CLASSIC IMAGE: WHICH ONE'S THE DECOY?

Though captured by the Neimoidians, the tide of battle and potential victory is turning back into Queen Amidala's favour with the unexpected arrival of her decoy, in another great moment from the Battle of Naboo sequence for EPISODE I. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: NO HIDING PLACE?

Within the compact bridge of the damaged Naboo Royal Cruiser, a worried Captain Panaka, having witnessed his party barely escape the Trade Federation blockade, is worried about the Jedi's in-hiding destination for the Queen, in a tense moment from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ROYAL PROTECTORS!

Loyal as ever, Captain Panaka (Hugh Quarshie) and his elite, skilled guard force are ready to do their Queen's bidding during the Battle for Naboo, as EPISODE I nears its action-packed conclusion.

Find out more about the original invasion and battle of Naboo this summer, with the eagerly awaited second book in the Padme Amidala/Handmaidens saga by E.K. Johnston: Queen's Peril, published in the UK by Egmont.

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Queens-Peril-Emily-Johnston/dp/1368057144/ref=sr_1_1?crid=161LMUOLXU7C2&keywords=star+wars+queens+peril&qid=1583333918&sprefix=star+wars+queens+p%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: RETAKING HER THRONE!

Captured by Droidekas, Queen Amidala and her party are taken to the Neimoidians. Things look grim but, thanks to Sabe's clever decoy work, our heroine seizes her opportunity to retrieve the hidden weapons in the Throne Room, as she and Captain Panaka finally surprise/capture the enemy overlords. Now the tables are turned, and it's time to discuss a new treaty: surrender!

Sabe's decoy force arrives.

Panaka seizes the attack initiative!

Natalie Portman has fun with Lucas and John Knoll between filming scenes.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: AIMING HIGH!

Unable to reach the next level of the palace due to overwhelming Battle Droid re-enforcements, Queen Amidala, Captain Panaka and her special squad shoot upwards with ascension guns, in this great action moment from EPISODE I.

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)

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: AWAITING FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

In the desert surrounding the Naboo Royal Cruiser, Obi-Wan confers by comlink to Qui-Gon Jinn about the Hyperdrive generator, in a scene ultimately re-filmed to an interior shot at Leavesden. Additionally, a building sandstorm and a strange message from Naboo will soon capture Obi-Wan and Captain Panaka's worried attentions.

"I cast him (Ewan McGregor) because he's a really good actor. That's the primary thing. And then I looked for somebody who is physically right for the part and has the personality that is right for the part. I wanted Obi-Wan to have a little mischievous nature, which is what Alec Guinness had, and I wanted him to be strong but also kind of impetuous and impatient with his mentor. And I think Ewan qualifies in all those areas. But the actor has to play it his own way. He's not playing Alec Guinness. He's playing Obi-Wan Kenobi."

George Lucas - Film Review magazine - 1999

Ewan McGregor enjoys the sun, and a quick ciggie, on location.

"Some of the dialogue (as Obi-Wan) was absolutely impossible to say. There's not a great deal of soul-searching going on when you're playing this kind of character. It's fighting and a kind of Jedi frown, which I mastered quite well using my eyebrows."

Ewan McGregor - Radio Times magazine - 1999

"It was his voice that was essential to get right. I didn't want to imitate him (Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan) - it has more to do with the shape of his phrasings and his tone. I still don't know if it's going to work, or if I'll just look like an arsehole."

Ewan McGregor - Premiere magazine - May 1999

Background footage featuring Naboo technicians that didn't make the final cut.

News of a message from home reaches Obi-Wan and Panaka.

Time for some fun with George Lucas.

"George says he doesn't know how to talk to actors, which is being a bit hard on himself. He directs more in pitch: "We need more of this; that was a bit better; let's do better now."

Ewan McGregor - Premiere magazine - May 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: TATOOINE DEBARKATION

Knowing the potential dangers involved in their search for a new Hyperspace generator, Qui-Gon Jinn and R2-D2 head for the nearby space port of Mos Espa, soon followed by Captain Panaka and Padme Amidala, the latter joining the Jedi in his search, on behalf of the Queen. In a filmed but deleted line, Padme tells a wary Qui-Gon that she's trained in defensive arts.

