'THE CLONE WARS': AQUA AHSOKA!

Diving into the deep depths of the Mon Calamari aquatic world, Ahsoka Tano, with support from Kit Fisto and submersed Clone Troopers, will soon bravely face off against the enemy Separatists droids in this gorgeous cover specially art commissioned for the US magazine 3D World, promoting the memorable fourth season of The Clone Wars animated series. 

EPISODE II: WHAT NEXT?

The Battle and Super Battle Droid armies have temporarily closed down their conflict against the remaining brave Jedi fighting within the vast Geonosian Death Arena, under the orders of Count Dooku, now fully revealed as the Separatists' clever and dangerous leader. As our heroes count the cost of their intervention against the enemy, what further evil will Dooku unleash?

A classic angle showing the Jedi, and Padme, from EPISODE II.

'EPISODE III' AT TWENTY: THE SLAYING OF SHAAK TI!

Facing the wrath of General Grievous.

Having landing, against all odds, on General Grievous's command ship during the epic Battle of Coruscant, Obi-Wan and Anakin are en route to discover what bas happened to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and his Jedi protector in Shaak Ti. Ti's fate is soon revealed, however, as the two Jedi soon prove helpless in preventing their friend from being slain by the brutal lightsaber-wielding evil of the Separatist droid leader, General Grievous.

The original slaying of Shaak Ti was one of a large number of scenes for the movie set aboard the Invisible Hand involving Anakin and Obi-Wan which were either deleted, trimmed down or reshaped/re-filmed. This original introduction to Grievous was replaced with an all-new sequence for the character partly filmed in additional photography that would be set on the vessel's bridge. 

Derek Thompson's June 18th, 2003 storyboards for the scene.

Shaak TI referencing in the original Episode III filming script from Nick Gillard's collection.

Concept art for the scene.

Anakin and Obi-Wan stop in a corner and witness the captured Shaak Ti.

Actress/Supermodel/designer Orli Shoshan on set as Shaak Ti. 

The shocking death scene.

Orli remains in the dead position as the technicians mill around the FOX Studios set.

Obi-Wan and Anakin prepare their next unexpected move.

EPISODE III: AN ALTERNATE YODA?

An intriguing image of a digitally conceived Yoda that found its way into a British Pedigree published annual around the post release of Revenge of the Sith. We believe it's likely from that film and an unused visual test iteration of the character created to potentially bridge the gap between the way the wizened old Jedi looked by the end of the Prequels and his first (return) appearance for The Empire Strikes Back. Somehow the image managed to get used in picture publicity for the UK, though I haven't seen it appear anywhere else since...

CLASSIC ART: PROTECTING THE SUPREME CHANCELLOR!

The surprise attack on the heart of the Republic is ongoing, and brutal Separatist droid leader General Grievous has already launched his fiendish plan to kidnap the Supreme Chancellor from Coruscant, audaciously partaking in the scheme himself, now planet side and armed with the lightsabers of dead foes as he takes on Palpatine's current steadfast Jedi bodyguards in this truly dark time.

Super Expanded Universe art linked to the opening of EPISODE III from the ever-reliable Chris Trevas. 

CLASSIC ART: SYMBIOTIC JEDI!

The unique bond between Master and Apprentice Jedi in the Force has never been better exemplified nor more conflicted on screen than the one between the charismatic veteran Qui-Gon Jinn and his dutiful student in the raw, Obi-Wan Kenobi, during the exciting and tragic events of EPISODE I.

The duo are well rendered here by the ever-popular, and much-missed artist and talent, John Alvin.  

Liam Neeson says Star Wars magic is being diluted by its spin-offs | EW.com

Liam Neeson is back as Qui-Gon Jinn in new Star Wars show Tales of the Jedi | GamesRadar

'ATTACK' AT 20: DEFLECTING DARKNESS!

Count Dooku, on the attack!

Upon entering the secret Geonosis hangar bay area, Yoda must soon deflect an attack of force objects direction, then a further assault of physical Dark Side strength, as Count Dooku brings down a piece of ceiling onto the diminutive Jedi. Directed bolts of of terrifying Force lightning are then unleashed and held back, before Dooku finally realises that the only way to defeat this former master will be through his experienced skills with a lightsaber...

Yoda surveys the secret hangar.

And squares off against the deadly powers of Count Dooku.

“There was bluescreen in The Lord of the Rings, but nothing like there was on Star Wars. About 85% was shot on bluescreen for Star Wars. Walls, floor, the complete stage was blue. They need that for technical reasons, which I can not go into, for it’s something I do not understand. They need that to put in the background, what’s behind you, in front of you, besides you. Reading the script, I know what is taking place and where this is supposed to be, but I do not know what it is going to look like and I do not know if I’m going to be surrounded by other people, droids or that I’ll be alone. I have no idea. So when shooting, there is nothing there – and there certainly wasn’t when I had my fight with Yoda! They have to match what he does after what I’ve done first! I do the lightsaber moves, after I’m told where Yoda is going to be. So I do not know exactly what he is going to do in the fight. I’ve often been asked the question what it is like to work with bluescreen. Over the years I got quite used to that. The answer is of course that you have to have a very powerful imagination, experience, professional knowledge, powers of invention of your own and you have to have the right instincts. You either have them or you haven’t. If you have them, it’s a great help to everybody. What else do you need to be an actor? Dedication, devotion. All these elements are vital if you want to make a career as an actor.” 

