AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: CARBON REHEARSAL!

A busy day on the Carbon Freeze Chamber set, what with a huge amount of supporting extras alongside the main cast and a whole host of continuity and filming issues to be handled for each scene filmed within the hot and steamy Elstree Studios environment.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT!

They're hidden deep in the asteroid bolthole, but the TIE Bombers flying over the surface are doing their best to locate the Millennium Falcon. Inside its hold, Threepio and Chewbacca are distracted from their repair work with the worrying closeness of the enemy's explosive charges, of which the droid is then dislodged by unexpected ground tremors. A deleted scene moment.

Han and Leia stop working to hear the bombings overhead,

Publicity images of Leia taken during the sequence.

Threepio and Chewbacca knocked about in a deleted moment shown in an early release trailer.

Star Wars creator George Lucas would be at the studios for the first of three long bouts during the UK filming, offering technical advice and primarily warning Kershner that a lot of the practical effects would likely have problems of the kind he'd originally encountered whilst making the original 1976 movie. Empire has already had worrying outside factors and difficulties hampering its filming schedule, and is several weeks behind and the costs are mounting- a sign of worse problems to come by the summer of 1979. The original UK crew that have been specially requested to return to work on this first sequel are very happy to have Lucas's creative presence back on set.

Lucas would be present for the March 1979 Falcon interior filming, but only acting as an observer for the most part.

Having failed a previous interview with George Lucas to work on Star Wars in 1976, acclaimed British writer/producer/director David Tomblin is recommended to work on TESB by Irvin Kershner, who enjoyed working with the efficient and talented Tomblin during the challenging filming of The Return of A Man Called Horse. Soon enough, Tomblin becomes a vital member of the British Star Wars and Indiana Jones film-making family, and is ultimately highly regarded by Lucas.

Kershner confers with David Tomblin between filming.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: BIG HEROES, SMALL HEROES!

Heroes come in all ages and sizes, as young children from the film's production team (including the family of Gary Kurtz) happily volunteer to play Rebel soldiers for background scenes, primarily to make the Rebel Hangar set look bigger and longer distanced in camera, a trick used in other sci-fi films of the time like the UK-filmed Alien (linked to the Nostromo space vehicle), and Star Trek - The Motion Picture (The Enterprise's vast engine room).

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: 'K' IS FOR KERSHNER!

Irvin Kershner preparing to direct a scene on the Carbon Freezing Chamber set - Summer 1979.

An accomplished and acclaimed directing choice, with an intelligent if eclectic mix of films and TV movie credentials under his belt, Irvin Kershner, who had known producer Gary Kurtz and especially George Lucas since his film school days (via the latter's original award-winning short film of Electronic Labyrinth: THX-1138 4EB), was an inspired choice to handle the first Star Wars sequel. Lucas knew that Kershner had a great visual style and was also very good at bringing necessary depth and dimensions to his storytelling and characters- factors vital to the success of the upcoming The Empire Strikes Back. Though not having much experience in the realms of visual effects, Lucas would be present in his Executive Producer capacity to help Kershner with the new adventure's heavy- duty ILM camera magic requirements. 

Kershner with George Lucas on the Rebel base corridor set- Spring 1979.

Though a big responsibility in the acceptance of such a project (especially as Lucas wanted Empire to launch further sequels), Kershner, having at first turned down the directing offer (worried about the quality of a potentially inferior sequel), but encouraged by his eager son and even more eager agent, would ultimately rise to the challenge, knowing that he would be capably supported by Lucasfilm. After nearly one month of pondering the offer, he'd finally agree to direct,

https://www.starwars.com/news/interviewing-kershner-a-conversation-with-the-director-of-the-empire-strikes-back

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: CHANGING POLITICAL TIDES...

Palpatine's rise to Chancellor nominate and the Queen's steadfast determination to return to Naboo are the key story beats about to be filmed at Leavesden for EPISODE I, as Lucas confers with Natalie Portman and Ian McDiarmid, whilst Hugh Quarshie stays close by his scene position mark.

"George (Lucas) worked with me a lot on my acting, which surprised me because people warned me (that he doesn't actually direct all that much). I don't know where people get that idea.

Although he's a very technical director and he knows that stuff, George has a very widespread talent as a director. He can do everything. He's also really cool about making strong women characters. I don't think he does it consciously. He's the kind of guy who views women as equals and really makes them strong characters in his movies. I was thrilled to get to be the real smart and in-control one, and to kick some butt at the day's end, too."

Natalie Portman - Starlog magazine (1999)

EPISODE VIII: LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP!

Tense times loom for fighter ace Poe Dameron and the leader of whom he has so much respect for- General Leia Organa, as the Resistance decimation by the First Order continues during the troubling dramatic events of The Last Jedi.

Behind the scenes:
ttp://people.com/movies/oscar-isaac-recalls-surreal-experience-of-being-repeatedly-slapped-by-carrie-fisher/

All dances, smiles and kisses off the set for Carrie Fisher and Oscar Isaac, watched by Marilou Hamill.

BEHIND THE SCENES: EMPIRE-MAKERS!

On the Star Destroyer Bridge set at Elstree, circa April 1979, Robert Watts confers with the principal photography team- notably a seated First Assistant Director David Tomblin and opposite him a deep in script/storyboard examination director Irvin Kershner, as The Empire Strikes Back continues filming, and the world awaits their results.

2018 Robert Watts interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uRTQjUdEyg

BEHIND THE SCENES: WHO'S THE BOSS?!

If there's one unique creature in the universe other than a Krayt Dragon capable of keeping the Sandpeople in order, then its their creator George Lucas, posing with two of the armed desert nomads of Tatooine behind the scenes at FOX Studios Australia, in 2000, for Episode II.

