CLASSIC IMAGE: 'IT'S TOO LATE!'

As Han Solo generates continued cover fire, knowing that the Death Star hangar bay will soon be full of Imperial troops if they don't escape soon, Princess Leia tries to snap Luke Skywalker out of his violence with the loss of Ben Kenobi, in this great rare-ish rehearsal image from the original Star Wars.

'OBI-WAN KENOBI': ALDERAAN BECOMES REALITY!

One of the joys of the Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series of 2022 was seeing more of the young Princess Leia Organa's life (as delightfully played by Vivian Lyra Blair) on her adopted home world of Alderaan (beyond the small enticing visuals we saw at the end of Episode III) and its society, sequences well captured in these two great behind the scenes images from the opening episodes.

The ILM Stagecraft technique proves impressive.

BEHIND THE SCENES: CONCEPTION OF A PRINCESS!

The evolution of the original Star Wars main characters, from subtle to extreme in some ways, is always fascinating to witness, especially with regards to that of Princess Leia Organa, as seen in this great Topps Card art, which also shows her as a female version of Luke Starkiller (art by Ralph McQuarrie) during the film's early ongoing screenplay process!

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" (2025)

Our Original Trilogy heroes prove that they're not just great at fighting the Empire, they also know how to sing for Christmas!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO wishes all its worldwide readers a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

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REMEMBERING CARRIE...

As the Tenth Anniversary of her sad parting from us approaches next year, Star Wars Aficionado continues to remember our immortal Carrie Fisher and her never-to-be-forgotten, enduring portrayal of Princess Leia Organa, as seen here in this lovely colourised posed image from The Empire Strikes Back.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE REBELS' BOLDEST MISSION!

A surprise for Leia from Han...

From far and wide across the galaxy, the many Rebel cells have come together as their leader Mon Mothma unveils the biggest mission undertaking yet by the Alliance, to take out the being-built Death Star II and destroy it's overseer, the dreaded Emperor himself! 

But who will lead the all-important and highly dangerous ground assault to prior knock out the energy shield protecting the battle station? General Leia Organa is about to get an interesting surprise from her beloved Han Solo!

Some nice rare B/W images of this classic scene from Return of the Jedi.

CLASSIC ART: 'RETURN' OF THE HEROES!

It's amazing how much concept commissioned movie poster work for a Star Wars film is commissioned and rejected, and all by such great talents. This is a fun all-action reworking of the original Hildebrandt Star Wars poster of 1975 for Return of the Jedi, with the iconic John Alvin adding Han Solo to the original but more seasoned Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia pairing amidst a Death Star backdrop. And all three atop the gross Jabba the Hutt, no less!

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: A UNIVERSE OF DRAMA AND ADVENTURE...

The long-running commercial artist John Alvin's work on the original Star Wars films have become highly beloved and respected over time. None more so than the super 1995 work he did for the films on their uncut VHS release before the debut of the Special Editions, of which all the key successful character ingredients for The Empire Strikes Back would be well represented.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: THE CARBON FREEZE NIGHTMARE!

The superb Carbon Freeze Chamber set designed by Norman Reynolds.

Darkness falls within the once beautiful Cloud City on Bespin, as our captured Rebel heroes face the worst of times under the brutal auspices of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, amidst his shocking plans to ensnare Luke Skywalker. But first off, as a trial run to the young Jedi's planned destiny at the captured hands of the fearsome Emperor, Han Solo must be put into a carbon freeze prison...

Ever loyal to his friends, Chewbacca must protect Leia in Han's absence.

Boba Fett and Darth Vader make their mark in this chilling sequence.

A last goodbye?

Leia prepares for the worst...

Han is prepared for Carbon Freeze by an Ugnaught.

The classic scene, which generated humour and sadness.

"It gave George pause. He had not written the scene with a laugh. But the laugh opens you up emotionally. You don't have another emotional outlet in that scene."

Harrison Ford on "I know" - Starlog interview - Issue 35, 1980

The terrifying process begins, as Chewbacca and Leia witness the fate of Han Solo...

The Carbon Frozen Solo is hauled up.

The shocking reveal...

"When the cast of Solo in carbon freeze was created the first time, he was standing straight up, looking normal. That's what the prop department thought I wanted. I said, 'No, he's got to be looking like he is fighting to get out; he has to look like he is in agony.' So we changed it to the way it looks in the film."