This was a scene shot on location in Tunisia, 1997, for EPISODE I: the production team and George Lucas returning to that country for the first time since 1976. The full Naboo spaceship would not be built on the site, added onto the filmed shots via model shop work, later at ILM. Only the main ramp, held on a scaffold, was practically constructed on location, matching the prior designed model details at ILM.

Jar Jar was obviously in this scene but added on later in post production. An additional insert shot of the Gungan unhappy with the sun was filmed with Ahmed Best and Liam Neeson during a later batch of principal photography, completed on the backlot at Leavesden Studios.

The exterior ramp would be a life saver for the location filming in Tunisia, after a freak storm wrecked the Mos Espa outdoor set, though Lucas himself ultimately considered the event a good omen for the film - a similar flooding event having happened in March 1976, on the original Star Wars. With some rescheduling, barely little time was lost in the filming schedule as scenes would instead be allocated to the unaffected ramp/scaffold.

George Lucas poses with the scaffold set in the background.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DESTINATION: TATOOINE!

With the capable Ric Olie at the controls- one of Naboo's finest pilots of ships and fighters, our fugitive heroes must now find some kind of safe haven from the Trade Federation to repair their damaged vessel. Their ultimate destination, against Captain Panaka's wishes: the gangster-controlled desert planet of Tatooine, a realm far away from their unsuspecting pursuers.

Note the position of Obi-Wan Kenobi in this above posed scene image, seated differently to the way he'd appear in the film.

"A lot of it will be done over and over again. And you're doing it for a very long time as well. And it's studio-based so you're always in whatever environment you are in. I mean you're not in Star Wars, you're not in space, you're sitting on a spaceship with a camera stuck in your face and all these people around you. You just want to be doing the real thing."

Ewan McGregor on filming space ship scenes - Empire magazine August 1999

"He's Harrison Ford without the laughs or the sex, unfortunately." Ralph Brown on Ric Olie- Empire magazine - August 1999.

Playing Ric Olie would be amiable UK actor Ralph Brown, who'd prior appeared in big budget sci-fi with Alien 3 back in 1991. Originally, Brown played Olie with his British accent and saw his pilot character as being of a cool, calm and experienced disposition. The blockade running bridge scene was partially reshot in later bouts of principal photography during 1997, as Lucas wanted more drama from it- he asked Brown and the other cast to heighten their reactions to the danger ahead of them. Brown would also be required to re-dub/change Olie's voice to an American accent by post production.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE QUEEN'S PROTECTOR!

With the previous King Veruna having died in mysterious circumstances prior to the Trade Federation Blockade (as originally outlined in the pre 2015 Expanded Universe), Naboo's new and young Queen Amidala has a tighter security force at her command, led by the confident Captain Panaka, played in EPISODE I by distinguished Ghanan actor/director Hugh Quarshie. A fine casting choice, Quarshie was then best known to cult film audiences a few years earlier, with his appearance in the original Highlander, opposite Christopher Lambert.

"He's Captain of the Guard. The way I conceived of the role is that he is very tough, and I figured the tougher I was, the tougher it would make the Jedi seem. Obviously, no one out-toughed the Jedi, but Captain Panaka was going to give them a run for their money!"

Hugh Quarshie - STAR WARS INSIDER MAGAZINE - 1999

CLASSIC IMAGE: A QUEEN FIGHTS ON!

Cornered by the Droideka forces of the Trade Federation she and her loyal soldiers may be within the Theed hangar bay, but Queen Amidala nonetheless fights on against overwhelming odds, during the action-packed finale to EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TO WIN SUPPORT!

On Coruscant, within an immense senate arena that should be a beacon of hope but actually proves a mist of confusion, squabbling and personal agendas, Queen Amidala pleads her case for the survival of Naboo and its captured people, in an important scene from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THEIR FRIEND IN NEED...

"Over there. Fly low..."

Watched by Padme, Captain Panaka and the newly introduced to them Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan gives directions to Naboo's top pilot, Ric Olie, as they begin a quick rescue attempt of the being- attacked Qui-Gon Jinn, during an exciting moment from EPISODE I.