Christopher Lee - Internet interview (source unknown) 

The Dark Side of the Force is unleashed!

Yoda prevents the ceiling from coming down on him.

Sending out Force lightning.

Yoda absorbs the dark energy...

and redirects it back at Dooku.

EPISODE IX: COMPLETING LEIA'S TRAINING...

Brother and sister Skywalkers match unique fighting moves and cement their powers in the Force, as Leia Organa soon goes on to make a life-changing decision linked to her Jedi destiny, in a terrific and moving flashback moment from The Rise of Skywalker.

Luke And Leia's Lightsaber Fight Flashback In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Got Trimmed

THE CLONE WARS: THE NOBLE JEDI!

Fan favourites Kit Fisto and Plo Koon take a decisive stand during an attack on their Republic Cruiser, in a brief moment only seen during the opening 'War Narration' for The Clone Wars animated movie of 2008.

'THE MANDALORIAN':THE JEDI SAVIOUR!

As the revelations of how young Jedi Grogu managed to escape the slaughter of Order 66 on Coruscant are slowly beginning to be revealed within The Mandalorian, who better to be his original saviour and protector, and sending fans crazy with happiness both on and off screen with his return in such a great role, than Ahmed Best, totally slaying it in his performance as the esteemed and powerful Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, during the highly satisfying and exciting flashback events witnessed in the third season episode, The Foundling.

 We look forward to seeing more of Kelleran Beq in not just The Mandalorian but hopefully other aspects of the franchise's evolving live-action/animated lore.

‘The Mandalorian’: Dave Filoni Teases Return Of Ahmed Best’s Kelleran Beq

Ahmed Best on His Surprise Return as Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian | StarWars.com

Dave Filoni Says Ahmed Best Could Be Back For More Star Wars Projects - GameSpot

The Mandalorian: Ahmed Best Helped Create His New Star Wars Character

'ATTACK' AT 20: THE CLONE WAR BEGINS...

The first critical battle of the infamous Clone Wars is underway, as thousands of combat trained Clone Troopers advance against Separatist legions, whose epic conflict in EPISODE II was realized in ways that surely lived up to most fans expectations after the pivotal galactic war was first mentioned by Luke Skywalker back in cinemas during 1977.

“We’ve been hearing about this clone war for years, ever since the first movie; so it had to be very big, and very Star Wars–sized.” 

Ben Snow - Cinefex magazine - issue 90 - 2002

“It’s the kind of battle we always wanted to do in Star Wars. Now I was able to really cut loose and have all those action pieces be what I’d always hoped they’d be.” 

George Lucas - 2002 interview - Total Film magazine - Issue 102 - May 2005 (Star Wars Supplement)

Clone attack staging area. Production painting art by Ryan Church.

Escaped from the Geonosis Arena, the Jedi head off to the Clone Troopers staging area.

Newly arrived at the battle scene, Mace Windu directs the Clone Trooper forces.

The Clone Troopers press on in their ground attack.

Separatist Spider Droids also advance on their enemies.

Hailfire Droids begins their bombardments. Art by Erik Tiemens.

Battle Droids and Separatist artillery go into battle. 

Under Anakin Skywalker's instruction a Trade Federation fuel cell is destroyed.

Advancing on an escaping Trade Federation cruiser pod. Production painting art by Ryan Church.

"George said that the clones were clever. He said: “They’re human, they know a thing or two. Unlike the battle droids, which are machines that just march mindlessly into gunfire, the clone troopers are like trained Vietnam fighters, with squads of guys moving around.” So there was a dichotomy there-the clash of the droids, who just march to their doom like Napoleonic soldiers versus these smarter clones moving in squads. And that changed the way we choreographed the clone war battle. We ended up with whole battalions of droids coming in one place, and squads of clones moving all over the place.” 

Ben Snow - Cinefex magazine - Issue 90 - 2002

Aayla Secura and her troops go into battle.

The Clone Troops stop an escaping Trade Federation cruiser pod.

Heavy attack from above.

Landing Republic heavy forces.

Direct hit! Art by Erik Tiemens.

Republic forces attacked. Art by Ryan Church.

Unused animatics of the battle.

Droid forces face heavy resistance.

In a storm of dust, the Clones fight on.

The same scene as rendered by Ryan Church.

Into battle with this multi-media art linked to the film's classic battle.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Production painting art of the ground forces and air support.

A selection of storyboards by Rodolfo Damaggio. More Clone Troopers attack their targets.

The Jedi go into action!

Going into battle as the Geonosians blast at them from the ground.

Marching on to battle as the ground conflict intensifies.

An enemy in retreat.

A Geonosian energy cannon.

Separatist Spider Droid conceptual art.

Separatist Hailfire Droids concept art.

Steve Gawley adjusts a collapsible Republic vehicle at ILM prior to filming.