ROGUE ONE: WHEN WICKET MET 'SPACE MONKEY'!

Originally known as "Space Monkey" when created for ROGUE ONE by Neal Scanlan and his dedicated Creature Team workshop at Pinewood, the cheeky new/old Rebel hero, later give the name Bistan from the Iakaru race, soon became an instant sensation with fans worldwide during his larger than life debut (on stage performed by Nick Kellington) at the London CELEBRATION 2016 event, especially the fun moment when he picked up and chucked a Wicket figure back at host Warwick Davis!

No matter how long or short his ultimate contribution to the film is, we can't wait to see him in action for the finale air/ground battle on the Imperial held tropical world of Scarif.

The Creatures, Droids and Aliens of Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 - YouTube

BEHIND THE SCENES: READY TO LEAVE!

Departure time for Han and Chewie on Yavin IV.

They've been as well paid as they can be for helping to rescue Princess Leia Organa and bring her to the Rebel base on Yavin IV, but now its time for Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate Chewbacca to depart before the Death Star and the Empire can come looking for them- a move that upsets their new friend in Luke Skywalker, ready to do his bit in the fight against the enemy, during this classic moment filmed at the UK's Shepperton Studios, on their then largest soundstage, during early Summer 1976.

The famous scene where Han says, "May the Force be with you" to Luke was originally cut from the movie by George Lucas in post production, under advice from his filmmaking friend and colleague Brian De Palma that the concept of the Force was to the detriment of the film and should be removed or curtailed where possible. Thankfully, Marcia Lucas, a fan of the Force's place in the saga, recognises the moment's importance for the character of Solo, and, to her great credit, reinstates it back into the film during its final lockdown edit by early 1977.

 

Filming a tense moment between friends.

"May the Force be with you."

Loading the containers.

Continuity Polaroid between takes. Image: Ann Skinner/BFI.

Numerous reference images of the massive hangar bay set were taken by Script Supervisor Ann Skinner for continuity during filming- two B/W Polaroids so far unpublished reveal the full size built X-wing and partial Y-wing prop re-arranged into different positions to make the set look even bigger and more varied in fighter compliment, as well as two other colour Polaroids- one showing the main hangar bay with its craft facing right to left, the other featuring the Y-wing and and a full-size X-wing fighter cut-out facing right to left in shot. One last unpublished colour Polaroid is a close-in shot of all the containers being loaded onto the transport.

Luke is stunned that they're actually leaving.

Another frame from that scene.

A moment of amusement for Ford, Hamill and Lucas.

With thanks to Ann Skinner and the BFI.

AUGUST UK TV HIGHLIGHT: 'STAR WARS GREATEST MOMENTS' (2016 REVISED EDITION)

Composition by Steve Anderson.

A huge viewing success for the UK digital TV channel/platform in the lead-up to the then December 2015 theatrical release of THE FORCE AWAKENS (of which the film will soon be getting its exclusive premiere airtime, linked to/alongside the SKY CINEMA STAR WARS channel), SKY ONE's two-hour STAR WARS GREATEST MOMENTS programme, featuring memorable scenes and contributions from saga cast and crew, plus celebrity fans and film critics, gets an airing on Saturday 20th August, 2016 at 6-8pm, but please note that this is an updated version, featuring all-new material, clips and chat linked to EPISODE VII, plus presenter Alex Zane at the CELEBRATION 2016 UK London event, making it well worth catching up on...

Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Sky Movies

SKY CINEMA STAR WARS - GREATEST MOMENTS (2016 EDITION)

Collated by SKY CINEMA

20: Chasm swing
19: Vader's first breath (EPISODE III)
18: Speeder Bike chase
17: Rey feels the Force (duel)
16: Battle for Endor
15: The Twin Suns
14: Han Shoots Greedo
13: The death of Han Solo
12: Leia's Jabba's Palace costume
11: "It's a trap!"
10: Yoda lifts the X-wing
9: Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon versus Darth Maul
8: Vader's redemption
7: Falcon chase on Jakku
6: "That's no moon..."
5: "I love you", "I know"
4: Trench battle
3: The battle on Hoth
2: The Opening Shot (EPISODE IV)
1: "I am your father!"

Rey and Finn make their mark on STAR WARS GREATEST MOMENTS.

ROGUE ONE: THE SECOND 'EMPIRE' MAGAZINE COVER

We've had the heroes, now its the turn of the villains - notably cruel-eyed Director Krennic and his Death Troopers - for the second of next month's EMPIRE magazine covers devoted to ROGUE ONE, available on UK newsstands from August 25th, 2016.

News | Movies - Empire

ROGUE ONE: DODONNA RETURNS!

A classic posed image of our Rebel heroes on Yavin IV.

He gets a mention in the opening episode of STAR WARS REBELS Season Three, now Yavin Base Rebel cell leader General Jan Dodonna (originally played back in 1976 by the late Alex McCrindle) will put in a cameo appearance in the upcoming ROGUE ONE, as seen in the film's teaser trailer and in the image below (in left background). I think it unlikely the character will have any dialogue or major scene, but Dodonna's presence there is nonetheless welcome on the continuity front.

Watch out for several more character surprises to come this December.

From the ROGUE ONE teaser trailer.

CLASSIC IMAGE: JAR JAR WAS A 'ROLLING STONE'...

Throughout its long legacy in print, music and media, ROLLING STONE magazine has had numerous cover stars who've looked like aliens (I've always thought Mick Jagger was of extraterrestrial origin!), so why not Gungan extraordinaire Jar Jar Binks, who was the controversial but highly memorable choice gracing the magazine in the Summer of '99 as part of RS's extensive EPISODE I coverage, where they also managed to sneak in a clever celebration of the 1977 Classic Trilogy cast, too.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends its best wishes and greetings out to Ahmed Best on his Birthday!

EPISODE VII: THE FALCON ON THE COMMON!

The superb Millennium Falcon half shell recreation can be seen in its nostalgic glory during filming at the UK's landmark Greenham Common airbase, the location soon on screen transformed into the Rebel Base of D'Qar, for THE FORCE AWAKENS. Note Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher rehearsing their goodbye scene and Greg Grunberg as fighter pilot Snap Wexley getting ready to film, alongside a host of other Resistance clothed extras.

ROGUE ONE: THE FIRST 'EMPIRE' MAGAZINE COVER

Here's the blurb: Empire’s first cover for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story revealed | News | Movies - Empire

ROGUE ONE: DK BOOKS COMING SOON...

Harder-edged and more adult ROGUE ONE will hopefully be, but the traditional adventure and excitement elements of STAR WARS are also in place to attract fans of all ages, as demonstrated with these character icon covers to two eagerly awaited titles from DK BOOKS, available December 16th, 2016.

Star Wars Rogue One The Ultimate Visual Guide: Amazon.co.uk: DK: 9780241232422: Books

Star Wars Rogue One Ultimate Sticker Encyclopedia: Amazon.co.uk: DK: 9780241232453: Books

Titles coming this December from DK BOOKS and EGMONT UK.

CLASSIC IMAGE: REMEMBERING 'SECRET CINEMA'

Sir Alec Guinness and Dave Prowse they may not be, but the regular actors locking lightsabers playing Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader every Summer night, during the highly enjoyable SECRET CINEMA STAR WARS 2015 evening event screenings, were clearly putting their all into the climactic fight within the Death Star, watched by thousands of appreciative fans in SC's most ambitious and most successful film immersion/tribute staging yet, which also acted as a fun lead-in/primer for the later in the year spectacular debut of THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Check out our original event review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CELEBRATING 'SECRET CINEMA: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK'