'STAR WARS' AT 45: MARDJI AND THE TUSKENS!

Bob Spiker would ride Mardji the Asian Elephant in his role as a Tusken Raider.

There's an old saying out there that Elephants never forget, and I don't think the late, great female Asian Elephant called Mardji, of California's Marine World Africa USA Amusement Park, would certainly have ever forgotten her iconic role in the original Star Wars, playing a Bantha creature during last-minute additional Tatooine sequences, filmed by George Lucas and a small unit at Death Valley, California in January, 1977, featuring those fearsome desert nomads, the Tusken Raiders (aka Sandpeople), with their unique beasts of burden.

Alan Fernandes, also playing a Tusken.

ILM veteran Doug Beswick with the then 22 year old Mardji.

Carroll Ballard and Lucas prepare for filming.

https://skywalkingthroughneverland.com/meet-alan-fernandes-the-tusken-raider/

Mardji with the Bantha 'costume' at Marine World Africa USA.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: TATOOINE TOUCHDOWN

The hyperdrive damaged Naboo Royal Cruiser touches down on the outskirts of Tatooine's Mos Espa city. A new adventure awaits our heroes as they search for replacement hyperdrive- a search within a hostile wilderness, with an also hostile populace of sorts.

In the wilderness, and in the company of a Bantha colony, as seen in the first EPISODE I trailer of 1998.

A classy effects shot containing model miniatures, miniature background and an exterior plate shot in Tunisia in 1997.

The model as seen on the roof of the ILM building in 1998.

The main ramp would also be built as a scaffold set at Tunisia for live action filming matched with the model.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: BANTHA MAKE-OVER!

Based at the Marine World Africa Zoo in California, the adaptable Mardji the Elephant gets a makeover she surely never expected, costume decorated to become a horned Bantha creature for Sandpeople-related extra scenes needed for post production insertion in the original Star Wars- circa January 1977, filmed at Death Valley, and a small unit by George Lucas. According to producer Gary Kurtz, it would take six weeks for Mardji to become used to wearing the costume. Lucas would enjoy watching the playful Mardi loving the outdoor environment during the eventual filming.

As Mardji appeared in the film- a still linked to the film's international release.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: WHEN SANDPEOPLE ATTACK!

Artoo has finally been found and his Tatooine walkabout temporarily ceased, but Luke Skywalker's curiosity about some nearby nomadic Sandpeople gets the worst of him, as the creatures make a vicious surprise attack on both Luke and a shocked Threepio- a scene well depicted on the cover of the second issue of the UK's STAR WARS WEEKLY comic, from February 1978.

Episode Nothing: Star Wars in the 1970s: Looking back at Star Wars Weekly – issue 2

CLASSIC ART: TRAIL OF THE BANTHAS

When it comes to travelling and enduring the harsh but beautiful desert realms of Tatooine, there's no better creature to utilize in your endeavours than a Bantha, best known in their use by those fearsome Tusken Raiders, but also by other less dangerous, if somewhat shady, residents of the planet, like those assembled here in this lovely art by the legendary Ralph McQuarrie, part of his last major creative endeavours for the STAR WARS Classic Trilogy, well paired with author Kevin J. Anderson's talents, for THE ILLUSTRATED STAR WARS UNIVERSE book, now celebrating its landmark, acclaimed 20th Anniversary this month.

Dreams given form for EPISODE VII.

With the McQuarrie still making an impact in the animated and filmic realms, its nice to see that the distinctive bridge entrance gate here will be appearing on Jakku for THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Ralph McQuarrie's Del Rey Star Wars Covers | StarWars.com
The Del Rey Star Wars Covers of Ralph McQuarrie, Part 2 | StarWars.com
The Del Rey Star Wars Covers of Ralph McQuarrie, Part 3 | StarWars.com

STAR WARS AT 35: TUSKEN TRAVELER!

A lone Tusken Raider atop his Bantha travels the Jundland Wastes in this very rare image taken on location in Death Valley, California for shooting of extra footage in 1977 for the original STAR WARS.

Banthas: From Concept to Screen | StarWars.com

SPECIAL EDITION CLASSIC IMAGE: BANTHA TREK!

Our celebration of great scenes/imagery from THE SPECIAL EDITIONs continues with this fun shot from RETURN OF THE JEDI showing a Bantha herd in its natural habitat within the Dune Sea prior to Jabba's Sail Barge being seen heading to the Pit of Carkoon. It's a lovely little moment/add on to the film which shows us a bit more of these intriguing creatures, often used for transport by Sandpeople, as well as adding another bit of evocative mystery and beauty to the landscape of Tatooine.