EPISODE I: FRIENDS, WARRIORS AND HEROES!

The two Jedi heroes who'd excitingly kick off the Prequel Trilogy of 1999, and help cement a new legacy for worldwide fans and audiences of all ages alongside the existing Original Trilogy, pose for a great image with the iconic Artoo Detoo, taken within one of the Trade Federation vessel corridors at the UK's Leavesden Studios.

 A terrific shot from 1997 for Episode I, one of numerous character publicity images for magazine/media usage, taken by popular US lensman Matthew Rolston.

https://people.com/movies/liam-neeson-recalls-son-hugging-r2-d2-on-star-wars-set-as-2-year-old-it-was-really-touching/

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:

The Mystery of the Lost Star Wars Toyota Celica GT | News | Car and Driver

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.

'SPECIAL EDITION' CLASSIC IMAGE: BACK WHERE THEY BELONG!

This week sees the 25th Anniversary of the now controversial Star Wars Trilogy Special Editions, which were enjoyed by fans upon original release, kickstarting the saga anew on the big screen to delighted audiences old and new worldwide, and they made a helluva lot of money (more than anyone expected for a then twenty-year old film), much of the tie-in profits going towards the production costs of the then eagerly-awaited, upcoming Prequels.

Here's one of the above American newspaper ads heralding the saga's return to cinemas in 1997 - poster art by the legendary Drew Struzan.

BEHIND THE SCENES: POP CULTURE VADER!

Back in 1977, as far as Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox were concerned, Dave Prowse was not Darth Vader, much to the actor's chagrin, as another man wore one of his character's costumes for the many toy/publicity engagements needed throughout the US with the surprise success of Star Wars. That other man would be Don Posts Studios employee Kermit Eller, who'd soon put as much gusto and enthusiasm into becoming the Dark Side Sith Lord for thousands of adoring young fans as Prowse would do on screen in his three cinematic appearances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65wM3nfCgbw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkeHD0Kdno8

An TESB related Vader costume was also showcased at a 2019 Bonhams US auction:

Kermit Eller discusses his promotional work as Darth Vader at a 2019 sci-fi auction. Image: Bonhams US.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7025889/Star-Wars-Darth-Vader-costume-Empire-Strikes-expected-fetch-1-2-MILLION-auction.html

EPISODE VIII: 'FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION...'

Recent trade adverts congratulations for the Oscar nominees of The Last Jedi.

Congratulations to John Williams and the UK/US teams behind the scenes of The Last Jedi, via their four recent Oscar nominations recognizing their great work. Enjoy the night (of which Mark Hamill will be one of the ceremony hosts, returning to the Academy Awards stage after forty years!), and let's hope for some wins.

Mark Hamill on the Oscars ceremony 2018:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43263573

'STAR WARS' BEGINS! A LOOK BACK TO 'MIDAMERICON' 1976

Mark Hamill wearing the classic McQuarrie The Star Wars T-shirt in 1976.

Superb footage has recently materialized online via FANAC Fan History from the now legendary MidAmeriCon II - World Science Fiction Convention 34 event in Kansas City of 1976, featuring a high-spirited Mark Hamill, informative producer Gary Kurtz and the film's dedicated publicist Charles Lippincott talking about the upcoming Star Wars. It's a wonderful look back to an innocent and fascinating time when the film had to be sold, yes sold, to American sci-fi and fantasy audiences, a lot of whom seemed jaded by genre films since the enlightening 2001: A Space Odyssey.

A year later, things were to prove a lot different...

Lippincott, Kurtz and Hamill.

Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmhjvkj8_aw

Charles Lippncott interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKK-aFcQIg

With thanks to Chris Baker and starwarsarchives.com for the heads-up

'STAR WARS' AT 40: THE ORIGINAL 'HOPE'!

On an early Sunday morning in London: 1976, Mark Hamill, wearing his Yavin IV medal ceremony outfit, poses for a publicity photo shoot for the original STAR WARS, taken by respected Brit photographer Terry O'Neill, that will soon become classic and iconic. Using Princess Leia's pistol for the shoot, Hamill even gets to have fun posing for a few very James Bond-style takes.

'STAR WARS' AT 40: KENNY BAKER - THE SMALL WONDER!

Presumably at a UK location, circa 1978, true showman Kenny Baker and his family enjoy the attention of another STAR WARS screening, and the welcome visibility it's success will add to his profile/career in other film and TV projects. Despite early reservations about working on STAR WARS in January 1976, inside the in-development Artoo suit, the fact that Sir Alec Guinness was attached to the project ultimately convinced Baker that this strange new sci-fi film had merit. That R2-D2 became such a success goes beyond its visual design-the droid clearly comes alive onscreen and shows great personality when the instinctive Baker was operating it- something never replicated by either the three-legged remote controlled version, or any later CGI incarnation.

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGO48NbyuNk

THE CLONE WARS: A TIME OF STRUGGLE!

The ideas of peace and justice with the Galactic Republic are swept away with the tide of the Clone Wars, as the struggle between good and evil enters a decisive new point in the Force, as seen with key characters old and new for the 2003 Clone Wars Micro-Series - one of the genuine highlights of the Prequel era of STAR WARS storytelling.

GOODBYE, KENNY BAKER...

You'll believe a droid can bleep, bloop. Kenny Baker with his iconic STAR WARS alter-ego: Artoo Detoo.

Though the legacy of the original STAR WARS is shining brighter than ever, one of its most memorable candles has sadly flickered out today, as the news comes to AFICIONADO that the man who indelibly brought to life, character, quirky humour, and even pathos, to the original R2-D2 shell of the Classic Trilogy, and for the opening films of the later Prequels, Kenny Baker, has passed on into the great unknown ahead of us, at the age of 83.

Kenny Baker, the Actor Who Brought R2-D2 to Life, Passes Away | StarWars.com
Kenny Baker, Star Wars R2-D2 actor, dies age 83
Kenny Baker, Star Wars R2-D2 actor, dies aged 81 - BBC News
Kenny Baker who portrayed Star Wars' R2-D2 is dead at 81 | Daily Mail Online
Kenny Baker, actor behind R2-D2, dies | Film | The Guardian
Kenny Baker Dead: ‘Star Wars’ R2-D2 Actor, Dies 83 | Variety
Kenny Baker dead: Star Wars' R2-D2 actor dies at 83 | EW.com
Mark Hamill and others pay tribute: Epicstream

Early days with George Lucas and John Barry working out the R2 shell and its mechanics.

Though they were never close friends off camera, there was no denying that Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker made on screen magic together as droid buddies Threepio and Artoo across two sagas.

At camera level watching filming at Elstree in 1976.

Squaring up to the legendary Mohamed Ali, no less!

Though he'd been prior involved in showbusiness to varying degrees, Baker, would be a rising star in the entertainment world by 1975, via the diminutive Mini Tones television and cabaret double act he shared with his friend and career partner in the also late, great Jack Purvis, and wasn't originally all that keen on playing a robot, nor operating its often very uncomfortable (at one point almost terminal-bringing) internal mechanics, for some strange, hard to fathom at the time science fiction film with overseas location lensing in Tunisia and at London's Elstree Studios. But the coercion of Production Designer John Barry and his team, the presence of Sir Alec Guinness as a key cast member, and the commitment of having Purvis doing additional character role work in the film, soon had him jumping aboard for an endeavour that nobody really had any high hopes about it being a huge success. Two years later and beyond, it was an altogether different story- Baker going on to enjoy a terrific, life-altering, world encapsulating career, carrying on his STAR WARS work and publicity whilst appearing in a diverse array of further entertainment projects, including TV comedy such as THE GOODIES and THE DAVE ALLEN SHOW, as well as acclaimed films like Terry Gilliam's zany and beloved family adventure TIME BANDITS, the colourful and exciting Sam Jones starring FLASH GORDON (which was filmed shortly after THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK at Elstree Studios), and cult favourite LABYRINTH.

On murky ground on the Dagobah set in 1979.

Always by Luke Skywalker's side in his X-wing.

A vital part of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK publicity tour.

On location as Paploo the Ewok for RETURN OF THE JEDI.

Back in the shell, and back in the Tunisian heat, for EPISODE I.

Always a friendly face at worldwide conventions, full of humour, anecdotes, cheeky charm, and loving the nightlife and a good seat at the bar, Kenny was much loved and respected by fans and filmmakers alike, and will be greatly missed by everyone in the STAR WARS community, of which he was such an important family member.

Official site: Kenny Baker | Actor Kenny Baker R2-D2

R2 D2 Actor 'Pleased' At News Of New Star Wars Films - YouTube
Kenny Baker interview - YouTube
R2-D2 builders wish Kenny Baker a happy birthday - YouTube

Always the fun centre of attention in Tunisia in 1976.

Making a visit to the EPISODE VII set, as an advisor, and for a photo shoot with R2.

R.I.P., Kenny, and thank you for the incredible mark you've made on film and genres history...

