EPISODE VIII: A MASTER NO MORE...?

Inside the mountain top cave of the primary Jedi Island on Ahch-To, Luke Skywalker shares with Rey the tragic memories of his former Padawan Ben Solo's descent into evil, and his thoughts on the hypocrisy of the Jedi Order, in an intriguing scene from The Last Jedi.

Discover more about the film's backstory - the aforementioned tragedy, and the significant 'return' of Luke Skywalker from his self-exile - via the newly released to paperback Arrow UK adaptation of The Last Jedi, which won acclaim for its bestselling author Jason Fry earlier in the year, what with this special 'Expanded Edition', featuring new scenes authorised by Lucasfilm and director Rian Johnson.

Original hardback review:
https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2018/03/aficionado-review-last-jedi-expanded.html

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Jedi-Expanded-Star-Wars/dp/1524797138/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543367544&sr=8-1

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'STAR WARS ICONS - HAN SOLO'

That smuggler's life! Star Wars Icons - Han Solo, out now!

2018 has been both a great time for Star Wars book publishing and for the most popular star of its franchise in rogue pilot extraordinaire Han Solo, what with the arrival of his terrifically enjoyable origin film last Summer. Now, bringing this packed year to a distinctive close, both factors are fused into an impressive whole with the arrival of the all-new Ilex Press celebration that is Star Wars Icons - Han Solo - we hope the launching pad for a continuing series of books totally dedicated to the popular and enduring heroes and villains of George Lucas's beloved universe.

Harrison Ford is Han Solo- both showcased at their best in The Empire Strikes Back.

Though a fine entertainment correspondent/editor in her own right, Icons chosen author - US talent Gina McIntrye - importantly proves herself as much of a Star Wars obsessive as we are, finding the rarest of quotes and information (from the most diverse sources) to successfully put the entire behind the scenes facts and onscreen fantasy worlds of Han Solo together for a highly satisfying, ultimate compilation tapestry/celebration, and a tome that also features all-new interviews/insights conducted with many recognisable key talents (including top film writer/director Lawrence Kasdan and the original Han himself- Harrison Ford) who'd work so hard and creatively in bringing the character of maverick Solo to life over forty years and in five memorable feature films, as well as for all kinds of notable spin-offs and merchandising treasures appearances. Additionally, McIntyre also delves into the legacy that would change Hollywood adventure characters with Solo's wake (thanks largely to Ford's impressive performance) for years to come in a most satisfying and contextual way. Star Wars Icons must surely be the most definitive work yet on that formidable but never entirely successful outer space western-type smuggler, who, deep down, and even against his better judgment, has always been one of the good guys!

A true homecoming for Han and Chewbacca with The Force Awakens.

Bringing to life a whole new storytelling direction with Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Complimenting the worthy text is some of the finest art and photography from Star Wars Pop Culture-dom, selected and digitally restored from the Lucasfilm Archives (as well as other key sources) to bring further rich visual evocation to those spirited and epic adventures of Solo- from rare behind the scenes shots (including some great representations from A New Hope and The Force Awakens) to key still images (including deleted moments, especially from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi), plus very rare conceptual art (including those from pioneering talent Ralph McQuarrie (a key life blood of the series- then and now) and Classic Trilogy costume designer John Mollo), and classic/modern examples of Solo's enduring media/merchandise existence (alongside The Odd Couple-esque travelling compatriot in life-debted hairy hero Chewbacca, and their stalwart 'piece of junk' ship, the Millennium Falcon). Nothing has seemingly slipped through the radar it seems, bar the notorious exception of The Star Wars Holiday Special- still the mad uncle in the corner that no one wants to talk to at Christmas!

Caught in the Rebel cause and the crossfire with Princess Leia, within lots of pop culture classic art.

AFICIONADO RATING: A gorgeous treat for Christmas, Star Wars Icons - Han Solo is one valuable legacy purchase you'll want to go from 'one side of the galaxy to the other' to get hold of. 4 out of 5

Excerpt:
https://ew.com/books/2018/11/27/harrison-ford-star-wars-icons-han-solo-book/

The author's favourite rare images from the book:
https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-icons-han-solo-rare-photos

Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Icons-Han-Solo/dp/1781576971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543316806&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+icons+han+solo

BEHIND THE SCENES: A SPELLBINDING UNIVERSE TAKES SHAPE...

George Lucas makes notes during a scene break in Tunisia. 

