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T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E

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TITAN TITAN TITAN
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

SPECIAL EDITION 2018

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SWI_2018_SE_04_05_Contents.indd 4 14/11/2017 12:31
CONTENTS
006 ADAM DRIVER IS KYLO REN 074 NOT COMING SOON
The actor who plays Kylo Ren A humorous look at the Star Wars
discusses life on the dark side. spin-off movies that never were!

012 40TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 080 KARABAST!


A profile of the Empire’s dreaded The voice of Zeb, Steve Blum,
Death Star. discusses his work!

018 R2’S DEBUT 082 ALEX TAVOULARIS


The making of R2-D2, a true icon A rare interview with the
of the saga! visionary storyboard artist.

020 “SPARK OF REBELLION” 088 QUIZ OF THE YEAR


The making of the first episode Test your knowledge with
of Star Wars Rebels! our quiz of the year!

028 CREATURE CREATOR 090 PRODUCER INTERVIEW


A rare interview with the visual Kathleen Kennedy and Bryan Burk
effects master, Jon Berg! on creating The Force Awakens!

032 AUTHOR TO AUTHOR 098 HARRISON ELLENSHAW


Writers Claudia Gray and Chuck An interview with the artist behind
Wendig talk Star Wars! some of Star Wars matte paintings!

040 LITTLE PRINCESS DIARIES 106 RETURN OF THE JEDI


Jeffrey Brown talks about his An amazing selection of rare photos
humorous Star Wars books. chronicling the making of the film.

044 ARCHIVE 128 BRICK BUSTER!


A special peek behind-the-scenes Award-winning writer Michael Price
on the Star Wars set! on the LEGO Star Wars specials.

046 FELICITY JONES 134 SAVE THE QUEEN


The actress who starred as Jyn Erso Amazing collectibles featuring
on leading Rogue One into action! Padmé Amidala.

054 100 AND COUNTING 136 HERE’S HERA


A complete guide to every episode An interview with Vanessa Marshall
of Star Wars: The Clone Wars! about her work on Rebels.

072 RED FIVE 144 LUKE AND LEIA


Discover five amazing facts that A classic moment revisited as
you probably didn’t know! the heroes swing for their lives!

SWI_2018_SE_04_05_Contents.indd 5 14/11/2017 12:31


ADAM DRIVER IS
THE MYSTERIOUS KYLO REN, AS PLAYED BY ADAM DRIVER, MENACES OUR HEROES
IN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

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S
tar Wars Insider: How did something that he talked about the
you get involved with The most. I feel like some of the movies are Clockwise, from
Force Awakens? so heavy on special effects or visuals above: Kylo Ren
Adam Driver: I think it was and lot of things get lost as far as two stalks our heroes;
the last day of shooting Girls and I got people talking to one another. And that the imposing and
a phone call to see if I was interested was something that J.J. stressed from mysterious Kylo Ren;
in meeting J.J. Abrams to talk about the beginning; it was all character— taking command of
Star Wars. I thought that it would there was hardly any talk of special the First Order troops
be interesting to do, so I said “yes.” effects. When we originally met and on Jakku.
A month later, I left for LA and I met talked, it was all about grounding these
J.J. to talk about the role. Then I met people in a reality, even though it’s a
with Kathleen Kennedy, who talked long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. If
more about it. I was very excited. It’s no one cares about what’s happening or
such a big thing and I’ve never done no one believes that these people are
anything quite like this, with this many real, then you won’t care about any of it.

“THERE’S SOMETHING EMPOWERING FOR


SOMEONE TO COMPLETELY HIDE THEMSELVES
IN A MASK THAT IS SO INTIMIDATING.”

moving pieces. Wearing a mask is quite What sense did you have of taking on
a challenging thing. It was very scary such a role?
and terrifying, so it wasn’t something The idea of doing it is a scary thing.
that immediately seemed like a “yes.” Even though J.J. mapped out what that
Actually, I thought about it quite a bit, character does, he left out a lot of things
even though it was kind of a no-brainer, for us to discover. He wanted to get my
but I didn’t want to take it lightly. input, which was a huge thing also in
a movie of this scale. Suddenly you have
How much was J.J. Abrams able to a director who wants you to be involved
share with you after you signed on? in making it, and given the history of
J.J. Abrams pretty much walked me these movies, that’s very exciting.
through the whole thing. He talked I was a fan of the Star Wars movies
about how he wanted to start it and when I was younger, so suddenly to
the themes that he was going with. work on it in my adult life and have
He talked about things that inspired input seems unbelievable.
him that he and Lawrence Kasdan were
already working on. There have been Did you enjoy working on practical sets?
small changes since then, but it’s all Everything is so real. I think grounding
pretty much the same. J.J. had ideas everything in a reality is more effective.
that were very clear in his mind about Not to get on a high horse about
the conventions that he wanted to technology, but sometimes it’s in place
upturn and things that grounded Kylo of something that’s real and tactile and
Ren as a character. Character was I think that people take it for granted.

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SWI_2018_SE_06_10_AdamDriver.indd 8 10/11/2017 15:51
I’ve actually read the Making of
Star Wars, and learned how all those
people were doing things out of this
need to do something different. The
conventional way of making a movie
at that time and special effects were
very important, but it was all about
people collaborating in a room
together trying to figure out a way
to make it real.

As an actor, is it freeing or limiting


to wear the mask?
It’s both. I get here for three or four
days to shoot, and I put all this stuff
on, the mask and the costume, then
I put it away for a few weeks. Then
I come back to it. It was such an
evolving thing up until the days
we started working on it. Then
you’re thrown into it, and boom!
Then suddenly I can’t see the ground.
They are all good challenges. As
we’ve been shooting, I find it more
freeing. The physical life is really
important. There are so many layers
to him anyway. It’s interesting to find
out who he is with the mask on or
with the mask off, and that was part
of our initial conversations. There’s
something empowering for someone
to completely hide themselves in a Clockwise, from
mask that is so intimidating. above: Early
concept art showing
Did you talk to J.J. Abrams and Kylo Ren’s helmet in
costume designer Michael Kaplan detail; more concept
about the look of Kylo Ren at all? art showing Kylo Ren
It was such an evolving thing. I’d fly in in a rare, reflective
to see what they were coming up with mood; poised for
and see nods to Akira Kurosawa, and action; Adam Driver
his jacket that bows out just a little on set, shooting the
bit, like a samurai, and all those razing of Jakku.
references. Then I’d leave for two
weeks and come back to see how it
was shaped a little more. My only
input was whether it felt good or
bad. I was involved in making it
functional, which was great. They
were all about how they could make
it more efficient and something that
someone could wear. It looks great,
but if you can’t move in it or breathe
in it, then it doesn’t make sense for
the audience or the actor.

How did you go about conveying the


character’s physicality?
Trying to convey someone whose
physical life is very much about
combat and fighting in a short amount
of time is a challenging thing. One of
the first things I wanted to do, as soon
as everything was all scheduled, was
to start drilling daily and making it
part of my daily life. I had three
months to prepare, so I wanted to
immerse myself in the training as

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“I’D FLY IN TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE COMING
UP WITH AND SEE NODS TO AKIRA KUROSAWA,
AND HIS JACKET THAT BOWS OUT A BIT,
LIKE A SAMURAI.”

much as possible. The first week was read-through that things would
like four hours a day of fight training; just come to life when the original
just stretching and going over the training characters read their parts.
with sticks and slowly building up to the Suddenly I just wanted to sit back
lightsaber. Then I went to New York and and watch and enjoy the movie, but
worked with people they sent there. then I realized I had lines to say and
Whenever we’re not on set, I’m always with a part to play. I got to act across
the fight guys. It’s almost like a play in a from people who have no idea
way, the dancing part of fighting. There’s a that they are very much a part
structure and it’s important to know where of my youth.
everything’s going. You always learn new
things about it, and for me this has been What makes Star Wars great?
a process where a lot of the external At the end of it, I think the great
things have been formed that gave me thing about Star Wars is that, yes,
more information. Usually I feel like I try it’s a long time ago in a galaxy far,
to work internally and try to think about far away and there are spaceships
how it feels from the inside out, but for and lightsabers, but the family story
this there are so many tactile things that and the friendship and sacrifice
I can actually hold on to that give me a elements are really big, human
lot of information. The fight choreography themes that make it enduring.
was one of them. All those human things are what
connected people to those movies
Was the table read a surreal experience? in the first place. It’s never been
Seeing everybody all in one room for taken lightly, and there’s
the table read was surreal; I just wanted always been a conversation
to sit back as an audience member that starts with putting the
and listen to them. I remember in the humanity in it.

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THOR RAG_v4.indd 40 14/11/2017 11:31
THE DEATH STAR

“DON’T BE TOO PROUD OF THIS TECHNOLOGICAL TERROR YOU’VE CONSTRUCTED.”

THE DEATH STAR

ANNIVERSARY
40TH
BALL
The Death SStar is one of the most iconic elements
in Star Wars. TTake a look inside the technological
h g terror
that lies at tthe heart of the Empire’s
p war machine.

12 | INSIDER

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INTERVIEW

FELICITY JONES

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY | 13

SWI_2018_SE_12_17_DeathStar.indd 13 10/11/2017 15:55


1/

G
eorge Lucas has 1 / Stormtroopers of Star Wars, and a cultural icon Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
always acknowledged guard the that ranks alongside Darth Vader’s modelmaker Colin Cantwell.
Millennium Falcon.
the sources from helmet and lightsaber duels in At this point, the Death Star
which he drew 2 / An Imperial Death terms of instant recognition value. was not really defined beyond
Squad Commander
inspiration for Star Wars. The So how did the Death Star being a “space fortress”, but
at his station. (See
opening text crawl is drawn from opposite page.) come about? Lucas based several following conversations with
Flash Gordon serials, the bickering of his ideas for Star Wars’ outer- Lucas, Cantwell set about building
3 / The Death Star’s
droids echo the main characters superlaser fires. (See space aesthetic on the paintings of a spherical styrene prototype.
in Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden opposite page.) celebrated sci-fi artist John Berkey, Painted in shining silver and
Fortress, and the climactic attack who died in 2008. Lucas bought dotted with circuit board-style
on the Death Star owes a great several of Berkey’s illustrations detailing, the finished prototype
deal to World War II movies The in 1975, and commissioned is far less “clean” looking than
Dam Busters (1955) and 633 further originals. Though Berkey the final prop, owing to the larger
Squadron (1964). Yet the moon- didn’t depict a Death Star-style scale of the details (which were
sized Death Star itself has few globe in full, one of his paintings cobbled together from mass-
obvious parallels in other works does show a rocket ship diving produced model kits). Cantwell’s
of fiction. toward a high-tech planetary model did, nonetheless, capture
Sure, plenty of villains surface, which could be an entirely the essentials of the now-familiar
have an impressive base, and constructed world or a heavily Death Star shape, including for the
superweapons that must be augmented one. first time an “equatorial trench”
stopped provide the against-the- around the center.
clock impetus for many a movie. DEATH In interviews, Cantwell has
But the audacity of the Death STARCHITECTS explained how this trench was
Star—its pure, simple shape and The job of fully visualizing the born of necessity: when he was
its mind-boggling scale—make it Death Star then fell to concept molding the upper and lower
one of the most original elements artist Ralph McQuarrie and halves of the sphere, both sections

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2/

3/

INSIDER 15

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4/

6/

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5/

suffered minor shrinkage at the 4 / The rebels discover the Death Star’s surface, not the Star with an equatorial superlaser
the trash compactor.
edges. Making the two pieces into equatorial trench. before the decision was made
(See opposite page.)
a perfect fit would have been a to move it, and a photo of that
very intricate and time-consuming 5 / An X-wing soars DISH AND painting formed the basis of Cuba’s
over the vast surface of
job, so instead he proposed a the Death Star. DISCREPENCY animation.
definite break in the center, and Of course, that doesn’t mean Once the Death Star design
Lucas swiftly agreed. 6 / Luke Skywalker and we can take General Dodonna’s was finalized, it fell to ILM to
Princess Leia swing
However, Cantwell’s further across a seemingly briefing graphics as gospel, either. create the sequences in which it
suggestion that this happy accident bottomless chasm Look closely, and you’ll see that, in appeared. This was achieved using
inside the battlestation.
led directly to the film’s trench this scene, the Death Star is shown a combination of matte effects and
(See opposite page.)
run finale is most likely wishful with its other iconic feature—its model photography—with one full
thinking. Looking at the computer superlaser dish—located at the Death Star prop measuring about
graphic of the Death Star that equator, rather than in its northern 4 ft across, and much larger, more
General Dodonna presents to the hemisphere. That’s not a mistake detailed models for the trench run
rebel pilots before their attack on the part of Larry Cuba, who scenes. In the fall of 1976, ILM
at the movie’s climax, it’s clear created the then-cutting-edge filmed its first Death Star footage,
that the battle station’s famous computer animation for the and on October 16, a shot of
weakness is meant to be accessed briefing scene. Rather, it reflects the battle station firing its laser
from one of its poles, not from the fact that, until relatively late cannons became the first finished
the equator. Also the scale of in the day, that’s exactly where effect for the movie. Shooting the
the narrow trench in which the the Death Star laser was going trench run and the surrounding
rebels attack is far too small to be to be! McQuarrie got as far as battle took place between
visible from any great distance, working up a matte painting (a February and April 1977, and
so it must be one of the many backdrop intended for use in the concluded just weeks before Star
smaller channels that crisscross actual movie) showing the Death Wars opened in theaters. a

INSIDER 17

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R2
R2
DE B
DEROGER CHRISTIAN WAS ONE OF THE T E
VERY FIRST PEOPLE HIRED BYY GEORGE
LUCAS TO WORK ON STAR WARS
E G
ARSS,
AND WENT ON TO WIN AN ACADEMY
ADEMY
E Y
AWARD FOR HIS SET DECORATION
ATION
O
ON A NEW HOPE. HERE, HE TELLS
ELLSS
INSIDER ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT
MENNNT
IN CREATING OF ONE OF THE
SAGA’S BEST-LOVED CHARACTERS.
TERRRS.
RS

T
he first R2-D2 took k shape p
Right: R2-D2, the in a tiny studio
o in K
Kensall
versatile utility droid, Rise in London,n, when
equipped with a George Lucas came e to th
the
he
h
variety of tool-tipped U.K. in 1975. Five of uss set up shoph
appendages. in a tiny studio, and [art
rt director]
dirrrectorr]
Les Dilley and I were given
iven the taska
Opposite page: of making a mock-up.
A rough sketch of From the script, it was
as clear
l
R2-D2 by George Lucas that George didn’t have eam movie
and Bill Harman; without R2-D2 and C-3PO.3PO. They
T
George Lucas standing were the storytellers. W We kknew
next to the first prop that C-3PO would work k
ever made for Star because of the robot in n
Wars, a wooden R2-D2. Metropolis (1927), but
R2-D2… He had to be
under four-feet tall and d
we couldn’t make him
do everything he needed ed
to do using radio-control,
rol,
so we had to make
him work around
a small person.
George hired Kenny Baker, e
who is 3’ 8”, and we recruited
ecruiited
ecru
Bill Harman, the carpenter
penter e
who made everything for f Monty
M y
Python and the Holy Graill (1975) 5 on

18 INSIDER

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ccompany that specialized in old
mmilitary equipment, looking for items
to match Ralph’s painting. I bought
sseveral passenger air vents and
rreading lamps from an old Vickers
VViscount turboprop airliner, and
vvarious grid pieces and pistons.
I stuck them onto the mock-up in
aaccordance with the painting, and
tth
they are all still on R2 today.
a re
rreally
ea
ally
l y lo
low
ow bu
o b
budget.
udget
u g . We d didn’tt havee electricals
a scrapheap.
c e Itt looked
k like
k While I was doing this, Bill was
any mone
money ey at tthat sstage
e stage,, so B Bill it might be the right size, and when cutting away at the insides and adding
brought
brou ught ssome mari
u marine
ine pl
plywood
lyywood Bill cut out the insides it fit perfectly. foam padding until Kenny was able to
fromm hom
homeme an
m and d we built our first He wasn’t able to make the little fit inside. He got it so that the frame
wood
woo d mock-up
mock-up
ck up p arou
around
und K
u Kenny
Kenny, y, arms on the droid’s front, so I carved wasn’t digging into him, but it was just
based
base ed on a ver
e veryrry rou
rough
ugh sk
u sketch
ketch
k h Bill them at home with a penknife one too heavy for Kenny to move. When he
and Geor
George ge ma
g made.
ade
ade.
a evening, and they are still part of slotted his boots into the legs, all he
Forr the hheadp
headpiece,
piece, I found
p n R2’s personality. could do was make the whole thing
a piece
pie ece off old sstudio
e o light
lighting
ttin Once we had Ralph McQuarrie’s shake a little.
called
calllled a ‘rifle lamp
lamp’
p’ on a
p an concept art, I went to a local hire I had also bought a fighter pilot’s
harness with the airplane
scrap, thinking it might
be useful, so we fitted that
into the body, too. That
meant that Kenny could
wear R2 like a rucksack
and take the weight off
his legs. “George came
down to watch the first
real walking test, and
Kenny made the little
droid shuffle forward
a few steps before falling
over on his back. Seeing
those few steps, we knew
that we had conquered
how to make R2-D2
function. As Kenny shook
the droid and made its
head turn, there was
relief all round. From
there, we all knew that R2
could be developed as one
of the main characters
with a truly unique
personality. a

MORE TO SAY
Cinema Alchemist is available
as an ebook and a hardback
edition from Titan Books.

HAVE YOU?
INSIDER 19

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R WARS
STA ELS
REEBGINS
B

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“Spark of
RebeLLion”
SET FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE EVENTS OF A NEW HOPE, THE DOUBLE-LENGTH
PREMIERE OF STAR WARS REBELS GAVE US OUR FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE
REBELLION AS IT BEGAN. AMY RATCLIFFE TAKES AN IN-DEPTH LOOK BACK
AT THIS LANDMARK ANIMATED ADVENTURE.

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Darth Vader sets
events in motion in
the revised opening
to Star Wars Rebels
“Spark of Rebellion.“

I
mperial Star Destroyers loom in villainous characters you have, up until On hiss home planet of Lothal, Ezra
space. A hologram of Darth Vader now, been unaware of.” Bridger
er (Taylor Gray) sees a Star
(James Earl Jones) appears before Destroyer
royer overhead and makes his
the Inquisitor (Jason Isaacs) and In April 2014, Filoni revealed more way into
nto Capital City. There, he helps
speaks to him about his task to about creating the Inquisitor, telling a merchant
rchant who is being harassed by
hunt down Force-sensitive children and Nerdist: “It’s not just about giving the occupying
ccupying Imperial forces, before
eliminate them along with any Jedi that someone a red lightsaber… You have his attention
tention is caught by a group of
might be training them. “So it will be to figure out what makes them tick.” strangers
gers who are stealing
done,” says the Inquisitor. Comparing the new character to Darth Imperial
rial supplies.
Vader, he said, “The Inquisitor is more in
Opening on a Star Destroyer is a Star the intellectual realm. He’s a combatant, Ezra’s
ra’ss journey
journ
jou ney iss att the h
Wars tradition of sorts. Four out of the yes, but he’s actually somewhat elegant heartt of Rebels.
Reb
ebels
eb el . AnAn orphan
orph
phan
p
seven Star Wars films to date feature and he likes to dissect you… To him, scraping
ping
pi ng out
ouu a living
li ing alone
liv alone
the ships in their opening shots. knowledge is power. The more he learns on Lothal
otthal
al for
for atat least
leasst half
leas half
about you, the more he learns about how his life,
fe,
fe
e he is resourceful
resou
re souurce
rceful
ful
u
It is later revealed that the Inquisitor to defeat you and your friends. And that and always
lway
wa s on on the
the lookout
lookou
loo kou
out
ou
is, in fact, the Grand Inquisitor, the leader makes him a particularly nasty kind of for opportunities
ppor
portun
tu iti ties
es to
of a bigger force. In the Season Two spider to trap.” improve
ove
ov e his
h lot.. According
Accco
cccordi
rd
d ng
episode “The Future of the Force,” we to Season
asson
son OnOnene exec
e
executive
xeccuti
utive
tive
v
see other Inquisitors hunting down “Spark of Rebellion” was trailed with producer
uccerr Greg
Gre
rreg Weisman,
W issman,
Weis
Force-sensitive babies. four shorts on Disney XD introducing “He iss very much
mu
muc u h a street
uc s rree
st et
the crew of the Ghost. “The Machine in rat. We used ed to o talk
lkk abo
about
bout
ut
The first look at Star Wars Rebels was the Ghost,” “Entanglement,” “Art Attack,” him as Aladdin
Aladd
ddin
d without
witthou
ho t
revealed at Celebration Europe in July and “Property of Ezra Bridger” are currently the monkey
mo onke
nkeyy or
nk or the
the music.”
music.
mus ic.””
ic.
2013, and the character of the Inquisitor available to view on the Star Wars In thee episode
ep
piso
sodede itself,
itself
its elf,,
elf
was announced three months later at YouTube channel. Ezra isis described
desc
desc
escrib
ribed
rib ed ass
New York Comic Con, a full year before both a “street
“stre
“s tre
eet rat”
rat” and
and
“Spark of Rebellion” aired. During a panel The prologue with Darth Vader was a “Loth-rat.”
th-r
h-rat.
at.””
at.
at
at NYCC, series executive producer Dave originally exclusive to ABC, which
Filoni said, “Every era of the Star Wars aired “Spark of Rebellion” on October 26, Ezra’s
ra’s
a s line,
liine,
ne “I
“I li
like
ke
e
saga seems to have its own marquee 2014, and was not included when the show the sound
ound d of that,”
that,
t ” is
is
villain; a character that really captures the debuted on the Disney Channel and Disney a callback
ba k tto
bac oHHan
an
an
idea of the enemy and what evil is... In this XD earlier in the month. It was the first Solo’ss use
usse ofof the
the
e
time period between Episodes III and IV, time that James Earl Jones had provided phrase in The
same phrase he
he
there is the possibility that there are the voice of Vader for an animated series. Empirer Strikes
re r ess Back.
Sttrik Bac
B a k.

22 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_20_27_Spark_of_Rebellion.indd 22 10/11/2017 15:54


The Inquisitor,
a sinister agent
of Darth Vader,
prepares to strike.

INSIDER 23

SWI_2018_SE_20_27_Spark_of_Rebellion.indd 23 10/11/2017 15:54


This
Thi
hiss sequ
ssequence
eq enc
equ n e is
is our
our (an
(anddEEzra’s)
z a’s)
zra ’ss) fi
first
rst
stt Sab
Sabine
abine Wr
ab Wren
glimpse
glimps
glimpse
mps e of
of Kanan
Kana
Kana
anann Jarrus
Jarr
Jarr
rrus
us (Freddie
(Fredd
(Fred
e d ie
e Prinze
Prrinze
Pri nze
nz and Hera
an He SSyndulla
raa Syn
yndul la :
dduulla
Jr.), Sabine
Jr.), Sabine Wren
Wren
en (Tiya
(Tiy Sircar),
(T Sircar
Sir c ),
car ) and
ndd ZeZ
Zebb rebelsl with a cause!
caus
cau e!!
Orrelios
O eli
Orr elios
os (Steve
(Steve Bl
Blum).
lum)
um .
um

Ezra tries to take a cut of the stolen loot


and finds himself caught in the midst of
a firefight between the strangers and
their Imperial pursuers. Under fire, he
accepts an invitation to come on board
the strangers’ ship, where a Twi’lek
pilot takes them into a hyperspace.

