CLASSIC IMAGE: THE PRINCESS EMERGES!

Out from the shadows, Princess Leia fights back!

Custodian of the stolen plans that will restore freedom to the galaxy, Rebel hero Princess Leia Organa fights a hopeless situation as her diplomatic vessel is now boarded by Imperial forces. Thankfully, a little astro droid is at hand to continue her vital mission imperative, during the now eternally classic beginning to the original Star Wars of 1977...

This sequence was part of a busy filming period at the London Elstree Studios, on what was called the 'Rebel Starfighter' interior in the call sheets, located on Stage 9, during the 9th and 12th July, 1976. The deep core set seen here cleverly re-used existing props prior used for the Death Star interiors, as well as floor plating from the Millennium Falcon hold interior. 

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia comes out fighting...

... but soon finds her gun isn't working properly, in an unused behind the scenes take.

Importantly needing a close-up of Leia transferring the Death Star schematics data card into Artoo, ILM production assistant Penny McCarthy became Carrie Fisher/Leia's hand double for a later shot insert.

EPISODE VIII: MYTHIC MARVELS!

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Rian Johnson's unique vision for The Last Jedi, here are the lovely pieces of publicity/merchandise portrait art by Steve Anderson celebrating most of the saga's then key characters. Some of the images also ended up being used on TOPPS Cards of the time.

TOPPS exclusive card.

Another TOPPS rarity.

'STAR WARS' AT 45: DISCONNECTING THE TRACTOR BEAM!

Filmed at Elstree Studios on Friday June 4th, 1976 (with an additional day of Second Unit work on Tuesday 8th), Obi-Wan Kenobi’s perilous mission to de-activate the chasm-facing Tractor Beam control access terminal is realized on a set (a redress of the previously filmed chasm area from April) that is built literally only three feet off the floor (with a higher up walkway set corridor/bridge behind and above it (with futuristic piping set decorations that were a combination of specially built props and cardboard photo blow ups previously used in the chasm sequence)). The looking down view of the Tractor Beam control set would be enhanced with a matte painting overlay added on in post production by P.S. Ellenshaw. 

The set would be the favourite of Continuity Supervisor Ann Skinner during filming.

Discovering the tractor beam power terminal.

Moving to the controls.

Either a specially posed dramatic image (most likely) by photographer John Jay, or a lost moment of Kenobi witnessing the long drop below.

At work on the controls.

Turning off the power.

Alternate B/W of the classic scene image.

As seen in the film.

Watching an alternate early edit of the film - famously and now incorrectly known back in 1999 as 'The Lost Cut' - Dr. David West Reynolds would recall to Star Wars Insider of the special effects-less sequence put together in rough form back in 1976:

"We see quite a few additional angles of the tractor beam coupling zone - more passageways, catwalks and bridges. Ben scurries around, hides, and sneaks past the guards in this dark lattice-work environment of strange tunnels and platforms, making his way to the tractor beam which here seems very hidden in the bowels of the Death Star, It is an interesting alternate feel for the scene- very similar, and yet the nuances are all different." 

ILM storyboard.

Harrison Ellenshaw working on the matte painting for the scene at ILM.

Matte and studio final combination.

CLASSIC ART: THE GUARDIANS OF GOOD...

The heroes and masters of the 'light side' of the Force stand proud in this lovely art (by Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti) for the once Star Wars Galaxy magazine of the late nineties, a beloved nostalgic title still superior in art, contents and variety to pretty much anything currently being done in today's rather lacklustre official title, Star Wars Insider.

EPISODE VII: THE HEART OF THE RESISTANCE!

The ultimate Star Wars heroine returns in this memorable digitally-enhanced key art for The Force Awakens.

The galaxy is in building crisis once again, its New Republic struggling to cope, of which only the strength, wisdom and continued leadership of General Leia Organa can prevail as she rallies friends old and new to her cause - the new Resistance - against the emergent threat of the building-in-military strength First Order, coming in from the Unknown Regions.

A terrific and iconic publicity shot of Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa, from The Force Awakens, used as important character key art for the film and signifying the return of the Classic Trilogy's most popular heroes.

Original stills image.

EPISODE IX: THE NEXT GENERATION OF SAGA HEROINE!

Now one of the key members of the Resistance in their finale battle against the First Order, Lt. Kaydel Ko Connix is ready for what lies ahead, as the character proves herself a worthy potential successor to General Leia Organa, whilst Billie Lourde, the actress bringing her to life onscreen, proves a worthy rising star successor to the legacy of her late, much-missed mother, Carrie Fisher.

Billie Lourd played Leia Organa and other visual effects secrets from 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'

EPISODE VII: 'THE FORCE AWAKENS' TURNS FOUR!

The players for good and for evil are assembled, as the nightmare of tyrannical evil returns with the threat of the First Order against the weak-willed New Republic, and a potential new Jedi generation is revealed. The Force Awakens celebrates its fourth anniversary in the UK today. A rare composite publicity image showcased by TOPPS.

EPISODE VIII: A SECOND ANNIVERSARY!

It remains a divisive entry for fans, but EPISODE VIII nonetheless has a striking big budget movie debut from writer/director Rian Johnson, who gives us a film that has its own unique style as well as some superb camera work. The Last Jedi celebrates its second anniversary UK release today as part of the Star Wars universe, its action and characters well captured in this great TOPPS Cards composition.

Original UK press conference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSt5bvtZMSw

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A VISION OF SERENITY!

The splendid outfit of light and beauty worn by Natalie Portman for the film's closing ceremony.

A special day of celebration for her people means that Queen Amidala must wear a special costume in response, of which Trisha Biggar and her team pulled out all the stops to deliver a truly beautiful silk and petals design for Natalie Portman to wear outdoors during Summer 1997 filming at Leavesden Studios, of which celebrated film unit photographer Keith Hamshere would take the representative publicity shots/wardrobe reference images.

Photographer Keith Hamshere at work in the studio.

"It had to be very light and beautiful with the feeling of a wedding dress. George also liked a drawing Iain McCaig had done that showed a very large, unusual collar at the back at the dress."

Trisha Biggar - 1999

The costume and designs as compiled for a TOPPS Card.

A rare publicity image taken on set at Leavesden Studios, on a palace corridor set recreation.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE QUEEN'S PROTECTOR!

With the previous King Veruna having died in mysterious circumstances prior to the Trade Federation Blockade (as originally outlined in the pre 2015 Expanded Universe), Naboo's new and young Queen Amidala has a tighter security force at her command, led by the confident Captain Panaka, played in EPISODE I by distinguished Ghanan actor/director Hugh Quarshie. A fine casting choice, Quarshie was then best known to cult film audiences a few years earlier, with his appearance in the original Highlander, opposite Christopher Lambert.

"He's Captain of the Guard. The way I conceived of the role is that he is very tough, and I figured the tougher I was, the tougher it would make the Jedi seem. Obviously, no one out-toughed the Jedi, but Captain Panaka was going to give them a run for their money!"

Hugh Quarshie - STAR WARS INSIDER MAGAZINE - 1999

EPISODE VII: WHAT PLAN?

Now arrived at Starkiller Base in the search for Rey, and to critically deactivate the facility's shielding, Han Solo soon realises that things aren't all what they seem with Finn's unique knowledge of the First Order, in this great little comedy moment from The Force Awakens.