EPISODE I AT FIFTEEN: CAPTAIN AND CREATOR!

On location at Caserta Palace, Italy, for EPISODE I, writer/director George Lucas goes through an upcoming scene with High Quarshie, playing the loyal but overwhelmed Naboo protector Captain Panaka.

DELETED SCENE: INTO THE ARENA OF POLITICS!

Flanked by the seemingly wise Senator Palpatine and loyal Captain Panaka, Queen Amidala prepares to enter her senate pod and later address the other political delegates, in a scene on Coruscant cut from EPISODE I.

Costumes behind the scenes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWOoL3wch1I

CLASSIC IMAGE: AMBUSHED!

On their way to capture the Trade Federation Viceroy, Queen Amidala and her loyal soldiers (including, end left next to Captain Panaka, a cameo from Ray Park!) are cornered by lethal Droidekas, from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ARTOO THE HERO!

A dirty, dishevelled Artoo Detoo is thanked by the Naboo Royal Party for its sterling work in saving them and their ship from disaster during their flight from the Trade Federation blockade. A quality moment introducing the heroic Astro Droid from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TO FLEE NABOO...

In front of normally dopey Battle Droids, Qui-Gon Jinn and the liberated Royal Party try to bluff their way onto an escape craft, but it's soon to no avail, as spectacular Jedi battle action begins once more during EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: PREPARING FOR TAKE-OFF!

Powering up their cruiser, top Naboo pilot Ric Olie and Captain Panaka begin the escape attempt of the royal party from the Coruscant orbital blockade, in a tense scene from EPISODE I.

AFICIONADO CLASSIC BEHIND THE SCENES INFO PART ONE

LONDON FILM AND COMIC CON-SAT 18^TH AND SUN 19^TH JULY 2009

STAR WARS GUESTS- BEHIND THE SCENES INFO

Compiled by Scott Weller and Ian Trussler

Gary Kurtz makes an adjustment to a piece of Bacta sheet attached to Mark Hamill's cheek during an April 1979 filmed scene eventually deleted from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Image: KURTZ/JOINER ARCHIVE.

AFICIONADO is transferring over its archive of behind the scenes info onto the blog site. Here's the first-with lots more to come...


GARY KURTZ (PRODUCER-STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK)

In one of the original scripts for STAR WARS, the Imperials on the DEATH STAR monitored Luke, Leia and the gang inside the station as they were trying to make their escape. A small portion of a scene linked to that was partially filmed at ELSTREE in 1976 but never completed for reasons that it was considered over complicating the plot. The partially filmed scene was shot on the DEATH STAR War Room set, with Tarkin and Vader talking in front of it some computer graphic front projection material which was abandoned (an image seen in THE MAKING OF STAR WARS hardback edition book, page 180).

Right from the start of EMPIRE’s filming, Billy Dee Williams was contracted for two films to play Baron Lando Calrissian and was to have been a developing character- they (Kurtz and Lucas) knew they would be doing JEDI as well. The first sequel happened because FOX wanted one-STAR WARS, as has been previously documented, was originally conceived as a stand alone film.

For EMPIRE, the Second Unit stayed for three weeks after the main unit had finished at Finse to complete action scenes/pick ups, although there was one week where they weren’t able to film anything because the weather was too bad.

Prior to the EMPIRE Norway filming (considered the first official principal photography of the movie), there had been reference test footage filming at ELSTREE of sets, costumes, etc.

Unhappy with the face of the Wampa ice creature on location, they did test footage at ELSTREE of another look for the creature (one which saw it more alien, and bearing large insectoid eyes) and some test footage was shot. That facial look was abandoned as it just didn’t look right, in favour of a more organic, realistic looking creature. Later on, Kurtz was not a great fan of the new Wampa scene expanded in the EMPIRE SPECIAL EDITION.

The original KENNER twelve inch figure of Boba Fett was originally to have had far more operating functions and was to have had a remote control unit (a 1978 black and white image exists of Kurtz with the figure and using its remote control). Kurtz was also regularly involved in the decisions regarding the merchandise releases and what was selected.