The
he pi
pilot
lot is HeHera
ra Syn
Syndul
Syndulla
dulla
la (Va
(Vanes
(Vanessa
nessa sa
Marshall),
M sha
Mar hall)
hall)
ll),, and ship is the Ghost,
and the ship Ghost
Gh ost,,
which
w ch
wh
whi h she owns.owns. Speaking
Speak
Sp eaking
ing to Ne Nerdi
Nerdist
rdistst
before
bef
e ore the
the episode
episode
epis ode aired,
aired
aired,, Mars
M
Marshall
arshal
halll
said:
sa d: “She’s
sai “She’s the the brass
brasss tacks
bras tack
ackss ofof tthe
he
operation…
ope
o perat
ration
ion… … She
She can fly real rreally
eallyly wel
well, l,
and she’s
she’s alsoalso a great
greatt fi
grea figh
ghter
ter in
hand-to-hand
hand-t
han d-to-h
o-hand and cocomba
combat
mbatt andand wit
with h her
her
blaster.”
blaste
bla ster.”
r.” Sh
She e cont
ccontinued,
ontinu
inued,
ed, “H“Hera
era is
very
very upset
upsett about
upse aboutt the
abou the lives
lives tha
thatt have
have
been
been lost,
lost,, and
lost and that
that seems
seemss to
seem to real
rreally
eallylyy
motivate
motiva
mot ivate
te her
her.”.”

In the aftermath of the theft, Agent


Kallus of the Imperial Security
Bureau (ISB) arrives to
investigate and to stamp out
any hint of rebellion.
Meanwhile, the Ghost
lands on another part
of Lothal with relief
supplies for
residents of an
impoverished
shanty town.

This mmarks
arks
the firstt
canonical
canonicca al
mention n of
of the One
Onee of the
the inhabitants
i h bit
inha bitantntss of
of
ISB, the Empire’s
Empire r ’s
re Tarkintown
Tar
a kin
ar kin
ntow
own resembles Ral
ow Ralphph
own
o secret
s cre
se r t police,
poli
olice, McQuarrie’s
M uar
McQ u rie ear y Star
i ’ss early S r Warss
Sta
and
a the first
an rsst appearance
appeeara ance
ncce concept
con ncep
c t art rt for “Luke e Starkiller,”
Stark
arkiller,”
of
o one
one of its top age agents,
ents
nts,, the
th character
ch that would uld evolve
evolv l e into
nto
Kallus.
Kal
Kaallus
lu
us. Weisman
Weisei man a described
deescr
c ibeb d Luke
Luk
Luuke Skywalker.
Skyw
Skywalk alkker.
er The
Thhe grassy
gras
ra sy landscape
lan
andsc
dsc
dss ape
p
Kallus’
Ka
Kal
allus
l ’ role
lu ro le to Star
ole S r Wars
Sta rss Insider
Ins
nside
ide
derr in off Lothal
Lo hal
Lot a also harks
har
a ks back to M
ar McQuarrie’s
cQuQ arr
Qu r ie’
es
issue152:
iss
ssue152:
s 2:: “Kallus
“Kall
a uss andnd the Inquisitor
Inqu uisitor
torr concept
con
o cept paintings,
on s as does ess th
th look
the k of
o
have
hav
a complementary
comp plem
lement
entary
ent ary
ry bu
b
butt diff
different
fere
erentn Capital
C pital City and vvarious
Cap a ous
ar
ari us other
her
e asaspe
aspects
pects
pe
responsibilities.
r sponsibili
res i tie
es.
s Kallus’
Kallus
Kal lus
us’
s’ job
job
o isis to roo
root
oott of
o the
t animated ted se
series. s. Att Won
Wonder
Wo
WonderCon rCon in
out
o anyan hintint of rebellion,
rebel
bellio
bel lio
on, so the ac a
actions
tions
tio 2014, Rebels ar a
artt director
directot r Kili
K
Kilian
ilian Plu
il
ili Plunkett
unkett
that
tha
h t our
our guys are e taking
ttak
king
ng
n g are w what
hat
at br
bring
brings
i s said: “We e went
w nt
we n back
bacck toto vvery
ery
ry early Ra Ralph
alph
lp
them
the
h m toto K
Kallus’
alllus’
all u at
us a
attention.”
ten
ntio
io
on.”
n. Th
The e Inqu
IInquisitor,
nqu
q isis tor
or,
o paintings,
painti
pai tings
ing , and
andn thatt sort
sortt off palette
p let
pa le te e
meanwhile,
m nwh
mea n ile, is specifically cal
ally
al ly foc
focused
ocuse
oc use
s d on on informed
inf
nfor
n ormed all ll off thee characters,”
char
char
ha act
acters
ers,”
ers ,”” add
adding
dingg
apprehending
app
p reh hend
ending n Force e users.
u ers
us e . that
tha
h t his
hiss art
art team got to o ex
explo
explore
plore
plo re “mu
“m
“muchchh
happier,
h pie
ha
hap er,, brighter
bri
right
igh
ghter colcolors”
lors
rss” tthan
h th
han theyy did
d
The shanty
s ant
sh a y town
town whwhere
here
r ththe
he rebels
rebels render n The
in e Clone
Cl e Wa
Cl Wars
W rss TVV serie
series.
rie
rie
ries.
es..
aid
d is called
ca
alle
ll d T
Tarkintown,
arkkint
intown
w , afte
a
after
fterr Gran
fte G
Grand
rand
ran dMMoff
off
f
Tarkin,
Tar
a kin
kin, the
thee governor
governnorr of
o the
th Outer
O terr Ri
Ou R
Rim.
m It
m. “Ezra’s
“Ezra’ ’s Theme”
Them me” can
ca be he heard rd in
was
a inspired
inspi
in spi
pirred
e by
b the
th
he real-life
r al-li
real -life
fe shanty
sh ntyy towns
sha towns
wns the
thhe Tarkintown
Tarki
rkinto
rki n wn seq
nt nce. Rebels
ssequence.
quen
en R els
Reb lss
that
thaat formed
form
formmed in the United
Unite
Un itedd States
S a es dur
Stat during
ing th
the
he composer
ccom
ompos
omposser Kevin
Ke
Kev
e in
n Kiner olld Ins
K er told
Kin ttol IInsider
side
id
d r ababout
bout
ut
Great
r at Depression
Gre Dep
e res
ression of
sion of the 1930s,
the 193 30s,
0 wh
0s which were
h we
w re the development
developm
p ent of th
pm music
that mus sic
ic in issue
i iss sue
e
referred
refferr
erred
edd to as “Ho
“Hoovervilles,”
“Hoove
overvi
rville
lle s, after
les,”
s,” after
e 155:
155 “Ezra’s
“Ezrra’s
a s th
theme
e came aboabout
a when
utt w hen
President
Pre
r sid n Herbert
sident
ent Herbe
He rt Hoover.
rbert Hoover
Hoo ver.. they
they were
were giving
ng away
givin
gi w some
away some fruit uit to
fru to

24 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_20_27_Spark_of_Rebellion.indd 24 10/11/2017 15:54


these people who were really poor and
destitute, and I just started writing something
for that scene. It was a really heartwarming
scene, because at that point in our series,
Ezra was still a bit of an angry young man
and didn’t know what to think of these new
pals of his. It was a poignant moment in his
development as a person to be giving back.
That was the emotion, and then it just
came out.”

Something draws Ezra to investigate


Kanan’s quarters on the Ghost, where he
finds a holocron and a lightsaber. Shortly
afterwards, he eavesdrops as the rebels’
plan to rescue a group of Wookiees who
have been enslaved by the Empire. On both
occasions, he is caught in the act by the
rebels, who have little choice but to take
him on their mission.

John Williams’ “Force Theme” plays


when Ezra finds Kanan’s holocron and
lightsaber. The scene is the second
time that Ezra displays his latent Force
sensitivity, which also drew his attention to
Kanan on Lothal at the start of the episode.

The Ghost’s common room features curved


seating around a dejarik table, just like in the
interior of the Millennium Falcon.

The rebels dock with an Imperial transport


under the pretense of delivering a Wookiee
prisoner, but they are being lured into a
trap. Ezra must choose whether to help his
new friends by warning them, or to save his
own skin.

Kanan’s attempt to pass Zeb off as


“a rare hairless Wookiee” is a nod to the
Lasat character’s look, which was inspired
by Ralph McQuarrie’s early concept art
for Chewbacca.

“Spark of Rebellion” was originally


shown as a 44-minute movie. Hera’s
plea to Ezra, “They need you right now,”
marks the point at which it is designed
to split into two 22-minute episodes for
syndication on U.S. broadcast television.

Ezra helps the rebels get back to the Ghost,


but the young Loth-rat is grabbed by Agent
Kallus before he has a chance to board the
ship, which makes its escape without him.

The door that Kanan and Zeb believes


leads to the captive Wookiees is marked
with a warning sign. The same sign appears
on a door inside Echo Base in a deleted
scene from The Empire Strikes Back, where
it serves as a warning about wampas on the
other side!

Ezra says, “It’s a trap!” with enough


conviction to make Admiral Ackbar proud.

INSIDER 25

SWI_2018_SE_20_27_Spark_of_Rebellion.indd 25 10/11/2017 15:55


This sequence marks Zeb’s first use of In Insider issue 163, Taylor Gray talked
the Lasat curse word “Karabast,” which about Ezra’s growing awareness of the
becomes something of a catchphrase for Force and his connection to Kanan: “It’s hard
the character. for him at first. When he comes across the
other rebels and they try to bring him in,
Strains of “The Imperial March” by he’s completely opposed to it. He wants to
John Williams can be heard as the Ghost handle things on his own. But he has a bond
crew races to escape Agent Kallus’ trap. with Kanan, and Kanan is the real reason
Composer Kevin Kiner told Star Wars why he stays with the rebel crew.
Insider in issue 155, “I had over 100 Kanan went through the same
episodes of The Clone Wars to say pretty type of things as Ezra did as
much everything I personally wanted far as being Force-sensitive,
to say about Star Wars musically… so he is able to connect with
If I had done Rebels first and had to him on that level and their
reference John’s themes more often relationship grows.”
it would have bothered me. I might have
felt a little stifled. But since I spent all
those years [on The Clone Wars], it was
really refreshing to go back to John’s
themes and start exploring those.”

Imprisoned on board an Imperial


Star Destroyer, Ezra takes out
his frustration on the only one of
his possessions that hasn’t been
confiscated by stormtroopers:
the holocron he retained from
Kanan’s quarters. He is
surprised when the
device activates and plays
back a message from
Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Ezra tells Agent


Kallus that his name is
Jabba the Hutt. His use
of the name, and
Kallus’ evident
disbelief, suggest
that crime lord’s
reputation was
already well
established
throughout the
Outer Rim nine
years before the
events of Return of the Jedi.
The slimy Hutt’s name becomes a
go-to alias for Ezra in later episodes.

The message from Obi-Wan Kenobi


is voiced by James Arnold Taylor,
who also played the character in The
Clone Wars TV series and the Clone
Wars microseries. According to
John Jackson Miller’s novel A
New Dawn, the idea of sending
out a warning message to
all Jedi came from Kanan
himself, when he was
a Padawan known as
Caleb Dume.

SWI_2018_SE_20_27_Spark_of_Rebellion.indd 26 10/11/2017 15:55


The crew of the Ghost board the Star lets out a Wilhelm scream. This familiar
Destroyer to rescue Ezra, and find that sound effect has featured in well over
their job has been made easier by the
fact that Ezra has already escaped from
200 films and TV shows, and was included
by sound designer Ben Burtt in all the Star
REBEL INTEL
his cell. During his escape, Ezra overhears Wars and Indiana Jones projects on which
the location of the captured Wookiees that he worked, starting with A New Hope. “SPARK OF
the rebels had planned to liberate. REBELLION”
C-3PO mentions the spice mines of
Written by: Simon Kinberg
When the rebels debate whether or not Kessel in A New Hope, but the planet
to rescue Ezra, their droid’s vote is taken had not been seen on screen before Directors: Steward Lee,
into account. This is the first indication “Spark of Rebellion.” The Rebels’ creative Steven G. Lee
that Chopper (or C1-10P) is regarded as team drew on extensive notes and designs Supervising director: Dave Filoni
a full-fledged member of the crew. made by George Lucas when it came to Executive producers: Simon
realizing the planet.
Kinberg, Dave Filoni, and
Various elements of
Chopper’s design—such Though Kallus identifies Kanan as a Greg Weisman
as the arms he raises Jedi, the Jedi Order fell when he was still First aired: October 3, 2014 (Disney
triumphantly after a Padawan. The Marvel comic Kanan: The Channel), October 13, 2014 (Disney
voting—are based Last Padawan depicts how he was at the XD), October 26, 2014 (ABC)
on Ralph McQuarrie’s side of his Master, Depa Billaba, when
Ratings: 6.5 million (Disney Channel
initial concept paintings Darth Sidious issued Order 66, barely
for R2-D2. escaping with his life while his Master and Disney XD)
was killed. By revealing his Jedi training
The shape of the in front of Kallus, he marks out himself
explosive powder and his companions as not just a thorn in
that Sabine sprays the ISB’s side, but some of the Empire’s
onto the hangar deck most wanted!
is her own personal
calling card. In Star Wars
Insider issue 154, Lucasfilm concept artist
Chris Glenn said: “I’m probably most
After seeing the freed Wookiees on their
way, the Ghost returns Ezra to Lothal.
Ezra returns the holocron, which Kanan
KEY QUOTES
proud of the rebels’ phoenix logo. I made can see has been activated. Not doubting “This is Master Obi-Wan
it one day on a whim while working on that Ezra is strong with the Force, Kanan
really early versions of the Ghost ship… invites him to join the crew of the Ghost Kenobi. I regret to report
It’s meant to hint at the Rebel Alliance and learn what it means to be a Jedi. Ezra that both our Jedi Order
symbol that will appear in the later films.” accepts. Meanwhile, Kallus informs the and the Republic have
Inquisitor that he has encountered a Jedi.
The Ghost sets course for the spice
fallen, with the dark
mines of Kessel, where the rebels Kanan’s description of the Force shadow of the Empire
free the prisoner Wookiees—but Kallus paraphrase the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi rising to take their
is not far behind. To escape with the when he first outlines the Force to Luke
Wookiees—and their lives—Kanan Skywalker in A New Hope. As a student
place.”
is forced to reveal his skills as a Jedi. under Master Kenobi at the Jedi Temple —Obi-Wan Kenobi
on Coruscant, Kanan may well have
When Ezra downs a stormtrooper heard the same “Force 101” speech “There’s just something
with his slingshot, the unlucky Imperial from Obi-Wan himself.
about the feeling of their
helmets on my fists.”
—Zeb Orrelios

“I’m in space... and


I’m about to die!”
—Ezra Bridger

“If all you do is fight for


your own life, then your
life is worth nothing.”
Jedi Master Obi-Wan —Hera Syndulla
Kenobi delivers
a crucial message
while Zeb takes
“Who is that kid?”
on the Empire —Kanan Jarrus
(opposite page)!

INSIDER 27

SWI_2018_SE_20_27_Spark_of_Rebellion.indd 27 10/11/2017 15:55


attack during the
Supervising the AT-AT
es with Tom St. Amand Strikes Back.
Jon Berg (center) pos making of The Empir
e
(right), and the inside of
(left), Doug Beswick
a tauntaun.

ED
T H O M A S G . S MITH, INTERVIEW
E R IL M M A N A G E R (1980-198 5 ),
L L IG H T & M A G IC , THE ART OF
FORM IA
G IN 1 9 8 5 F O R H IS BOOK, INDUSTR ). WHILE PORTIONS OF THE
JON BER 6 , D
E
EL REY/BALL ANTIN OR THE FIRST TIME, IS THE
F F E C T S (1 9 8
SPECIAL E U N D IN THE BOOK, HER
E, F
C A N B E F O
INTERVIEW Did you have a metal
C O N V E R S A T IO N !
FULL When did you first try to make
a creature yourself?
armature inside with
joints and all?
homas G. Smith: When did you first I first started sculpting with clay Oh yeah. I found a

T get interested in making creatures


for movies?
Jon Berg: I was born and raised in
the Los Angeles area. One of my earliest
memories was when my older sister took
and invented games using little clay
creatures. Then, when I was in grade
school, I used to make little flipbooks,
stick figures drawn so they move on a
pack of cards. When you flipped them,
magnifying glass that
had a ball and socket
support so I copied that
for my gorilla. I located
books about it, but had
me to see a film called Mighty Joe Young they seemed to come alive and dance to learn how to make
(1949). I was fascinated by the ape and around the paper. It was a good way to the right size armature
she tells me I held my hands over my learn how movies worked. But I didn’t for my gorilla and then
eyes, I was so scared. But I remembered get into taking pictures till after high there was the trick
seeing images from the picture more school. I worked with a friend who had of getting the metal
like a bad but mesmerizing dream. an 8mm movie camera. The camera armature skeleton
It apparently made a big impression on didn’t take single frames, so we had to inside the rubber
me. Then, when I was older, I saw lots click the shutter as quickly as we could puppet. I built the
of Disney TV shows and movies and Ray and usually got more than one frame. metal parts by
Harryhausen films. Ray was an inspiration Reverting to my Mighty Joe Young myself. I had to
to all of us who loved creatures and thing, I made a little gorilla. I tried machine them on a lathe.
stop-motion animation. It all made a big some stop motion with the gorilla puppet.
impression on me, but not like Mighty Joe This was before we tried to make our Were you still in high school then?
Young. That’s something I’ll never forget. own movie. When I built the puppet I was, but

28 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_28_31_JonBerg.indd 28 10/11/2017 15:54


k, and
Jon Berg, Doug Beswic
pett mount the slow invasion of
Phil Tip
r in the movie!)
Hoth (it was quicke

we didn’t make the movie until later. I built the rubber


gorilla to go over the armature skeleton and then added
fur to it.

Did you ever think when you were in high school that
you would have a career in movies?
High school seemed so irrelevant to my life. I wasn’t
a good student at all. I was bored in high school and
something like building the armature was more
interesting to me. I got called into the high school
principal’s office. He said, “Why are you getting
‘Cs’ when tests tell us you ought to be doing
a lot better?” My parents were worried, too.
While both of my brothers were working
on cars and doing normal stuff kids might
do, I was spending my time making a
rubber monkey!

So what did your parents say


to you about this passion for
building creatures?
My dad was sweet, but he could
be stern, too. I remember when
I was working on his lathe to grind
my armatures, the metal got so hot
I had to hold it with a cloth and then
the cloth got stuck in the lathe
machinery. It went “paa, paa, paa!”
I couldn’t stop it, and I was scared
what my dad would say when he
found out. When he heard the
sound, he just laughed. My dad
worked at North American Aviation
and he’d bring home scrap parts,
some of it raw materials. I would
look through these old parts and
see how I could use them in one of
my film projects. This experience
on the lathe would come in handy
later in my film career.

When you left high school,


where did you go?
I went to Santa Monica College
in Santa Monica, California.
It was only a few miles from
my house; until I got my driver’s
license my parents drove me
to school.

What courses did you take in college?


I took the general curriculum courses. I took
photography, which I couldn’t take in high
school. I also took some art classes.

INSIDER 29

SWI_2018_SE_28_31_JonBerg.indd 29 10/11/2017 15:54


pett (center),
Working with Phil Tip
ht) on the
and Joe Johnston (rig
prototype wa lker.
al holographic
Working on the origin
e from Star Wars.
chess gam

wanted to show a unique chess game.


the Star Wars films. I don’t know of any He originally wanted to use miniaturized
schools where this sort of thing is taught. people in sort of a holographic effect.
What happened after you left college? You just have to do it and learn from the But when he saw Westworld (1973),
For a while I drove a taxicab in Beverly pros. There was a good guy at Cascade he realized that they had done that.
Hills. At the same time, I was still making named Phil Kellison and he gave me a He didn’t want to re-do what was already
more of my own creatures and hoping chance to do other things in film and done. That’s when he asked Phil Tippett
to get involved in movies. showed me how to build miniatures. and me to make miniature creatures for
He helped all of us and was willing to the chessboard and animate it. George
What were you making? give young people a chance. didn’t like the idea of stop motion very
Creatures of various types. Then I met much. He thought it looked jerky. But it
a fellow who saw some of my work and So how did you get a chance to work at seemed appropriate for the chess pieces.
he got me an interview at a little studio Industrial Light & Magic on Star Wars? Stop motion would later play a big part in
that made commercials called Cascade Dennis Muren left Cascade and had been the next film, The Empire Strikes Back.
Pictures. They were making the Pillsbury working at ILM for some time. We heard
Doughboy commercial. In that one, all about it, but I never saw what they were What else did you do on the first
the commercials ended with a human doing. Then Dennis called me to say Star Wars?
finger poking the Doughboy’s stomach. George Lucas was looking for some I built a creature [the dianoga] for the
The Doughboy rubs his stomach compactor scene. (Laughs) I’m not
and giggles. They needed too proud of that one and I’d rather
someone to fill in for the long not get into it.
shots of the puppet and to
animate the Doughboy. I think “STOP-MOTION CREATURES ARE Is it true that The Empire Strikes
the official name for him was Back was much harder than the
“Poppin’ Fresh.” Someone else COMPLICATED MODELS BECAUSE first film?
was doing the close-up shots and I’m glad to hear that I wasn’t the
then they’d cut to a long shot and THEY HAVE TO ACTUALLY MOVE.” only one to feel that way. It sure
that was what I’d do. My work was tough. When we started, they
wasn’t so critical since it was said it would be easier than Star
seen in long shot. It helped that Wars because we already had most
I knew something about armatures and characters for a scene. George felt the of the models built for Star Wars. But
had some basic experience at animation. canteen [cantina] scene lacked the there were more to build and a lot of stop
And, of course, I learned a lot right there right atmosphere. He envisioned motion to do. Stop motion creatures are
on the set. something more like intergalactic complicated models because they have to
creatures standing around the bar and actually move. They really needed more
Weren’t there others working there sitting at tables. So Dennis said, “Why people in the model shop than they had.
who would later join ILM on Star Wars? don’t you work up some ideas and I’ll To get the work done we put in incredible
Oh, yeah. That’s where I met Dennis see to it that George has a look at it.” overtime. Some were putting in 60 hours
Muren on camera, Ken Ralston and So I made some creature sculptures a week and more.
Phil Tippett were also animating. that I thought might be found in an
Now that I look back, I realize that intergalactic canteen. At that time, Rick What did you spend most of your
these connections were important Baker was [also] hired to make creature time on?
later. Cascade Pictures was the training outfits for the canteen scene. So after I mainly worked on the Imperial walkers
ground for about four or five key ILMers. George approved some I made, I went to [AT-ATs]. Joe Johnston designed them
The TV commercials we were doing may work with Rick who added some other and I took his concept and converted it
sound trivial now, but it was great ideas. We built the characters. While into a full model for stop motion. They
experience for our later work at ILM on we were doing that, George decided he were more complicated than regular

30 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_28_31_JonBerg.indd 30 10/11/2017 15:54


,
pett, Tom St. Amand
Joe Johnston, Phil Tip Bes wic k,
Ber g, Do ug
Nilo Rodis-Jamero, Jon
w off the Imp eria l walkers!
ned parts proudly sho
examining the machi
Berg at work in ILM built.
lkers to be
for three miniature wa

