous another day-which she does by the mid-point of Season Five, though now more accomplished, finally getting to tie against the evil lightsaber wielding brute. It may be an early episode in the production run, but Ahsoka is definitely becoming a welcome addition to the STAR WARS saga and shows lot of potential for character growth-a true heroine for female fans young and old, and children in general, whilst Grievous, not previously quite as well used as he could have been in the live-action EPISODE III becomes an even more effective and scary player for chaos causing villainy within the animated medium.

Watch "Duel of the Droids " - The Clone Wars Episode Featurette #1.07 | StarWars.com

4. Captain Rex. Fans love Clones, and they especially love THE CLONE WARS' top-dog, Captain Rex. He's like the Clint Eastwood of the show, often with some of the best lines and some very cool action moments over the years alongside Anakin and Ahsoka. So it's fun when he has a few belittling moments, too, like the way he has to carry "Goldie" on his chest for the heroes secret skydive sequence, much to the merriment of his fellow troopers! Later on, for fans of adrenaline charged battle, he and his men partake in a mission to capture Grievous alongside Ahsoka. It all comes to nought, of course-Grievous is too wily and powerful- but they give it a damned good try!

5.The Russan skyworld. Credit to the designers of this episode for the story's intriguing outdoor locale and the Trade Federation communications/sphere base hanging very Bespin-like in its atmosphere of the Ruusan moon. Very THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and hauntingly eerie- the scenes where our heroes skydive and infiltrate the base is another one of those classic STAR WARS moments full of wonder and danger to come, nicely accomplished by Rob Coleman and his team, backed up with some nice incidental music from Kevin Kilner.

Coming October 15th to UK DVD and Blu-ray: STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - THE COMPLETE SEASONS ONE TO FIVE.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TINY TECHNOLOGICAL TERRORS!

Those lethal little Buzz Droids of the Separatists cause havoc to Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter during the spectacular opening of EPISODE III.

And they're back to cause mayhem to Artoo Detoo and his droid buddies in a new, more younger audience friendly episode of THE CLONE WARS airing today in the US: Point of No Return.

Two Clips from the Next STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS | SciFi Mafia

With thanks to Chris Baker for selected images.

AOTC AT TEN: MESSAGE FROM A JEDI

Ewan McGregor films an important scene in his persona of Obi-Wan Kenobi, as his droid Arfour sends a vital message from the Jedi Knight to Coruscant via Geonosis, in EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, coming back next year to 3D cinemas.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A BOLD LITTLE DROID...

Cut off from Luke Skywalker, a lone Artoo Detoo begins his search for a way to find his master, in a brief deleted scene moment from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

Always a winning character with fans of all ages, Artoo makes a return to THE CLONE WARS for a very special story celebrating his plucky heroism, as he and a group of other Astro Droids become Secret Weapons for the Jedi in order to steal a vitally needed Separatist encryption model, on CARTOON NETWORK in the US later today.

Clip: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 5, Ep. 10 'Secret Weapons' Clip 2 | Video | MTV