AFICIONADO's Fortieth Anniversary celebrations of the full UK theatrical release of the original Star Wars during 1978 comes to a close with this collection of rare and magical behind the scenes images. Enjoy!

Alternate image of the classic 'Binary Sunset' sequence.

A different posed photo take of Luke with his father's lightsaber. 

Early costume shape mould option for Threepio.

Anthony Daniels Threepio costume starts to take shape at Elstree.

On location for Luke's scenes at the Hotel Sidi Driss - Spring 1976.

Friends on a new adventure: Kenny Baker and Jack Purvis.

Filming the iconic opening scene of the film.

A lovely shot of the Artoo shell in Star Wars Canyon in Tunisia- March 1976.

The never used original title crawl.

Ann Skinner and Anthony Daniels watch Sir Alec Guinness confer with Lucas. 

Turning on the light saber for the first time!

Escaping the Imperials in art by Alex Tavoulais.

To capture a Princess!

A bright light in the sky!

Friends together in the Jawa Sandcrawler.

Alternate BTS shot from the moment where Leia encounters Vader.

The Tusken Raiders enjoy their work!

Stormtroopers and Rebels clash with lazer swords!

Bringing Artoo to life the hard way!

The Blockade Runner takes a critical hit, filmed at ILM.

A different outtake of the classic filming image.

The droid seeks escape in this Alex Tavoularis storyboard.

Catching up with a wayward droid.

Slightly different outtake shot of our four friends having fun on set- Summer 1976.

CELEBRATING THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT FORTY!

Darth Vader lives!

For anyone this past week who may have missed our celebratory coverage of the 40th Anniversary of the infamous The Star Wars Holiday Special, here's our full set of links (you have been warned!):

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: A WOOKIEE FAMILY PORTRAIT!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: FALCON FLYING BUDDIES!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: MORE SCUM, MORE VILLAINY!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: A WORRYING COMMUNICATION!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: A ROYAL CONVERSATION!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: THE LONG CLIMB!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: MAKING WOOKIEE!

CLASSIC ART: BEYOND THE FILM! BEYOND THE GALAXY!

Cover art by Carmine Infantino and Rudy Nebres.

Though Han Solo's life in the cinematic version of the Star Wars saga was always full of derring-do and dangerous pursuit, what abut the adventures he and Chewbacca shared both prior to and after the Classic Trilogy? Fans thirst for these inspiring tales would be satiated happily from the get-go via Marvel Comics, who soon launched the crew of the trusty Millennium Falcon into all new directions in 1978 after their initial six-issue 1977 adaptation of the original film (like the above all-new adventure Shadeshine!, from one of  the company's 'King-size' Annuals of 1982). So too did popular US sci-fi/fantasy author Brian Daley, who'd pen three of the most influential and successful books for the characters that, for many readers, have yet to be equaled.

Find out more about the amazing and capable women whom Han allied, wooed and admired, the many diverse, cunning adversaries he and Chewie fought, and the epic space journeys undertaken from 'one side of the galaxy to the other' inside the encompassing Expanded Universe, via the all-new pop culture celebration of our legendary Corellian adventurer and self-made man that is Star Wars Icons - Han Solo, the truly lavish and highly informative new coffee table book from Ilex Press, written by Gina McIntyre, available in the UK from November 27th, 2018.

Here's the advance book release information:

Smuggler. Rogue. Hero of the Rebellion. Scruffy-looking nerf herder. 

Han Solo has been called all these things and more since making his debut in the original Star Wars film back in 1977. Four decades later, the irrepressible Solo continues to be one of the most iconic and enduring elements of the saga.

Star Wars Icons: Han Solo covers the character's entire journey, from his genesis in George Lucas's first drafts of Star Wars to Harrison Ford's iconic performances in the original three films and The Force Awakens, and the character's rebirth in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The book also takes an in-depth look at Solo's role in the Star Wars universe, through novels, comics, video games, and more, and the indelible impression the character has made on pop culture.

Illustrated with a treasure trove of rare and previously unseen imagery, including candid on-set photography and stunning concept art, this deluxe volume also features exclusive new interviews with Harrison Ford, Alden Ehrenreich, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Peter Mayhew, Ron Howard, J. J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, Jonathan Kasdan, and many more key creatives.

Comprehensive and revelatory, this is the definitive book for Han Solo fans across the galaxy.

Get the book here (available from November 27th, 2018)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Icons-Han-Solo/dp/1781576971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542378341&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+icons+han+solo

ILM BEHIND THE SCENES: ONE STEP AT A TIME!