Here ea are
r the
re he In
Indus
Industrial
dustri trialal Light
Lig
ight & Magi
M
Magic
agicc
agi
models; they had to be animated, walk, would later be expanded and become (ILM)
(IL
Here
LM)
M areproductions
produc the
uctio
tions
Industrial
i whi
in w
which
Light
chh Ber
Berg
&gMagic
and stand up without falling over. In what we jokingly called “Go Motion.” participated:
par
a (ILM)
ticipap productions
ted
ed:: in which Berg
some scenes, we needed two of them. The wampa was mainly Phil’s work. participated:
This required machined parts. To build it, He is a genius and one of the best artists Star
Sta
t r Wars
Wars:
a : Epi Episod
Episode
sode e IVIV A New Ho H
Hope
p
pe
I had to use my experience as a machinist, I know. He kept it as simple as possible. (1977) Star Wars: Episode IV
a tinkerer, and a stop-motion animator. He said, “Get the carpenter shop to build (Creature
(Cr
C eatureu Abu New
build
builder,
ilder, Hope
er, stop
st op(1977)
motion
mot ion
That was my main job. And after I built a frame and put in a crowbar,” and then animator)
a
ani mator)
mat
(Creature
or) builder, stop-motion
them, I animated them a frame at a time. he built a muppet head with wax on its fur animator)
to look like snow. The wampa is seen in one Sta
t r Wars
Star a : Epi
Wars: Episod
sode
Episode e V The e Empi
E mp re
mpi
Empire
Was this a bigger challenge than very quick shot, but the effect is startling Str
t ike
k s Back
Strikes aStar
ack k (1Wars:
(1980
980)) Episode V
(1980)
animating a regular puppet? and works in the context of the scene. (Creat
(Cr The
eature
eat
(Creature ureEmpire
re
e bubuild
ild eStrikes
lder,
builder,er
er, opBack
sstop
st motion
mot ion
(1980)
Since they were in the middle of a large animat
mator)
animator) or)
(Creature builder, stop-motion
snowfield, the trick was to reach it without Where did you film it? animator)
messing up the snow. We built a trap-door We shot it just outside the door of St
Sta
Starr Wars a s: Epi
Wars: Episod
sod
o e VI
Episode VI R eturn
etu
Returnrn of the e
so I’d pop up, do my animation, then close ILM, in sunlight with the blue sky as JJeddi ((1983)
di
Jedi 98Star
198 3 Wars: Episode VI
3)
the door and go below while the camera a background. There was a photo of (CreatureuReturn of ltant)
e consultant)
consu
nsulta thent)Jedi
) (1983)
shot the exposure. We used small glass the camera set-up in the American (Creature consultant)
pellets, macro balloons, for the snow. Cinematographer magazine. It showed The
h Ew Ewok ok Adventure
Advent
Adv en ure (1 ((1985)
985
8 )
Going up and down through the trap door, ILM’s neighborhood in the background. (C
(Cr The
ure Ewok
eature
(Creature build
bu ilde
builder,eAdventure
r, stopop mot
moti ion
ion
motion
(1985)
I still had to remember where I was in the From this photo, one of our fans figured an
ani mator
animator or and builder,
(Creature actor
ac tor plp ayi
y ng
playing g the
he
stop-motion
last frame and where I was going. out where ILM was. Its location had always Gor
o ax.)
Gorax.) )
animator and actor playing
been secret. We were in an industrial area the Gorax.)
Did you work with Phil Tippett on the of San Rafael and there were no signs on Star War ars:: E
Wars: ode IIII Re
pisode
pis
Episode even
enge
Revenge ge off the
h
he
tauntaun and wampa in Empire? the front of the building to indicate it had Sit
i h (2
Sith ((2005)
005)
005 Star
) Wars: Episode III
Phil did most of that and I helped a little. anything to do with making visual effects M delRevenge
(Mo
(Model maker
ma ker)) of the Sith (2005)
maker)
I helped on the animation. The tauntaun or Star Wars. Even the front door had a (Model maker)
is the first place we tried motion control sign that said, “Kerner Optical.” Kerner
while animating a puppet. This concept is the street where it is located.
END NOTE
Jon left ILM in 1980 after working long
hours on The Empire Strikes Back. He
returned from time to time to do special
creature assignments and to act as a
consultant. In 1984, he built the apelike
Gorax monster for Lucasfilm’s ABC film,
The Ewok Adventure. He not only designed
the creature, he built an ape suit and
played the monster on a miniature set
with Joe Johnston directing the second
unit. He had come full circle. Among the
50 million Americans who saw this film on
their TVs, he was probably scaring kids the
same way he was scared when he first
saw Mighty Joe Young in 1949. And of
course ILM is no longer in the San Rafael
industrial building where the wampa was
filmed for The Empire Strikes Back; it is
now in the San Francisco Presidio, where
it’s preparing to tackle… Episode VII! a

INSIDER 31

SWI_2018_SE_28_31_JonBerg.indd 31 10/11/2017 15:54


AUTHOR TO

CLAUDIA GRAY’S
STAR WARS NOVELS
Star Wars: Lost Stars (2015)
Star Wars: Bloodline (2016)

CHUCK WENDIG’S
STAR WARS NOVELS
Star Wars: Aftermath (2015)
AUTHORS CLAUDIA GRAY AND CHUCK WENDIG HAVE DONE MUCH
Star Wars: Aftermath: Life Debt (2016) TO EXPAND THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE AFTER THE EVENTS OF
Star Wars: Aftermath: Empire’s
End (2017) RETURN OF THE JEDI. INSIDER LISTENS IN AS THEY DISCUSS
THEIR LATEST BOOKS, BLOODLINE AND AFTERMATH: LIFE DEBT.
32 INSIDER

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AUTHOR! C
laudia Gray: Okay, Chuck, a little
bird has told me some of the
good stuff you’ve written for
Han and Leia in Life Debt, and
I’m going to be totally honest: I’m so
jealous. Like, I’d pillow fight you for it.
In the arena. We meet at dawn. Seriously,
how psyched were you when you found
this out? And how did you start to prepare?

Chuck Wendig: I might win a pillow


fight. If only because I have one of those
memory-foam ones, and it’s heavy like
a brick. Though if this is really happening
at dawn, you win, because I’ll still
be asleep.
What were we talking about? Han
and Leia! I was psyched. I am psyched,
and I have no idea how I did it. This is
wearing the shoes of giants—giant
characters, giant voices, giant personalities.
We have Lucasfilm and the Story Group to
guide these stories, but I think the one
thing I have specifically going for me is
that the movies are such a part of my
psychic tapestry that these characters
aren’t just on the screen, they’re in my
head. So when it came time to translate
them to the page, at certain points I felt
them rattling around in there. All I had to
do was carefully tip my head and spill
them out. Sometimes it felt very natural.
The times it didn’t feel natural were when
I thought too hard about it! Worrying too
much. Your task was more challenging,
and the result, by the way, is totally
sublime. You tackled an iteration of Leia
that exists beyond our margins. We get to

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SWI_2018_SE_32_38_AuthortoAuthor.indd 33 10/11/2017 15:53


see her in The Force Awakens, but
not that much. You get to, in a way,
own her presentation in that era of
the universe. What was that like?
How do you prepare for that? How
did you evolve her to where she is
now in Bloodline?

CG: I’m so glad that you enjoyed


Bloodline and its take on Princess
Leia. I know I should be calling her
General Organa or at least General
Leia by now, but it’s going to take
more than six months to break the
habit of nearly 40 years. As Max Von
Sydow said, “To me, she is royalty.”
Honestly, I think my process is
a lot like yours, in that it really isn’t
a writerly process at all. It’s a fan
thing. If you’re a hardcore fan, you
keep the characters you love close
to you. In this case, we’ve both kept
Han and Leia close for decades.
Asking what they’d think or how
they’d feel is second nature. As
soon as I learned where Leia
was at the time of Bloodline—the
Resistance, the imminent fall of
Ben, and the break with Han—my
fan brain took over. All my writer
self had to do was keep up with
the pure nerd fuel being created.
I feel weirdly unprofessional
admitting that. Obviously I can’t
approach the books only as a fan.
If I did that, my books would
basically be 400 pages of Han
and Leia having cute banter, and
then Obi-Wan Kenobi coming back
from the dead. Or it would read
a lot like my fanfic. But I can’t write
these characters and this universe
without my fan self playing a
huge role. My geekery is a big
part of the fuel I draw on as a Star
Wars writer. Is that true for you too?

CW: My own fan-love for the


franchise is definitely the deepest
well of fuel. But I find now, with
my son being a fan, and me being
an adult with… mostly adult
concerns, I want to put my own
imprint on the universe. It’s so
amazing to be able to put my
filthy fingerprints all over this
story-world, and I feel like
a trespasser intruding upon
a deliciously forbidden space.
The movies are awesome
for their more black-and-white,
good-and-evil perspective. Two
hours of rollicking science-fantasy
fun is not a great place for nuance.
But novels, man! You get tens of
thousands of words, hundreds of

34 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_32_38_AuthortoAuthor.indd 34 10/11/2017 15:53


Han and Leia
say a sad
farewell
on D’Qar.

INSIDER 35

SWI_2018_SE_32_38_AuthortoAuthor.indd 35 10/11/2017 15:53


“[HAN AND LEIA] KICKED THE EMPIRE’S BUTT SIX
WAYS FROM SUNDAY! THEY’RE IN LOVE! HAN’S
GONNA FREE KASHYYYK! EVERYTHING’S GOING TO
BE INCREDIBLE! OR NOT...”—CLAUDIA GRAY

pages… I feel like Bloodline uses You, meanwhile, are writing a


that well. How do you approach younger Han and Leia, at what must
that? How do you translate your be the single most optimistic, elated
adult point of view to the story time in their lives. At the point of
-world while still having fun? Aftermath: Life Debt, they just kicked
Does Bloodline reflect anything the Empire’s butt six ways from
about being a grown-up; about Sunday! They’re in love! Han’s gonna
real-world politics or society? free Kashyyyk! Everything’s going to
be incredible! Or not… How do you
CG: Grown-up concerns definitely weave in a more nuanced, three-
play a role in Bloodline, especially dimensional take on events at a
since Leia’s only a few years older point in life when even older, wiser
in the book than I am now. I’m still people could get carried away?
an overgrown fangirl, an optimist,
and many other shiny happy things, CW: Writing Han, Leia, and Chewie
but I’ve hit the point in life where at this time is fascinating. Coming
bad breaks aren’t merely setbacks. off Return of the Jedi, this is a time of
Some of them are outcomes. great optimism and hope: The New
Accepting this, and dealing with Republic is on the rise, the Empire is
the fact that for some things there on the decline, and Han and Leia are
are no do-overs or consolations: married and poised to have a child. It’s
that’s the work of midlife. And some a pivot toward so many better things!
of that is where Leia is in Bloodline. Except… Now we know that’s not
She has the exact same moral entirely true, is it? Their child goes
compass that she did when she bad; Luke is gone; the New Republic
was 19 years old and ready for is bound up in its own politics; and
action, but now she has a greater the First Order is rising out of the
understanding of the complexity shadows. It’s a transitional point for
of human nature, including her own. that generation of characters, and
So I got to weave that into the story. I, personally, am at that transition
There are as few real-life point, too. I still have a lot of the
political elements in the book as idealism of youth, but I also have
I could manage, because if I never a young son, and I can’t be a kid
have to hear about [the 2016] any more. In pop culture, I have my
election again it will be too soon. Star Wars and now he has his, too.
In fact, I made a point of establishing Politically, I’m caught in a mindset
that both the Populist and Centrist and a country that seems to swerve
factions have right and left wings. erratically between optimism,
However, this hasn’t stopped a realism, and cynicism—and in the
lot of people from seeing political story world, I see that, too. Though
parallels in it, including some that the politics aren’t mirrored in Life
I find mystifying. Maybe Bloodline Debt, the feel of the politics is—and
operates as a sort of fan Rorschach I think that’s the case in Bloodline, too.
test? Others have also spotted a Part of that weird balance is
few links to early colonial American treating this stuff with nuance and
politics, which I think is totally maturity, but not too much nuance
credible. I didn’t intend it, but and maturity. This is still Star Wars!
I did go to see Hamilton while It’s still laser blasters and laser
I was writing the book; and as swords and shaggy co-pilots and
anyone exposed to that musical slug-bodied gangsters. How do
knows, it eats your brain! So it you balance the fun stuff with the
wouldn’t surprise me if some of heavier material without going too
that bled through. far in one direction?

36 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_32_38_AuthortoAuthor.indd 36 10/11/2017 15:53


The 19-year-old
Leia oversees
the Battle
of Yavin.

INSIDER 37

SWI_2018_SE_32_38_AuthortoAuthor.indd 37 10/11/2017 15:53


CG: Balancing the dark and the light? It’s Lightsabers are TOTAL FUN, but I haven’t
historically difficult to do in Star Wars: just ask been able to write anything with
Anakin Skywalker. Both of the Star Wars books I’ve lightsabers yet. Honestly, what I try to do
written to date have been fairly dark—particularly is envision the scenes as though they were
elements of their endings. Thankfully, it’s nearly in a movie—the screen-wipe transitions,
impossible to write about Star Wars without being the planetary-orbit shots, and so forth.
drawn to the stuff that makes it the most fun—the I find if I’m thinking cinematically, enough
humor between the characters, the fantastical of the fun stuff arrives to enliven the
planets, the cool ships, and the thrill of getting to heavier moments.
zoom around in it all. Oh, and lightsabers.
CW: A more specific question, then:
What’s your favorite part of Bloodline?
Or at least the part you loved writing
the most?

CG: I have to admit, my favorite part


to write was one of the heavier scenes,
where Leia and Ransolm Casterfo begin
talking about their personal experiences
with Vader. We’ve all had those moments
where we wind up telling someone things
we never thought we’d say out loud to that
person—it’s both painful and liberating.
It let me dig in deeply with each of those
characters and—even though it’s just two
people talking—it hopefully sets the stage
for a lot of what’s to come. How about you?
What scenes should I be looking forward
to in Life Debt?

CW: I’m lucky enough that Life Debt


contains a wealth of excitement. Action on
Chandrila, adventure on Kashyyyk, battles
in space and on the ground. A lot of this
features characters we know and love
from the movies, too—Chewie, Han, Leia.
But for my mileage, it’s not the exciting
scenes that get me. It’s the smaller ones.
The more personal ones. I have a scene
between Han and Chewie that breaks my
heart. I have a scene with Leia and her
unborn son that lifts my heart! And that
includes some really choice stuff between
Han and Leia, too. We see them in The
Force Awakens at the end of their journey
together, but I get to show them in love
and stepping forward into the larger world
of marriage and parenting. I get to show
how well that fits them, and in some
cases, how it doesn’t.
I get to write big moments, but
sometimes those big moments are also
very small ones. Those are the moments
that thrill me as a writer, and they’re
also the ones I hope really grab the
readers, too. a

MORE TO SAY
Claudia Gray’s website is
www.claudiagray.com and her
Twitter handle is @claudiagray
General Leia
leads the Chuck Wendig’s website is
http://terribleminds.com/ and his
Resistance
Twitter handle is @ChuckWendig
against the
First Order. HAVE YOU?
38 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_32_38_AuthortoAuthor.indd 38 10/11/2017 15:53


THOR RAG_v4.indd 40 14/11/2017 11:33
THE LITTLE PRINCESS

DIARIES

40 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_40_43_PrincessDiaries.indd 40 10/11/2017 16:04


WRITER/ARTIST JEFFREY BROWN, CREATOR OF SEVERAL AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL/
HUMOR COMICS, MADE HIS DEBUT IN THE STAR WARS GALAXY LAST YEAR WITH
DARTH VADER AND SON, PUBLISHED BY CHRONICLE BOOKS. THE BOOK WAS A #1
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER!. NOW THE WORLD WILL BE AN EVEN HAPPIER
PLACE, BECAUSE THE SEQUEL—VADER’S LITTLE PRINCESS—IS AVAILABLE!
STAR WARS INSIDER CHATS WITH JEFFREY ABOUT THE SEQUEL AND GETS AN
EXCLUSIVE GLIMPSE AT SOME UNUSED ARTWORK! INTERVIEW BY MARTIN EDEN

S
tar Wars Insider: How did the I think it ended up taking about the same We weren’t expecting to see so much of
Vader’s Little Princess book come amount of time, about eight or nine months young Han Solo! How do you see his role in
about? Was it commissioned at the —not including all the time spent coming up the book?
same time as Darth Vader and Son? with ideas, which had begun probably when Since this book was covering life into the
Jeffrey Brown: When I was showing I was still drawing the first book. teenage years, it was important to show Leia
the first sketches of Vader and Son to having relationships beyond the parent-child
Chronicle Books and Lucasfilm, everyone In real life, you have a young son. Did focus that dominates a four-year-old’s
kind of looked at each other and had the you find it a bit trickier writing about existence. Han Solo also gets to be a foil to
same thought: that there should obviously young Leia? Vader as the protective father.
be a sequel where Leia gets her own book! Yes, but fortunately I have a few friends
The reception of Vader and Son made it an with teenage daughters who provided There are lots of Star Wars cameos in the
easy call. It was officially commissioned some ideas. I also just tried to think book. Who was your favorite background
just after Darth Vader and Son came out. back to my own teenage years and what character to draw?
I observed. The tricky part was trying Boba Fett is still a ton of fun to draw and
How long did the book take you to do? Was to keep the ideas from feeling too clichéd I was excited to find a place to draw a
it quicker than Vader and Son? while covering a lot of different elements. tauntaun, but my favorite may be IG-88—I
wish I’d thought of more places to fit him in.

Were any characters tricky to draw?


“CHRONICLE BOOKS AND LUCASFILM HAD Not a character, but I had a tough time
getting the AT-AT just right—giving it a
THE SAME THOUGHT: THAT THERE SHOULD sense of towering over the kids in the
OBVIOUSLY BE A SEQUEL TO VADER AND picture, while also keeping the kids detailed
enough, and doing those things while still
SON WHERE LEIA GETS HER OWN BOOK.” fitting the entire AT-AT into the image.

Y
COMMENTARY BY JEFFRE
BROWN: “Le ia’s Hal low een
costume would be her
bounty hunter Boussh
we
outfIT of course, but
te hav e the spa ce
didn’t qui
for this one.”

“ALTHOUGH THIS GAG WAS


INSPIRED BY THE SCENE WITH
THE MYNOCKS FROM EMPIRE,
WE DECIDED TO CHANGE IT TO “PERHAPS IT’S
A WOMP RAT. THEN AFTER SOME TOO DARK, TO
MORE THINKING, WE DECIDED IT CELEBRATE ALL THE
MIGHT COME OFF AS SEXIST, PROMOTIONS AROUND
THE EMPIRE THAT RE-
WHICH IS TOO BAD, BECAUSE THE SULTED FROM VADER
WOMP RAT WOULD BE FUN CHOKING OFFICERS.”
TO DRAW.”

INSIDER 41

SWI_2018_SE_40_43_PrincessDiaries.indd 41 10/11/2017 16:04


THE FINAL
THAT DIDN’T MAKE
“ANOTHER STRIP E IT WA S SI MILAR TO
BECAUS
CUT, THIS TIME
ANOTHER GAG.”

ADY A
“THERE WAS ALRE “I REALLY WANTED
NG GA G, SO TH IS ONE TO DRAW THE STRI
P WITH
CLOTHI LEIA CHECKING OU
YI NG TO SHOP T VADER’S HEAD, BU
WITH VADER TR WOULD BE A LITTL T IT
TH LE IA GO T CU T.” E GROSS TO USE
WI IN
THE BOOK.”

Back in Star Wars Insider #133, you


mentioned that you didn’t get chance to
draw Yoda in Vader and Son. He’s done
now—is there anyone else you’d like
to draw?
Of course! I didn’t get to draw
Leia in her Boussh outfit,
unfortunately, and would’ve
liked to get a wampa in the book
“JAR JAR BINKS
at some point. And of course IS ACTUALLY
there’s still very
few characters from PRETTY FUN TO
the prequels.
DRAW.”
We loved the Jar Jar Binks cameo…
He’s actually pretty fun to draw. I don’t know if I could come
up with more than cameos for him, I’m afraid.

What’s your favorite gag in the book?


Probably the one where Han and Leia are kissing—I don’t want
to give away the exact joke, but when you see it you can also
imagine an alternate version based on the Luke and Leia kiss
from Empire....

Your son is six now—has he seen the Star Wars movies yet?
We have started watching them—so far he’s seen A New Hope
and Empire. He was pretty upset about Obi-Wan Kenobi being

42 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_40_43_PrincessDiaries.indd 42 10/11/2017 16:05


struck down, and he loves Yoda, of course. He also loves the
“ANOTHER IDEA TH LEGO Star Wars special The Padawan Menace.
AT DIDN’T MAKE TH
E
FINAL BOOK.” So in your book bio, it says you have the Star Wars action
figures.… How many and which is your favorite?
I stupidly sold off many of them when I left home for college, so
now I just have them vicariously through my son. My favorites
were always all the Hoth troopers and Yoda.

And you’ve got another Star Wars book coming out in the
Fall—Jedi Academy (Scholastic)—can you tell us a bit
about that?
It’s a book about middle school set in the Star Wars universe,
with Yoda teaching and a host of new characters. The book
mixes comics, journal entries, and faux papers (like pages
from the school paper) to tell the story of Roan, a kid who
wanted to become a
pilot, but ends up
having to fit in at the
Jedi Academy
on Coruscant.

What else can


we expect from
you, comics-
wise, Jeffrey?
This summer, my
next autobiographical
graphic novel,
A Matter Of Life, will
come out. It’s another
book about father-
hood—this time EXPANDED
about growing up Vader’s Little Princess is out now
with my father,
See more of Jeffrey Brown’s work at
who is a minister, www.jeffreybrowncomics.com
and now being a
father myself. a
UNIVERSE
INSIDER 43

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The
Star Wars
Archive
Lights! Camera! Action!
Rare images from the
Star Wars photo archives.

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Pinewood Studios,
2014: Daisy Ridley,
John Boyega, and
Harrison Ford perform
with Lupita Nyong’o
who is clad in motion
capture gear for her
role as Maz Kanata on
the set of Star Wars:
The Force Awakens.

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FELICITY JONES

FRESH FROM HER SUCCESS AS JYN ERSO IN ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY,
ACTRESS FELICITY JONES DISCUSSES HER WORK ON THE MOVIE, WHAT ATTRACTED
HER TO PLAYING THE ROLE, AND HER THOUGHTS ON HER CO-STARS!

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S
tar Wars Insider: How did you
hear about the role of Jyn Erso?
Felicity Jones: I had a call from
my agent saying there was this
part that she thought I would be very
excited about, but she couldn’t tell me
anything about it. So, it went from that to
meeting Gareth Edwards in Los Angeles,
where I was doing publicity for a film.
We met at a hotel restaurant, and it
was one of the funniest conversations.
He was explaining the story to me and
who Jyn was; but every time he said
something, he would furtively look
around to check that no one was
overhearing. I immediately felt that
we were like spies having this top-secret
conversation. It all came from Jyn,
this formidable female character at
the center of this film. It’s one of those
parts you fight tooth and nail for.

Did Gareth Edwards explain his


approach to the film when you first met?
What was exciting about that first
meeting was it seemed Gareth and I had
very similar ways of working. He had
made a film with a lot of improvisation,
earlier on in his career. I’d seen that and
really liked the approach. I, similarly,
had come from a background of
improvisation, so Rogue One felt like an
interesting project to take on, with an
approach rooted in character and
experimentation. Immediately from that
conversation, I thought, This could be a
fascinating way to work.

Jyn is a complicated character. As an


actor, that must be a great thing.
I wanted Jyn to be as human as possible.
She’s strong when she needs to be and
has incredible determination and focus.
She has to be tough even when she
doesn’t feel like it. But, at the same
time, there’s enormous vulnerability to
her. I hope that comes across in the way
I played her. For all of us, life is difficult
and hard. You have to get through things,
but often not without a lot of fear.

Why does she agree to work for the


Rebellion and look for her father?
Ultimately, Jyn hates the Empire.
She despises it. Whenever Jyn sees
Imperial stormtroopers, she just wants
to annihilate them, which was great fun
to play. Bashing stormtroopers on the
head without any feelings of guilt.
That’s the motivation behind so much
of what she does. And, also, she wants
to understand who her father was. That
man is a little bit of a blank space for her
at the beginning of the film. Jyn’s hoping
he’s someone she can respect. That he’s
a good person, despite what she has
been told. There’s so much hope in
Rogue One.

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A prisoner of the rebels,
Jyn holds the key to finding
the Death Star plans.

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Let’s talk about your experience with
Gareth Edwards.
It’s been tremendous. He made our jobs very
easy in the sense we didn’t have to do that
old-fashioned thing of being on green screen
with no help whatsoever, pretending that a
spaceship is coming towards you. It’s none of
that. As much as possible, he made it feel
real and present. Whenever we did scenes,
he would have these huge screens around us
projecting all that was happening outside the
ship, so we didn’t have to do that hard work
of acting. It was all happening in front of us.
I have to say it was hard work. There were
days and days of sand being thrown in my
face, which I will never forgive him for! It was
all for a good purpose, to make it feel as
naturalistic as possible.

What was his original vision?


