CLASSIC IMAGE: 'IT'S TOO LATE!'

As Han Solo generates continued cover fire, knowing that the Death Star hangar bay will soon be full of Imperial troops if they don't escape soon, Princess Leia tries to snap Luke Skywalker out of his violence with the loss of Ben Kenobi, in this great rare-ish rehearsal image from the original Star Wars.

CLASSIC INDY: AN 'INTOLERABLE' SITUATION!

They've been captured by those damn Nazis, betrayed by a once friend, and now imprisoned in a castle on the Austrian border, where they soon find themselves in an inferno. But through it all, Indiana Jones and his 'dad' will get through such hardship via the pure cinematic adventure and humour that is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!

CLASSIC IMAGE: TO PREVENT A TRAP!

A Wookiee's belly never stops being hungry, resulting in Chewbacca, and the leaders of the Rebels' small  band of heroes newly arrived on on Endor, into an archaic but nonetheless totally effective trap, despite a too late warning from Luke Skywalker, during a fun moment from Return of the Jedi.

CLASSIC IMAGE: INTO THE CELL BAY!

"This is not gonna work!"

Now disguised as Imperial Stormtroopers, Luke's plan to rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star Cell Bay begins, much to the weary chagrin of Han Solo, in a classic scene of humour from the original Star Wars.

Some of the dialogue scenes linked to the Cell Block would be improvised or enhanced by Hamill and Ford during May 1976 filming.

CLASSIC INDY: INDY vs MOLA!

It's the greatest fight for survival ever for our intrepid hero Indiana Jones as he takes on the remaining warriors of the horrific Thuggee Cult and their brutal, terrifying leader Mola Ram, possessed with devilish powers. It's action and excitement all the way high above the Pankot landscape, and across a rickety rope bridge, no less! 

Another classic sequence from the under-appreciated Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

EPISODE VII: WHO'S PILOTING THIS SHIP?!

He's finally found his beloved, prior stolen Millennium Falcon, now legendary star pilot Han Solo has to get used to the two interlopers who have been stowed aboard with his discovery in Rey and Finn, and get used to the fact that he has a second mate in the cockpit who isn't currently Chewie, in a fun scene between Daisy Ridley and Harrison Ford from The Force Awakens.

CLASSIC INDY: FIRE FIGHTING!

Indy's rescue of Marion Ravenwood within her Tibetan-based bar turned inferno soon sees him face off against a dangerous force of Nazi acolytes (including regular stuntman Pat Roach as a brutal Mongolian) intent on murdering him without compunction. Cue breathless action, violence and humour as only a classic Indiana Jones movie like Raiders of the Lost Ark can deliver!

CLASSIC IMAGE: FAST ESCAPE!

The time is now for Han Solo and Chewbacca, inside one of the main forward hangars, to join Luke and Leia in boarding the grounded Falcon and finally escape the Death Star. But at what cost have the nearby Stormtroopers been distracted from guarding the pirate ship?

A classic moment superbly captured by the original Star Wars lensman John Jay, as seen in The Making of Star Wars TV documentary of 1977.

On set photographer John Jay captures the classic image during filming at Elstree circa June 1976.

'THE FORCE AWAKENS' AT 10: "CHEWIE, WE'RE HOME!"

A great posed publicity image of Ford as Solo (with Joonas Suotamo as Chewie) on the Falcon set during his first memorable day of filming, prior to unfortunate injuries sustained, at Pinewood Studios.

Unhappy with his character of Han Solo's ultimate contribution to the conclusion of the middle Star Wars saga with Return of the Jedi, I, and I'm sure millions of other fans worldwide back in 1983, were surely convinced that Harrison Ford's involvement with the franchise would be over for good, and that he no longer needed the character of the iconic smuggler to further his already successful career. So what an incredible and joyous surprise it was in 2014 that Ford would return one last time to play Han Solo for The Force Awakens, helping to launch a new trio of saga heroes, and brought back in part due to his prior association with the new film's director J. J. Abrams (the energetic talent who had written his popular 90's drama Regarding Henry) and the intriguing but no less upsetting idea of killing Solo off (which Lucas refused to do back in 1982), slain by his own son, and ultimately bringing-in character closure for the actor. And, of course there was the huge paycheck that would keep Ford in enthused aeroplane flying and fuelling for a good few years to come...

Conferring on an ultimately deleted scene with J.J. Abrams.

Who can ever forget seeing the second trailer for The Force Awakens and hearing the resounding, booming fan cheers when the first footage of Solo and Chewbacca together was shown for the first time... "Chewie.... we're home!" 

Han is soon impressed with the skills of the young Rey.

Han and Chewie on Takodana.

Finn helps his new friends load bombs as they ready to journey to Starkiller Base.

With new friends Rey and Finn on a mission at the dreaded Starkiller Base.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: INTRODUCING LANDO... KADAR?!

Super-smooth, with a smile like a supernova: introducing Billy Dee Williams as Baron Lando Calrissian, leader of Bespin's Cloud City realm. 

“He’s a very charming, cavalier, roguish character- he’s very much like Han. I think the difference between them is that Han in a pinch will use his guns and Lando will charm his way out of a situation.”

Billy Dee Williams interview - Starlog magazine - 1980

Originally starring life in George Lucas's storyline for Star Wars II as Lando Kadar, the Baron Administrator of Cloud City was originally a tougher, though charismatic, rival to Han Solo in many ways, of which respected actor Yaphet Kotto, who has just finished playing one of the lead parts in Fox’s other sci-fi hit then currently in 1978 production, Alien, is offered the role. Kotto turns Lando down, allegedly because of typecasting worries in the sci-fi genre - that it might be difficult for him to find work afterwards. 

"How ya doin' you old pirate?!" A warm greeting for Lando's old rival, Han Solo, at Cloud City.

With Lando beginning to evolve a few months later into a smoother type of character to the one previously created (soon conceived as an alternate version of what Han would be like had he not hooked up with the Rebellion), Lucas and Kershner look towards a different type of actor for the role. Billy Dee Williams, born and raised in New York City, where he studied at the Actors Workshop under the tutelage of Paul Mann (before receiving a scholarship to the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design, where he won many awards, including the Hallgarten award for painting - an interest which he continues with to this day, alongside his acting), is soon right at the top of Irvin Kershner’s thoughts to play the new Lando (the actor having also been considered at one point to play Han Solo back in George Lucas’s 1975’s screen tests - the young Lucas prior impressed with his performance alongside Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues), seeing so many of Calrissian’s charming, adventurous traits in the actor. Visiting Williams at his US home, Kershner, after several hours discussing numerous topics (including European-Western philosophy) tells Billy Dee about the role and offers it to him, without the need for a screen test. Instantly falling in love with the name Lando Calrissian (a surname which is actually of American origin), and liking his character description, Williams accepts the role and will soon be on his way to London for costume tests and filming (though given an incomplete script at that time) by April 1979.

Interviewed in the Star Wars Office at Elstree Studios by French cameraman/interviewer Michel Parbot, for documentary/publicity footage. 

The first officially released photo of Billy Dee Williams as Lando, from the first teaser trailer for TESB. Image composition: Chris Baker.

Early costume concept for Lando Kadar by Ralph McQuarrie, back when Yaphet Kotto was originally being considered for the role in 1978.

Various early costume designs by John Mollo, as showcased by Star Wars Insider magazine back in 2020.

The striking TESB posed cover for Williams' acclaimed autobiography from a few years ago.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: THE KISS, AND THE SECOND ONE TOO...

She has seemingly resisted his charms with biting come backs and an aggressive air, but now, seeking refuge inside a massive asteroid whilst repairing the damaged Millennium Falcon, Princess Leia Organs can't help but start falling in love with that charming scoundrel Han Solo... 

The Scoundrel and the Princess...

The scene in rehearsal. Note Anthony Daniels only in the required top half of his costume for one take/angle.

"It's like in the 1930's films with Fred and Ginger fighting up to the last reel. It's Bogart and Bacall, Tracey and Hepburn. It's two independent people, quarrelling and fighting, and then they neck. That's what it is. It's romance in celluloid. Seriously though, I believe both characters are far more dimensional in The Empire Strikes Back..."

Carrie Fisher on Han Solo and Princess Leia - interviewed by Alan Arnold, Unit Publicist - 1979

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: GOING SOLO IN NORWAY!

He hadn't yet landed the role of the devil may care Indiana Jones, but Harrison Ford was certainly doing some globe-trotting of his own with The Empire Strikes Back, swiftly dispatched from Elstree to Norway to shoot scenes in real snowy climes, amidst avalanches and dangerous white-outs. Certainly adventures in filming that Ford would never, ever forget.

