'EPISODE III': PADME'S LAST DUTY...

Safe from the Emperor within the deep space outpost/archaeological research site of Polis Massa, our surviving outcast heroes watch as the emotionally and physically wounded Padme Amidala begins the birthing process to what will surprisingly become twins, during the memorable and emotional conclusion, the bridging of sagas, the bringing of 'A New Hope', to EPISODE III.

EPISODE III: "WHY LEAVE?"

The epic double lightsaber duel begins during the epic finale to Episode III, not just on the fiery Mustafar, between Anakin and Obi-Wan, but also between Master Yoda and the dreaded Emperor, at first trying to retreat from the little green whirlwind, within the bowels of the senate chambers of Coruscant. 

Duels that will end in failure, sorrow and anger...

CLASSIC ART: VALORUM MEETS THE COUNCIL!

With the trade routes dispute escalating into chaos throughout the Republic, the harried yet benevolent Supreme Chancellor Valorum liaises with the senior members of the Jedi Council about the expanding crisis, and to get advice, especially with the soon shocking news that a blockade has now been activated by the greedy Trade Federation against the peaceful world of Naboo.  

Terrific art by Chris Trevas showcasing the unseen lead-up to EPISODE I. 

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: A UNIVERSE OF DRAMA AND ADVENTURE...

The long-running commercial artist John Alvin's work on the original Star Wars films have become highly beloved and respected over time. None more so than the super 1995 work he did for the films on their uncut VHS release before the debut of the Special Editions, of which all the key successful character ingredients for The Empire Strikes Back would be well represented.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 45: THE MAGIC OF YODA!

900 years old and as wise as ever: the inimitable Yoda.

“I wanted for him to be the kind of character you can find in fairy tales and mythology. A character that is usually a frog or a needy old man. In his path the hero sees this poor, insignificant person. The lesson the hero must learn is that he had to respect everybody beyond their physical appearance, since there may be the key to his success. He's a weird creature with a froggish look, half a meter tall. I wanted the public to see him as a funny creature, not as the most powerful of all the Jedi. I was looking for the opposite of anyone you would expect, since the Jedi based their beliefs in a philosophical idea, instead of a physical concept.” 

George Lucas on Yoda - 1997 interview

Inside Yoda's small home interior at Elstree, Lucas observes a dummy version of the character manipulated by Oz. 

Oz confers with Lucas, Kershner and Kurtz about the puppet.

The detailed puppet created by Stuart Freeborn and his team, though another was also created by Nick Maley and equally used on screen.

Oz manipulates the puppet with his small team at Elstree during August/September 1979.

Mark Hamill's acting skills help bring further believability to the character of Yoda, especially in this important scene with Luke, which also features the spectral voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Continuity Polaroids taken for reference.

With the film's release from May 1980 onwards, Yoda's visage is no longer a secret, with a special press release and photos sent out fully introducing the unique new character to the saga.

'EPISODE III' AT TWENTY: LIGHT VS DARKNESS!

The Duel of the Fates continues..

Now returned to Coruscant in the aftermath of the brutal slaying of their fellow Jedi during Order 66, Obi-Wan goes off to find Anakin Skywalker via his connection to Padme, whilst Yoda confronts the evil and repulsive Darth Sidious, their intense lightsaber duel taking them into the heart of the senate audience chamber. Though Yoda's impressive skills in the Force almost win the day, it's ultimately the Emperor/Sidious who wins through, as a defeated and depressed Yoda realises that he will now have to begin a life of exile on a mysterious alien world later revealed as Dagobah.

A thrilling CGI sequence that once more makes effective use of John Williams supreme score, originally composed for Episode I but reused here: Duel of the Fates.

The Emperor's hideous cackle must not deter Yoda from combat.

"Fighting Frank (Oz) - fighting Yoda - was a joy. And then I got to experience the full beauty of CGI. In other words, actors in battle with invisible people. Although it was a very precise choreographic sequence - it would have to be, you've seen it - which we did do. Then I sensed, in fact George asked for it in a polite way, he wanted a few sort of improvised strokes. So basically I did a rap to thin air at the end of the choreographed sequence and then collapsed with exhaustion and hysterical laughter on the floor. I don't know if any of those movements are in the final cut... That wasn't difficult, that was great fun."

Ian McDiarmid - Episode III DVD press launch interview - 2005

'EPISODE III' AT TWENTY: "ORDER 66"

The murder of the Jedi across the galaxy begins as Ki-Adi Mundi falls to his troops on Mygeeto.

With Anakin Skywalker gone and Darth Vader now crowned in his place by the manipulative Darth Sidious, of which the young former hero will soon be unleashed in all his terrifying power against the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, the evil Dark Lord master is now ready to send the Order 66 signal across the galaxy that will see the Clone Troopers, after years of pre-planning, finally turn against their Jedi Commanders and murder them across a thousand worlds and beyond. 

The Dark Times of the Sith and the Galactic Empire have begun...

One of the key sequences that Star Wars fans had been anticipating that would be effectively revealed in Episode III, hauntingly bolstered by superb music from John Williams, and featuring pre-viz ideas/contributions from Steven Spielberg, encouraged to provide ideas for the then final film of the saga by his friend George, for both Order 66 and the finale duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan on Mustafar.

Darth Sidious activates Order 66 to the Clone Troopers across the galaxy.

"To be very honest, that scene (Order 66) was about twice as long as it is now. There were a lot more Jedi killed in a lot more ways, but it kind of went on and on. So we finally cut it down to what we thought was the minimum we could get away with and still get a sense that there are thousands of Jedi around the galaxy."

George Lucas - Empire magazine - July 2005

The bold Aayla Secura is cornered and brutally executed on the alien world of Felucia.

Darth Vader leads his elite troops into the Jedi Temple and continue the surprise massacre.

Shaak Ti's (Orli Shoshan) original death scene would instead be re-filmed and editorially moved to the Order 66 sequence, where she would be slain from behind by Anakin/Darth Vader instead of Grievous. sadly, this scene too would end up being deleted.

Vader soon slaughters a group of innocent younglings hiding in the Temple.

As the Jedi drop like flies across the galaxy, Yoda is disturbed in the Force whilst on Kashyyyk.

Fire and explosions rock the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

Padme and Threepio are shocked and disturbed by what they see in the distance.

On patrol, Stass Allie (Nina Fallon) is murdered by her speeder bike colleagues on Saleucami.

Plo Koon is taken out by his wingmen above one of the bridge cities of Cato Neimoidia.

Yoda is soon in the Clone blaster crosshairs but escapes the carnage, with help from the Wookiees.

'EPISODE III' AT TWENTY: WOOKIEE WAR BUDDIES!

Comrades in Wookiee-dom: Chewbacca and Tarfful. Image: Keith Hamshere.

It's a system that the Republic cannot afford to lose to the Separatists, as Master Yoda brings a force of Clone Troopers to the lush and tropical Wookiee world of Kashyykk, liaising with its fierce armies lead by the furry leader Tarfful (Michael Kingma), and his special aide in the legendary Chewbacca, once more played by the iconic Peter Mayhew. Fans loved this first official onscreen visit to Kashyyyk, and the return of loveable Chewie, in a sequence that ultimately proved far too short.

Peter Mayhew: A Lost Interview With Star Wars' Original Chewbacca

Back in an all-new yak hair costume after thirteen years away: Peter Mayhew is Chewbacca!

Mayhew in costume for publicity, holding a unique cane stick not seen in the film. Image: Keith Hamshere.

"I got a call from Rick McCallum last year (2003), and he wanted to check on dates and my availability. It was one of those nice phone calls that you get. It's great to know that you're going to do something that you've had in the back of your mind for a long time."

Peter Mayhew- Star Wars Insider issue 79 - Jan/Feb 2005

"Chewie is up to all sorts of things in Revenge of the Sith - battles, rescues, all the good stuff. I have a reasonable chunk of screen time."

"After so many years, it's great that Chewie is finally getting the recognition and background details that the fans want to know."

Peter Mayhew - Starlog magazine issue 334 - May 2005

Liaising with Tarfful, Yoda and the Jedi before battle begins.

A guide to the Episode III Wookiees.

AGE OF THE SITH! CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF 'EPISODE III'

Art by Mike Mayhew for Marvel Comics.

It was the finale to the Prequel Trilogy that had to deliver the dramatic/action-packed goods to worldwide audiences eager to see the bridging between the worlds of darkness encapsulating both once Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker and his alter-ego Darth Vader. And for the most part, creator George Lucas delivered the epic goods in ways that we sometimes never expected, amidst a sea of CGI spectacle and lightsaber duels. Revenge of the Sith, now celebrating its iconic Twentieth Anniversary this May 19th, 2025, with its strong tone, fast pace and overall fine performances, has aged well in comparison to this current era of mostly disappointing superhero/sci-fi blockbusters being made, and a packed story continuing to inspire fans who love its doom-laden essence of tragedy seen-in with the rise of the evil Emperor Palpatine, as the fearsome Sith finally achieve their brutal aims against the Republic and their Jedi enemies.

