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!

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: DARTH VADER MAKES HIS ARRIVAL...

Darth Vader makes his presence felt within the near-abandoned Echo Base on Hoth.

"(Irvin) Kershner was a real actors director. Before we started shooting Empire, he told me,"I want you to be the thinking man's Darth Vader", and really took me through things. He was lovely."

Dave Prowse - Film Review magazine Star Wars Special - 1997  

The Rebel base's shield generator has been spectacularly destroyed, and the enemy forces have mostly been wiped out by the AT-AT's and Imperial Snowtroopers. Now, the immense dark presence that is Darth Vader has arrived to oversee the final capture of Luke Skywalker and his other friends who'd prior helped in destroying the Death Star. Sadly, such a visitation and plans of revenge by the ominous Dark Lord proves too late, as the Millennium Falcon speeds off the base just in time, heading into space... 

But Vader's hunt will continue...

Vader is soon angered that the Millennium Falcon and its passengers have escaped his grip.

GOODBYE, DAVE PROWSE...

Art by Marrieta Ivanova.

The man who was, 'is', and always will be the ultimate physical personification of Darth Vader - Dave Prowse, MBE - sadly passed away yesterday, but he'll be forever icon remembered and beloved for the work he did from 1977 - 1983, not just inside the Star Wars universe, unforgettably playing the ultimate screen baddie, but outside of it too- for his decades enjoying meeting and signing saga autographs for the fans who loved his work via worldwide conventions, and also for the many worthy charitable causes he keenly supported around it. 

The classic autograph card importantly reminding viewers of the Star Wars saga who was portraying the ultimate screen villain.

Equally, let's not forget Prowse's other important legacies beyond playing the Dark Lord of the Sith. Thanks to his talents as a British champion in the field of body building/weight training and sporting fitness, Prowse helped turn the once puny young newcomer Christopher Reeve into the Man of Steel icon he'd become throughout the seventies and eighties; he was a hugely beneficial influence to UK road safety in his numerous TV and school visit appearances as the Green Cross Code Man, became other memorable 'monsters' in the likes of Doctor Who, Space:1999, and several classic Hammer Horror films. Plus numerous TV guest roles in now classic series like The Saint and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. as well as a memorable early seventies film appearance in a disturbing sequence of Stanley Kubrick's controversial A Clockwork Orange, that soon led to Prowse being recommended to rising star director George Lucas for some strange sci-fi film being made at Elstree Studios then called The Star Wars.

With the rest of The Empire Strikes Back cast (sans Anthony Daniels) at a London press call- May 1980. 

Father and son reunited! Prowse and Mark Hamill have fun at the UK Star Wars Celebration in London during Summer 2007. 

Beyond Vader, I personally felt that Prowse's best acting work had to be the BBC 1981 drama series The Rose Medallion, a quirky little affair where he played the simple-minded but kindly loyal cousin to an intrepid and avaricious antiques dealer detective of sorts, played by Donald Sumpter, now known for his work on Game of Thrones. If Rose ever gets a replay one day, it's worth a watch, showing viewers how seriously Prowse wanted to be taken as an actor during his eighties prime.

RIP, Dave, and May the Force Truly Be With You...

http://www.darthvader-starwars.com/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mark-hamill-mourns-death-of-star-wars-icon-david-prowse

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8997777/Darth-Vader-star-dead-85-British-actor-David-Prowse-dies.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55117704

Dave Prowse: George Lucas remembers 'imposing' Darth Vader actor - BBC News

'SOLO': LATEST NEWS (MAY 2018 - WEEK 2)

"The summer belongs to Solo!" And it's starting to look like it, too!

Visual Material:

Featurette:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCHtxAY74mM

Latest spots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gT5SMD8ZcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDmgCnzd_-I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r7Ng97Xqf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYlAtxTRNrY

International TV spot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5xaAQR_9D8

IMAX clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Pxl7IblYU

A look at the upcoming John Powell soundtrack listing for Solo.

