BEHIND THE SCENES: IN WITH THE CANTINA CROWD!

On the small Cantina set recreation within a downtown Los Angeles studio, involving extra filming for the now classic scene, and using additional various masks created by Rick Baker and his friends, Producer Gary Kurtz takes some reference publicity images of a sitting down bar alien (known on set as "Louie", and later called a Devaronian in the Expanded Universe), as effects/make-up technician Jon Berg holds onto the head and neck of a removed "Hammerhead" (Ithorian) mask, in this great 1977 behind the scenes shot for the original STAR WARS.

Where possible, the added creatures for the insert sequences made the most of existing Halloween horror masks prior created by Rick Baker (notably the Devaronian), as well as some additional new creations made within a tight budget carefully controlled by Kurtz. Baker was, however, disappointed with the ultimate editorial choices made by Lucas when seeing the final Cantina sequence put together in 1977, primarily because several of the new masks didn't make it to screen.

'SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE' AT 20: CANTINA CONFRONTATION!

He's snagged his biggest bounty yet in the carbonized Han Solo he plans on delivering to Jabba the Hutt, but actually getting to Tatooine in one piece to claim that subsequent monetary prize? Well, that's gonna be a lot harder than Boba Fett thinks, especially when his rivals also want a share of the pie, as seen on the cover of SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE's comic adaptation Issue 2, from 1996. Great art from Hugh Fleming for DARK HORSE COMICS.

STAR WARS AT 35: CREATURE FEATURE...

He may have only done a few creature conceptual drawings for the alien Cantina creatures seen in the original STAR WARS, but this memorable alien from acclaimed artist Ron Cobb-best known for his spaceship/technological design work on equally classic films like Ridley Scott's ALIEN and BLADERUNNER- always stuck in my mind as one of those great if only aliens that I would have loved to have seen made into movie magic reality propping up the bar alongside his originally named Hammerhead and High Tundra monsters, but just couldn't have been achieved practically in 1976/77 through budget, special effects and costume design limitations of the period. Thankfully, none of these pesky problems exist in the world of STAR WARS animation, especially as THE CLONE WARS likes to revisit concepts old and new for its series, so it was terrific and nostalgic to finally see one of these species-a Parwan bounty hunter-appearing in all its spindly tentacled glory, and taking on Anakin Skyalker no less!, in the recent, excellent episodes The Box and Crisis on Naboo.

A Parwan creature, now seen in THE CLONE WARS.

Some more of Ron Cobb's 1976/77 creature creations, including a Durosian and Hammerhead/Ithorian.

THE CLONE WARS: "THE BOX"s UNLUCKY THIRTEEN?

You've wanted more Bounty Hunters in the STAR WARS and Dave Filoni certainly knows how to please, as this diverse group from all across the galaxy- the best, the feared and the dangerous (including a disguised Obi-Wan Kenobi, Cad Bane and Embo)- gather together for a contest within The Box-a lethal reconfiguring obstacle course- arranged by the evil Count Dooku. Hit the pic above and below for bigger sizes, of which US fans can check out the episode on CARTOON NETWORK from February 3rd.


For more on the final episodes of THE CLONE WARS Season Four, check out this feature:
YEAR OF HELL! 'THE CLONE WARS' SEASON FOUR CONCLUDES... | KOOL TV

From STARWARS.COM, here's all the info you need on the Bounty Hunters:

Bulduga
Claim to fame: Half of a legendary team with Onca.
Species: Ithorian
Homeworld: Ithor
Height: 2.27 m tall
Sex: Male

Kiera Swan
Claim to fame: Two-time winner of the Obsidian Sphere
Spcies: Weequay
Homeworld: Sriluur
Height: 1.68 m tall
Sex: Female

Derrown
Claim to fame: Known simply as the Exterminator.
Species: Parwan
Homeworld: Parwa
Height: 2.21 m tall
Sex: Male

Sixtat
Claim to fame: The Outlands Butcher
Species: Sakiyan
Homeworld: Saki
Height: 1.84 m tall
Sex: Male

Embo
Claim to fame: His bounty tallies last season were second only to Cad Bane.
Species: Kyuzo
Homeworld: Phatrong
Height: 1.99 m tall
Sex: Male

Cad Bane
Claim to fame: Needs no introduction.
Species: Duros
Homeworld: Duro
Height: 1.85 m tall
Sex: Male

Rako Hardeen
Claim to fame: The Marksman of Concord Dawn.
Species: Human
Homeworld: Concord Dawn
Height: 1.89 m tall
Sex: Male

Jakoli
Claim to fame: Known for never bringing anyone back alive.
Species: Rodian
Homeworld: Rodia
Height: 1.74 m tall
Sex: Male

Onca
Claim to fame: Half of a legendary team with Bulduga.
Species: Ithorian
Homeworld: Ithor
Height: 2.05 m tall
Sex: Male

Twazzi
Claim to fame: Her acrobatics once earned praise from Chancellor Valorum.
Species: Frenk
Homeworld: Gorobei
Height: 2.11 m tall
Sex: Female

Sinrich
Claim to fame: Inventor of the holographic disguise matrix.
Species: Snivvian
Homeworld: Cadomai
Height: 1.74 m tall
Sex: Male

Mantu
Claim to fame: Mantu's people were once a peaceful race. How far they have fallen.
Species: Selkath
Homeworld: Manaan
Height: 1.54 m tall
Sex: Male

Moralo Eval
Claim to fame: Designer of The Box
Species: Phindian
Homeworld: Phindar
Height: 1.75 m tall
Sex: Male