Gareth wanted the movie rooted in
authenticity. You see that in all his films.
Even if the world is Star Wars, where it’s
imaginary; it’s not based on real events.
He wanted the audience to absolutely feel
like they could be there. That comes down
to every detail. I remember early on looking
at a test screening of Jyn and Cassian.
I remember we were looking at imagery
of stormtroopers, and Gareth was looking
at the outfits, saying they were far too clean.
He said they needed to chuck some mud
at them. He wanted the sense that the
stormtroopers were at war. I thought that
was great; that was exciting. He wanted
to bring that reality to it.

How important is it that Jyn be a role model


for women?
With Jyn, Gareth and I felt early on that we
wanted her to be a human. That it wasn’t
about her being female. It wasn’t that it
should ever be the overriding thing you’re
thinking about when watching the film. It’s
that she’s a person. Everyone, hopefully,
should relate to her. Like all human beings,
she is sometimes tough and sometimes
vulnerable; but it was important early on
to present a human face to her. At the
beginning, she thought she had to do
everything on her own. She was used to
pushing through life, completely alone. And
what she finds out during the film is that,
actually, to become a great leader, a true
leader, you have to be able to work with other
people and be vulnerable with other people.
I felt by the end of the film, Jyn forged true
connections with the people around her. They
achieved everything together.

What do you like best about Rogue One?


One of the things I really like about Rogue
One is it has an independent feel to it. It’s
very experimental in many ways, and
it exists in its own orbit. There isn’t a
pressure to follow anything that has come
before. It truly is something new and has
freshness to it. a

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Mission nearly complete? Jyn
during the infiltration of the
Imperial facility on Scarif.

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FELICITY ON...
DIEGO LUNA
Whenever Diego speaks, he always
makes absolute sense, which I admire.
He’s not a frivolous person in any way,
in that respect. He’s incredibly insightful.
I really found working with him a good
experience. And he has such warmth.
I was watching some sequences with
him in them, and he has such a lovely
presence on screen.

DONNIE YEN
AND JIANG WEN
The moment Jyn and Cassian meet Baze,
he has a huge blaster that could shoot
them off the face of the planet. Once
she knows that’s not going to happen;
it’s an instinctive thing. She also finds
them amusing. They’re a good double
act. At that point when they meet,
she’s seen Chirrut take down multiple
stormtroopers. So, she thinks, this guy
can be very useful on the team. He has
some real skills.
It felt on Rogue One like everyone
had such fervor for the characters they
played. It wasn’t one of those films where
you feel like people just turn up and are
phoning it in. Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen
brought so much heart and humanity, and
you see it on the screen. There’s a real
affection for what they’re doing. They’ve
worked together before so they have a
good chemistry between them.

MADS MIKKELSEN
I loved working with Mads. He’s very
paternal, and we immediately felt a
connection when we met. He brought
such warmth and humanity to the role,
and it felt like we were very much on
the same wavelength when we were
working. He likes to try out different
things. He’s open, not dogmatic,
which I really like in actors. I like when
someone is prepared and does the work,
but then brings something unknown.
You always felt like that with Mads.
When you watch the films he’s in, he
has a wonderful quality where you
never know what he’s going to do next.

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BEN MENDELSOHN
Ben Mendelsohn plays Krennic, who is
Jyn’s archenemy in many ways. He, again,
is fantastic. It’s such a brilliant cast, and
it’s great to have so many different people
approaching the film in so many different
ways. There’s such playfulness in them,
particularly with Ben. He tried different
things during every single take. And, like
Krennic, you never know where you stand
with him. He has that twinkle and that
charm that all good baddies should have.
Ben is an actor who will never do
anything in a stereotypical, off-the-
shelf way. He brings such nuance and
complexity to his acting. Working with
him, playing Krennic, the thing that made
him so frightening was you never quite
knew what he would do. He had such
charm. You could almost think he was
your friend. Then, suddenly, you turn
around and he’s shot you in the back of
the head. It’s that kind of quality that he
brought to the part. But Ben’s such a
sweetheart. He’s not like Krennic at all—
he’s incredibly warm and trustworthy!

ALAN TUDYK
Alan’s just brilliant. He would be
improvising all the time. Throwing
different lines in that cracked us up. We
did a scene once, and trying things out,
he suddenly referred to Jyn as “the little
one,” which being five foot three I took
great offense to. He’s just so wonderful.
I’m a big fan of Alan’s.

FOREST WHITAKER
Saw Gerrera is the closest person Jyn
has to a parental figure. He’s someone
Jyn grew up around as a teenager. In
many respects, she learned about life
the hard way. Not having her parents
around, she had to learn to be very
self-reliant; and Saw Gerrera showed
her that not only does she have to rely
on herself but she also has to have
strong convictions and to defend those
convictions. When Jyn and Saw meet [on
Jedha], there’s an incredible connection
between them: a closeness, a bond. But
there’s also friction. You can see Jyn is
trying to forge her own way. Ultimately,
Saw gave her the ability to do that.
Forest is so brilliant technically,
but also the most soulful human
being I’ve ever met in my entire life.
Cassian Andor (Diego He brought humanity and complexity
Luna) and Jyn Erso
to the character. I feel speechless
(Felicity Jones) in
Imperial disguise. talking about him. I had a fantastic
time with him.

INSIDER 53

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COMPILED BY PABLO HIDALGO

LOOKING BACK AT 100 premiere? Or do you mean the 100th episode


broadcast? Or perhaps you mean the 100th
production season of episodes: Episode 102
is the second produced for Season One, for
EPISODES OF STAR WARS: episode in chronological order? All of these example; and episode 421 the 21st from
THE CLONE WARS queries produce different results.
If you add up the half-hour installments
Season Four.
A glance at this list will reveal some

S
tar Wars: The Clone Wars has of The Clone Wars that debuted on television, eye-opening facts: these production numbers
recently celebrated its 100th then “Revival” is the 100th episode produced. often have very little to do with the order in
episode—the fifth season premiere It was the 93rd episode broadcast, and which the episodes are meant to be watched,
“Revival” was heralded as the actually the 104th in the production run if you or the order in which they were aired. And
milestone, but some number-crunching count the feature film. there are more episodes produced per season
viewers may wonder if that math adds up. Trivia-minded fans may wonder where than aired.
Counting Star Wars episodes never other episodes sit in comparison to “Revival” At any given time, there are many
seems easy—pop quiz: Which is the first Star in the production order, so with that mind, episodes of The Clone Wars in different phases
Wars movie? Which one’s the fourth? There Star Wars Insider presents for the first time of production at Lucasfilm Animation. To stay
are many points of view that can shape the ever, a guide to The Clone Wars series far ahead of the broadcast schedule, the team
way you add up The Clone Wars. Several presented in production order. produces 26 episodes per season, though
episodes qualify as the 100th, so you need to Production numbers are vital book- typically only 22 air. This creates a cushion of
be specific in your inquiry. Do you mean keeping statistics to track resources and episodes as more seasons air, giving the team
100th episode in production? Do you count budgets allocated to each episode. Each the flexibility to swap episodes in order to
the episodes that formed the theatrical three-digit number identifies it as part of a produce a desired flow of multi-episode arcs.

PRODUCTION SEASON ONE (EPISODES 1-26)


The first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars was the shakedown season, where the show found its footing and discovered what was required to
bring an unprecedented level of sophisticated animated visuals to the TV screen on a weekly basis. The first season was complicated by its own
success; upon viewing footage from the first episodes, creator George Lucas thought that this show needed to debut on the big screen. As a result,
four episodes from the first season of production were plucked out of air order and assembled into a big-screen feature film, all while production
continued on the surrounding episodes. These four episodes, detailed in the list that follows, have never been publicly shown in their original
episodic format, but have production numbers and are here considered part of the episode count.

1.“CASTLE OF DECEPTION” 2.“DOWNFALL OF A DROID” 3.“CASTLE OF DOOM” 4.“CASTLE OF SALVATION”

Production Number: 104


Production Number: 102 Production Number: 103 Edited into The Clone Wars movie
Production Number: 101 Broadcast Number: 6 (November Edited into The Clone Wars movie
Edited into The Clone Wars movie 7, 2008; Season 1, Episode 6) “The confidence we have in
(released August 15, 2008) “Nothing worth having is easily ourselves can easily give birth to
“Trust in your friends, and they’ll gained....” confidence in others.”
“The wise Jedi does not have reason to trust in you.”
trust appearances....” Director: George Roman Samilski Director: Dave Bullock
Director: Rob Coleman Written by: Steven Melching Written by: Henry Gilroy
Director: Dave Filoni Written by: George Krstic Additional Dialogue by: Tracy Additional Dialogue by: Tracy
Written by: Henry Gilroy R2-D2 is lost during a fierce space Bern, Tim Burns, Bern, Tim Burns, Steven
Anakin and his new apprentice battle, and Anakin must find him Bernice Vanderlaan Melching, Bernice Vanderlaan
Ahsoka Tano launch a mission to before the Separatists discover Anakin and Ahsoka battle a vulture Anakin and Ahsoka crash-land
Teth to find Jabba’s kidnapped son. the military secrets locked in his droid in their escape from the Teth on Tatooine, while Padmé
In an abandoned monastery, they memory banks. monastery. Obi-Wan Kenobi arrives undertakes her own investigation
face off against Asajj Ventress, battle Guest-starring: Ron Perlman as with reinforcements and duels with into the Hutt kidnapping plot,
droids, and an enraged jungle rancor. Gha Nachkt Asajj Ventress. which leads to Ziro the Hutt.

54 INSIDER

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INSIDER 55

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5.“BOMBAD JEDI” 6. “DUEL OF THE DROIDS” 9.“SHADOW OF MALEVOLENCE” 12.“LAIR OF GRIEVOUS”
Production Number: 105
Broadcast Number: 8 (November
21, 2008; Season 1, Episode 8)

“Heroes are made by the times.”


Production Number: 106 Production Number: 109
Director: Jesse Yeh Broadcast Number: 7 (November Broadcast Number: 3 (October 10,
Written by: Kevin Rubio; Henry 14, 2008; Season 1, Episode 7) 2008; Season 1, Episode 3)
Gilroy; Steven Melching Production Number: 112
Jar Jar Binks poses as a Jedi “You hold onto friends by keeping “Easy is the path to wisdom Broadcast Number: 10 (December
Knight while trying to save Padmé your heart a little softer than for those not blinded by 12, 2008; Season 1, Episode 10)
Amidala from capture your head.” themselves.”
on Rodia. “Most powerful is he who
Director: Rob Coleman Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell controls his own power.”
Written by: Kevin Campbell; Written by: Steven Melching
Henry Gilroy Anakin uses new long-range Director: Atsushi Takeuchi
Anakin, Ahsoka, and the traitorous Y-wing bombers in a strike Written by: Henry Gilroy
R3-S6 embark on a sabotage mission against General Grievous’s Jedi Master Kit Fisto and his former
when they discover that R2-D2 is warship, Malevolence. Padawan Nahdar Vebb
being held captive at General explore General Grievous’s
Grievous’s secret listening post. 10.“CLOAK OF DARKNESS” forbidding enclave.
Guest-starring: Ron Perlman as
Gha Nackht
13.“CARGO OF DOOM”
7. “RISING MALEVOLENCE”

Production Number: 110


Broadcast Number: 9 (December Production Number: 113
5, 2008; Season 1, Episode 9) Broadcast Number: 24 (October 2,
Production Number: 107 2009; Season 2, Episode 2)
Broadcast Number: 2 “Ignore your instincts
(October 3, 2008; Season 1, at your peril.” “Overconfidence is the most
Episode 2) dangerous form of carelessness.”
Director: Dave Filoni
“Belief is not a matter of choice, Written by: Paul Dini Director: Rob Coleman
but of conviction.” Ahsoka and Jedi Master Luminara Written by: George Krstic
Unduli escort a captured Nute Gunray Anakin and Ahsoka intercept
Director: Dave Filoni to trial. Asajj Ventress infiltrates a bounty hunter Cad Bane, hoping to
Written by: Henry Gilroy Jedi cruiser to rescue him. recover a stolen Jedi Holocron.
An attack by a devastating Separatist Guest-starring: James Marsters First episode produced with
weapon leaves Jedi Master Plo Koon as Captain Argyus Cad Bane
and his clone troopers struggling to
survive as Anakin and Ahsoka try to
find them.
11.“DESTROY MALEVOLENCE” 14.“ROOKIES”

8.“AMBUSH”

Production Number: 111 Production Number: 114


Broadcast Number: 4 (October 17, Broadcast Number: 5 (October 24,
2008; Season 1, Episode 4) 2008; Season 1, Episode 5)
Production Number: 108
Broadcast Number: 1 (October 3, “A plan is only as good as those “The best confidence builder is
2008; Season 1 premiere) who see it through.” experience.”

“Great leaders inspire greatness Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell Director: Justin Ridge
in others. ” Written by: Tim Burns Written by: Steven Melching
Padmé Amidala and C-3PO are On a distant outpost, a squad
Director: Dave Bullock taken hostage by General Grievous, of rookie clones must believe in
Written by: Steven Melching leading Anakin and Obi-Wan to themselves to defend against a
Jedi Master Yoda and a trio of clone infiltrate the cruiser Malevolence droid commando invasion.
troopers are outnumbered by droid and continue their mission to First appearance of the clones of
forces on the coral moon of Rugosa. destroy the warship. Domino Squad

56 INSIDER

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Star Wars: Star Wars: A New Hope
Heroes of the Force The Official Celebration Special
ISBN 9781785851926 ISBN 9781785864605

THE BEST OF STAR WARS INSIDER

The Best of Star Wars Insider The Best of Star Wars Insider The Best of Star Wars Insider The Best of Star Wars Insider Star Wars: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Volume One Volume Two Volume Three Volume Four Lords of the Sith The Official Mission Debrief
ISBN 9781785851162 ISBN 9781785851179 ISBN 9781785851896 ISBN 9781785851902 ISBN 9781785851919 ISBN 9781785861581

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: TITAN-COMICS.COM


© & TM 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd.

SWI RANGE_Oct Update.indd 176 14/11/2017 11:37


PRODUCTION SEASON TWO (EPISODES 27-52)

25. “TRESPASS” 27. “THE HIDDEN ENEMY” 30. “HOSTAGE CRISIS” 32. “THE DESERTER”

Production Number: 125 Production Number: 201 Production Number: 204 Production Number: 206
Broadcast Number: 15 (January Broadcast Number: 16 (February Broadcast Number: 22 (March 20, Broadcast Number: 32 (January 1,
30, 2009; Season 1, Episode 15) 6, 2009; Season 1, Episode 16) 2009; Season 1 Finale, Episode 22) 2010; Season 2, Episode 10)

“Arrogance diminishes wisdom.” “Truth enlightens the mind, but “A secret shared is a “It is the quest for honor that
won’t always bring happiness to trust formed.” makes one honorable.”
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell your heart.”
Written by: Steven Melching Director: Giancarlo Volpe Director: Robert Dalva
Anakin and Obi-Wan get caught in Director: Steward Lee Written by: Eoghan Mahony Written by: Carl Ellsworth
the middle of an escalating conflict Written by: Drew Z. Greenberg Bounty hunters led by Cad Bane While searching for General
between the Talz and the Pantorans Anakin and Obi-Wan discover seize control of the Senate building Grievous on Saleucami, Clone
on the icy planet Orto Plutonia. evidence of a traitor in their ranks and take hostages, unaware that Captain Rex encounters Cut
Joel Aron joins the series as CG while attempting to liberate the an unarmed Anakin Skywalker is Lawquane, a clone deserter.
Lighting and FX Supervisor. planet
lanet Christophs
Christophsis. still inside.
ies prequel to ThThe Clo
Clone
A serie
series
Warss feature film.
33.“LANDING AT POINT RAIN”
26.“BLUE SHADOW VIRUS” 31. “SENATE SPY”
Production Num
Number:
mber: 1266
Broadcast Number
Number:r: 17 (Febr
(February
ruary
28. “MYSTERY OF A
13, 2009; Season
n 1, Episod
Episode 17) THOUSAND MOONS”
“Fear is a disease;
sease; hop
hope is
its onlyy cure.” Production Number: 205 Production Number: 207
Broadcast Number: 26 (October Broadcast Number: 27 (November
Direcctor: Gianc
Director: Giancarlo
carlo Volpe 16, 2009; Season 2, Episode 4) 4, 2009; Season 2, Episode 5)
Written
Wriitten by: Craig
Crraig Titley
“A true heart should never “Believe in yourself or no one
be doubted.” else will.”

Director: Steward Lee Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell


Production Number: 202 Written by: Melinda Hsu Written by: Brian Larsen
Broadcast Number: 18 (Febr
(February At the Jedi Council’s request, Padmé The Jedi launch a major assault to
13, 2009; Season 1, Episode 18) investigates a Separatist conspiracy recapture Geonosis, with a multi-
in the Senate—and is brought face- pronged assault led by Anakin,
Padmé and
an
nd Jar Jar “A single chance is a galaxy
gala to-face with a former flame. Obi-Wan, and Ki-Adi-Mundi.
are captured
captur while of hope.”
searching
searchinng for a
secret Sep
Separatist Director:
Directorr: Jesse Yeh
bio-weapons lab
bio-weapo Written by:: Brian Larsen
on Naboo.
Nabooo. The fatal Blue Shadow
S virus has
Guest-starring:
Guest-starr infected Ahsoka,
Ahsoka Padmé, and a
Michael
ichael York
Yor as many
ny clone troopers.
trooper Obi-Wan
Obi-Wa and
Dr.
r. Nuvo Vindi
Vin Anakin
kin rush to the moons
m of Iego
to find a cure.
cuure.

29. “CHILDREN OF THE FFORCE”


Production
Producction Number: 202
20
Broadcast Nu
Number:
umber: 25 (Octob
(October
ob 9,
2009; Season
Seaso
son 2, Episode 3)

“The first step to correctin


“T correcting a
mistake is pati
patience.”
atience.”

Director
Director:
or: Brian Kalin O’Con
O’
O’Connell
Written
en by: Henry Gilroy
Gilroy;
Wend
Wendy
ndy Meracle
The Jedi pursue
purs Cad Bane,
Bane
who iss kidnapping Force-sensitive
FForce-sens
children evil
ldren as part oof an evi
Sith plot.

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34. “WEAPONS FACTORY” 37. “LIGHTSABER LOST” 40. “GRIEVOUS INTRIGUE” 42. “DUCHESS OF
MANDALORE”

Production Number: 208 Production Number: 211 Production Number: 214


Broadcast Number: 28 (November Broadcast Number: 33 (January Broadcast Number: 31 (January 1,
13, 2009; Season 2, Episode 6) 22, 2010; Season 2, Episode 11) 2010; Season 2, Episode 9) Production Number: 216
Broadcast Number: 36(February
“No gift is more precious “Easy isn’t always simple.” “For everything you gain, you 12, 2010; Season 2, Episode 14)
than trust.” lose something else.”
Director: Giancarlo Volpe “In war, truth is the first casualty.”
Director: Giancarlo Volpe Written by: Drew Z. Greenberg Director: Giancarlo Volpi
Written by: Brian Larsen When a wily pickpocket steals Written by: Ben Edlund Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
On the Geonosian battlefield, Ahsoka’s lightsaber, she enlists Jedi Master Eeth Koth is taken Written by: Drew Z. Greenberg
Luminara and Anakin act as decoys the help of an ancient Jedi to track hostage and tortured by General On Coruscant, Satine and
to divert new enemy super tanks, down her weapon and reclaim Grievous, prompting Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan try to expose the
while Padawans Barriss Offee and her honor. Anakin and Adi Gallia to devise motives of Death Watch before
Ahsoka attempt to destroy Guest-starring: Jaime King as a daring rescue plan. the Republic launches a
a Separatist droid factory. Cassie Cryar. pre-emptive invasion that could
41. “DEATH TRAP” tip Mandalore into war.
35. “LEGACY OF TERROR” 38. “BRAIN INVADERS”
Production Number: 215
Broadcast Number: 42 (April 23,
43. “CAT AND MOUSE”
2010; Season 2, Episode 20)

“Who my father was matters less


than my memory of him.”
Production Number: 209 Production Number: 212
Broadcast Number: 29 (November Broadcast Number: 30 (December Director: Steward Lee Production Number: 217
20, 2009; Season 2, Episode 7) 4, 2009; Season 2, Episode 8) Written by: Doug Petrie Broadcast Number: 38 (March 26,
Disguised as a clone cadet, young 2010; Season 2, Episode 16)
“Sometimes, accepting help is “Attachment is not compassion.” Boba Fett infiltrates a Jedi cruiser
harder than offering it.” with Mace Windu as his target. “A wise leader knows when to
Director: Steward Lee Guest-starring: Daniel Logan as follow.”
Director: Steward Lee Written by: Andrew Kreisberg Boba Fett and Jaime King as
Written by: Eoghan Mahoney When Geonosian brain in worms Aurra Sing Director:
Dire Kyle Dunlevy
Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi-Mundi take control of their supply
upply ship, Writt
Written by: Brian Larsen
spearhead the search for a missing Ahsoka and Barriss Offee must Obi-Wan and Anakin must deliver
Luminara on Geonosis, leading to stop the vessel from unleashing supplies tto blockaded Christophsis
a mysterious lair filled with undead the deadly plague upon the galaxy. using a prototype stealth ship.
Geonosian warriors. A prequel to “The Hidden Enemy,”
39. “THE MANDALORE
RE PLOT” this
t story is now the earliest in the
36. “SENATE MURDERS” sseries’ timeline.

44. ““R2, COME HOME”

Production Number:er: 213


Broadcast Number: 344 (January
29, 2010; Season 2, Episode
pisode 12) Production Number: 218
Prod
Production Number: 210 Bro
Broadcast
roadcas Number: 43 (April 30,
Broadcast Number: 37 (March 19, “If you ignore the past, you 2010; S
Season 2, Episode 21)
2010; Season 2, Episode 15) jeopardize the future.”
ture.”
“Adve
“Adversity
ve is friendship’s
“Searching for the truth is easy. Director: Kyle Dunlevy
unlevy truest test.”
Accepting the truth is hard.” Written by: Melinda da Hsu
While investigating rumors
mors of a Direc
Director: Giancarlo Volpe
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell conspiracy surroundingg Duchess Written
Writte by: Eoghan Mahony
Written by: Drew Z. Greenberg Satine of Mandalore, Obi-Wan When a band of bounty hunters
When Senator Onaconda Farr dies uncovers the truth about a leads Anakin
A and Mace into a
under suspicious circumstances, mysterious Mandalorian
rian plot. deadly trap
t on Vanqor, it’s up to
Padmé sets out to find the Guest-starring: Jon Favreau R2-D2 tto battle his way back to
person responsible. as Pre Vizslaa Coruscant and warn the Jedi.
Corusc

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45. “BOUNTY HUNTERS” 48. “THE ZILLO BEAST” 50. “SUPPLY LINES” PRODUCTION
SEASON THREE
(EPISODES 53-78)
Production Number: 224
Production Number: 219 Production Number: 222 Broadcast Number: 47 (September 53. “CLONE CADETS”
Broadcast Number: 39 (April 2, Broadcast Number: 40 (April 9, 24, 2010; Season 3, Episode 3) Production Number: 301
2010; Season 2, Episode 17) 2010; Season 2, Episode 18) Broadcast Number: 45 (September
“Where there’s a will, there’s 17, 2010; Season 3 premiere)
“Courage makes heroes, but trust “Choose what is right, not what a way.”
builds friendship.” is easy.” “Brothers in
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell arms are broth-
Director: Steward Lee Director: Giancarlo Volpe Written by: Steven Melching, ers for life.”
Written by: Carl Ellsworth Written by: Craig Titley Eoghan Mahoney
Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka team The detonation of an experimental Bail Organa and Jar Jar Binks travel Director:
up with bounty hunters to train a electro-proton bomb by Republic to neutral Toydaria in attempt to Dave Filoni
village of Felucian farmers to stand forces awakens an ancient beast convince the ruling king to send aid Written by:
up to marauding pirates. within the crust of Malastare. to besieged Ryloth. Cameron
Cam
ameron Litvack
An extended homage to The Seven A prequel to “Ambush” and Five headstrong
hea
Samurai, this episode is dedicated “Liberty on Ryloth.” clones struggle
stru
to the memory of Akira Kurosawa.
49. “THE ZILLO BEAST to complete
ete
STRIKES BACK” 51. “SPHERE OF INFLUENCE” their training on
Kamino.
46. “LETHAL TRACKDOWN” A prequel to
“Rookies.”