Now resided at the bigger and better production facilities of ILM's San Francisco base, with a new and permanent area for the always fascinating stop motion animation process, Phil Tippett and Jon Berg work slowly and diligently on the epic snow battle involving the AT-AT Walkers on the ice planet Hoth, in this terrific behind the scenes shot from The Empire Strikes Back, taken during late 1979.

This previously unseen image is part of an incredible compilation of rare materials (photos/documents/conceptual art) to be savoured within Taschen Book's eagerly awaited and supremely lavish all-new 600+ page hardcover The Star Wars Archives: 1977- 1983, available next month, that gloriously focuses on the making of the beloved Classic Trilogy of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, collated and written by Paul Duncan.

Check out our original preview of the book:
https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2018/05/coming-soon-star-wars-archives.html

Get the book here:
https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/film/all/01170/facts.the_star_wars_archives_19771983.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1bbpk8jW3gIVSrDtCh0z6wi3EAAYASAAEgLewvD_BwE

THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: MAKING WOOKIEE!

Soon special effects and make-up legend Stan Winston has fun with Patty Maloney, trying out her Wookiee costume and mask creation for the sweet Lumpy, in another great behind the scenes shot from The Star Wars Holiday Special, which would film in Hollywood by late Summer 1978.

http://www.tomspinadesigns.com/restoration/star-wars-props/star-wars-chewbacca-malla-mask-restoration/

More behind the scenes info:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/72863/dark-side-oral-history-star-wars-holiday-special

THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: THE LONG CLIMB!

It's dangerous and dirty work for Chewbacca and his new 'friend' Boba Fett as they climb the side mountains leading to the Imperial-occupied Panna City, amidst their search for a cure to the mysteriously afflicted Han Solo and Luke Skywalker back at the Falcon, in this great Nelvana Animation moment from the ever-popular animated segment - The Faithful Wookiee (apparently written by Lucas himself) of the 1978 The Star Wars Holiday Special.

More on the animated development of Boba Fett:
https://www.starwars.com/news/the-star-wars-holiday-special-boba-fett

With thanks to Chris Baker.

THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: A ROYAL CONVERSATION!

Her role as the fiery Princess Leia Organa in The Star Wars Holiday Special may ultimately have been consigned to a rather restrained guest appearance, but at least Carrie Fisher, alongside Anthony Daniels (back in his original golden costume as Threepio), got to additionally voice the princess for the animated segment, and memorably show what a great singing voice she had for the corny but memorable finale amongst the Wookiee Life Day revellers.

Watch the finished onscreen sequence and you'll see the very basic set behind them is soon covered in smoke, presumably caused by their scene having been or being filmed in another side of the same video taping studio where Mark Hamill's scene with Artoo had been prior shot- the leaking smoke from their under repair equipment clearly lingering!

Anthony Daniels takes a breather between videotaping.

More on Fisher's secret enjoyment of THS:
http://www.factfiend.com/carrie-fisher-copy-star-wars-holiday-special/

Director Steve Binder on the filming:
https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/entertainment/star-wars-holiday-special-40-landmark-tv-bomb-born-150027690.html?guccounter=1

THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: A WORRYING COMMUNICATION!

At their current Rebel base location, Artoo Detoo and his master Luke Skywalker stop their in-progress repair work to soon discover that Han and Chewie are in potential danger, having not arrived for the latter's Life Day celebrations, in this moment from The Star Wars Holiday Special.

Smoking up the studio taping stage!

Returning as Luke Skywalker in a special favour to George Lucas, Mark Hamill now has short blonder hair for the special (either linked to his 1978 duration filming for the war flick The Big Red One, or possibly even wearing a wig), presumably in an unsuccessful attempt by the behind the scenes team to try and match his first film appearance in character.

Hamill reminisces about the special:
http://www.factfiend.com/carrie-fisher-copy-star-wars-holiday-special/

Hamill quote from Reddit AMA interview Jan 2014:

Oh yeah. I thought it was a mistake from the beginning. It was just unlike anything else in the Star Wars universe. And I initially said that I didn’t want to do it, but George said it would help keep Star Wars in the consciousness and I wanted to be a team player so I did it. And I also said that I didn’t think Luke should sing, so they cut that number. And now, I think we shouldn’t be ashamed of it. They should put on the extra of the DVD’s – it shows how incredibly fallible we are! At that same time, it did introduce Boba Fett in an animated sequence, so it’s significant in that respect. Plus Art Carney was in it, who is one of my favorite comedic actors of all time.