BEHIND THE SCENES: A HOME FIT FOR JEDI!

As a hideous rainstorm hits the area around them on the muddy world of Dagobah, Luke Skywalker enters the unique home of the mysterious and mercurial vagabond who has agreed to introduce him to the legendary Jedi Master known only as Yoda. Soon enough, Luke soon gets a big surprise with this upcoming encounter... 

A lovely pair of 1978 prelim set concept sketches for Yoda's hut within the ambitious first sequel to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and another fine showcase for the talents of the film's respected British Production designer, Norman Reynolds.

Star Wars Aficionado was saddened to hear of Mister Reynolds passing in news released today (April 6th, 2023), though his iconic and legacy building production design work on the Original Trilogy and Raiders of the Lost Ark, amongst many other notable subsequent film ventures, will live on...

Star Wars: The man who designed the films' 'look' - BBC News

Norman Reynolds at work on The Empire Strikes Back, his first Star Wars production as responsible Production Designer.

Norman Reynolds: 1934-2023 • Lucasfilm

Star Wars: Oscar-winning production designer Norman Reynolds dies - BBC News

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: PREPARING TO DEPART!

Outside Yoda's hut, an X-wing fighter pilot suited Luke Skywalker confers with his Master, presumably discussing how he must leave him to try and rescue his friends, in this gorgeous production painting by Ralph McQuarrie.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: WILL THE REAL YODA...

Out of the rain and inside the quirky stranger's small hut, Luke tries his best but soon grows impatient to find the elusive Jedi Master Yoda. With the voice of Obi-Wan suddenly around him, the boy gets a mighty surprise and learns a valuable lesson as to how not to judge a being by their height or appearance. Yoda has been with Luke all along. Reluctantly trained as a Jedi the boy will be, but not before Yoda gives him a verbal scolding...

A possible deleted scene as Luke looks out to Yoda from the window.

Some snake manipulation on set, prior to Kershner's filming.

Sampling Yoda's culinary skills.

Luke says he's not afraid. "You will be... you will be."

Mark Hamill played his scenes opposite Yoda with great conviction and believability even when one of the small and worrying rented-in snakes (not one of his favourite species), used as set decoration, started moving up his leg during Yoda's infamous and slightly menacing, "You will be... you will be" moment.

Home truths about Luke's dreamful years on Tatooine, from a near scolding Yoda.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE MASTER MEETS HIS CREATOR!

August 6th, 1979. On the raised hut interior set at Elstree, George Lucas has an important look over the development and manipulation abilities of the Yoda puppet via a foam-rubber light-weight (near accurate to the final look) stand-in model in full costume (one that would be made to look used and dirtied later on).Operated by Frank Oz, in test scenes also watched over by Gary Kurtz and Irvin Kershner, Lucas is clearly pleased and enthused with the way things are going regarding his unique new creation. 

Norman Reynolds production design for Yoda's hut. Note the image of Yoda at the time of the illustration is still resembling the once conceived by Joe Johnston.

Another Norman Reynolds idea for Yoda's hut- note the ceiling mosaic- a clear homage to what was above the Lars Homestead dining room in the original Star Wars.

Production design maquette of the cramped set.

Interestingly, in all the behind the scenes footage and stills photography for the movie seen over the years, this seems to be the only time that the stand-in was visually captured. 

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: LET ME IN!

No longer willing to stay and watch over the camp, a lonely Artoo, caught in a rain deluge, has clearly used his scanners to discover Yoda's hut, in a scene that was partially cut for time and pace reasons. 

Preparing for filming. Note the covered remote controlled Artoo.

Artoo skiddles towards Yoda's home whilst the rains pour down.

Both types of Artoo were used for this scene: the remote control three-legged unit, and Kenny Baker in the shell looking through the window, helped off camera into position by a stage hand. 

Artoo is unable to gain inside access to Yoda's hut.

Unused footage of Artoo by the ground entrance to Yoda's hut.

Filming Artoo looking into the separate hut interior window which is raised on a scaffold for puppeteer work.