Production Number: 225


Production Number: 220 Broadcast Number: 48 (October 1,
Broadcast Number: 44 (April 30, Production Number: 223 2010; Season 3, Episode 4)
2010; Season 2; Episode 22) Broadcast Number: 41 (April 16,
2010; Season 2, Episode 19) “A child stolen is a lost hope.”
“Revenge is a confession of pain.”
“The most dangerous beast is the Director: Kyle Dunlevy
Director: Dave Filoni beast within.” Written by: Katie Lucas,
Written by: Dave Filoni; Steven Melching
Drew Z. Greenberg Director: Steward Lee Chairman Papanoida’s daughters are
After combing the Coruscant under- Written by: Steven Melching kidnapped and held for ransom.
world for a young fugitive, Plo Koon A rampaging Zillo Beast breaks out Ahsoka teams up with Senator Riyo
and Ahsoka pursue him to Florrum of its experimental laboratory on Chuchi to find out answers, while
for a climactic confrontation. Coruscant, wreaking havoc on the Papanoida’s own investigations take
The first appearance
ance of the under-
world portal, whichch will later
late figure
galact
galactic
tic capital. him to Jabba the
t Hutt.
Guest-starring: Seth
Se Green as
54. “ARC TROOPERS”
in the videogame Star Wars:
Warss: 1313. Ion Papanoida.
Papano

52. “THE ACADEMY”


ACA
Production Number: 302
Broadcast Number: 46
47. “ASSASSIN”
N”” (September 17, 2010; Season 3,
Production Number: 221 Production Num
Number: 226 Episode 2)
Broadcast Number: 51 (October 22, Broadcast Number:
Num
umber 50 (October
2010; Season 3, Episode 7) 15, 2010; Season
Seas
ason 3,
3 Episode 6) “Fighting a war tests a soldier’s
Director: Kyle Dunlevy skills, defending his home tests
Written by: Katie Lucas “Those who enforce the law must a soldier’s heart.”
obey the law.”
la
“The future has many paths—choose Director: Kyle Dunlevy
wisely” Director: Gianca
Giancarlo Volpe Written by: Cameron Litvack
Written by: Came
Cameron Litvack The Republic learns of an
Tasked to protect Senator Padmé Amidala Ahsoka is assigned
assigne to teach a impending Separatist attack on
on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan, Ahsoka is class at a leadership academy on Kamino. Anakin and Obi-Wan lead
plagued by recurring visions of Aurra Sing. Mandalore, and the zealous
z young the defense of the planet, while
Guest-starring: Jaime King as Aurra Sing. students uncover the
th true nature of clones battle to repulse General
A prequel to “Hostage Crisis.” a black market
mar conspiracy.
c Grievous and Asajj Ventress.

60 INSIDER

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55. “EVIL PLANS” 58. “HEROES ON BOTH SIDES” 61. “OVERLORDS” 63. “ALTAR OF MORTIS”

Production Number: 303


Broadcast Number: 52 (November Production Number: 306 Production Number: 309
5, 2010; Season 3, Episode 8) Broadcast Number: 54 (November Broadcast Number: 59 (January Production Number: 311
19, 2010; Season 3, Episode 10) 28, 2011; Season 3, Episode 15) Broadcast Number: 60 (February
“A failure in planning is a plan 4, 2011; Season 3, Episode 16)
for failure.” “Fear is a great motivator.” “Balance is found in the one who
faces his guilt.” “He who surrenders hope,
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell Director: Kyle Dunlevy surrenders life.”
Written by: Steve Mitchell & Craig Written by: Daniel Arkin Director: Steward Lee
Van Sickle Padmé Amidala and Ahsoka Tano Written by: Christian Taylor Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
Cad Bane kidnaps C-3PO in order secretly travel to Separatist space A mysterious force draws Anakin, Written by: Christian Taylor
to probe the droid’s memory for to meet with Mina Bonteri, an old Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka to a distant The Son takes Ahsoka captive in
information on the Senate building. friend and mentor to Padmé who realm inhabited by a family of an attempt to entice Anakin into
A prequel to “Hostage Crisis.” wants to broker a peaceful end to god-like Force-wielders who are joining the dark side. Meanwhile, the
the war. attempting to discover the identity Daughter recruits Obi-Wan to recover
56. “CORRUPTION” First appearance of Lux Bonteri.
First appearance of upgraded
of the prophesized Chosen One.
Guest-starring Liam Neeson as
an artifact that can stop the Son.

character models for Ahsoka


and Anakin.
Qui-Gon Jinn, Pernilla August as
Shmi Skywalker, and Sam Witwer
64. “WITCHES OF THE MIST”
as the Son.
59. “PURSUIT OF PEACE”
62.“MONSTER”
Production Number: 304 Production Number: 312
Broadcast Number: 49 (October 8, Broadcast Number: 58 (January
2010; Season 3, Episode 5) 21, 2011; Season 3, Episode 14)
Production Number: 307
“The challenge of hope is to Broadcast Number: 55 (December Production Number: 310 “The path to evil may bring great
overcome corruption.” 3, 2010; Season 3, Episode 11) Broadcast Number: 57 (January power, but not loyalty.”
14, 2011; Season 3, Episode 13)
Director: Giancarlo Volpe “Truth can strike down the Director: Giancarlo Volpe
Written by: Cameron Litvack specter of fear.” “Evil is not born, it is taught.” Written by: Katie Lucas
On a diplomatic mission to Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent to track
Mandalore, Padmé helps Duchess Director: Duwyane Dunham Directed by: Kyle Dunlevy down the mysterious Savage Opress,
Satine investigate a sinister plot Written by: Daniel Arkin Written by: Katie Lucas as the monstrous Sith apprentice
involving poisoned tea. Padmé and Bail attempt to rally When Count Dooku calls upon the carries out his betrayal of Count
senators in opposition
position to a disastrous Nightsisters of Dathomir to seek Dooku at Asajj Ventress’s command.
57. “HUNT FOR ZIRO” bill that would
d fund millions of new
clone troopers,s, becoming the target
a replacement apprentice, Mother
Talzin and Asajj Ventress conspire
Guest appearance by Delta Squad
clone commandos.
of bounty hunter enforcers. to create a deadly warrior.
Guest-starring: Clancy Brown as
Savage Opress.
60. “NIGHTSISTERS”
GHTSISTERS”
Production Number: 308
Broadcast Number: 56
Production Number: 305 (January 7, 2011; Season
Broadcast Number: 53 (November 3, Episode 12)
12, 2010; Season 3, Episode 9)
“The swiftest path to
“Love comes in all shapes and destruction is through
sizes.” vengeance.”

Director: Steward Lee Director: Giancarlo Volpe


Written by: Steve Mitchell & Craig Written by: Katie Lucas
Van Sickle Betrayed by Count
Freshly escaped from jail, Ziro the Dooku, Asajj Ventress
Hutt tries to lay low on Nal Hutta, limps home to Dathomir,
while Quinlan Vos and Obi-Wan where she recovers and
Kenobi hunt for the criminal and plots revenge with the
tangle with Cad Bane. help of the Nightsisters.

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65. “GHOSTS OF MORTIS” 68. “PADAWAN LOST” 71. “SHADOW WARRIOR” 73. “NOMAD DROIDS”

Production Number: 313 Production Number: 316 Production Number: 319 Production Number: 321
Broadcast Number: 61 (February Broadcast Number: 65 (April 1, Broadcast Number: 70 (September Broadcast Number: 72 (October
11, 2011; Season 3, Episode 17) 2011; Season 3, Episode 21) 30, 2011, Season 4, Episode 4) 14, 2011; Season 4, Episode 6)

“He who seeks to control fate “Without humility, courage is “Who a person truly is cannot be “Who’s the more foolish, the fool
shall never find peace.” a dangerous game.” seen with the eye.” or the fool who follows him?”

Director: Steward Lee Director: Dave Filoni Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell Director: Steward Lee
Written by: Christian Taylor Written by: Bonnie Mark Written by: Daniel Arkin Written by: Steve Mitchell; Craig
The Son renews his efforts to convert Ahsoka and a group of abducted Because they bear a strong Van Sickle
Anakin to the dark side, even giving younglings find themselves trapped resemblance to one another, Jar Jar C-3PO and R2-D2 continue their
him a glimpse into the future. The on a Trandoshan moon, prey in an Binks assumes the role of the bizarre caper, visiting bizarre
reign of the Force wielders comes to elaborate and cruel hunt. indisposed Gungan leader—and worlds, staring down pirates,
an end as the Father uses the Mortis comes face-to-face with and stumbling upon a
Dagger to destroy himself.
69. “CITADEL RESCUE” General Grievous.
This was at one point to be the
Separatist attack.

66. “THE CITADEL” Season Four broadcast opener,


but was shuffled to later in the
74. “WATER WAR”
season to allow for a more
action-packed premiere.

72. “MERCY MISSION”

Production Number: 314


Broadcast Number: 62 (February
18,2011; Season 3, Episode 14) Production Number: 317
Broadcast Number: 64 (March 11, Production Number: 320 Production Number: 322
“Adaptation is the key to survival.” 2011; Season 3, Episode 20) Broadcast Number: 71 (October 7, Broadcast Number: 67 (September
2011; Season 4, Episode 5) 16, 2011; Season 4 Premiere)
Director: Kyle Dunlevy “Without honor, victory
Written by: Matt Michnovetz is hollow.” “Understanding is honoring the “When destiny calls, the chosen
An elite team of Jedi and clone truth beneath the surface.” have no choice.”
troopers—including an uninvited Director: Steward Lee
Ahsoka Tano —launch a risky Written by: Matt Michnovetz Director: Danny Keller Director: Duwayne Dunham
attempt to free a captive Jedi With their escape ship destroyed, Written by: Bonnie Mark Written by: Jose Molina
general from an impenetrable Anakin and Obi-Wan must lead R2-D2 and C-3PO undergo a The planet Mon Cala teeters
prison on an inhospitable world. their rescued prisoners across a strange journey beneath the towards civil war between the Mon
First appearance of Wilhuff Tarkin perilous landscape, while Plo Koon surface of the quake-stricken Calamari people and the Quarren,
in the series. launches a rescue task force. planet Aleen. who are backed by the Separatists.

67. “COUNTERATTACK” 70. “WOOKIEE HUNT”


Production Number: 318
Broadcast Number: 66 (April 1,
2011; Season 3 finale,
Episode 22)

Production Number: 315 “A great student is what the


Broadcast Number: 63 (March 4, teacher hopes to be.”
2011; Season 3, Episode 19)
Director: Dave Filoni
“Anything that can go wrong, will.” Written by: Bonnie Mark
As Ahsoka and her youngling
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell allies struggle to evade Trandoshan
Written by: Matt Michnovetz hunters, their efforts receive an
Having freed the Citadel prisoners, unexpected boost from a new
Obi-Wan and Anakin search for a captive: Chewbacca the Wookiee.
way out of the Citadel and back The credits to this episode thank
to Coruscant. Peter Mayhew for being the heart
and soul of Chewbacca.

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81. “KIDNAPPED”
Production Number: 403
Broadcast Number: 77 (November
25, 2011; Season 4, Episode 11)

“Where we are going always


reflects where we came from.”

Director: Kyle Dunlevy


Written by: Henry Gilroy;
Steven Melching
Zygerrian slavers are behind the
sudden disappearance of a colony
on Kiros. As Ahsoka and Anakin
rush to defuse a series of bombs
planted by the slavers, Obi-Wan
must fight their imposing leader.
Based on a previously published
Dark Horse Comics story.

82. “SLAVES OF THE REPUBLIC”

75. “GUNGAN ATTACK” 77. “DARKNESS ON UMBARA” 79. “PLAN OF DISSENT”


Production Number: 404
Broadcast Number: 78 (December
2, 2011; Season 4, Episode 12)

Production Number: 323 Production Number: 325 Production Number: 401 “Those who enslave others inevi-
Broadcast Number: 68 (September Broadcast Number: 73 (October Broadcast Number: 75 (November tably become slaves themselves.”
16, 2011; Season 4, Episode 2) 28, 2011; Season 4, Episode 7) 11, 2011; Season 4, Episode 9)
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
“Only through fire is a strong “The first step toward loyalty is “The wise man leads, the strong Written by: Henry Gilroy;
sword forged.” trust.” man follows.” Steven Melching
Anakin, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell Director: Steward Lee Director: Kyle Dunlevy Rex go undercover to infiltrate the
Written by: Jose Molina Written by: Matt Michnovetz Written by: Matt Michnovetz slavers of Zygerria.
Anakin Skywalker and his Jedi Anakin is forced to temporarily turn Realizing there is a better plan than
team have been overrun by the
Separatists on Mon Calamari.
over command of his clone troop-
ers to the fierce General Krell on
following General Krell’s deadly
tactics, a group of clone troopers
83. “ESCAPE FROM KADAVO”
Ahsoka Tano and young Prince the embattled world of Umbara. carry out a rogue, covert operation.
Lee-Char must hold out until
Gungan reinforcements arrive.
78. “THE GENERAL” 80. “CARNAGE OF KRELL”
76. “PRISONERS” Production Number: 402
Broadcast Number: 76 (November Production Number: 405
18, 2011; Season 4, Episode 10) Broadcast Number: 79 (January 6,
2012; Season 4, Episode 13)
“Our
O actions define our legacy.”
Production Number: 326 “Great hope can come from small
Broadcast Number: 74 (November
mber Directo
Director:
or: Kyle Dunlevy sacrifices.”
Production Number: 324 4, 2011; Season 4, Episode 8) Writtenn by:
b Matt Michnov
Michnovetz
ovetz
Broadcast Number: 69 (September With two of his men fafacing Director: Danny Keller
Direc
23, 2011; Season 4, Episode 3) “The path of ignorance is guided execution
ution for disobeying Gene
General
ner
eral
al Wri
Wr
Written
riitte
ttten bby:
y Henry G
y: Gilroy;
by fear.” Kr ll’s orders, Capt
Krell’s Captain Re
Rexexx Steven Melching
“Crowns are inherited, kingdoms must
ust confront his
h over
overly
rlyy
rly Anakin tries to
are earned.” Director: Walter Murchrch aggressive
essive comm
co
commander.
mmandandeer
er.
r. convince the
Written by: Matt Michnovetz
novetz Zygerrian
ZZyygerrian Queen that
Director: Danny Keller General Krell orders Clone
ne Captai
Captain
aiin sshe
he too is a pawn in
Written by: Jose Molina Rex and his troopers too conque
conquerer an
a evil Separatist
Ahsoka and Prince Lee-Char must a heavily fortified airbase,
rbase, an pplot.
lot. Meanwhile,
unite the fractured people of Mon almost certain suicide
de mission. Obi-Wan
O
Obi
Ob -W n toils in
-Wa
Cala in order to overthrow the the
he sslave
tth lave camps
Separatist invaders. PRODUCTION
TION ooff Kadavo.

SEASONN FOUR
INSIDER 63
(EPISODESS 79-104)

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89. “MASSACRE” 92. “REVENGE”
84. “A FRIEND IN NEED”
Production Number: 406
Broadcast Number: 80 (January
13, 2012; Season 4, Episode 14)
Production Number: 411
“Friendship shows us who we Broadcast Number: 85 (February
really are.” 24, 2012; Season 4, Episode 19)

Director: Dave Filoni “One must let go of the past to Production Number: 414
Written by: Christian Taylor hold onto the future.” Broadcast Number: 88 (March 16,
Ahsoka Tano tries to stop Lux 2012; Season 4 finale, Episode 22)
Bonteri from making a big Director: Steward Lee
mistake. He seeks out vengeance Written by: Katie Lucas “The enemy of my enemy is
for the death of his mother by At Count Dooku’s behest, General my friend.”
teaming up with a fractured Grievous launches a vengeance
Death Watch. strike against the Nightsisters of Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
Guest-starring: Jon Favreau as Dathomir, leaving Asajj Ventress Written by: Katie Lucas
Pre Vizsla, and Katee Sackhoff directionless and alone. Savage and Maul, now reunited,
as Bo-Katan pursue Obi-Wan Kenobi in search
90. “BOUNTY” of revenge, and the Jedi Knight
must ally with Asajj Ventress to
85. “DECEPTION” 87. “THE BOX” defend against the deadly brothers.

93. “A WAR ON TWO FRONTS”


Production Number: 412
Production Number: 407 Broadcast Number: 86 (March 2,
Broadcast Number: 81 (January Production Number: 409 2012; Season 4, Episode 20)
20, 2012; Season 4, Episode 15) Broadcast Number: 83 (February
3, 2012; Season 4, Episode 17) “Who we are never changes, who
“All warfare is based we think we are does.” Production Number: 415
on deception. “The strong survive, the noble Broadcast Number: 90 (October 5,
overcome.” Director: Kyle Dunlevy 2012; Season 5, Episode 2)
Director: Kyle Dunlevy Written by: Katie Lucas
Written by: Brent Friedman Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell An aimless Asajj Ventress joins a team “Fear is a malleable weapon.”
When the Jedi learn of a Separatist Written by: Brent Friedman of bounty hunters under the
plot to kidnap the Chancellor, Obi- The disguised Obi-Wan enlists in leadership of Boba Fett. Director: Dave Filoni
Wan goes deep undercover as a a brutal competition with other Guest-starring: Daniel Logan as Written by: Chris Collins
hardened criminal to find out more. bounty hunters to determine who Boba Fett Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Rex
Guest-starring: Daniel Logan as will participate in a plot to kidnap travel to Onderon to train local
Boba Fett the Chancellor. 91. “BROTHERS” insurgents to battle against
the occupying
86. “FRIENDS AND ENEMIES” 88. “CRISIS ON NABOO” Separatist forces.

94. “FRONT RUNNERS”


Production Number: 413
Broadcast Number: 87 (March 9,
2012; Season 4, Episode 21)
Production Number: 410
Production Number: 408 Broadcast Number: 84 (February “A fallen enemy may rise again,
Broadcast Number: 82 (January 10, 2012; Season 4, Episode 18) but the reconciled one is truly Production Number: 416
27, 2012; Season 4, Episode 16) vanquished.” Broadcast Number: 91 (October
“Trust is the greatest of gifts, but 13, 2012; Season 5, Episode 3)
“Keep your friends close, but it must be earned.” Director: Bosco Ng
your enemies closer.” Written by: Katie Lucas “To seek something is to believe
Director: Danny Keller The dark warrior Savage Opress in its possibility.”
Director: Bosco Ng Written by: Brent Friedman continues his quest to find his
Written by: Brent Friedman The Chancellor travels to Naboo long-lost brother, a search that Director: Steward Lee
Fleeing across the galaxy with to preside over a public ceremony, uncovers a raving madman on the Written by: Chris Collins
criminal fugitives, a disguised Obi- guarded by Jedi Knights. Dooku junk planet of Lotho Minor. Supervised by Ahsoka, the
Wan, Cad Bane, and Moralo Eval and his bounty hunters—including Guest-starring: Clancy Brown as Onderon rebels infiltrate the capital
are tenaciously pursued by Anakin an undercover Obi-Wan—launch Savage Opress, and Sam Witwer city and carry out a series of
and Ahsoka. their kidnapping plot. as Darth Maul strikes throughout the city.

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95. “THE SOFT WAR” 100. “THE GATHERING” 103. “A NECESSARY BOND” 104. “REVIVAL”

Production Number: 417 Production Number: 422 Production Number: 426


Broadcast Number: 92 (October Broadcast Number: 94 (November Broadcast Number: 89
20, 2012; Season 5, Episode 4) 3, 2012; Season 5, Episode 6) (September 29, 2012;
Season 5 premiere)
“Struggles often begin and end “He who faces himself, finds
with the truth.” himself.” “Strength in character can
defeat strength in numbers.”
Director: Kyle Dunlevy Director: Kyle Dunlevy
Written by: Chris Collins Written by: Christian Taylor Production Number: 425 Director: Steward Lee
After a rebel attempt to rescue Ahsoka escorts a group of Broadcast Number: 97 (November Written by: Chris Collins
Onderon’s true king fails, an younglings to Ilum, where they will 24, 2012; Season 5, Episode 8) Fueled by vengeance and rage,
unexpected ally steps forward undergo a crucial rite of passage: Savage and Maul attempt to forge an
to halt the execution and aid the finding crystals necessary for “Choose your enemies wisely, as alliance with pirate forces. Obi-Wan
rebel cause. the construction of they may be your last hope.” and Adi Gallia chase them down,
their lightsabers. leading to a deadly confrontation.
96. “TIPPING POINTS” Director: Danny Keller Guest-starring: Clancy Brown
101. “A TEST OF STRENGTH” Written by: Christian Taylor
The pirates and the younglings must
as Savage Opress and Sam
Witwer as Darth Maul
join forces when General Grievous Moved up in episode order to
attacks Hondo’s
Hondo s base on Florrum. become the Season Fiv Five premiere.
pisode produced,
The 100th episode pro not
ccounting the episodes in incorporated
Production Number: 418 into thee feature film.
Broadcast Number: 93 (October
27, 2012; Season 5, Episode 5) Production Number: 423
Broadcast Number: 95 (November
“Disobedience is a demand 10, 2012; Season 5, Episode 7)
for change.”
“The young are oft
often
ftten
Director: Bosco Ng underestimated.”
underestimated
ed
d.”
d.
Written by: Chris Collins
As a full-scale revolt embroils Director: Bosco Ng g
Onderon, the rebels strike a Written by: Christian Ta
Taylor
ayylo
loor
decisive blow, but at a high price.. As the younglings return n
from Ilum with Ahsoka, the their
eir
ei
ship comes under attack byy
97. “AN OLD FRIEND” Hondo Ohnaka and his pirates.
piratess.
Production Number: 419 Guest-starring: David Tenn
Tennantnannt
Broadcast Number: Originally as Huyang
slated to air at the start of Season
n
5, this and other episodes have
since been pushed later in the
102. “BOUND FOR RESCUE”
broadcast order.

98. “THE RISE OF CLOVIS”


Production Number: 420
Broadcast Number: Originally
slated to air at the start of Season
n
5, this and other episodes have
since been pushed later in the
broadcast order. Production Number:
N 424
Broadcast
cast Number:
Nu 96 (November
17, 2012)
99. “CRISIS AT THE HEART” Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
Production Number: 421 Written by: Christian Taylor
Broadcast Number: Originally With Ahsoka captured by
slated to air at the start of Season
n Hondo, the younglings work
5, this and other episodes have together and pose as an
since been pushed later in the pe to infiltrate the
acrobatic troupe thhe
broadcast order. pirate’s den.
den

INSIDER 65

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Compiled by Pablo Hidalgo

C
inuiing In
ontinuing
onti
ont IInsider
nsi
sid
iderr’s Starr
id
Wars: The Clone
Clon ne Wars epepisode
pisode
guide using production 105: “EMINENCE”
numbers to keep track of Production Number: 501
installments produced (as opposed Broadcast Number: 102 (January 19, 2013;
to, say, episodes aired). This method Season 5, Episode 14)
of organizing Clone Wars episodes
results in unique groupings, as the “One vision can have many interpretations.”
Production Seasons of 26 episodes
each differ from the broadcast Director: Kyle Dunlevy
seasons, which are sometimes Written by: Chris Collins
22, 20 and, most recently, 13 After barely escaping their encounter with the Jedi
episodes long. and the pirates alive, Savage Opress and Darth Maul
Now that Star Wars: The Clone are found by Death Watch. Both parties forge an
Wars: The Lost Missions have alliance when they realize they have a common
triumphantly debuted on Netflix, enemy in the Jedi general Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Star Wars Insider revisits its listing, Guest-starring: Jon Favreau as Pre Vizsla, Sam
picking up on the 105th episode Witwer as Darth Maul, Clancy Brown as Savage
produced in the series, the first Opress, and Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan.
in Production Season 5.

