DELETED SCENE: PROBOT vs WAMPA!

The ice planet Hoth is not only dangerous for its inhospitable weather conditions, but also for the deadly creatures that reside there. For example, the monstrous Wampa species, who prey on and attack from their snow camouflage anything they think they can eat. Unfortunately, one such wild beast becomes easy prey to another type of creature, an Imperial Probe Droid, which finds its icy lair and soon destroys it before moving on in its search for any signs of human Rebel activity.

A storyboard to a deleted scene from The Empire Strikes Back that was partially filmed on location in Norway with the Probot prop back in March 1979 (the Wampa likely changed to a rodent). The scene can also be found in the original Donald Glut novelisation of the film, released in 1980.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ON THE TRAIL OF THE FALCON!

It's an old trick that gets the better of his Imperial foes, as Han Solo pilots the Millennium Falcon out of its successful cover within the Star Destroyer junk field, but his nemesis in bounty hunter Boba Fett (aboard Slave 1) knows the escape technique too, soon trailing the non functioning hyperdrive freighter to its new destination of Bespin... 

Shot on 23rd August 1979, Jeremy Bulloch filmed his last scene as Boba Fett against blue screen, at Elstree Studios, captured by a second unit, with 19 days having been spent playing the character overall for The Empire Strikes Back, who, on theatrical release a year later, would make a huge impact with fans worldwide...

Original storyboard for the scene, by Joe Johnston.

'JEDI' AT 40: SPEEDY PURSUITS!

The chase is on for Luke and Leia as they commandeer a speeder bike to pursue and stop Imperial Scout Troops from giving away the Rebels secret arrival on Endor, during one of the many highlight action sequences beloved by fans worldwide from Return of the Jedi.

Check out this great from-animatics-to-shooting comparison of the exciting sequence from filmmaker Luke Asa Guidici. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE IMPERIAL DEATH FLEET GATHERS...

The first conceptual art version of the immense Super Star Destroyer Executor, centre amidst a convoy of other ancillary Imperial ships, is well captured in ominous storyboard art by Joe Johnston for The Empire Strikes Back.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SLAVE 1 DEPARTS!

 

Arriving too late at Cloud City's East Platform, Leia and Lando can only look on as Boba Fett makes his escape on Slave 1, with his 'special cargo' aboard in the carbonized Han Solo. A great storyboard for The Empire Strikes Back whose scene location would be altered visually by the time of Summer 1979 filming at Elstree Studios...

The shot has similarities to this exciting production painting done by Ralph McQuarrie for the scene, which shows Chewbacca and Leia breaking glass to shoot at the departing vessel.

Ralph McQuarrie's final painting from September 25th, 1978.

'SPECIAL EDITION' CLASSIC IMAGE: INSIDE DOCKING BAY 94!

The legendary scene once witnessed only briefly in its raw form within the classic From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga documentary of 1983, now enhanced with CGI, as Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt spar at Mos Eisley spaceport's Docking Bay 94, within the seemingly constantly revised Star Wars Trilogy Special Editions, all of which were truly enjoyed by fans upon original release during Jan-March, 1997 (but sadly became controversial over time), kickstarting the saga anew on the big screen whilst also generating a helluva lot of money, much of its tie-in profits ultimately going towards the production costs of the then eagerly awaited, upcoming Prequels, to debut in 1999.

https://www.slashfilm.com/845091/why-a-pivotal-harrison-ford-star-wars-scene-sat-unfinished-for-20-years/?fbclid=IwAR16aWpLTeUSBzohJoC3I0irThjqHQXW9n0iWW5zi8STfIaUepxqkyhaNts

This image and above: the  CGI sequence as seen and updated from 2004 onwards.

1990's storyboard for the revised scene.

'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.

'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.

'STAR WARS' AT 45: INTO THE TRENCH!

"The exhaust port is marked and locked in."

With Gold Squadron's obliteration by enemy forces, it's turn for the first of Red flight's attack runs on the Death Star trench, undertaken by the courageous Red Leader and his wingmen. Despite their skills, and an incredible near miss at their thermal exhaust port target, the trio of Rebel heroes are soon dispatched by the return of Darth Vader and his equally lethal wingmen.

The X-wings begin their trench run.

Red Leader commands the first X-wing trench run, but he and his wingmen are also ultimately destroyed by Darth Vader and his pilots. Storyboards by Joe Johnston.

An X-wing is destroyed.

Death Star surface and trench conceptual art by Joe Johnston.

Planning the trench sequence with small X-wings on poles.

Two trench images taken by Dennis Muren,

Preparing to film another sequence.

Another view of the trench, this one leading to... Lorne Peterson!

Grant McCune with one of the model Imperial cannons. Image via the Alex Fish Collection.

One of the Death Star trench laser cannon emplacements.

Preparing to film the first part of the trench run entry sequence.

Capturing natural light pyrotechnics outside the ILM base at Van Nuys with a camera mounted van to capture the speed of the fighter attack.