EPISODE VII: DUELLING PRACTICE!

All of the Star Wars films have seen their main stars undergo intensive fight/action training prior to and during filming, as seen here, with John Boyega firmly getting into the swing of things whilst also honing his lightsaber skills. A great behind the scene image from The Force Awakens, at Pinewood Studios during 2014.

'THE FORCE AWAKENS' AT 10: THE DUEL!

The Force is fully awakened in Rey as she duels Kylo Ren.

Their friend Han Solo has been murdered before their shocked eyes, and now his slayer, Kylo Ren, has come looking for Rey and Finn in revenge for their heroism against both him and the First Order, whilst Starkiller Base begins its dramatic death throes all around them thanks to Resistance attacks. Amidst the eerie snowfall surroundings, Finn regrettably falls to Ren's superior lightsaber swordplay, but Rey is soon on hand to display her further astonishing skills in the Force and boldly challenges the fallen angel, of which she'll ultimately find the strength and courage to memorably defeat him...

A first for the saga, an atmospheric lightsaber duel in the snow, and a standout scene of drama, action and crowd-pleasing emotion from The Force Awakens.

Finn begins his bold if undisciplined attack on Ren.

Rey continues the fight and shows how the Force has equally awakened within her.

'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.

'THE FORCE AWAKENS' AT 10: THE UNLIKELY STORMTROOPER!

Stolen away years before from his unknown family on an unknown Outer Rim world, the Stormtrooper known originally only as FN-2187 would soon abandon his armour amidst the shocking brutality and tyranny of the First Order and its spread-out into the New Republic, refusing to kill innocent people on Jakku, and ultimately becoming a key figure of the recently formed Resistance by the conclusion of The Force Awakens, having found a family of sorts in the mysterious Rey of Jakku, courageous and inspiring top fighter pilot Poe Dameron, amiable droid BB-8, and the seasoned smugger and former Rebel general, Han Solo.

And Finn's adventures, played by John Boyega (who made a fine impression in productions like 24 and Attack the Block before being cast in the character), are only just beginning..

Wielding Luke Skywalker's lightsaber against enemy forces on Takodana.

EPISODE VIII: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE LENS OF RIAN JOHNSON!

A tease of the main title for The Last Jedi. All images: Rian Johnson.

Six years on from his work on the love it or hate it The Last Jedi, uber-talented writer/director Rian Johnson is busier than ever in his career, making films large and small to suit his tastes. As we all know, Johnson is also a talented photographer, as seen with his many released images linked to the behind the scenes filming of EPISODE VIII. With a hoped-for book of his work on the film unlikely to be on the publishing horizon anytime soon, we can at least saviour what he has released online, of which Aficionado has pulled together as many as possible for your perusal and enjoyment.

Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill at a Pinewood villa go through the script and the relationship between Rey and Luke that needs to be developed for the screen.

Out from the shadows, the older and more vulnerable Luke as played by Mark Hamill.

Kelly Marie Tran and John Boyega receive vital information on their acquired ship from Canto Bight.

Getting close-up with Maz Kanata and a test performer.

Cleaning a Resistance fighter cockpit window.

Wiping a set panel for a First Order technician ready to wrought chaos and destruction.

Rian Johnson relaxes in his tram om the way to the studio!

Ready for war! Rian Johnson and Veronica Ngo in the Resistance bomber interior.

A Mon Calamari extra gets some welcome air pumped into his mask on the Resistance cruiser bridge set.

Anthony Daniels on the cruiser bridge prior to suiting up as Threepio.

Getting ready to film the Jedi Temple apocalypse with Hamill and a remote controlled Artoo.

Preparing to film Luke in his cave on Ahch-To.

Animated series veteran Dave Filoni comes to the UK to see the filming of sequences that may be relevant to his own future SW productions.

The immense studio lights inside one of the Pinewood studio cave sets.

Amanda Lawrence and Billie Lourd in between drama filming.

An atmospheric shot of an unmasked Anthony Daniels on the Crait base set.

Atop the Millennium Falcon cockpit scaffold.

Fighter battling is thirsty work for Oscar Isaac.

The full size Falcon prop on the Pinewood backlot.

Filming with the newly built Yoda puppet in exterior filming at Pinewood.

Daisy Ridley prepares to film the rainy duel with Luke.

Frank Oz reunited with Yoda and Mark Hamill.

Resistance clowning on the Crait cavern set at Pinewood.

Resistance pilots assemble.

First Order Stormtroopers gather.

John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran pose with young newcomer Temirlan Blaev at the Canto Bight stables set. 

Busy in and out of the Resistance transport shuttle.

Noted cinematographer Steve Yedlin inside the Falcon gun tunnel.

Carrie Fisher enjoys the rehearsals around her.

A tender moment between Carrie Fisher and her beloved health support dog, Gary, on the cruiser bridge.

Brian Herring co-puppeteers a lively Porg inside the Falcon cockpit.

On the striking 'Red Room' set.

Happy times for Snoke and Andy Serkis. But not for long...

Daisy Ridley witnesses the carnage of the dead Snoke.

Cleaning up the mess after the Snoke massacre.

Andy Serkis clearly misses Snoke!

Gwendoline Christie and John Boyega hang around on the First Order set.

Capturing the distinct Phasma helmet!

Cleaning up the hangar massacre.

Preparing to film the fateful duel between Finn and Phasma.

Directing evil with Adam Driver.

The Forces of light and dark in showdown.

Stalwart icons Artoo and Threepio reunited in the Falcon hold.

UPDATE 1/2024: It looks like the photo book is on the cards now, after all, for release in late 2025.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director's Album: Amazon.co.uk: Johnson, Rian: 9781419756542: Books