106. “SHADES OF REASON” 107. “THE LAWLESS” 108: “SECRET WEAPONS”

Production Number: 502 Production Number: 503 Production Number: 504


Broadcast Number: 103 (January 26, 2013; Broadcast Number: 104 (February 2, 2013; Broadcast Number: 98 (December 1, 2012;
Season 5, Episode 15) Season 5, Episode 16) Season 5, Episode 10)

“Alliances can stall true intentions” “Morality separates heroes from villains.” “Humility is the only defense
against humiliation.”
Director: Bosco Ng Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell
Written by: Chris Collins Written by: Chris Collins Director: Danny Keller
With the backing of the Hutts and an army of Using Duchess Satine as bait, the vengeful Darth Written by: Brent Friedman
the galaxy’s most vicious criminals—including Maul lures Obi-Wan into a trap. Drunk with R2-D2 is part of a team of Republic droids
the Death Watch, Black Sun and the Pykes—Pre power, Maul declares himself the true Sith Lord, chosen for an important mission led by the
Vizsla and Darth Maul lead an attack on the a claim that will not go unanswered. diminutive Colonel Gascon to obtain an encryp-
planet of Mandalore. Conquest of Mandalore Guest-starring: Jon Favreau as Pre Vizsla, Sam tion module from a Separatist dreadnought. The
strains the tenuous alliance between the Sith Witwer as Darth Maul, Clancy Brown as Savage droids must overcome numerous challenging
and Death Watch. Opress and Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan. obstacles to succeed in this crucial assignment.
Guest-starring: Jon Favreau as Pre Vizsla, Sam
Witwer as Darth Maul, and Clancy Brown as This is the last episode Ian Abercrombie Although produced after the Maul arc, the
Savage Opress. recorded as Chancellor Palpatine. D-Squad arc aired first in Season Five.

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109: “A SUNNY DAY IN THE VOID” 110: “MISSING IN ACTION” 111: “POINT OF NO RETURN”

Production Number: 505 Production Number: 506 Production Number: 507


Broadcast Number: 99 (December 8, 2012; Broadcast Number: 100 (January 5, 2013; Broadcast Number: 101 (January 12, 2013;
Season 5, Episode 11) Season 5, Episode 12) Season 5, Episode 13)

“When all seems hopeless, a true hero “A soldier’s most powerful weapon “You must trust in others or success
gives hope.” is courage.” is impossible.”

Director: Kyle Dunlevy Director: Steward Lee Director: Bosco Ng


Written by: Brent Friedman Written by: Brent Friedman Written by: Brent Friedman
After a comet damages their shuttle, R2-D2, After finding a nearly vacant town, Colonel All is not right aboard a seemingly abandoned
Colonel Gascon and the other droids crash on a Gascon and his droid squad meet a subservient Jedi cruiser. Colonel Gascon and his droid team
desolate planet where they must make their way dishwasher, Gregor, who is unmistakably a clone learn the ship is a death trap pointed towards
across a bewildering expanse of emptiness to with a serious case of amnesia. Gascon is deter- an important Republic conference, and must
carry out their mission. mined to free the clone from servitude, while the work against time to stop this catastrophe-in-
droids must commandeer a Separatist shuttle. the-making.

The 100th episode broadcast, this was in fact


the 110th episode produced.

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112: “SABOTAGE”
Production Number: 508
Broadcast Number: 105 (February 9, 2013;
Season 5, Episode 17)

“Sometimes even the smallest doubt can


shake the greatest belief.”

Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell


Written by: Charles Murray
Anakin and Ahsoka are called back from the
frontlines to investigate a deadly explosion at
the Jedi Temple. Clues surface that a Jedi might
have been responsible for the blast.

113: “THE JEDI WHO KNEW TOO MUCH”

Production Number: 509


Broadcast Number: 106 (February 16, 2013;
Season 5, Episode 18)

“Courage begins by trusting oneself.”

Director: Danny Keller


Written by: Charles Murray
When Ahsoka confronts the prime suspect
in the Jedi Temple bombing, she suddenly
finds herself accused of an unthinkable crime.
Anakin argues Ahsoka’s innocence, but the
young Padawan finds herself running out of
alternatives.

114: “TO CATCH A JEDI” 115: “THE WRONG JEDI” 116: “THE UNKNOWN”

Production Number: 510 Production Number: 511 Production Number: 512


Broadcast Number: 107 (February 23, 2013; Broadcast Number: 108 (March 2, 2013; Broadcast Number: 109 (March 7, 2014;
Season 5, Episode 19) Season 5, Episode 20) Season 6, Episode 1)

“Never become desperate enough to trust “Never give up, no matter how dark “The truth about yourself is the hardest
the untrustworthy.” things seem.” to accept.”

Director: Kyle Dunlevy Director: Dave Filoni Director: Bosco Ng


Written by: Charles Murray Written by: Charles Murray Written by: Katie Lucas
Ahsoka is on the run from the Republic in the With Ahsoka captured and on trial for murders Clone trooper Tup succumbs to a mysterious
deepest levels of the Coruscant underworld. Her she didn’t commit, she is expelled from the Jedi mental illness that results in the shocking death
search for answers leads to a surprising alliance, Order. She is now being prosecuted in the High of a Jedi Master. Unable to account for his
as she needs all the help she can get to unravel Courts by Admiral Tarkin, while Anakin hunts for murderous actions, Tup is sedated and sent
the conspiracy and stay ahead of the law. the real murderer. back to Kamino for examination. Anakin and
ARC Trooper Fives accompany Tup, but their
All four episodes in this arc (112—115) have This was the last episode that aired on Cartoon return trip is ambushed by Separatists.
titles taken from Alfred Hitchcock movies. Network prior to the end of the series.

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117: “CONSPIRACY” 118: “FUGITIVE” 119: “ORDERS”

Production Number: 513 Production Number: 514 Production Number: 515


Broadcast Number: 110 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 111 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 112 (March 7, 2014;
Season 6, Episode 2) Season 6, Episode 3) Season 6, Episode 4)

“The wise benefit from a second opinion.” “When in doubt, go to the source.” “The popular belief isn’t always the
correct one.”
Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell Director: Danny Keller
Written by: Katie Lucas Written by: Katie Lucas Director: Danny Keller
In the sterile laboratories of Kamino, the ailing The body of clone trooper Tup is scheduled for Written by: Katie Lucas
clone trooper Tup and his friend Fives are transport to Coruscant, where the Supreme Fives continues to push for answers regarding
quarantined for examination following Tup’s Chancellor’s own doctors will closely examine the mystery of the clone contamination and
shocking murder of a Jedi Master. With the help it. Fives breaks protocol and defies orders to secures an audience with Supreme Chancellor
of medical droid AZI-3, Fives is determined dig up answers, and discovers that there is an Palpatine. But the situation collapses when Fives
to get to the bottom of Tup’s condition and organic construct of unknown purpose hidden is accused of attacking the Chancellor, and he
uncovers a secret buried deep within the in the brains of all clone troopers. must flee deep into the Coruscant cityscape
Republic cloning program. while pursued by fellow clone troopers.

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120: “THE DISAPPEARED, PART 1” 121: “THE DISAPPEARED, PART 2” 122: “THE LOST ONE”

Production Number: 516 Production Number: 517 Production Number: 518


Broadcast Number: 116 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 117 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 118 (March 7, 2014;
Season 6, Episode 8) Season 6, Episode 9) Season 6, Episode 10)

“Without darkness there can be no light.” “Wisdom is born in fools as well as wise men.” “What is lost is often found.”

Director: Steward Lee Director: Bosco Ng Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell


Written by: Jonathan Rinzler Written by: Jonathan Rinzler Written by: Christian Taylor
The peaceful world of Bardotta and its mystic Jar Jar Binks’ beloved Queen Julia of the planet A Jedi mission finds a lightsaber belonging to
ways are threatened by an ancient prophecy, and Bardotta has been abducted by the bloodthirsty the long-dead Master Sifo-Dyas, prompting
its top spiritual leaders have vanished. Queen Frangawl cult to fulfill a dark and ancient Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker
Julia of Bardotta calls for help from her most prophecy. Representative Binks and Jedi Master to begin an investigation into his decade-old
trusted friend in the Senate, Jar Jar Binks. Windu must find the missing queen before the disappearance. This sparks Darth Sidious to
Recognizing the importance of Bardotta’s cult can rise in power. order Darth Tyranus to clean up any loose ends
spiritual balance, the Jedi Council sends Mace that may lead the Jedi to discover the truth of
Windu to accompany Binks and investigate. the Sith conspiracy.

THE LOST MISSIONS CLOVIS SHUFFLE


When the production order list was published back in March 2013, there were three episodes— numbers 97 through
99—that out of necessity had abbreviated descriptions. These were the trilogy of episodes that dealt with the rise of
Rush Clovis to the head of the Banking Clan. Produced during the Season Four production run, they were originally
slated to air in Broadcast Season Five, but a late schedule change pushed them out of the Cartoon Network run. They
debuted along with the rest of the Lost Missions episodes, and can now be more fully accounted for on this list.

97: “AN OLD FRIEND” 98: “THE RISE OF CLOVIS” 99: “CRISIS AT THE HEART”

Production Number: 419 Production Number: 420 Production Number: 421


Broadcast Number: 113 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 114 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 115 (March 7, 2014;
Season 6, Episode 5) Season 6, Episode 6) Season 6, Episode 7)

“To love is to trust. To trust is to believe.” “Jealousy is the path to chaos.” “Deceit is the weapon of greed.”

Director: Brian Kalin O’Connell Director: Danny Keller Director: Steward Lee
Written by: Christian Taylor Written by: Christian Taylor Written by: Christian Taylor
While on Scipio to fund a mercy mission, Padmé Back on Coruscant, Clovis—known traitor After making a deal with Count Dooku to
Amidala is called upon by an old friend, Rush of the Republic—makes a dubious deal which resuscitate the ailing Banking Clan, Clovis finds
Clovis, to help uncover corruption in the puts him at the head of the Banking Clan. himself as a pawn in Dooku’s designs. Clovis
Banking Clan. They must evade the bounty Anakin’s increasing distrust and hatred of has brought the war to Scipio, forcing the
hunter Embo to escape the planet with the Clovis strains his relationship with Padmé Republic to intervene.
incriminating information. to breaking point.

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123: “VOICES” 124: “DESTINY” 125: “SACRIFICE”

Production Number: 519 Production Number: 520 Production Number: 521


Broadcast Number: 119 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 120 (March 7, 2014; Broadcast Number: 121 (March 7, 2014;
Season 6, Episode 11) Season 6, Episode 12) Season 6, Episode 13)

“Madness can sometimes be the path to truth.” “Death is just the beginning.” “Facing all that you fear will free you
from yourself.”
Director: Danny Keller Director: Kyle Dunlevy
Written by: Christian Taylor Written by: Christian Taylor Director: Steward Lee
Yoda is deeply unsettled when he hears a voice Letting the Force guide him, Yoda voyages Written by: Christian Taylor
from beyond the grave: the voice of Qui-Gon into the heart of the galaxy to an ancient world After many grueling trials, Yoda next travels
Jinn. Knowing that it is impossible for a Jedi to that is one of the wellsprings of the Force to the ancient Sith home world of Moraband,
retain his identity after death, the Jedi Council and the source of midi-chlorians. Yoda where he must face an ancient evil determined
begins to worry that Yoda may be corrupted by undergoes difficult trials administered by the to rule the galaxy.
the influence of the dark side. Determined to Five Priestesses, mysterious Force-wielders
find answers, Yoda escapes the Jedi Temple to who hold the secret to immortality. Guest-starring: Mark Hamill as Darth Bane
follow the disembodied voice. and Jaime King as the Priestesses.
Guest-starring: Jaime King as
Guest-starring: Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn. the Priestesses.

SAVING
MR. BINKS
Jonathan Rinzler, author of
“The Disappeared” on writing
for Star Wars: The Clone Wars…

“In the beautiful conference room of the Main House on


Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas told me, ‘Your job is to
rehabilitate Jar Jar Binks.’ Amidst the general laughter
of the writing group for Season Four, I felt sure this was
a kind of hazing (these would be my first scripts for
TV). But I also knew George was serious. As it turned
out, because he ‘knew where to find me,’ we didn’t get
to plotting out my two shows until well after the writing
group had dispersed.
“Months later, Dave Filoni, George, and I met to hash
out what George described as ‘a Temple of Doom’ kind of
story. People were disappearing on a mysterious planet
and Jar Jar had a love interest: Queen Julia. In the version
I was asked to write, the queen was brutally stabbed at
the end. Bereft, Jar Jar said, ‘Mesa no longer caren about
lighten or darken. Mesa no longer caren about war. Dere
issa sumtin stronger than all dat. Mesa haven it with
Queenie—issa love.…’ This sentiment was the best
I could do to rehabilitate him—but it was much nicer
to have her survive, as was later decided. Perhaps one
day Jar Jar and Queen Julia will live happily ever after...”

SWI_2018_SE_66_71_CL_EP_GuidePart2.indd 71 10/11/2017 15:59


AY ’ S
A M R I BR TE
AD FAV ACTS
F
O
I V E S F A R S
R LTIMATE STAR STAR WARS: BOOK,
R W A W
A K’S U MING
S ONTRIBUTIN ORED THE FO HERE ARE FIVE FACTS
T G TO D RT H CO
ROM C -AUTH NOW.
FRESH F Y HAS ALSO CO YOU NEED TO K RIENDS!
RA NG RF
ADAM B TELY EVERY THI TO DAZZLE YOU
ABSOLU SURE ONE OF THE MOST
POWERFUL CRIME
COUNT DOOKU, ZIRO LORDS IN THE GALAXY
THE HUTT, AND CAD IS FEMALE
BANE ARE ALL VOICED My favorite scoundrels in the Star Wars universe are the Hutts.s.
BY THE SAME ACTOR Their gluttony, completely disloyal self-interest, and twistedlyy
dark sense of humor all make them wonderful characters for
storytelling. The Clone Wars has given us so many great villainsns
It still amazes me that Count Dooku, Ziro the Hutt, and Cad and lots of strong female characters, but among the most
Bane (as well as many background characters) are all voiced over-looked in the female category is Gardulla the Hutt.
by actor Corey Burton. The voices of these villainous Star Wars: The Hutt Grand Council is controlled by the heads of the five
The Clone Wars characters—who are among my favorites—all ruling clans: Gorga, Oruba, Arok, Marlo, and Jabba. But it is
sound entirely different from each other! The talented Burton gambler
mbler and slaver Gardulla who governs the council as JabbJabba’s
a’s

has had a distinguished career. er. His television work includes representative,
i while
hil he
h remainsi on Tatooine.
T i She
Sh is the
i th
he
h
the voices of both Toadwort and Gruffy Gummi in The Gummi one-time owner of Anakin and Shmi Skywalker, and d
Bears, Dracula in Marvel’s Avengers
vengers Assemble as well as Ultimate a temporary captor of Ziro the Hutt. She’s a sly
Spider-Man, and Captain Hook ok in Jake and the Never Land gangster you should never turn your back on!
Pirates! He has voiced minor characters in major Disney
ding Aladdin (1992), The Hunchback
animated features, too, including
of Notre Dame
me (1996), and Atl
Atlantis:
lantis The Lost Empire (2001)
lantis: (2001). He
even recordeded a line for rebe
rebel
el pilot Derek “Hobbie” Klivian
in The Empirere Strikes Back!

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KENNER’S VINTAGE CANTINA ACTION FIGURES ARE ALL
NOW CANON... SORT OF!
Among Kenner’s earliest Star Wars five’s “Missing in Action.” We find a
action figures was a group of five aliens blue Snaggletooth in season five’s
attributed to the Cantina scene in A New “Revival,” and a more loosely inspired
Hope. They included “Hammerhead” red Snaggletooth, named Katt Mol,
(since re-named Momaw Nadon), in season four’s “Padawan Lost.” We
a red “Snaggletooth” (Zutton), a Blue first encounter a Kenner version of
“Snaggletooth” (a rare Sears exclusive), Hammerhead in the premier of Star
“Walrus Man” (Ponda Baba), and Greedo. Wars Rebels.
Though much loved by fans and collectors, At the recent Celebration Anaheim,
these figures were highly stylized and bore Dave Filoni finally revealed an unfinished
questionable resemblance to their on- scene from Clone Wars that included
screen counterparts. Fortunately for not only a Kenner-styled Walrus Man
fandom, supervising director Dave Filoni and Hammerhead, but also a blue
is a fan of these figures as well, and Snaggletooth riding in a speeder
brought them into canon via Clone Wars. with a green jump-suited Rodian
We first see a blue-and-orange-suited who closely resembles the original
Walrus Man on the planet Abafar in season Greedo action figure.

BOTH
B OTH ANAKIN AND LUKE DISOBEY THEIR JEDI MASTERS
TO SAVE SOMEONE, BUT THE CHOICES LEAD
AD IN
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
In Revenge of the SSith, Anakin Skywalker destroy his father. Though they both h try to
tries to save Padm
Padmé from dying in save someone close to them, the motivation
childbirth. His cho
choice, however, is made behind their mirrored choices leadss down
out of selfishness, out of fear and greed. two different paths—Anakin to darknesskness
He is willing to sacrifi
sac ce everyone else and Luke to the light.
around him in order
orde to satisfy his own Luke’s willingness to sacrifice himself
imself
desire. His choice mirrors that of his son, for Anakin is the key, and awakens in
Luke, who later seseeks to save Anakin. In Darth Vader the opportunity to rebootoot
contrast, however, Luke’s sacrifice is his original choice. In his youth,
selfless. Luke is willing
w to die for Anakin Anakin decided to join Palpatine as
(Vader), and even to fail in the process. the Sith electrocuted the Jedi Mace
Not only did Anakin
An turn his back Windu. But now, as Palpatine grips his
on the Jedi teachings
teach with his choice, but Jedi son Luke in the thralls of that
likewise Luke disregards
di the instructions same Force Lightning, Vader chooses es
of Obi-Wan and Yoda
Y when he refuses to self-sacrifice and love.

C-3PO BARES HIS SOUL IN THE PREQUELS


C-3PO is the
h only l character to appear in all six
(soon to be seven) Star Wars films. In Episode I
Star Wars saga. Warwick Davis, who plays
Wicket, as well as the Rodian Wald, shows
MORE TO SAY
we do actually see beneath C-3PO’s outer his true face during the podrace in Episode I, Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You
casing, but otherwise, Anthony Daniels, the as the gambler Weazel. Actor Ray Park, Need to Know is available now!
actor who breathed life into the droid, nearly legendary for his role as Darth Maul, also
spent his entire Star Wars career hidden behind appears toward the end of The Phantom Menace, HAVE YOU?
C-3PO’s golden mask. However, in Episodes II sans makeup and horns, as a Naboo soldier.
and III Daniels had an opportunity to play Dannl Ahmed Best (Jar Jar) appears in the flesh as
Faytonni, a background character on Coruscant. Achk Med-Beq in Episode II. Finally, Jeremy
In both films, we finally see Daniels’ face on Bulloch (Boba Fett) appears as pilot Jeremoch
screen for the first time. Colton in Revenge of the Sith, and Lieutenant
Daniels isn’t the only actor unmasked in the Sheckil in The Empire Strikes Back.

Interview by
Mark Newbold

Anthony Daniels Warwick Davis Ray Park Jeremy Bulloch INSIDER 73

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A CERTAIN
POINT OF VIEW
P W

O T
NaCOMING SOON
TO A THEATER NEAR YOU! a

THE STAR WARS


RSS STANDALON
STANDALONE
MOVIES WE’LL
LLL PROBABLY
NEVER
RS SEE!
BY MICHAEL
AEL PRICE
PRIC

W
ith Lucasfilm’s announcement of at least
d-alone Star Wars movies
three new stand-alone
on the way, speculation
eculation among fans has
been rampant as to what these new
hich major Star Wars
movies will be about and which
characters they will feature.. Yoda? Boba Fett? Youngg
Han and Chewie? Obi-Wan Kenobi, the lost years?
uch more to the Star W
But, of course, there’s so much Wars
arss
universe than the so-called “major” characters; an and
nd
now that most of the continuity
uity has been erased byy
the keepers of the canon, there’s
ere’s room to focus a
spin-off movie or two on some
me of the lesser-known
lesser-knowwn
characters. Why not give them
em each their own
summer blockbuster movie to shine? Here are
a few modest proposals for future films....

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HE WAS FAST, FURIOUS… AND
HE BLOWED UP REAL GOOD!
Ben Quadinaros’s fiasco at the Boonta
Eve Podrace was a throwaway joke in
The Phantom Menace, but it becomes
the basis for an action-packed hot-rod
adventure in this spin-off movie directed
by Furious 7’s James Wan and starring
Vin Diesel as the ill-starred Ben Q. With
his team assembled, Ben wins a slew
of preliminary races, falls in love with
Watto’s spitfire daughter, Wendy, finally
wins pole position at the big race… and
then his pod blows up at the starting line.

“We’ve
We ve analyzed
d their attack, sir, and there is a danger.
Should I have your ship standing by?”
…MILD WORDS, DELIVERED TOO LATE!
Neither spin-off, prequel nor sequel, Simply the Bast is a “same-quel.” It takes
place at the exact same ti time as A New Hope. Our hero: stylishly sideburned
Imperial General Moradm
Moradmin Bast. He’s a good soldier, but he’s got a sixth
sense, a nagging intuition,
intuition some would call it, “a bad feeling about this.”
The “this” he’s got a bad feeling
f about? The Death Star.
Bast spends the film on o a detective story-style quest to make sure the
adver
battle station is, as advertised by his old Academy roommate Admiral Motti,
“the ultimate power in the universe.” Bast sneaks Mission Impossible-style
into Darth Vader’s cubicle of solitude and steals a set of Death Star plans.
n
Studying the plans, he finally discovers the truth—“There is a danger.” He
marches up to Tarkin, tel tells him the bad news… and gets shot down by his
boss two minutes before the Death Star is blown to bits.

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JUST WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WAS
DONE WITH STAR WARS… THEY
PULLED HIM BACK IN!
Meet Nien Nunb, Kendall Jenner-lipped co-pilot
to Lando Calrissian, hero of the rebellion… and
suburban Dad? <NEEDLE SCRATCH!> Set 10
years after Return of the Jedi, this buddy comedy
from the team who brought you The Hangover
finds Nien Nunb enjoying his happy
retirement of mowing the lawn, taking
the kids to school and making the
occasional personal appearance
at Star Wars Celebration. But he
knows that something’s not
right. He misses “the life.”

WHEN PEOPLE SAY DREAMS DON’T COME TRUE,


TELL THEM ABOUT PORKINS
It’s the inspiring sports-movie tale of the big rebel that
could. Jek Porkins is a young dreamer with big dreams
and a bigger waistline, who is blackballed from the
Academy because he couldn’t fit through the hatch of
an AT-AT. Porkins joins the Rebellion, where he becomes
the plucky equipment manager and water boy for the
A-Team of Wedge, Biggs, and Puck Naeco. Porkins endears
himself to the guys with his grit and optimism, until, on
the eve of the Battle of Yavin, Wedge, Biggs, Puck, and
the rest of Red Squadron, go to Red Leader’s office, and,
in a stirring display of loyalty, toss their orange flight suits
on Red Leader’s desk and demand that Porkins be allowed
to join them on the Death Star raid…

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that song you do!

A LONG TIME AGO IN A CANTINA FAR,


FAR AWAY….

Figrin D’an: A young Bith with a dream Modal Nodes. See how they audition creative mojo gone, Figrin D’an stays in
and a Kloo Horn, his career and life every Jizz-playing Bith in Mos Eisley, the Cantina, hiring a bunch of flunkies
are going nowhere until—like Lennon Mos Espa, Mos Def, Mos Tavern, and and playing the only song that ever
meeting McCartney—he crosses paths every Mos inbetween as they build a mattered to him over and over, while
with another young musical firebrand, killer band. Eventually, they break up Max and Sy find wealth, happiness,
Max Rebo. Together, they form the when Max’s girlfriend, conceptual a steady gig, and ultimately their
nucleus of one of the most popular artist Sy Snootles, comes between demise in the court of Jabba the Hutt.
bands in the entire Outer Rim—the them. With his best friend and his

Sith-teen Candles

MEET THE EMPEROR… OF AWKWARDNESS!


