SUITING UP! THE 'OTHER' THREEPIO - PETER KURAN

Peter Kuran (left) and Charles Lippincott (right) assist Anthony Daniels as Threepio during the now legendary Mann's Chinese Theatre cement signing in Summer 1977.

Best known as one of the icon ILM talents of the Original Trilogy, notably linked to the animation/ rotoscoping, especially for the lightsabers and energy weapon blasts work, Peter Kuran would be a key help outside his work sphere during 1977-78, as an assistant-of-sorts to Anthony Daniels with his costumed American appearance in Summer 1977 at the famous Mann's Chinese Theater signing, and, with a similar body frame to Daniels at that time, even occupying the golden droid costume for a fashion shoot for Vogue magazine, presumably as the actor was not available at that time to do it. It's also likely that Kuran was Threepio for the posed merchandise poster photos captured by Bob Seidemann that were also taken circa Summer 1977 States-side.

Peter Kuran (middle) observes Lucas (also watched by Patricia Rose Duignan) as he surveys effects shots footage for the original Star Wars at ILM.

Peter Kuran donning the Threepio costume for additional Landspeeder filming, taken for the original Star Wars in California by ILM, early 1977.

As film publicity continued States-side, Kuran might also have assumed the Threepio suit for this Wars/Fox related publicity shoot too, linked to a unique giveaway themed Toyota motor vehicle:

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The classic 1977 Vogue magazine shoot, also featuring a Jawa, Darth Vader and Snaggletooth!

Vogue magazine shoot 1977

With Jerry Hall (right).

Classic signed photo to Kuran from Anthony Daniels. Image: via Peter Kuran/ Facebook.

And another on the art used for the Coca Cola tie-in campaign. Image: via Peter Kuran/ Facebook.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: BACK TO THE (USA) DESERT!

Mark Hamill returns to play Luke Skywalker in 1977.

Recovering from his car crash ordeal that occurred earlier in the year (January 11th, 1977), Mark Hamill's previously cancelled and rescheduled participation in US shooting of extra footage needed for STAR WARS is finally completed now that he is in recovery. At a dune in La Mirage, California, he joins Peter Kuran wearing the Threepio costume, and another unknown ILMer as the hooded Kenobi, for some required Landspeeder travelling shots that are supervised by Gary Kurtz, with a mirror attached to the vehicle's side to reflect the opposite desert and give the illusion of it travelling above ground.

Gary Kurtz with Peter Kuran as Threepio, and Joe Johnston.

Sadly, this footage is later discarded as, even from a distance, Hamill's facial scarring from the crash (soon involving the need for plastic surgery repair, confirmed by the actor by May 1980) is allegedly highly noticeable.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: THE LEAPING WALKER!

An Imperial AT-AT Walker prepares to make a leap (presumably over one of the enemy trenches) in an intriguing frame from the 124 early animatics created quickly by Peter Kuran and his animation team for the Battle of Hoth, during pre-production and production for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

Many of these images/scenes were used in the editing stages by George Lucas as placers alongside the live action footage of location filming and speeder pilot cockpit scenes, whilst the model, motion control and stop motion work by ILM was being carefully achieved. Later on, Kuran's department would create/animate the cell rope that wraps around the Walker's legs to make it fall, plus, according to a FANTASTIC FILMS magazine interview from July 1980, a little cel-animated Rebel crawling up to one of the lumbering Imperial beasts in an effort to sabotage it- a shot that I don't recall seeing in the finished movie, unless Kuran is referring to Luke's ascending on his rappelling cord under the belly of the metal beast.