Compilation clip footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM31qw3MbGk

Paul Bettany on story secrecy:
http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/paul-bettany-compares-the-insane-secrecy-on-the-solo-and-infinity-war-sets

Donald Glover interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQSuMJ8CMcg

Joonas interview:
http://ew.com/movies/2018/05/14/solo-a-star-wars-story-chewbacca-joonas-suotamo/

The cast at the US press conference/

Latest news:

US press conference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPefTc_CpbQ

Beyond Solo: Harrison and Alden meet again!

Ford and Ehrenreich:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn10tKOuhYQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn10tKOuhYQ

Ehrenreich talks to ET:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQNpxHIh7a4

Cast and main crew at Cannes. Image: Ron Howard/TWITTER.

Obnoxious interviewer alert with various cast members:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB3wZqqh1eU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh75aeCUAG4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbLf_dwjbI

EPISODE VIII: PRESS AND PUBLICITY VARIOUS

The Last Jedi cast and Disney's Bob Iger pose for Good Morning America.

'Breathe. Just breathe.' The Last Jedi is here next week!

Japan premiere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD4lipxH2C0

Press various: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aRDfoGckng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyyqOVRXOQA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVRSTHx9T9k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiXQFixzqJ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiJJTAv4szE

Rian Johnson get teased by the cast on Jimmy Kimmel.

Rian Johnson interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSICLkG_rPw

Johnson FACEBOOK interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYA1C8xbKGA

Mark Hamill on ABC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyRECFEfz7g

Hamill on Ellen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRo2OO-Kt9k

A fuller cast and crew gathering for the US New York Times.

Daisy Ridley on ABC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqF3QRp3VCE

Ridley on Jimmy Fallon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w17sB5zp7oY

Ridley talks to ELLE! online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoQ44SfV-c

John Boyega on ABC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmsfLaRrv2I

Boyega morning show interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSKv5o0CzXk

Kelly Marie Tran has finally seen the Star Wars films!

Gwendoline Christie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2lhu99eMs

Christie on ABC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x76qPf4uKOw

Kelly Marie Tran interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKyMJTvsFf4

Tran interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw3Z2Qb_AfA

Adam Driver: brooding recent GQ cover star.

US press conference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KWWZZb7IvI

FACEBOOK press interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIkXH0JOgj8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ7_yG4gNJc

Out now, the UK TV coverage of The Last Jedi and the 40th Anniversary.

Jimmy Kimmel show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFBuCp19L7M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUKhUahlDhA

Interview magazine- Mark Hamill: https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/mark-hamill

'STAR WARS' AT 40: HOLLYWOOD AND GALACTIC ROYALTY!

At Elstree Studios, June 16th 1976, a near 20 year old Carrie Fisher, a known name helpful in selling STAR WARS as the daughter of superstar Debbie Reynolds, sits down for an in-house filmed interview. As with Mark Hamill's talk on this set, we assume the interview was handled off camera by Gary Kurtz, and likely shot by documentarian Mike Dodds.

Only a few brief moments of this interview have appeared publicly. With the upcoming first anniversary of Miss Fisher's sad passing, the 40th Anniversary of STAR WARS coming to an end, and her final appearance as Leia with The Last Jedi, it would be a lovely gift to fans if this interview could be released online to the fanbase, If you're reading this LUCASFILM/DISNEY, we hope you will oblige us with this continued tribute to a much-missed woman and talent. Thank you.

LUKE SKYWALKER GOES DOWN UNDER!

Here's a great archive interview piece from 1977/78-Mark Hamill talking to Australia's ABC TV channel about the then release of STAR WARS, with some nice little snippets I hadn't heard before...

'It's impossible to explain, it's about a feeling:' Mark Hamill explains Star Wars - YouTube

With thanks to the LUKE SKYWALKER ARCHIVES FACEBOOK page for the heads-up.
(13) Luke Skywalker Archives

GARY KURTZ: CINEMATIC DREAM BUILDER!

STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Producer Gary Kurtz sits proudly with some fine memorabilia from his career working on the two most popular films of all-time, in an image taken from the mid-2000's.

Check out this great and nostalgic promotional 1980 TV interview, where Bobbie Wygant talks to Kurtz and the late Irvin Kershner, as EMPIRE is intelligently discussed in relationship to the original film. Check out the great painted backdrops behind them: Bobbie Wygant Interviews Irvin Kershner and Gary Kurtz for "The Empire Strikes Back" 1980 on Vimeo

'Star Wars' Producer Blasts 'Star Wars' Myths

STILL A JEDI AT 60! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIAM NEESON

Let's give a hearty Birthday shout out to Liam Nesson, who shined brightly as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in EPISODE I, turning 60 today. Hard to believe, eh?

Here's a fun clip of Liam Neeson and STAR TREK's Patrick Stewart on the UK GRAHAM NORTON chat show recently...

LIAM NEESON & PATRICK STEWART: Real-Life Beavis & Butthead?! (The Graham Norton Show) - YouTube

LIAM NEESON & PATRICK STEWART: Battle of the Action Figures (The Graham Norton Show) - YouTube


Image via THE LIAM NEESON FAN SITE

ARCHIVE BLOG (2008): WHEN "BIG AL" MET DAVE!

Trawling through the YOU TUBE universe I found this surprising little gem of a clip featuring the late, great Sir Alec Guinness. Promoting his then recent book in the early eighties, Sir Alec, who, in his life, gave very few interviews, actually appeared on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN! To find that he had appeared on the show surprised and intrigued me-I’m so used to serious interviews with the late actor, and in this clip he seemed to have a lot of fun anecdote wise with a seemingly equally enthused Letterman-for a change the king of US chat seemed to have actually have read the actors autobiographical book being promoted-most of the time you can see that he is just winging it to the sometimes annoyance of his guests!!

Though he doesn’t talk about STAR WARS, anything involving Sir Alec is always worth watching.

Head over to YOU TUBE at: www.youtube.com/watch    

ARCHIVE BLOG (2008): 'STAR'-DUST MEMORIES!

It’s not very often these days that rare STAR WARS interviews with the original cast and crew appear online, so its terrific to let you guys know about, via DIGITALFREAKNYC at ORIGINAL TRILOGY.COM, some excellent clips that have surfaced on YOUTUBE recently. The first couple are from a Miami TV station (WTVJ) programme called MONTAGE that did interviews with the main three cast in 1977 (Fisher-young and lovely-bright and smart, Hamill-still very much the totally friendly, accessible and innocent pup like Luke was, and Harrison Ford, again like Han and very much the enthusiastic, but smart-arse smuggler type-but in the cool way that we liked him for), and in May 24^th 1980 for EMPIRE (this, though, feels like a less fun affair and a bit different in tone-with Ford and Hamill, out of the main cast interviews, a bit more serious and, despite their friendliness and the Hope/Crosby comedy routine, do I detect the first stirrings of rivalry between them? Billy Dee is equally subdued but still thrilled with EMPIRE as a finished film, and Carrie is starting to show the wry and funny wit, humour and sarcasm that she’d be famous for later. Anthony Daniels is yet to be the convention guest to be afraid of and Irvin Kershner appears briefly almost like a Zen-type Yoda figure!). The interviewer, who does both segments, may be far more serious than he should be, and at times I felt a little patronising, especially to Carrie in 1977, but they are great nostalgic clips that’ll make you young again.

The third is an anniversary piece linked to the Saga’s Tenth Anniversary in 1987 (at least you guys in the US celebrated-we in the UK pretty much had nothing!!) and talks with all three main stars reflecting about what they felt about the films, as well as a terrific clip interview with Sir Alec Guinness-he may tell the same story about how he was involved in the film, but the final moments when he shows his enthusiasm for STAR WARS are priceless-if only he could have have remained as happy to have been associated with it in later life.

