BEHIND THE SCENES: A BOY'S FASCINATION...

Ever fascinated with the worlds of film-making and Star Wars, young Jake Lloyd clearly had a blast working on EPISODE I, seen here in the desert of Tunisia with a background street prop worker droid during filming of the Mos Espa scenes during mid-1997.

In recent years, Jake has been through some tough personal life/health struggles, for which we at Star Wars Aficionado send our best wishes and support to him and his family for better times ahead...

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/jake-lloyd-update-and-statement-from-family/

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.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: NEW DROID ON THE BLOCK!

UK Assistant Creatures Designer John Fensom gets to discover what it was like for Anthony Daniels inside his Threepio costume when slipping inside the uncomfortable guise of Trade Federation Protocol Droid TC-14 (voiced with a polite American accent in post production by respected UK actress Lindsay Duncan). During the Leavesden Studios filming, Fensom would also provide various camera lighting stand-in duties for some of the EPISODE I cast.

TC-14 greets the Jedi 'Ambassadors' on their arrival in the Trade Federation battleship.

EP VIII: ROUNDY'S RETURN!

From breaking out jailed heroes to saving human buddy Poe Dameron, then formidably controlling an AT-ST Walker into battle, ever-lovable, ever-cute BB-8's scene-stealing talents continued to an even greater degree during events of  The Last Jedi. 'Roundy' even got to utter a now classic STAR WARS line:

comicbook.com/starwars/2017/12/16/star-wars-the-last-jedi-bb8-i-have-a-bad-feeling-about-this/

He's now a unique culinary cover star, too - for an all-new family breakfast cookbook linked to the heroes of the new sequel trilogy, part of Chronicle Books' continuing SW themed series:

Out now, here's the info:

Awaken your inner Force with 29 intergalactic breakfast recipes. Fuel up with Hans Soloatmeal, battle hunger with Admiral Ackbars, and so much more! These easy-to-make, mouthwatering recipes feature characters and scenes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as from the upcoming film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. And photographs featuring Star Wars figurines re-creating epic moments from the films provide an extra helping of humour.

Recipes include: 

C-3PO at Pancakes

Parfait de Resistance

Maz Kanata Frittata

Luggabeast of a Quiche

Reysin Bread

Breakfast Poe’Boy

Kanjiklub Sandwiches

Breakfast Tako-danas

Get The Star Wars Cookbook here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Cookbook-BB-Ate-Breakfast/dp/1452162980/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519042742&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+cookbook 

CLASSIC IMAGE: OUT OF HIS SHELL!

With his friend and showbusiness partner Kenny Baker inside the slow moving shell of Artoo, that other member of the distinctive The Mini-Tones comedy entertainment duo, the ever-lively and consistently amusing Jack Purvis, was equally busy on STAR WARS right across its duration during filming at Tunisia and in London, playing a wide variety of roles that his smaller height made him the perfect fit for- from being the crafty Chief of the Jawas to inhabiting a wide variety of different shaped and sized background droids on Tatooine and the Death Star. Much liked by the cast and crew for his amiability in the face of often uncomfortable conditions, Purvis' contribution in helping create a believable filmic fantasy universe shouldn't be underestimated.

Mark Hamill's affectionate anecdote about Purvis (from around the six minute mark onwards): 'Star Wars': The Line Mark Hamill "Begged" George Lucas To Remove | Hollywood Reporter

CLASSIC IMAGE: NOT ONE OF THE FRIENDLY DROIDS!

Voiced in post production by Richard Marquand, Jabba's imposing female droid pit boss, EV-9D9, looks down towards that feisty little Artoo Detoo- ready to assign him work on his master's sail barge in these reference images sent to KENNER TOYS back in 1982 for RETURN OF THE JEDI. A similar colour version of the above top shot would be used on the cover to the final action figure.

EPISODE VII: LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER!

General Leia Organa and Lieutenant Connix with communications droid PZ-4CO, within the D'Qar Resistance base.

Carrie Fisher remains the defining heroine of the STAR WARS saga as Princess, now General, Leia Organa, but that doesn't mean her daughter Billie Lourd can't also enjoy some of the action against the dreaded First Order, too, playing the spunky Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix, a soldier and technician at the D'Qar Resistance Base, who also travels to Takodana to aid in the rescue of Han Solo and friends, during the final act of THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Billie Lourd in a character promotional image for THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Connix is seen briefly with the Resistance's arrival on Takodana.

Working at communications with PZ-4CO.

TOPPS electronic card for the character.

Lourd and Connix will be returning to duty for the upcoming EPISODE VIII, in a surely expanded role.

ROGUE ONE: THE ANTI-THREEPIO!

A STAR WARS film without a lead droid just wouldn't be the same, would it? And with ROGUE ONE, the storytellers are going for something a little different but no less memorable with the seven-foot electronic creation that will be helping Jyn Erso and her commando squad infiltrate the enemy enclaves of Scarif: the former Imperial droid newly programmed with unexpected attitude and glib comebacks, often to his true friend in Captain Cassian Andor- the tall and bulky K-2SO, whom we're sure, thanks to great CGI and sci-fi genre favourite Alan Tudkyk, will be a scene stealer and action hero in his own right.

Interestingly, having prior chatted with director Gareth Edwards on Zoom about the character, thinking he was only being contacted for advice on how the droid should be created and played after impressively having played a lead artificial role in the hit Will Smith sci-fi actioner I, Robot, Tudyk discovered he had the part of K2 whilst attending one of the Los Angeles Celebration events, under invite from Edwards, who was about to officially launch Rogue One to fans/the public. 

Rogue One: Alan Tudyk reveals the accent and origin story of K-2SO | EW.com
Alan Tudyk Rogue One Panel Interview - Star Wars Celebration 2016 - YouTube
Star Wars Celebration - Alan Tudyk - Rogue One - YouTube

EPISODE I AT FIFTEEN: A DROID IS BORN!

For several months in the Summer of 1997 he'd been quiet about his involvement, but fans were nostalgically thrilled and delighted when the official news eventually, ultimately came through confirming that Anthony Daniels would return to the STAR WARS universe to play fussy but lovable droid C-3PO, if only at first in a vocal role, and additionally in all-new and surprising origins, for the upcoming EPISODE I.

Anthony Daniels talks Threepio past, present and future in a new interview: Anthony Daniels definitive 'Star Wars' interview | Inside TV | EW.com

AOTC AT TEN: WHERE YOU GO, I GO...

Anthony Daniels, back in costume as C-3PO, and with packing case (someone's gotta carry Padme's wardrobe!), with the remote controlled Artoo not far behind, make their way to Padme's cruiser in this (we assume) deleted scene shot on location in Tunisia, at the Lars Homestead recreation, for EPISODE II in 2000.

THE CLONE WARS SEASON FOUR: "MERCY MISSION"

Those loveable and unique droid heroes Artoo Detoo and See-Threepio are in it up to their necks again with regards to danger and comedy in the upcoming Season Four episode MERCY MISSION, when, with the Clone Troopers (led by Commander Wolf), they try to help the planet Aleen from an environmental disaster...

Trailer: StarWars.com | Mercy Mission

Check out this great behind the scenes feature on the making of the show, from TIME KIDS, here:
TFK & Star Wars: The Clone Wars - YouTube

Still no news as to when these new episodes will be hitting UK shores for official first run screenings, but when I know you'll know. To compensate for this sad state of affairs, you'd think in the meantime that STARWARS.COM would at least let UK viewers access the new episodes on their web site, even if only for a limited period!

CLASSIC IMAGE: USED DROIDS FOR SALE!

Outside on the vast landscape plains of the Owen Lars moisture farm/household, those pesky but lovable Jawas begin to gather their odds and ends droids for possible sale, including two recent acquisitions: See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo!

Truly another magical scene from the original STAR WARS!

CLASSIC IMAGE: A SHOULDER TO MOAN ON!

The battle damaged golden shell of See-Threepio rests uncomfortably on Chewbacca's furry back-an unlikely duo unique to STAR WARS- as they race to the Bespin landing pad sheltering Boba Fett's about to depart Slave One craft, in this classic race against time moment of comedy and suspense from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FRIENDS LOST AND FOUND!

Searching the dark and smelly recesses of the Jawa Sandcrawler, littered with droids old and new in various working and non-working states, C-3PO is finally re-united with his loyal Astro Droid chum Artoo Detoo in a great moment from STAR WARS.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: Y-WING CLOSE-UP!

Here's a great scale reference photo from ILM for the iconic Y-wing fighter seen in Death Star trench running action from the original STAR WARS filming of 1976/77. Note the tremendous model kit detail on the craft. Love the little Astro droid companion!

CLASSIC IMAGE: DROID TESTING

Here's some fun late 1975 (?) screen grabs of behind the scenes footage, presumably shot at ELSTREE, of UK practical special effects co-ordinator John Stears (the Oscar winning technician behind the early James Bond movies, I might add!) and George Lucas testing the droids that will eventually be used for upcoming filming for the STAR WARS Jawa droid sale in Tunisia in March 1976 and then through various scenes at ELSTREE afterwards.

The footage also shows an early test for a silver Artoo Detoo (there's someone in it who looks like hes wearing some kind of protective nappy?!) - we're not sure if its Kenny Baker in Artoo or not during this screen test filming (credited to Gilbert Taylor, about to finish his director of photography work on Richard Donner's horror film THE OMEN). Not all of the droids that Stears and his team constructed for filming, many of which would be re-painted and re-dressed over five months, actually made it into the finished movie-it would be intriguing to see the stills or deleted footage of those lost droids...

A selection of John Stears droid creations on the Death Star hangar set during early Summer 1976 (note the left middle Treadwell used for the deleted Tunisia scene with Mark Hamill).