Irvin Kershner - Star Wars - The Annotated Screenplays - 1997

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: THE KISS, AND THE SECOND ONE TOO...

She has seemingly resisted his charms with biting come backs and an aggressive air, but now, seeking refuge inside a massive asteroid whilst repairing the damaged Millennium Falcon, Princess Leia Organs can't help but start falling in love with that charming scoundrel Han Solo... 

The Scoundrel and the Princess...

The scene in rehearsal. Note Anthony Daniels only in the required top half of his costume for one take/angle.

"It's like in the 1930's films with Fred and Ginger fighting up to the last reel. It's Bogart and Bacall, Tracey and Hepburn. It's two independent people, quarrelling and fighting, and then they neck. That's what it is. It's romance in celluloid. Seriously though, I believe both characters are far more dimensional in The Empire Strikes Back..."

Carrie Fisher on Han Solo and Princess Leia - interviewed by Alan Arnold, Unit Publicist - 1979

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: THE POWER OF POSTER ART!

Amidst the terrifying visage of the returned Darth Vader, technological action is another standout part of this classic early movie poster conceptual piece by the famous illustrator Tom Jung, of which the might of the Imperial AT-AT's against our Rebel heroes proves formidable, and truly showcasing how an Empire will strikes back! 

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: FROM BESPIN WITH LOVE...

A wondrous city in the clouds provides a time for unique safety and refuge from the Imperials for Princess Leia Organa, who is given a unique outdoor tour by Baron Lando Kadar in this great conceptual painting by Ralph McQuarrie. Even from this painting we get the impression that Lando is certainly 'the old smoothie' referenced by Han Solo.

McQuarrie enjoyed working on the conceptual side of The Empire Strikes Back as much as he did on the original Star Wars, especially in developing the look and style of the Cloud City realm.

Michael Pangrazio's 1979 concept for an unused matte painting.

BEHIND THE SCENES: FINDING THE 'PRINCESS'!

With casting taking place in the UK and US to find the original Star Wars' main three young stars across many exhaustive months, it must have been a relief when George Lucas, testing alongside Brian De Palma (who was also searching for fresh talent for his adaptation of Stephen King's horror Carrie), finally locked in who were to play the roles of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia Organa by the end of 1975/early 1976. Especially the latter character, when rising star Carrie Fisher provided such a memorable screen test performance and promising interactions with Harrison Ford. These images here show Fisher wearing various wigs across both Carrie and Star Wars photo reference testing, of which she would be assisted by sound designer Ben Burtt, who was helping Lucas and the production States-side in other kinds of roles behind the scenes simultaneously. 

Presumably wearing the blonde wig for Carrie testing.

CLASSIC IMAGE: GETTING VERBAL WITH VADER!

Captured by Imperial forces aboard her Blockade Runner, the bold Princess Leia Organa is brought forth to the evil Lord Darth Vader (watched by commander Daine Jir), who confronts her about the stolen missing Death Star data tapes and her role in the Rebellion as one of it's major leaders. It's interesting to see the above B/W image from this classic Star Wars scene, where Leia is clearly showing anger at Vader - a moment we don't see in the film. Perhaps an unused take or specially posed image for on-set stillsman John Jay? 

Italian lobby card photo from the scene.

CLASSIC ART: 'STAR WARS' BEGINS...

The classic Hildebrandt Brothers poster that debuted in the UK at the end of 1977/early 1978.

As a rare and pristine condition British release print of the original 1977 version of Star Wars makes for a special screening (originally housed by Rank back in 1979, and later donated), for the first time in decades in the UK, launching this year's BFI Film on Film festival in London (12th to 15th June, 2025), here's a look back to that time when George Lucas's (at first one-off) film launched across the world in 1977 and 1978, promoted via these gorgeous adventure-fuelled posters that soon captured our hearts, minds and imaginations like never before...

Early US teaser poster with the original SW logo before the 'W' was changed.

US teaser poster.

American release poster.

Tom Jung's early poster, at first primarily used for the US, then appearing in various merchandising.

Tom Jung's version of the Hildebrandt original.

Some international posters mixed the Tom Jung art with the Hildebrandts.

Three Japanese posters from 1977/78.

Photo montage mixed with the Hildebrandt art.

Other Japanese rarities.

Italian art my Michelangelo Papuzza.

The 'Dirty Dozen' poster art for the UK and US from 1978, by Tom Chantrell.

Australian 'Daybill' poster. 

Hong Kong release poster - 1978.