Enjoy, before they are eventually removed by spoil-sport copyright trackers!

STAR WARS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpoSZRySLc8&feature=channel_page

EMPIRE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkVzRLcQJc8&feature=related

ANNIVERSARY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s93iBgijzEs&NR=1

STAR WARS AT 35: THE PUBLICITY ROADSHOW

As STAR WARS fever hits America, its three young stars- Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford- take to the promotional road for the film, mostly enjoying its sudden and stratospheric success. If anyone has any info on this particular press event (what it was for and when - I think it may be a FOX press conference of some kind?), please get in touch...

And speaking of press conferences, check out this interview that Harrison Ford and a sleepy looking Carrie Fisher (who also looks like she's wearing her pyjamas!) did for French television in late 1977 or early 1978 when the film first began its theatrical run there. Producer Gary Kurtz is also present but the clip sadly doesn't include his part of the talk: Harrison Ford - rts.ch - archives - télévision - divers - archives

MARK HAMILL'S TRIP TO "BLIGHTY"!

Here's a great and very rare UK interview with Mark Hamill, conducted at the Imperial College London from near Xmas 1977, when he did the promotional rounds for STAR WARS London Xmas release (though this interview was obviously intended for screening in early 1978, when the film was eventually released nationwide throughout the country). Hamill proves as enthusiastic and friendly as ever, and there's some lively anecdotes. The presenter has seen the film and does ask some good questions here and there, despite some occasional awkwardness. It's interesting that Hamill was going on from this interview to appear on the UK's BBC 1 children's magazine show BLUE PETER- a show the actor fondly enjoyed watching whilst making STAR WARS at ELSTREE in the summer of 1976.

An interview with Mark Hamill - YouTube

With thanks to MHSAYERS for making this excellent slice of STAR WARS history available to fans via YOUTUBE.

MeTV Network | 13 Mark Hamill television roles before 'Star Wars'

With thanks to Ian Trussler for the late 1977 image of Mark as Luke.

MARK HAMILL TALKS!

Our good friends at the STAR WARS COLLECTORS CLUB site have kindly sent us their YOUTUBE posting (with thanks to the original recording source: a fan named "IG-88") of a rare Mark Hamill interview done sometime between 1981 and 1983 for a breakfast TV programme in New York, where he briefly chats about the upcoming JEDI (where he looks forward to a life beyond playing Luke Skywalker), his work on the Broadway stage and his life/career.

It's worth a look. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhvdAk3q0c4

And check out some of the other SW rarities on their channel page.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE NAME'S SOLO...HAN SOLO!

Here's three great shots (above and below) of Harrison Ford having a little fun posing outdoors at Han Solo at the studio exterior backlot (and prop dumping ground) at Elstree Studios, during April 1976- one of the earliest posed photo shoots of Harrison Ford in costume, having fun with his new blaster weapon/prop. The images, of which one similar was used in J.W. Rinzler's excellent MAKING OF STAR WARS hardcover from 2007, came from a recently sold rare contact sheet from that classic time, showing us a Ford still very much a star in the raw. It is unknown who took the photograph-possibly Gary Kurtz, David Steen or John Jay?

With thanks to Chris Baker for selected images.

On other things related to Han Solo, one of the big surprises of Celebration V was a new fan film about the adventures of the space pirate, alongside Chewbacca. I never got round to seeing it at the event, but everyone who saw it said it was great, and I now totally agree with them! Brilliant work and thanks to everyone who was involved in it (thanks to Andy Dukes for the link):

http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/The_Solo_Adventures_3D_133788.asp


And then there’s that great recently re-discovered Bobbie Wygant 1977 interview with Harrison Ford, before he came to dis-own STAR WARS, that’s well worth a look:

http://vimeo.com/13336321