EPISODE I: A WHOLE NEW UNIVERSE TO PLAY IN...

Circa 1997, George Lucas and his 'major domo' of producing for the then eagerly awaited Prequel Trilogy, Rick McCallum, visit ILM to inspect the wide array of upcoming ships, droids, aliens, and monsters that will be a firm and iconic part of the opening episode. Their guides for such inventive and diverse all-new additions: Doug Chiang and Steve Gawley.

'STAR WARS' AT 45: TORPEDOS AWAY!

Abandoning his X-wing fighter's computer-controlled targeting computer and acting purely on his instincts and the power of the Force within him, Luke successfully launches his proton torpedos into the Death Star thermal exhaust under port, setting off a chain reaction stellar explosion of the dreaded space station. Its destruction proves a savage blow for the Empire, of which galactic freedom has been won by the Rebel Alliance. Luke and his surviving fighter pilot colleagues, plus the to-the-rescue Millennium Falcon, head back to Yavin IV to celebrate their incredible victory... 

BEHIND THE SCENES

Joe Johnston storyboard of the classic moment.

Steve Gawley at work on the Thermal Exhaust Port surface model.

The highly detailed model with previous unsuccessful rebel torpedo impact adjacent to the entry port.

An ILM hand at work!

Paul Huston and Joe Johnston add details work to the model.

On screen, Luke's skill in the Force pays off as the Death Star is destroyed!

A spectacular explosion filmed by ILM at high speed and slowed down in post production for more on-screen impact.

'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. 

'STAR WARS' AT 45: DARTH VADER's DEATH FLIGHT!

In his advanced prototype TIE fighter and with loyal wingmen nearly an equal to his considerable piloting skills, the Lord Darth Vader has successfully destroyed two prior bombing flights of Rebel fighters that had penetrated a potential weak spot in the Death Star's defences. But with this final flight trio of X-wing fighters to whom he's now pursuant, Vader senses something unusual about the lead Rebel pilot and his latent skills in the Force. The Dark Lord's near successful attempts to shoot down Luke Skywalker soon come to no avail, however, thanks to the last minute arrival of a certain Corellian smuggling vessel...

Originally, it was planned that Darth Vader would be housed within a standard TIE fighter during the fast paced trench run chase/battles, but Lucas decides in post production that his craft should ultimately stand out to viewing audiences in the sequence alongside his wingmen, with money being made in the ILM model budget to see-in the necessary change requirements. A shot would be added to Post Production (the last change made to the film) by Lucas clarifying that Vader would survive the battle, his ship hurling out into space before he stabilises it and flies off.

Various storyboards.

Revised storyboard to incorporate Vader's new TIE design.

Side angle design by Joe Johnston.

Middle section final construction.

Gorgeous final detailing.

Two storyboard art pieces by Joe Johnston.

One of Vader's wingmen is suddenly taken out by the arriving Han Solo.

Early prototype for revised Vader TIE design.

Steve Gawley working on the model in varying stages.

In the model shop...

Ready for filming.

Various angles of the finished model.

Joe Johnston checks one of the model's fin's prior to filming.

Lorne Peterson and Grant McCune during filming on the ILM blue screen stage.

Classic BTS image of Dennis Muren with the models.

Filming the trio's departure from the Death Star hangar.

More filming images.

David Jones making some attachment checks to the model.