BEHIND THE SCENES: CRAMPED RESCUE!

Around July 1979, Billy Dee Williams and Mark Hamill have fun getting ready to film within the Millennium Falcon's outer shell lift, for the final part of Lando's rescue of the battered Luke Skywalker, during lensing of The Empire Strikes Back at Elstree.

THE 'HAN SOLO' MOVIE: LATEST NEWS (AUG 2017)

Image: Ron Howard/TWITTER.

Watching a monitor starring a certai wookiee, a happy Ron Howard looks more comfortable than ever in the director's seat with his takeover of the directorial reins for the Han Solo movie. And who could blame him. Surely, it's one of the best jobs in the world!

Latest news:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/star-wars-han-solo-movie-news-cast-rumors-trailer/

https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2017/08/19/ron-howard-tweets-set-photos-chewbacca/ 

http://screenrant.com/han-solo-movie-emilia-clarke-character-name/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/donald-glover-wrapped-work-han-solo-film/

http://deadline.com/2017/08/michael-k-williams-han-solo-movie-roll-cut-reshoots-1202153750/

UPDATED (SEP 2017)

http://www.empireonline.com/movies/star-wars-group/ron-howard-offers-another-han-solo-spin-tease/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/paul-bettany-part-young-han-solo-film-cast/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/ron-howard-shares-new-set-photo-han-solo-film/

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/ron-howard-posts-shot-intense-action-scene-han-solo-set/

BEHIND THE SCENES: NEW ADVENTURE, NEW WOOKIEE!

At his magical make-up emporium at Elstree Studios in early 1982, the legendary and mush-missed Stuart Freeborn continues his dedicated work for RETURN OF THE JEDI, his production slate ambitious enough with all-new characters like Jabba and the Ewoks, but always making sure he kept his key input into the continued crafting and developing of previously established favourites, as seen here, where he's putting fine detail to the latest wookiee mask for the beloved Chewbacca.

BEHIND THE SCENES: A MULTITUDE OF THREEPIOS!

With so much wear and tear on set, its no surprise that there' would be back-ups of Anthony Daniels Threepio costume, especially his famous visage, as seen here in a behind the scenes shot that we assume comes from the UK 1982 filming of RETURN OF THE JEDI.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: A DROID'S LIFE!

Anthony Daniels often talked about the torture and occasional personal embarrassment of wearing that first uncomfortable Threepio costume on the original STAR WARS. We know how much he really meant it, and can empathise when you see a behind the scenes shot like this: literally having to be carried out and around the stages of Shepperton and Elstree Studios by workmates, either to another set or up the stairs to the dressing room area constantly over three months.

Anthony Daniels STAR WARS interview - YouTube

ROGUE ONE: THE MIGHTY MOUTH!

Fiercely loyal to the Rebellion and a worthy fighter in their battle against the Empire, the reptile-like Pao couldn't be a better or more determined leader of commandos on the beaches of Scarif, in this great shot from ROGUE ONE where he rallies the men with his memorable battle-cry!

BEHIND THE SCENES: ATTACK AND COUNTER-ATTACK!

Watched by George Lucas, some unforeseen and very last minute lightsaber moves are hurriedly choreographed by Nick Gillard for Ian McDiarmid and Samuel L. Jackson, now fighting within the Supreme Chancellor's office set at FOX Studios, Australia, for EPISODE III.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: TIGHTENING THE SEARCH NET!

Filmed as part of a busy day on April 27th, 1976, with scenes set across several Death Star interiors at Elstree Studios, came this ultimately deleted sequence involving an Imperial Commander (Leslie Schofield) informing Darth Vader about the increased volume of Stormtroopers now hunting for the fugitive droids at Mos Eisley spaceport.

Rehearsal image of a cape-less Prowse with Schofield.

BEHIND THE SCENES: NO 'SABER DOUBLE REQUIRED!

At the FOX Studios, Australia, during 2003, a clearly bulked up Hayden Christensen continues his lightsaber duel rehearsals/training with Kyle Rowling, resuming stunt playing of Count Dooku and later General Grievous, as filming of Anakin's heavy duty action work for EPISODE III draws near.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: THE TRANSATLANTIC CANTINA SCENES

Lucas oversees the new Cantina insert filming.

With the UK Cantina set footage not proving as successful as he'd wanted it to be, the necessity of extra filming during post production saw some additional alien creatures photographed and inserted into the final editing, created courtesy of rising star make-up genius Rick Baker and his inspired, youthful team, including the likes of Phil Tippett, Jon Berg and Laine Liska.

Filming on a smooth booth set in a Los Angeles studio in January 1977.

Rare and Wacky Behind-the-Scenes Photos of the... - Gwynne Watkins

http://www.starwars.com/news/much-to-learn-you-still-have-9-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-aliens-of-star-wars-a-new-hope

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE SITH LEAP YEAR!

Garbed as Qui-Gon, stuntman Andrew Lawden looks up as Ray Park launches himself into another spectacular feat of aerobatics as the demonic Darth Maul, in this great image filmed on location in Tunisia for EPISODE I.

ROGUE ONE: CAPTURING A HEROINE!

The beauty of Felicity Jones and the resilience of Jyn Erso is well captured in ROGUE ONE, as the actress poses for the camera- either a costume reference test or a moment linked to a specific scene. Alongside Gareth Edwards fine direction, Greig Fraser's photography on the film was gritty and atmospheric yet kept the STAR WARS flavour firmly intact.

Find out more about the film's cinematography with the new issue of AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER, out now: Go Rogue with the February Issue of AC - ASC News