Judd Apatow directs this coming-of-age comedy about the excruciatingly
embarrassing Freaks And Geeks-style High School years of Palpatine, the
gawky nerd who would become Darth Sidious. Christopher “McLovin’”
Mintz-Plasse plays the young geek, and Jonah Hill is his best buddy Mas Amedda.
At Naboo High, the two nerds try their best to fit in and not make waves, but they
are humiliated on prom night (prom theme: “Enchantment Under The Paonga Sea”)
when Palpatine rips his best pants on Mas Amedda’s horns. Palpatine is mercilessly
mocked by popular jock Sio Bibble (Bradley Cooper), and his cheerleader date Mon
Mothma (Isla Fisher).

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HE HAD A NOSE… FOR TROUBLE HE-SA THINK PEOPLE GONNA DIE…
Quentin Tarantino directs this multi-part spin-off following the He’s been mocked… he’s been jeered… he’s been voted,
murderous exploits of Dr. Cornelius Evazan—the ugliest man “the most annoying character in the history of film”… and
in Mos Eisley. In true Tarantino style, each of the 12 films tells he’s not going to take it anymore. Ahmed Best returns with
the tale of how Evazan (Christoph Waltz), along with his sidekick a vengeance as Jar Jar Binks: Gungan with a gun, in this dark,
Ponda Baba (John Travolta) receives a death sentence in a violent, yet still somehow PG rated spin-off movie from director
different system… though not in chronological order. Abel Ferrara. After making the critical mistake of Googling
himself, Jar Jar realizes the crushing futility of his existence
and throws himself headlong into a spiral of vice and crime.
He gets addicted to “tongue-numbing”—sticking his mouth in
between turbine engines just for the plasma energy jolt that
takes his pain away. He joins the Naboo Police and lets his basest
impulses loose, picking fights and shooting at perps without
even so much as an, “exsqueeze me.” In the ultimate abuse
of his badge, the Bombad Lieutenant goes on a rampage
through downtown Theed, meting out angry justice to anyone
who dares laugh at him… which turns out to be everyone.

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A FEW GOOD
GAMORREANS
JABBA DON’T WANT NO SCRUBS
Michael Mann writes and directs this Dirty Dozen-style military
action-adventure following the legendary formation of the
Gamorrean dream team of Gartogg, Jubnuk, Rogua, and Ortugg,
from their days in the Gamorrean Military Academy (or West Pork)
to their string of adventures protecting Jabba the Hutt. In their final
test before taking their place at Jabba’s Palace, the Teenage Mutant
Ninja Porkers do battle with their arch-enemies the Ugnaughts—
declaring war on them for the sole reason that people often mistake
them for one another.

WUHER & THE GONK


MORE TO SAY
FIGHTING CRIME ONE SCUM HIVE
AT A TIME Michael Price is an Emmy
Award-Winning writer on The
Starsky and Hutch, Crockett and Tubbs, Simpsons. He has also written
Tango and Cash. Add to this list of the greatest the LEGO Star Wars Specials.
buddy-cop-duos the one and only Wuher (Chris
Pratt) and the garbage-can-sized droid known
only as “The Gonk” (Benicio Del Toro). Years HAVE YOU?
before A New Hope, the unlikely pair of rookie
cops are thrown together by former bounty
hunter-turned-Coruscant Chief of Detectives
Cad Bane (Paul Giamatti). The gruff bartender-
to-be and the laconic droid-with-just-legs
become fast friends as they run roughshod
over Coruscant’s criminal element, trying to
bust an inter-terrestrial Death Sticks ring.
In a thrilling action climax set in the ruins
of the Jedi Temple, Gonk (who is one day
away from refurbishment) takes a blaster
bolt meant for Wuher. Devastated over the
loss of his partner and best friend, Wuher
quits the force and takes a bartending job light
years away from his old beat. At Chalmun’s,
Wuher institutes a strict “no droids” policy…
not out of hate, but out of a broken heart.

SWI_2018_SE_74_79_Not_ComingSoon.indd 79 10/11/2017 16:17


VOICE ACTOR STEVE BLUM, WHO PLAYS ZEB ORRELIOS ON STAR WARS REBELS,
TALKS SEASON TWO WITH AMY RATCLIFFE, AND HE DIVES INTO EVERYTHING
—FROM THE CHARACTER’S DEVELOPMENT TO BEING PART OF A GREAT CAST.

S
tar Wars Insider: occasional nuance and
Season Two of Star smartass remarks, I’m simply
Wars Rebels has the voice monkey following
seen Zeb go their brilliance and soaking in
through a lot. How has that the glory! Actually, scratch all
affected his character? that. I’m fully responsible for
Steve Blum: Like any other all of his hairless Wookiee
sentient being, hopefully magnificence. Nothing to see
he’s growing in the process. here...move along.
Personally, it’s opening up
my world big time. Getting The episode “The Honorable
in touch with the Lasat Ones” included a lot of growth
version of the Force, the for Zeb and Kallus. Do you
Ashla, was particularly think Kallus will now pursue
enlightening. Like everyone a path of redemption?
else, I’ve been very curious I think it’s bigger than him. He’s
to learn more about his definitely had an opportunity
species. It’s been for introspection and re-
fascinating to experience evaluation, but the dark side of
Zeb as he begins to let the Force is powerful. I’d like to
down some of his protective believe he’s found a new hope.
walls. At the same time, we Time will tell. Wait...Dave...
get to witness hidden gifts I didn’t say anything! Why is
he has possessed all along. the chip in my neck beeping?

What has it been like for Do you have any idea how many
you to expand Zeb’s range? times you’ve said “karabast!”
From my perspective, it’s a Has it become part of your day-
magnificent ride. I’m a big to-day life vocabulary?
fan of the franchise and It’s become involuntary at this
have been since 1977, so point. I’m not even aware when
to be a part of the evolution of a new How involved are you in it comes out. I suppose it’s better than
character in this universe is incredibly Zeb’s development? the expletives I used to spout! That said,
exciting. As an actor, it’s the best thing I can’t take credit for that at all. it’s awesome. How often does a person
possible when we get to discover new [Executive producers] Dave Filoni get their own new word?
elements of a character’s personality, and Simon Kinberg, [co-executive
history, and hidden talents. We rarely producer] Henry Gilroy, Carrie Beck, Along with Zeb, you’ve also been
have the luxury of participating in true and all of the masterminds at Lucasfilm Imperial officers, stormtroopers,
character development in cartoons. are responsible for, well, everything! and other rebels. Do you have
This show embraces every bit of And the seeds that were planted in go-to tonal ranges for different kinds
opportunity to fully realize these Season One by [former executive of characters?
beings as complete, flawed, producer] Greg Weisman and company As much as the Imperials would have
wonderful, and believable people. had Zeb’s future fairly well plotted out us fall into predictable lockstep, every
I spend a lot of my time in gratitude! early on! Other than injecting soul is unique, and I try to play them

80 INSIDER

SWI_2018_SE_80_81_Zeb.indd 80 10/11/2017 16:15


AN INTERVIEW WITH “THE MUSCLE”

that way. Rebels,


Rebells,
Imperials, other life
life
if forms:
form
rm
ms:
ms
they all poop and they
the
heyy all
alll have
have
ha
hav
mothers—I think! I tryy giving
g
each one a life of his own.
They deserve that!

What has been the highlight of Season


Two for you?
The expansion of our universe, because
we visited places only mentioned before
as well as those that were altogether
new. I also liked discovering the depth
of our characters’ backstories—as
invested as we were in the first season,
the thickening of the plot has made the
story visceral and real for all of us. It’s
one of the very few shows I’ve worked
on in the past 20 years that keeps me
up at night hungry for more.

The cast has been recording together


for two or three years now. What’s
the mood like when you get together
in the booth?
These people are family to me. It’s
a perfect example of precision casting.
I literally can’t imagine anyone else in
these roles! I miss them when we don’t
work every week, and I literally get lost
in the story when we record. We prank
each other in some way pretty much
every session. So far, no rebels have
been harmed during the recording of
this show. At least, not ...irreparably!
And as much as we are family to each
other, we often talk about
how our extended Star
Wars family (you the
viewers) will perceive
everything we do. It’s an
unwavering, unprecedented
level of care and respect
for the fans and the
franchise, and we fully
intend to keep delivering the
best show we can for a long,
long time to come.

MORE
M TO SAY
Y
Follow Steve on
Twitter: @blumspew

HAVE YOU?
H ?

IINSIDER
IN
INSI
NSSIIDEER 81
81

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ALEX TAVOULARIS
THE FIRST
BOARDER
WITH ONLY RALPH MCQUARRIE’S PAINTINGS
TO GO ON, ALEX TAVOULARIS WAS TASKED
BY GEORGE LUCAS TO DO THE VERY FIRST
STORYBOARDS FOR WHAT WAS THEN “THE
STAR WARS.” AN INTERVIEW WITH THE
ARTIST, AT LONG LAST, MEANS THAT
ANOTHER ESSENTIAL PUZZLE PIECE IN
THE MAKING OF THE PHENOMENON FALLS
INTO PLACE. WORDS: J. W. RINZLER

A
t work on the second storyboard book—Star
Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy—I
finally had a good lead on Alex Tavoularis.
I’d been meaning to contact him for
years, literally, but other work had always Imperial prison of Alderaan, the only
interfered. But now, as we were finishing up the design Alex Tavoularis known visualization of that sequence and
and layout, it felt essential to have his commentary on his hitherto unknown. (The scans come from
Drew Struzan
boards. I mailed (yes, “mailed”!) the same letter the collection of Charles Lippincott, then
to two addresses—and, thankfully, vice president of marketing and
received an email from Alex a couple merchandising for Lucasfilm.) This
of weeks later. He would be happy to iteration of the rescue took place between
be interviewed. the second and third drafts, when Lucas
First a little background. Most of had changed Luke into a girl (who looks
the scenes Tavoularis storyboarded like Leia here).
came from George Lucas’s second draft Judging by my own research and what
script, though a few would spill over Alex remembers, it would seem that he
into the third draft, as the artist worked for six weeks or more, during
responded to Lucas’s descriptions of the spring and summer of 1975. As far
action. Indeed, thanks to our as I know, this is the first time Alex
conversation, Alex sent over six or so Tavoularis has ever been interviewed.
scans of storyboards that were not in Parts of this interview are being used as
the archives—four of which show the commentary in the book, but Insider is
rescue of Deak Starkiller from the publishing here the full interview.

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Left: Alex Tavoularis’s
sketch of Luke-as-Leia
and Darth Vader. Leia
was used as the model
for “female Luke,”
when George Lucas
changed his lead
character to a girl
between his second
and third drafts.

Left, below:
Tavalouris and Star
Wars poster artist Drew
Struzan at a private
party, circa 1975.

THE COPPOLA CONNECTION


J. W. Rinzler (JWR): How did George Lucas “I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO BE AN
find you? Was it through your brother, Dean
Tavoularis, who was working with Francis ARTIST. MY HEROES WERE MILTON CANIFF,
Ford Coppola?
Alex Tavoularis (AT): Yeah. Francis had HAL FOSTER AND ALEX RAYMOND.”
started American Zoetrope. I don’t know
how invested Lucas was in it, but there was
that relationship [Lucas was a co-founder
and executive vice president]. That was a JWR: So Star Wars was your second film? JWR: What did you actually do?
big building, they had the whole building on AT: Well, I worked on Little Big Man (1970). AT: I did do some location scouting,
Folsom. Francis had started working on The I wasn’t a regular employee like my but mostly I helped my brother, as
Conversation [1974], and my brother was brother [Dean Tavoularis was production an assistant art director, drawing
production designer, so I started working on designer], but I did some work on it. So I’d and designing.
The Conversation. That was the connection. I seen a motion picture company working;
remember George talking to Francis right I’d worked on a set. On The Conversation JWR: What was your background in art?
out in front of that Zoetrope building, saying, I was credited as a location coordinator, Did you start as a kid?
“I’m going to start this project and I want to because in those days that was a non- AT: Oh, yeah. I always knew I wanted to
get it storyboarded.” union title and I wasn’t in any union. be an artist. My heroes then were Milton

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Caniff and his Terry and the Pirates.
I liked the styles of Hal Foster, who Clockwise, from top:
did Prince Valiant, and Alex Raymond, A particularly fierce
who did Flash Gordon. When I got out take on Darth Vader;
of high school, I wanted to go into on location shooting
architecture. So I went to a trade The Godfather: Part II
school in downtown LA and took in Tahoe, circa 1973.
drafting classes. In those days, in Tavalouris is flanked
high school, you got a great education, by Mona Houghton
and I had already taken some drafting (daughter of Buck
classes, even in junior high. Houghton, producer
At the trade school I really learned of the Twilight Zone TV
architecture. I was always drawing series) and screenwriter
and painting, but I think figuring out Melissa Mathison; the
the BTUs [British Thermal Units] to opening shot that
determine the size of a heating and would change
cooling system for a building in the everything; the droids
summer as opposed to the winter was begin their journey
the kind of thing I didn’t want to do— acrross Tatooine;
so I switched to illustration. I then went stormtroopers in the
to the Art Center, College of Design. It’s midst of battle.
a pretty famous school. It’s in Pasadena “I MADE SEE-THREEPIO KIND OF LIKE METROPOLIS,
now, but in those days it was just west of
downtown. All the art schools were there. KIND OF ART DECO. IT WAS A GOOD THING THEY
JWR: Were you a sci-fi fan? DIDN’T USE MY IDEAS ON THAT ONE!”
AT: I don’t think I was ever a fan, but
I admired the artwork produced by many
artists that had worked in that genre. back then when everything was hand landscapes and seascapes for sale and
One of my favorites was Virgil Finlay. done. Then he went into live-action hearing that Dean had got a job working
There were others. and he became an art director and for this new director on a gangster
a production designer. That’s when movie—I didn’t even know about The
JWR: Did you grow up in LA? I came in and worked with him on Godfather [1972].
AT: Yeah. My brother, Dean, got into a small level. It was a long time ago. To be honest I was very inexperienced.
Disney—he got a job doing in-betweening George was a filmmaker and I was just
[generating intermediate frames between JWR: Do you remember how Dean met an illustrator and a painter, with very little
two key frame images to give the Coppola? movie experience. I didn’t understand the
appearance that the first image evolves AT: No. All I remember is that I was idea of continuity and angles, and that sort
smoothly into the second image—Ed], working for this company that would make of thing. So I went in there as an artist

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who really didn’t have storyboard home, and then I would come in every
experience. other day or every three days. I was
doing all this work with charcoal pencil
JWR: Did George explain to you how and I would come in and show them to him
storyboards work? that way.
AT: No, he didn’t have to. I think he was
specific in his thinking, so he would JWR: Had you seen American Graffiti?
see a sequence and think, That’s how I’m AT: Yes and I thought it was great. I still
going to film that. He’d work from some remember most of it, because it rang
idea. Like where the robots get stuck true with my recollections of high school
under some kind of electronic console. just before graduation, as it did with
There were certain things—you know, many others in my generation.
where the guy gets his arm ripped
off—that was in the Starkiller script JWR: Colin Cantwell had done a few
[second draft], but that didn’t end up prototype models, too. If you look at
in the movie. your Star Destroyer, I think that’s
based on his model.
JWR: Did he give you a copy of the script AT: Oh, sure, I must have forgot. Yeah,
and say, “Storyboard this part?” that stuff was all pre-designed. If you
AT: George would go over a sequence look at See-Threepio and my renditions
with me and he was always specific. of him, I made him kind of like
I worked with Francis Coppola, too, and Metropolis, kind of Art Deco, though he
he was specific, but there was something changed throughout my boards. I can’t
different in the way George was. We remember if I did that at George’s
would have meetings and I would draw. behest, but maybe he said we could see if
we could come up with some other looks.
JWR: Where did you work at that time? It was a good thing they didn’t use my
AT: George had this place in San ideas on that one!
Anselmo. He had just fixed it up from
the money he had made on American JWR: I’ve had the good fortune to hold
Graffiti. He built a theatre and some your beautiful original drawings in my
offices [at Park Way house], so I just hands in the archives.
started working there. The only artist AT: That’s nice of you to say that.
prior to me was Ralph McQuarrie. So I remember George saying, “Well, we’re
it was George who I would see every gonna keep these.” Some people don’t
day, and Gary Kurtz. care about that, but George was far-
After a while I started working at sighted, I guess, and kept the drawings.

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JWR: You said that George was kind of Prayer [1944]? You have this
different from Francis. How would you thing where the Japanese
describe that difference? plane would kill a beloved
AT: Well, George was methodical, that’s the character and then the
way I remember him. I can’t say anything other Americans would
better than that. He was a clear thinker come in and avenge his
and a logical thinker. I think Francis was death. You know, those
as well, but his expression was more simple theatrical emotions.
emotional. Maybe in artistic intent they I think that had been very
were very similar, but in the way they unpopular for a very long
expressed themselves, they were different. time in American
filmmaking [in the 1960s and early 1970s] that shot where Vader comes through the
JWR: You were the first to storyboard one and people wanted it, and George is the one door, real dramatic, using this point-of-view
of the most famous shots in the history of who brought it back. that makes him seem omnipotent. So what
cinema: the Star Destroyer coming in over I also remember him telling me that you do is you go low on the camera angle
the audience’s head, chasing the rebel ship. when we see movies, like Forbidden Planet and wide, not too wide, but wide enough to
Do you remember George talking to you (1956), we see modernism and it’s always distort it a little bit.
about that shot? pristine and clean. But eventually, even if it’s
AT: Yeah, over the top of the frame. That built a thousand years from now, it’s gonna JWR: How long did you work on
was pretty spectacular. I didn’t board that wear out. That’s the kind of thing people Star Wars?
as well as I could have. I should have had forget. Star Wars has been copied a million AT: Not very long. I think about six weeks.
a shot in-between that, where you see the times, but it was the first to do that [create George had given me an idea of how long
underneath of the ship, where you really get a used universe]. And having the bad guys he would employ me. At the end of the term,
the feeling of this giant thing coming into the in white—that was really groundbreaking. I was thinking, I need to get some work
frame. I boarded it that way, but I don’t think lined up. And Dean said we could go to
I got the drama. JWR: Do you remember George talking to the Philippines and work on Apocalypse
And how the lettering goes… George you about Darth Vader? Because when you Now [1979]. So I said, “Sure, George is
was inspired by the old Flash Gordon serials. drew him, when he comes in, he does this gonna let me go,” and I made the deal
A lot of the stuff I did was after Ralph thing that wasn’t in the movies—where he and I told George. But he said, “Oh, too
McQuarrie’s work. Like, there was one kind of shouts or laughs, and the shout bad, because I think I would have kept
shot of the Death Star, an over-the-shoulder scatters the troopers on both sides. you longer.”
shot looking out of a cockpit. People ask me AT: I don’t specifically remember that, but And the funny thing was, if I had known
about that a lot, and basically I just took that I remember thinking that Darth Vader that, I wouldn’t have gone to the Philippines,
from Ralph McQuarrie. should be scarier-looking than what they because my wife was pregnant. It did double
There was the influence of World War II actually came up with in the movie. I was my salary though! I wasn’t getting much
movies, too. Do you remember Wing and a probably wrong about that. George wanted from George.

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JWR: At that time, George was paying Johnston’s rather than ones like mine. Marcia [Lucas], and he had a dog named
for everything out of his pocket because [Laughs] I was pretty fast, though. Indy. It was a party George threw for the
the studio wasn’t paying for much—if people who were locally available that had
any— preproduction. JWR: How fast? worked on Star Wars, so I came with my
AT: I think I knew that. I mean, I was happy AT: I could do those frames in… I mean, not wife. There were a lot of people, so we didn’t
to have that job. It was great; it was fun. as fast as Joe Johnston! That’s for sure. You talk much, but I remember him saying
can’t be, right? The other thing, it’s not just something like, “Finishing this movie was
JWR: After you left for Apocalypse Now, Joe about drawing, it’s posing and thinking of like dragging a dead elephant across a
Johnston came on, with others, to do the what the next frame should be, but I think football field.” And I thought, Well… God!
bulk of the storyboarding. Did you ever I did about four panels a day. That really hit me.
meet them? Later I noticed that he wasn’t directing so
AT: I never met Joe, but I admired his kind JWR: Do you remember any previews or much anymore. And that in reality he wanted
of drawing very much: It’s to the point, and seeing any early edits of Star Wars? to direct from behind a desk—he didn’t want
basic, what storyboards should really be, AT: Yeah, I remember there was a screening to deal with all the baloney.
more than what I did. You don’t need drama in San Francisco and these kind of dour-
in storyboards; they’re for the director, looking people; there were people who JWR: He didn’t want to do that again. He told
they’re not comic books. If I was a director didn’t like it. me it nearly killed him.
I would rather have storyboards like Joe George had a party at a house, with AT: But you know, he certainly was able to
express his creative ideas without directing.
So he can have someone direct for him.
When Star Wars came out, I was just
Clockwise, from back from working on Apocalypse Now and
top, left: Vader it was huge. I remember looking around
rips the arm off of and—I just didn’t expect that! a
a defeated rebel
(a violent scene that
wouldn’t make it to the
EXPANDED
The most recent movie Alex Tavoularis
final draft); the droids; worked on was The Forger (2012), with
a Y-wing prepares for Lauren Bacall and Alfred Molina.
takeoff in a newly
discovered board; Be sure to check out Star Wars
Deak Starkiller is Storyboards: The Prequel Trilogy, on
rescued from Alderaan sale now, and Star Wars Storyboards:
by Chewbacca and The Original Trilogy, on shelves
Luke-as-a girl, with Han May 2014!
Solo in stormtrooper
disguise--in another UNIVERSE
newly discovered board.

“I REMEMBER THINKING THAT DARTH VADER


SHOULD BE SCARIER-LOOKING THAN WHAT
THEY CAME UP WITH IN THE MOVIE!”

SWI_2018_SE_82_87_Alex_Tavalouris.indd 87 10/11/2017 16:14


Without a doubt, 2017 has
been an exciting year for fans
of Star Wars, from the release of
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to the
introduction of Forces of Destiny (a new
initiative of bite-sized, animated content)
to the steady stream of comics and books
that fed our imagination. Take our quiz
of the year to find out just how much
you really know! 5 and 6. Identify the classifications of following Imperial troopers:
5.

6.

ROGUE ONE: A
STAR WARS STORY
1. Which character from Star Wars Rebels
makes a brief appearance in Rogue One?

2. Sisters Beau and Dolly Gadsdon played


which character in the film?
7. Which character’s first name 9. Which character (nearly) says,“I’ve
3. Which character’s middle name is Callan? means “awakening”? got a bad feeling about this?”

4. Which planet’s name originated from 8. True or false: This is the first Star Wars 10. Rebel pilot Pedrin Gaul is killed
a misspelling on director Gareth Edwards’ movie where the title of the movie is spoken during the Battle of Scarif. What is his
disposable coffee cup? by a character. call sign?

26. Maz Kanata 27. Princess Leia and Sabine Wren 28. Force Friday II 29. The Jedi 30. Because the comic is called “The Last Jedi”
19. Guardians of the Whills 20. Milo and Lina Graf 21. “Screaming Citadel “ 22. Jody Houser 23. “The Enormous Profit” 24. Darth Vader 25. Yoda
11. Lars Mikkelsen 12. Wedge Antilles 13. Genevieve O’Reilly (as Mon Mothma) 14. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul 15. AP-5 16. Phasma 17. Christie Golden 18. Thrawn
Answers - 1. Chopper 2. Jyn Erso 3. Orson Krennic 4. Scarif 5. Death troopers 6. Shoretroopers 7. Bodhi Rook 8. True 9. K-2SO 10. Red 5

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SWI_2018_SE_88_89_Quiz.indd 88 14/11/2017 12:32


COMIC BOOK

21. What was the name of the 2017 Marvel


Comics Star Wars crossover event?