But A New Hope is certain...

It was great to see how well the film did in its Anniversary re-release last month (April 2025), taking its box office final tally to nearly one billion whilst beating out modern films (like The Accountant 2) to a point that was astounding. Another incredible testament to the talent and imagination of George Lucas and his filmmaking team back in 2003.

Wookiee Basketball, Kid Han Solo, and a Kenobi Dummy: 20 Fun Facts about Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith | StarWars.com

Sam Jackson and Hayden Christensen at the El Capitan cinema launch night screening.

'JEDI' AT 40: A JEDI REDEEMED...

The faith that Luke Skywalker had in his father Anakin, that he could indeed be turned back to the good side of the Force, ultimately pays off, with the late Darth Vader's destroying of the cruel Emperor Palpatine leading to the former Jedi's deserved redemption, alongside Anakin's happy reuniting with his once friend Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda within the netherworld of the Force.

A lovely art pin-up piece for the Marvel adaptation of Return of the Jedi from 1983, by one of the modern comic era's greatest artists', Bill Sienkiewicz.

EPISODE III: AN ALTERNATE YODA?

An intriguing image of a digitally conceived Yoda that found its way into a British Pedigree published annual around the post release of Revenge of the Sith. We believe it's likely from that film and an unused visual test iteration of the character created to potentially bridge the gap between the way the wizened old Jedi looked by the end of the Prequels and his first (return) appearance for The Empire Strikes Back. Somehow the image managed to get used in picture publicity for the UK, though I haven't seen it appear anywhere else since...

'ATTACK' AT 20: YODA vs DOOKU!

An intense duel ensues between the towering force of Count Dooku and the small but determined Yoda, the latter of whom soon shows the latest Sith Apprentice the full power of his abilities. Recognising potential defeat or stalemate, Dooku creates a distraction for Yoda that requires his abilities to rescue the injured Obi-Wan and Anakin, now in danger, instead. The Count soon escapes the hangar safely within his Droid-operated Solar Sail vessel pod.

“From what I could tell, George was asking for the Tasmanian devil.. every time we showed it to him he said, “Amp it up! He’s got to be bouncing around!” He kept saying, “He’s a frog, this wicked-ass frog that’s going to kick it.”” 

Rob Coleman - DVD Review magazine Issue 44 - 2002 

“I’ve done more fights on celluloid than any actor in history…and I’ve got the scars to prove it. And this fight is greater than anything I’ve been involved in.”

Christopher Lee - DVD Review magazine Issue 44 - 2002

“I thought it was a remarkable scene considering that I never, at any time during the fight, actually saw Yoda. When we were filming, he wasn’t there. There was no time to position him. The whole thing was very fast and quick, so there wasn’t any time to place him 40 feet up on the left, or 10 feet to the right or wherever he was. I had to do it against blue screen, without Yoda being there, or anybody else for that matter. It was mainly a question of eye lines. I was told to look in that direction, make that movement and then make another movement in another direction. It was choreographed. That was the only way to do it. The long shots where Dooku is running (weren’t performed by me) because I was 79 or thereabouts, and I just can’t run. So that’s done by a double. But everyone had doubles, and they are in Episode III too. They have to be on certain occasions. But most of the stuff that you saw that was close-up-that’s to say knees upward, waist upward-was done by me.” 

Christopher Lee - Starlog magazine Issue 336 - July 2005

Locking lightsabers!

A deleted moment where Dooku uses two lightsabers.

A part of the filmed duel sequence saw Dooku wield two sabers against Yoda but this experimental footage was ultimately unused, though still photos from it were used for EPISODE II marketing and publicity purposes linked to the Dooku character.

Struggling to find a way of developing a fighting style for Yoda that must be believable on screen and win over audiences, a desperate Rob Coleman seeks advice from his friend and SW co-star Ahmed Best. Together they watch classic martial arts movies loved by Best and pin down the little Jedi's unique combat style.

An impressive visual shot from the duel sequence.

Yoda congratulates Dooku on his duel prowess.

Dooku provides the cowardly distraction needed to escape.

Yoda rescues Obi-Wan and Anakin as Dooku escapes...

More on the live action part of the filming:

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CLASSIC IMAGE: THE TWO MASTERS OF DARKNESS!