Filming Han's discovery of the injured Luke, literally shot outside the snowbound hotel at Finse during March, 1979. 

Han checks on Luke's delirious condition.

Han prepares to fire at the Imperial Probe Droid.

Posing for press publicity with Carrie Fisher.

"I hadn't anticipated being there (in Norway) at all. My snow scenes were supposed to be shot at the sound stage at the studio. I had just arrived in England as they left for Norway, and in no time at all, I found myself whisked away to join them in Norway, with no preparation, wearing a costume built for conditions on the stage. Another one of those bizarre life experiences."

Harrison Ford - Bantha Tracks interview - 1980

A CORELLIAN AND A WOOKIEE - FRIENDS TO THE END....

You couldn't get two more loyal to each other friends than the trouble-finding smuggling buddies that are Han Solo and his wookiee compadre Chewbacca. They are potentially in it up their necks with the crime lord Jabba the Hutt by the time of the original Star Wars, but a nice easy charter, and big payment, with a strange old hermit and a callow youth bodes well for their future...

Some nice posed images of Han Solo and Harrison Ford taken during filming in London for the original movie back in mid 1976. The photographer for this memorable shoot is most likely Brit talent David Steen. 

"I thought it was a real good part - the character (of Han Solo) was humorous and I thought those things in the script that weren't exactly funny probably would be - I thought it was going to be funny. I didn't think it would have such a wide audience. It was just a good part for me!"

Harrison Ford - Bantha Tracks - 1980

"In the tests, he (Chewbacca) looked like a folding chair. At Elstree I just made it a pet relationship. "Look, I've got this huge dog."

Harrison Ford - Film Review magazine Star Wars special - 1997

"He's like a big dog, a dog that's ferocious one moment, and whimperingly docile the next. The character comes off as sweet and charming as the person who was inside him. He (Peter Mayhew) really got into the film. By the end of the picture he was very good."

Harrison Ford - Science Fantasy Film Classics magazine - 1977

"Harrison and I worked well together. He is a wonderful person and a terrific actor; truly professional."

Peter Mayhew - interview quote (unknown source)

GOODBYE, BARRIE HOLLAND...

Barrie Holland, in one of two Imperial roles for Return of the Jedi's filming at Elstree Studios.

Sad news for the end of the year, and the closing celebrations of Return of the Jedi's landmark 30th Anniversary, as the announcement was made today of British background artist legend and cult favourite Barrie Holland's passing, at the age of 85. Holland played the now legendary Jedi Imperial figure Lt. Renz, who captured Han and Leia inside the Imperial Shield Generator bunker on Endor and delivered to them the classic, nay infamous, line that was, "You rebel scum!" Though his voiced line was later dubbed in post production, it was nonetheless a moment that the artiste was thrilled to do and which enjoyed an hilarious on-set response from Harrison Ford in one classic 1982 scene outtake that surfaced onto Blu-ray in 2011. 

Lt. Renz confronts the now captured General Solo and Leia Organa.

Especially a lover of classic films and selected TV, Holland enjoyed his background artist career to the full, and was to appear within a wide variety of classic films made in the UK, including the likes of The Shining, Batman (1989), Chariots of Fire, several James Bond adventures, Superman III and Raiders of the Lost Ark, amongst many other greats. He always enjoyed telling lots of anecdotes to fans about his time in the industry (plus the many luminaries he met along the way) and would certainly be quite the signing attraction of the Official Pix autograph table at the Los Angeles Celebration IV event when making his first surprise convention appearance there in 2007, followed by further success a few months later at London's Celebration Europe, followed by a smaller 2008 German event, Jedi Con, that proved to be enormous fun for fans and guests. Further conventions worldwide would follow for years to come, of which Holland's autograph was always a must-have for fans.

Holland's often-seen portfolio image.

R.I.P., Barrie. If there is indeed a heaven (or Force netherworld), we hope you're having a helluva good time up there chatting with all the classic stars of Hollywood and beyond...

Lieutenant Renz Actor Barrie Holland Dies, Aged 85 - Jedi News

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE RARELY SEEN CAST INTERVIEWS FROM THE ORIGINAL 'STAR WARS'!