CELEBRATION 2017 clip tribute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnYR-QM0zAU

'THE FORCE AWAKENS' CAPTURES THE GLOBE - PART ONE

John and Daisy with Artoo in Tokyo, December 10th, 2015. Image: Christopher Jue /Getty Images for Disney.

THE FORCE AWAKENS publicity machine has never been stronger as our stars make their way across the globe in promotion. Here's some great images recently made available by DISNEY from their surely amazing visits to Japan, Mexico, Seoul and Australia.

Adam Diver and some old friends. Image: Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney.

J.J. and the cast. Image: Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney.

A panel at Seoul- December 9th, 2015. Image: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for Disney.

With the enthused fans in Seoul. Image: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty for Disney.

Harrison Ford with compere Jay Laga'aia at the Australia fan launch - December 10th. Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney. 

Harrison says "Hi!" Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney.

An impressive shot near the Sydney Opera House. Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney.

Harrison meets the dedicated fans. Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney.

Lupita Nyong'o does some photo mingling at Mexico City- 8th December. Image: Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Disney.

Oscar Isaac and Kathleen Kennedy at the Mexico City launch.  Image: Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Disney.

Posing for the press. Image: Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Disney.

​ "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Japan Premiere red carpet in Tokyo - YouTube
Exclusive Chinese trailer for Star Wars The Force Awakens with Lu Han intro - YouTube

Harrison Ford Surprises Fans at 'Star Wars' Screening

More to come States-side and from the European Premiere launching UK...

CLASSIC IMAGE: ON THE PATH TO THE DARK SIDE...

His visage cloaked in the deep reds associated with the Dark Side of the Force, young Hayden Christensen, the special choice to play the older and soon corrupted Anakin Skywalker, poses for a unique US magazine photo shoot for EPISODE II, from early 2002.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends its Birthday Greetings out to Hayden on this day!

CLASSIC IMAGE: JEDI CRUCIBLE!

Another of Nick Gillard's specially posed lightsaber conflict images for Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, used for key publicity and marketing images for EPISODE III.

SUMMER WITH 'STAR WARS' - 1978 UK STYLE

Carrie Fisher has fun with the British press aboard the cuddly Jerba Beast prop created for use in the original STAR WARS 1976 Tunisian filming (for more on the creature, check out our PDF feature here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRN1pmQjh5bUJkR0U/edit?usp=sharing), during a Equestrian/Charity event, The Star Wars Cross Country Team Event, circa October 1978, held at Daventry, Northamptonshire, hosted and organised by Captain Robert Hawkins and his wife Ann.

This would be a FOX/LUCASFILM/STAR WARS CORPORATION sponsored venture with Imperial Stormtroopers in attendance, as well as other props from STAR WARS and the upcoming THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK to be seen in an outdoor display (including one of the larger remaining prop pieces used in various larger Death Star sets filming from 1976). Also present for what looks like a very enjoyable day were Dave Prowse and Peter Mayhew, plus producer Gary Kurtz and other representatives from the UK division of 20th Century Fox.

Peter Mayhew and Dave Prowse are reunited. Behind them stands a Jerba Beast prop.

Mayhew would hand out unique competition prizes of Rumph's made Chewbacca mugs. Image: STARWARS.COM.

Fisher was most likely the key invite, though-not only linked to her STAR WARS popularity, but also due to the fact that, earlier in the year (May 14th), she had played a horse trainer in a US ABC TV MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Leave Yesterday Behind, alongside the late John Ritter.

Carrie enjoys some refreshment whilst a lady rider dressed in Vader-ish clothes races past. Image: Carrie Fisher/Debbie Reynolds.

Carrie hands out some winning medallions. Image: Carrie Fisher/Debbie Reynolds.

Carrie and Peter Mayhew (background) sign for fans. Image: Carrie Fisher/Debbie Reynolds.

Carrie with two of the event riders/charity supporters.

Handing out a Chewbacca mug to a lucky competition winner.

If anyone out there has any more info on this UK event, please get in touch...

One of the Artoo shells was showcased to the public, within an exhibit tent at the event. The girl seen here may be the daughter of TESB's production team member Alan Tomkins.

Collection of merchandise and images from the event, from the collection of Darren Simpson/Facebook.

Note: to get the best viewing results from the Google PDF, it would be best to download the file directly to your desktop.

2015 feature on the lost Jerba creature: Beasts of Burden: The Last Original Dewback | Prop Store – Ultimate Movie Collectables

Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet given to country squire goes up for sale for £180,000 | Daily Mail Online