Originally in the story ideas planned by Lucas and Kurtz for JEDI, Lando accompanied Han on a guerrilla mission against the Empire. In the subsequent battle, Han was killed and Lando, guilt ridden at his not being able to have saved him, left at the story’s end-deciding to set up another colony similar to Bespin. Kurtz knew that Harrison Ford had wanted to be killed off, and the idea of killing Solo off halfway through JEDI, after having been rescued earlier in the film was something that he felt would raise the story stakes for the audience, that they (Lucas and Kurtz) felt it would be a shocking but worthy demise for the character and that it would totally shock and surprise the audience. Carrie Fisher was ultimately disappointed that the original ending for her character in JEDI, as previously told to her by Kurtz-that she would end up being crowned the Queen of the last remnants of her Alderaanian people, didn’t happen in JEDI. And with Luke, well, he pretty much does a solitary figure/Clint Eastwood western-type ending and goes off into the sunset-the only person to appear in the never made EPISODES 7-9 (though there had been ideas to have selected characters previously from 4-6 appear in cameos through the films). Darth Vader would not have died in the original REVENGE OF THE JEDI and the storyline/dynamic of his being Lukes’ father was to have continued in a form ultimately far different than what was to appear in the 1983 movie, and the Emperor was not to have been in the Saga until the ninth, finale, episode. None of the ideas conceived by Lucas/Kurtz for the original REVENGE OF THE JEDI were ever put down on paper as a proper storyline treatment. There were very few notes made for the Prequels when he and Lucas were working on EMPIRE-a few little notes about the Clone Wars and other bits but nothing substantial as far as Kurtz could recall.

The original negatives and masters for the three Classic Trilogy films are all at FOX in California, as, according to Kurtz, LUCASFILM doesn’t have the special storage facilities required to hold them. FOX owns the masters for STAR WARS but LUCASFILM own the masters for EMPIRE and JEDI.

According to Kurtz, the restoration of the STAR WARS TRILOGY SPECIAL EDITIONS for 1997 release saw lots of problems. EMPIRE and JEDI weren't so bad quality wise, but the original STAR WARS was the worse for wear. The full film master negative created for the movie (of which prints are then made (or “struck”) for cinema screenings), which was created from the original 1977 constructed camera negatives, was of poor stock and had deteriorated and was irreparably dirty from constant use for creating prints (of which Lucas/Kurtz were unaware at that time), which made the task of re-mastering the footage on the first film even more difficult, and requiring material used from twelve different varying quality Technicolour theatrical print copies of the film (many of which were also suffered numerous types of wear and tear from constant runs through theatre projectors over the seven years or more that the film was shown at the cinemas) to aid in the restoration. In some parts of the SPECIAL EDITION of STAR WARS some scenes are grainy because they apparently had to create new footage taken from a duplicate print of the original film material-hence the loss of quality- rather than from the master negative which had deteriorated.

It was Kurtz who helped push LUCASFILM for the release of the laserdisc transfers (sadly non-anamorphic) of the original unaltered films from 1977, 1980 and 1983-the only way to currently officially see them- onto release on DVD in 2006 as an extra alongside each revised SPECIAL EDITION.

Kurtz was able to appear at CELEBRATION IV in 2007 as he had business in the US and was able to make a surprise appearance for several panels. He quite enjoyed the event and is still very surprised at just how popular STAR WARS is and how it’s endured.

Kurtz has assisted J. W. Rinzler with the upcoming THE MAKING OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK book out next year, giving the author some detailed behind the scenes information and photo material from his own collection.

He is currently trying to get finance for his upcoming Russian soldier-themed World War II film.

The EPISODE III Chewbacca looks like he's having a bad day!

PETER MAYHEW (CHEWBACCA THE WOOKIEE)

Two sets of Wookiee costumes and masks were created for each Original Trilogy movie. Sometimes there was a case of mix and match of mask and body suit depending on the day to day condition/cleanliness/preparation of the costumes.

At CELEBRATION EUROPE, esteemed British make-up artists Stuart and Kay Freeborn, in wheelchairs, attended the event and had a special picture taken with Australian Prequel make-up artists/creature creators Dave and Lou Elsey (who created a new Wookiee costume for Chewie in EPISODE THREE), with Peter in the middle of the group. Mayhew enjoyed seeing the Freeborn’s again after such a long time, and having the photo taken.