A clearly high-as-a-kite Harrison Ford talks to Gary Kurtz on set, of which the substance 'Peridium' is mentioned for space travel. Could this have been a reference to something from an early Star Wars script that the actor may have remembered?

Now available in certain worldwide territories, the exclusive Disney+ documentary Timeless Heroes, dedicated to Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones, had an interesting selection of rare behind the scenes material from the original Star Wars, including some brief, never before seen interview footage of a clearly drugs-high Harrison Ford on the Death Star corridor set at Elstree Studios being interviewed by producer Gary Kurtz, who soon clearly gives up on talking to the bemused actor off camera! This Ford interview, from 16th June 1976, joins the ranks of other Kurtz interviewing/Peter Shillingford directed cast interviews from that period, which also included Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Sir Alec Guinness.

Mark Hamill.

Carrie Fisher.

Sir Alec Guinness.

Preparing to film Ford's interview.

Only the briefest moments/segments of these interviews have ever been released online (one bigger section of Guinness talking was first used in the original The Making of Star Wars TV documentary of 1977), and especially the Carrie Fisher footage, which has still been barely seen. 

A message to Lucasfilm/Disney: Isn't it about time these clearly HD restored gems were finally released to fans to watch and enjoy in their entirety?!

DELETED SCENE: LUKE INSPECTS A Y-WING!

Han and Luke observe the hangar activity and a nearby Y-wing fighter.

Having delivered the Princess to her supporters within the Rebel Alliance on Yavin IV, young Luke Skywalker, perhaps now feeling surplus to requirements with his task accomplished, is easily distracted by the old but impressive X and Y-wing fighters assembled within the Massassi temple, and soon goes to inspect one, watched by Han Solo, in a brief deleted scene moment from the original Star Wars, filmed as part of the first unit on the massive Stage H at Shepperton Studios from the 9th-11th June, 1976. The moment was ultimately replaced with a close-up of Artoo Detoo dismounted from the transport vehicle and with overlaid dialogue about the droid's importance from Princess Leia to General Willard (Eddie Byrne).

The overall set was supplied with 10 British extras dressed as Rebel fighter pilots, 30 as ground technicians, and 10 as Rebel Troopers, most of whom had prior appeared with the prior shooting in May of the film's finale medal ceremony scenes, also captured on Stage H. Mark Hamill had sustained a toe injury at this time of new filming at Shepperton, but was recovering.

Arriving in the Massassi Temple hangar.

General Willard (Eddie Byrne) is pleased and relieved to see Princess Leia again as Han watches and a quiet Luke moves towards the Y-wing.

Luke is distracted as he sees a nearby Y-wing fighter, whilst Han dismounts the travel vehicle.

Han watches Luke examining the Y-wing fighter's energy pod.

Han and Luke by the Y-wing which only had the one pod attachment created in the UK during studio filming, probably singular due to size issues on the soundstage for fighter prop re-positioning camera shots. Whether there was any filmed dialogue between the two characters here is unknown but not an impossibility.

'INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY' - NOW AVAILABLE ON UK HOME MEDIA!

One of the last US poster releases, for Fandango.

The final Indiana Jones film has now arrived on all Home Media formats from December 4th, 2023 - alongside a brand new feature-length documentary on Harrison Ford in Timeless Heroes, airing exclusively on Disney+ - of which I'm sure its fans will be delighted to add it to their collection.

Also airing on Disney+.

Laurent Bouzereau & Jeff Pickett On New Indiana Jones Documentary

These further updates and links conclude Star Wars Aficionado's coverage for The Dial of Destiny.

Indiana Jones 5 Breaks Even at the Box Office

James Mangold Says Harrison Ford Undermines the Tropes of a Scene

'Indiana Jones 5' Director Explains Shia LaBeouf's Absence From Film

Harrison Ford told stunt guys to f*** off on Indiana Jones 5 because he wanted character to look his age | GamesRadar+

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Producer Breaks Down Film's Time Travel

Official site:Indiana Jones (@indianajones) | Instagram

IMAX US poster.

New US Dolby promo poster.

Indiana Jones comes to Disney+.

Now available on 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD.

Get it here:

Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny 4K UHD [Blu-ray] [Region Free]: Amazon.co.uk: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Karen Allen, James Mangold, Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge: DVD & Blu-ray