HUGH QUARSHIE (CAPTAIN PANAKA-STAR WARS EPISODE ONE)

Presumably only his second UK signing appearance, Hugh revealed that he didn’t appear in ATTACK OF THE CLONES because he didn’t want to come on to it without seeing a script beforehand, and LUCASFILM were adamant on his being ready to film on specific dates he, at that time, couldn’t yet confirm or commit to.

KENNY BAKER (ARTOO DETOO)

Lively as ever despite being in a wheelchair (of which Hugh Quarshie maneuvered him around the convention at one point), Baker revealed that, during the Tunisia 1976 filming of STAR WARS, he spent a day off from shooting in the company of Sir Alec Guinness and his wife Merula, traveling with them in their car to various travel sites. Baker was present when Merula had her artwork of a local area confiscated by a tribe of Bedouins (a family of about fifteen) who objected to her painting an image that they had deemed holy to them. This was the only day that Baker really got to know Sir Alec during the filming and said he was he was a lovely man.

Hilariously, at the events all too brief (perhaps mercifully brief, actually) and unprofessionally arranged STAR WARS guest talk, Kenny was asked if he ever actually farted within the droid costume at any time!!!-surely a question that would never get past the CELEBRATION convention management in the US, though Kenny did humorously respond with something I sadly didn’t hear as the dealer hall area enclosure around us was too loud!!

LISA LLOYD (HANDMAIDEN IN EPISODE ONE’S FINALE, AND JAKE’S MUM, TOO!!)

She played the part of one of Padme’s handmaidens in the yellow dresses at the end of the film (shot during last minute pick ups at LEAVESDEN) because they couldn’t get a lot of the original actresses, who played the Handmaidens from the original first part of shooting, back for the new filming. She fit one of the costumes, so she instantly joined the cast. We gather Nick Gillard also played one of the handmaidens, or “Standmaidens” as they were called, for similar reasons.

Jake Lloyd and his family enjoy London-it’s very much considered a second home to them what with all the filming they did here for EPISODE ONE. This was Lisa’s first UK signing.

SEBASTIAN DEWING (NUMEROUS BACKGROUND ROLES-EPISODE ONE)

Sebastian was at the Con signing pictures of himself in THE PHANTOM MENACE as a Blue Senate Guard but it was as another role that he spent most of his time on EPISODE ONE. He spent six week in June/July of 1997 filming at LEAVESDEN studios as a Battle Droid. As one of ten other guys he was dressed each day in a white jump suit and fitted with a head piece to resemble a Battle Droid and also to help the other actors with their eyeline.

A childhood fan of the saga, landing work on the first of the Prequels was a huge deal for Sebastian. At the time he had already done a fair amount of extra work on films but was starting to move more into production work, making his own short films.

He remembers the EPISODE ONE set being a very relaxed place and recalls mixing with the main stars, noting that Natalie Portman in particular was very laid back and friendly. Between takes he would often sit and watch the monitors playing back footage as George Lucas reviewed different takes.

After his original stint in 1997 he was surprised to be called back in August 1998 to film pick up shots at LEAVESDEN for two days. This time he filmed the role of the Senate Guard that escorts Senator Palpatine upon his arrival back on Naboo just prior to the end ceremony. He remembers the two days being extremely hot with the heat only being made worse by the very heavy Senate Guard helmet and heavy velvet cloak he spent all day in.

On screen, Sebastian actually appears alongside himself as on the set he was the only Guard, so ILM duplicated him and Palpatine is flanked by Sebastian and his duplicated self as he exits the Cruiser to greet Queen Amidala.

LFCC was only Sebastian’s second convention appearance and his first in his native UK. His first was in Japan, a couple of years back, where he appeared alongside his friend and fellow Battle Droid stand in, Tom Sanderson.

Since doing EPISODE ONE, Sebastian has done occasional film work, notably ALEXANDER with Oliver Stone, and the Paul Bettany/ Kirsten Dunst movie WIMBLEDON.These days he runs an Art School and still pursues his film production work.