STAR WARS REBELS 22. Who wrote the comic book adaptation
of Rogue One?
SEASON THREE
23. What was the title of the third volume
of the Doctor Aphra series?
11. Who voices Thrawn
hrawn in Season Three
of Star Wars Rebels
elss? 24. Which character got his own series, again?

12. Which famed rebel 25. Which character engaged in a “Secret War”
pilot made his animated
imated when they were the focus of issue 39?
debut this season?
n?

13. Which cast member


ember
A LITTLE LIGHT
of Rogue One madede a (SIDE) READING? JEDI DESTINIES
guest appearancee in the
episode “Secret Cargo”?
16. In which novel do we first meet the 26. Which character narrates Star Wars:
14. Which two oldd character Vi Moradi? Forces of Destiny?
enemies fight for the
last time in the episode
pisode 17. Who wrote the Battlefront II novel, 27. Which two characters, are united in
entitled,“Twin Suns”?
ns”? Inferno Squad? the Forces of Destiny episode “Bounty
of Trouble ”?
15. Name this character:
aracter: 18. Which novel, published in 2017, will be
getting a comic-book adaptation in 2018? 28. What event on the Star Wars calendar
took place on September 1st?
19. What was the name of Greg Rucka’s
novel featuring Chirrut Îmwe and 29. According to the teaser trailer for
Baze Malbus? The Last Jedi, what does Luke Skywalker
think it’s time to end?
20. In the Adventures in Wild Space series,
what are the names of the brother and sister 30. Why has Mark Hamill jokingly advised
whose journey we follow over the course of fans to avoid Star Wars #49, a comic book
the books? first published in 1981?

HOW DID YOU SCORE? 21 – 30 Jedi Master: We suspect you might be the Chosen One. 11 -20 Jedi Knight: The Force is strong with you. 0 – 10 Padawan: You have much to learn.

INSIDER 89

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90 INSIDER

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KATHLEEN
KENNEDY
CO-PRODUCER, STAR WARS: THE
FORCE AWAKENS, PRESIDENT
OF LUCASFILM

BRYAN
BURK
CO-PRODUCER, STAR WARS: THE
FORCE AWAKENS
S tar Wars Insider: Kathleen,
you go a long way back with
George Lucas— over 30 years.
side, we did the Star Trek reboot,
as well as Cloverfield and Super 8.
We also make the Mission:
How did you first meet? Impossible franchise with
Kathleen Kennedy: I started Tom Cruise.
working with Steven Spielberg
in 1978, and asked to be a part Kathleen, what was it like working
of Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1980. on Raiders of the Lost Ark?
I met George Lucas at that time Kathleen Kennedy: We started
because he was working on the Raiders in 1980 and then went
movie with Steven Spielberg. I also on to do three movies together.
met my husband, Frank Marshall, We all stayed very close friends
so it proved to be a pretty exciting in that process, because, obviously
period of time in my life. But, Steven and George were already
George was incredibly memorable, very close. So, our working
obviously, because I was in college relationship extended beyond
when I saw Star Wars. So, to meet Raiders and into Star Wars. In fact,
George at that point, coming off when we were casting Raiders,
the huge success of Star Wars, George had just come out with The
was very exciting. Empire Strikes Back, and we kept
thinking to ourselves that Harrison
Bryan, how long have you Ford would be perfect as Indiana
known J.J. Abrams? Jones, but we couldn’t cast him
Bryan Burk: I’ve known J.J. Abrams because he’s Han Solo. So, we all
for years, but we actually first walked in to see The Empire Strikes
started working together in 2001 Back together and we walked out of
on the TV series Alias for ABC. the theater and agreed that he did
Ever since then, we have worked need to be Indiana Jones. It’s pretty
on numerous projects and started amazing to think Harrison has
Bad Robot together. We did the TV developed a character as beloved
shows Lost, Fringe, and currently as Han Solo and at the same time
Person of Interest. On the movie created Indiana Jones.

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Whose idea was it to make the new Star
Wars films?
George Lucas and I sat down right when
I came to the company, and we started
talking about what VII, VIII, and IX might
be. Obviously, George had given this a lot
of thought beforehand. He had created the
first six films, and it’s something that had
evolved over his entire life. So, he had
strong feelings about where those stories
would go, and he had created the world
in which those stories could be told. But
I have to hand it to our writers, Michael
Arndt, J.J. Abrams, and Lawrence Kasdan,
because they really took everything that
George gave us and worked it, and took
it to the level that we’ve made the movie.
I think they found a very exciting story
that honors all those things that George
so meticulously created.

Did you have any reservations about


bringing the franchise back?
I think what’s been thrilling about this
experience is that every person who has
come to the project has been a huge Star
Wars fan. So, that’s anybody who grew up
with Star Wars, like J.J. Abrams and many
of the contemporaries that he’s worked
with on the film. Anybody who was
post-high school, college age, like me,
were still bringing a sense of nostalgia.
Then, there were younger people. Some
of the people that I was working with on
this film never saw the original Star Wars
in the theater. So, it’s this cross-
generational group of people who are
bringing all those sensibilities to the
making of this movie. That’s what is so
incredibly exciting. It makes you feel like
you’re in this with so many people who
genuinely care about it, that it’s all going
to be okay. The fans are sitting out there
wondering what we’re going to do with it,
and everybody inside the process is a fan.
So, you’ve extended out to this community
that is becoming a part of making the “I THINK THE WRITERS FOUND A VERY EXCITING
movie. So, even though there’s no
guarantee, and there’s stress and STORY THAT HONORS ALL THOSE THINGS GEORGE
expectation, I think it’s something
genuinely we feel that we’re in together. LUCAS CREATED.”—KATHLEEN KENNEDY
It’s nice to be involved in a movie that
everyone cares so much about. It’s not
just that they care because they’re a fan, and we hired them. The two 16-year-old Lucasfilm. It’s interesting to think about
but it had something to do with their life. boys who walked into the office were J.J. those moments in your life when there’s a
It’s something they’ve drawn from. It’s the Abrams and Matt Reeves. Matt has gone collision that happens, and you don’t know
reason they got into the movie business. on to be a big director/producer. And J.J., what the outcome may be. This is one of a
That, to me, just means it will show up on I have to say from the moment we met shared experience. It’s nice to be at this
the screen one way or another. him, it was very clear he was going to point where I can work with J.J. and know
have quite a career in the movie business. him as a fully-formed creative director.
How did you first meet J.J. Abrams? It’s strange to meet someone at that point There really aren’t photos of them back
I was working with Steven Spielberg early in their life and then have that person play then, because none of us really took note
in my career. This goes back 30 years ago. such an important role, not only in my life, of it. Steven and J.J. ended up working on
There were two boys written up in the LA but in their life and in this whole world Super 8, but it all started when we hired
Times who had won a video contest. I told of Star Wars. He never dreamed at 16 them to transfer these films!
Steven we should hire these two kids and that he’d be directing a Star Wars movie.
they could clean up his student films and I certainly never dreamed that I’d be How did you get J.J. Abrams to agree
transfer them to video tape. He agreed, producing a Star Wars movie, or running to direct?

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having just worked on the Star Trek films,
really didn’t feel like a conflict at all.
Other than having one word shared in
their titles, they’re completely different
films and even genres. Star Trek is
obviously much more of a science-fiction
film and Star Wars feels much more
fantasy. But the similarities are so far
and vast that I don’t think, when people
see the movie, that they will see any
similarity between them. We love them
separately and equally.

Kathleen, why were you convinced


J.J. Abrams was the man for the job?
Kathleen Kennedy: J.J. was certainly one
of my first choices. I think Star Wars has
this unique sensibility; this combination of
adventure and fantasy and humor. I think
there are very few directors who embody
all of those sensibilities as an artist. J.J.
is one of the few. He was one of the first
people I thought of when we were
discussing it.

Why was it important to get Lawrence


Kasdan to co-write?
I knew Larry during Raiders of the Lost
Ark. He is one of the icons of the Star Wars
series. His sensibility inside these movies
is unique. Larry brings to it a sense of
humor, but there’s an irony in the humor.
It’s an emotional depth in the humor. He
understands characters, and understands
that banter. He’s a real film noir buff and
looks back at that
fast-talking, 1930s
style of dialogue.

DAISY RIDLEY He infuses that in


a very modern way

ON KATHLEEN KENNEDY in Star Wars.

Why did you come


“The first time I met her, we were
talking about role models, and she back to shoot at
I had never talked to J.J. personally about the moon just seemed really approachable. It wasn’t Pinewood Studios?
Star Wars. I thought that once I got in a purely as fans. until after that meeting that I found In large part, this
room and had a chance to walk through We were out how many films she’d worked on. is the home of Star
what bringing back the movies to a new excited. The We were talking to her the other day, Wars. All six of the
generation would mean, that it would idea of our John Boyega and I, and she was just previous films were
resonate with him in a different way. getting involved laughing. She’s incredibly powerful and made in England.
Rather than, “Would you take a beloved was not incredibly smart. She’s a mother. She’s I think returning to
franchise and bring it back?” That was something caring. She’s kind. She’s there every the UK and setting
something that J.J. did with Star Trek, and we were even day. She’s not this scary person who up at Pinewood,
runs the show. She’s someone who’s
I knew that wouldn’t be something that thinking about and working with
there as support, making sure we’re
would be appealing to him. With this, I at the time. happy. She’s an incredible woman.“ these crews, and
knew it was something that was personal I first heard generations of people
to him, so we talked about what it meant about it who go back to the
to him. What it meant to me. What he when J.J. was early days of Star
could do with it. contacted by Wars brings a
Kathy and he said that she was interested sensibility to the process that’s pretty
Bryan, how did you hear that Lucasfilm in meeting with him and talking to him great. It’s nice to have it all back here.
would be making new Star Wars? about the project. It still felt like an
Bryan Burk: When we first found out impossibility and something that other There are a lot of crew-members whose
about it, we, like everybody, read that people would do, but we would be the first families worked on the films. How does
Lucasfilm was going to Disney and that people in line to see that movie. The fact that make you feel?
Kathy Kennedy was going to be heading that it actually came to fruition and we’re We used to laugh because George had
up the company and that there were going involved in it is still amazing. To be honest, talked about how long they’d been making
to be new Star Wars films, so we were over for us, the idea of taking on Star Wars, Star Wars. The people he had hired had

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gotten married, had kids and those kids creatures, and sets that they can touch of working with Adam Driver on Lincoln.
were now working on Star Wars. You do and interact with makes a difference. That was my first introduction. The minute
get a sense of ownership, working on It immediately feels real. we started to realize this character of Kylo
the movie. Ren, it just seemed obvious to me that he
Bryan, how did you insure that the film was one of those rare actors that could
How important was it to keep the practical feels relevant? embody that character. J.J. didn’t know
look of the first movies? Bryan Burk: The process of putting him as well as I did, but the minute he
J.J. and I talked right away about real together the Star Wars film for us was a met him, he instantly responded. He
creatures and real sets. It’s just a very natural and easy process. Particularly was one of the first people we identified,
grounded sensibility that goes back to in the beginning, because, as fans of Star and quickly decided on. One of the most
the first three movies. I’ve always had Wars, we just started talking about all the interesting things about Kylo Ren is that
a feeling inside the world of special things that we love. All of us involved were he’s young. So often, villains in stories
effects where it’s so important to give able to articulate what we remembered are damaged, troubled, older characters.
the audience what’s familiar. You want from our childhood and what we loved To bring a character into Star Wars as
to ground it in what’s familiar and these when we went to the theater for the first a villain who’s only 30-years-old is
movies operate in a grounded way, even interesting. It takes advantage of a
though the stories take place in outer troubled teenage life and a back-story that
space. That was important to J.J., too. we don’t know much about. We recognize
What he loved more than anything, and
I love, were the tactile sensibilities inside
the first three movies. All of the design
BRYAN BURK this tension between dark and light, which
is prevalent in Star Wars. We can use it as
a metaphor for the path from young
began with that premise. We sat down and
immediately talked about what we could
ON KATHLEEN KENNEDY adulthood to being an adult. Anybody is
capable of having interest in the dark side,
build for real, where could we shoot real “When I graduated from college, and that tension of being drawn into
locations and how much of the movie I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do something that is somewhat dangerous is
with my career, so I made a list of
we could design in that way. It’s pretty relatable. For audiences today, that’s a
all the people that I admired whom
remarkable that we designed the majority new and exciting and appealing character.
I would want to work for. The first
of the film with that kind of thinking. person on that list was Kathy Kennedy. When we look at our own lives, it’s about
I don’t think we thought initially that we The fact that I’m now working with her the choices we make. This is a character
could do that, but the work that Neal is a blessing—the best gift I can get.” that has made a lot of bad choices
Scanlan and his team have done and the but not necessarily in the world of
artists we’ve been able to bring into the Star Wars, because that can go in any
process just pushed it and pushed it. The direction. This story is a mirror on the
technology inside that tactile world has time and what we experienced. If we were world. A lot of kids are experiencing a very
improved to the same extent that the to see another Star Wars film, what is it troubled landscape politically and a lot of
CG world has improved. It’s been very that we’d want to experience again? Really things are happening that suggest that
rewarding to see what people can bring in the whole process was just discussing people are being drawn in by danger,
front of the camera and to be able to look things that we love in Star Wars and would turmoil, and unrest. A lot of change seems
at raw footage. It seems like such a new want to see in the Star Wars sequels if we to be going on politically in terms of world
and modern conceit to be sitting in dailies weren’t working on it. order. Star Wars has uniquely mirrored
and looking at real things, instead of blue that in the political structure of the
screen waiting for things to come months Kathleen, you championed Adam Driver’s stories. Kylo Ren represents that dark
later. For the cast to be able to act in casting. Why was he so right for Kylo Ren? side of society that we can be drawn to,
an environment where they’ve got real Kathleen Kennedy: I had the good fortune not knowing whose side to be on and not

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having a clear-cut idea of what’s good
or bad. All this makes for a very complex
character in Kylo Ren and gives us a lot “THE WHOLE PROCESS WAS JUST DISCUSSING
of opportunity for where we can go with
the character. THINGS THAT WE WOULD WANT TO SEE IF WE
The cast is very diverse. Was that a WEREN’T WORKING ON IT.”—BRYAN BURK
conscious decision?
J.J. and I said right away that when we
cast this movie, we would make it more
diverse than the way you perceive Star It was literally a journey through my entire the production designer, who is a genius,
Wars was made in the 1970s. We wanted childhood. Seeing all of the props and worked with Kathleen Kennedy for years
to make it more reflective of society today. costumes and artwork from some on numerous movies before. He was like
That ethnic mix, of course, would exist in of my favorite movies growing up was no production designer I’d ever worked
outer space, just as it does here on Earth. amazing. It obviously includes all of with, in the sense that for him it wasn’t
We very much wanted that to be a part of the Star Wars films and all the different just about the look of the movie, it was
a story. costumes; even the original Chewbacca about the feel of the movie and the tone
outfit was still there, but slowly of the movie. We really just started talking
How did you go about persuading deteriorating. There was also the Ark about story with Rick, who was involved in
the original cast to return? of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost all the story meetings throughout the entire
George sat down with Carrie and Mark, Ark and all the whips from the different process. He understood the franchise and
because we had made the decision right Indiana Jones movies, and even stuff the film itself—what we wanted it to be, and
around Celebration two years ago, in from Willow. There were so many amazing what Kathy wanted it to be. We had worked
Orlando. Harrison was not there, so both things to look at in every corner and at with costume designer Michael Kaplan
George and I went to Harrison after that. every turn; it’s just this bombardment of before; J.J. first worked with him on Mission:
He told them what the plans were. I think inspiration. When George Lucas opens up Impossible III, and then we worked with him
everybody was incredibly excited. There his museum with all of his artwork and on both of the Star Trek films as well as
had been talk that there would be more all of his memorabilia from his different Ghost Protocol. We’ve been fans of Michael’s
movies. As much as it was a surprise, movies, I think people are going to lose forever. He began his career with Blade
I don’t think it was a shock. They knew their minds. Runner and eight gazillion movies since
there was always the chance there then. So, the opportunity to work with him
would be more movies. How did you choose the heads yet again, let alone in something as iconic
o the departments?
of and personal
ersonal for all of us, was unde
undeniable.
Were they on board fro rom the start?
from A lot of the department heads existed Dan Mindel, director of photog
photography,
photographhy, and
Everybody was keen ffromrom the get-go. bef
before
efore we even got involved. Rick Carter, hiss ccamera department, has been
Everybody was keen to know what we
were doing. They wanted
nted to know who
was directing and the direction of the story,
but they were all excited.
ted.

Bryan, how did you begin the process of


making the movie?
Bryan Burk: We started ted with research.
Research was an interesting
eresting process for
this film. First of all, because it’s Star
Wars, there are numerous
erous people out in
the world who are die-hard
e-hard fans and a lot
of them happen to be e our friends. So we
could have conversations
tions with them and
they knew about the lore and what was
missing, or what had been heard to be
lost in the archives orr whatever it maybe.
So, to have the opportunity
rtunity to go up to
George Lucas’s ranch h and to go to the
archives to see all thisis amazing artwork
done by all of these amazing artists was
incredible. So much of Ralph McQuarrie’s
workwas never used,, so we put it in this
film. Why not? It’s gorgeous
rgeous and totally
timeless. On top of it,, meeting people like
Pablo Hidalgo at Lucasfi asfilm who are
beyond experts on the he world of Star Wars,
and know everything about it, from the
Legends universe to all the films, was
an invaluable aid in making this film.
Visiting George Lucas’ s’ archives was
unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

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someone that J.J. has been working with who didn’t have an agent. It opened
for years. He started with him on Mission: up the floodgates of talent. A lot of
Impossible III and we worked with him on people came through and there are
the Star Trek films. Not only does Dan some amazing people out there. Not all
Mindel have such a beautiful eye when of them made it into the film, but it was
he’s looking at things, but his entire a great experience to be able to see
team is a pleasure to work with. They so many different people who were
are constantly bringing new ideas to the so touched by Star Wars.
table, finding new ways to shoot things
and constantly inventing things that we’ve Kathleen, how have you made Star Wars
never seen before on film. Neal Scanlan, deliver on so many levels?
who is a special effects artist, was Kathleen Kennedy: The interesting
another brilliant person that Kathleen thing is, when you look at Star Wars,
brought on. There are not a lot of people it does deliver on different levels.
who are making puppets today, let alone I think all of us were quite amazed
creatures, and let alone tangible ones. It’s when we started to pick it apart and
a craft that I’d never seen first-hand until discovered what incredibly good
I had the opportunity to work with Neal storytelling it was. How simple it was
and his team. I’m hoping if nothing less, and how spare it was. And how much
after the Star Wars films, that many other fun. It made us appreciate what we all
films will start embracing the long-lost have to do. We needed to understand
craft of creating creatures and tangible what worked and why it resonated with
co-stars. so many people on so many levels.
When you do a movie like this, you have
Was it a conscious decision to carry on to take it seriously. You can’t treat it
the tradition of using unknowns? like lightweight storytelling. Everything
Whenever we do any film or TV, we often George did was serious. It drew upon
look at whether or not the project would tried and true mythology, a basis of all
be great with recognizable actors or religious thought, family values and key
would it possibly be better with less values around aspiration. What does it
recognizable actors. Sometimes it feels mean to make people feel like they can
like you want to bring on new people or do anything? If they live their life well,
find unknown actors so that you can go they can achieve greatness. Those are
into the world a little easier and not have the values and ideas inherent in Star
to undo what your brain is saying. It’s like, Wars. You don’t want to make that

“I LOVE TO SNEAK IN THE BACK OF CINEMAS


TO SEE THE AUDIENCE’S REACTIONS!”
—KATHLEEN KENNEDY

“Oh, there’s Clint Eastwood playing pedantic and pretentious, so you need
a rock star.” In this case, when we to find a way to preserve those values
started the casting process for Star Wars, and make it fun and have it be an
we did think that we wanted to find some adventure. That’s what we spent our
new actors and some fresh new faces that focus on—isolating all these elements
we could put into the Star Wars universe. inside the Star Wars mythology and doing
Obviously, it worked spectacularly for the best job we could to emulate what
George in the original films. So, in this George had created.
case, we decided to continue that. When
we started the casting process, our Have you ever snuck into the back
casting directors, April Webster, Alyssa of a cinema to see an audiences reaction?
Weisberg and Nina Gold were scouring all Yes, I love to do that. I have quite
the different agencies and trying to find a bit of anonymity, so I can go in the
that needle in a haystack for those young back of the cinema and watch the
actors for this film that we knew were out audience react. I just want people to
there, but we just didn’t know who they scream and yell at the screen and
were. Somewhere in the process, we have a great time. All you can hope
realized if we had an open casting call, for is to go back to those feelings of
we would have an opportunity to see going to movies when you felt like
people who wouldn’t normally have the you were at a rock concert. That was
opportunity to audition for Star Wars or the best. a

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SWI_2018_SE_98_105_Harrison_Ellenshaw.indd 98 10/11/2017 16:07
THE

ART
HARRISON
OF

ELLENSHAW
HARRISON ELLENSHAW WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY OF THE STUNNING Harrison Ellenshaw
MATTE PAINTINGS IN STAR WARS AND THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. stands in front of
the iconic Cloud City
HE HAS ALSO WORKED ON MANY OTHER FILMS DURING HIS CAREER AT air shaft painting
DISNEY—INCLUDING THE BLACK HOLE, WHICH EARNED HIM AN ACADEMY as seen in the
climax to The
AWARD NOMINATION ALONG WITH HIS MATTE PAINTER FATHER, PETER. Empire Strikes Back.

ELLENSHAW CHATTED TO THOMAS G. SMITH ABOUT HIS WORK FOR THE


1986 BOOK INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC: THE ART OF SPECIAL EFFECTS.
PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME, HERE IS THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW.

SWI_2018_SE_98_105_Harrison_Ellenshaw.indd 99 10/11/2017 16:07


Ralph McQuarrie muses over
his designs in his studio.

tar Wars Insider: How did you first


Above: Adding
detail to the matte of
Slave I on the Cloud
City landing platform
from The Empire
S become involved with Star Wars ?
Harrison Ellenshaw: The first
I heard of it was when I was
working with Disney as the head of the matte
department. I had done some matte shots on
Strikes Back. The Man Who Fell To Earth in 1976—that was
the first time the Disney matte department
Above, opposite had done work outside of Disney’s films.
page: The complete Later, in early ’76, [ILM manager] Jim
Slave I matte painting, Nelson called me and said, “I understand
ready to be combined the matte department does matte shots
with the live-action and work outside of Disney.” He told me
footage. a little about the film he’d been working
on and came over to visit. He brought with
Right: Ellenshaw, him copies of Ralph McQuarrie’s initial
producer Howard production illustrations, which was the thing
Kazanjian, and vfx that got me excited right away. He said,
supervisor Richard “Well, this is great, but we need some matte
Edlund speak with for Star Wars, and we don’t exactly know how
visiting legendary we’re going to put this together.” I told him
director Michael Powell I’d be interested—and that was the last I
during the making heard of it for a long time.
of Empire. Later I heard news that they were
shooting and I thought they’d worked
out what they were going to do with
somebody else. Then, many months later,
after they finished production, Jim called me
again and said, “Are you ready to come over
and take a look at the plates [frames
of footage that need a matte painting]?”
Before this I had never been handed
cans of film and told, “Here, put your
painting on this.”

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So was having a front projection system
a big change when you moved to ILM’s
new headquarters in Marin County for
The Empire Strikes Back?
Front projection was something that
I had talked about after Star Wars, and
when I went up north [to Marin County],
it was definitely something that we wanted
to have. We were very anxious to give this
a try. It proved to be everything we thought
it would—much faster and more efficient.

What was the atmosphere like at the


first ILM?
It was very strange. There was a
tremendous amount of enthusiasm. As
I recall, there was a lot of blue spill on
everything [where light coming from the
bluescreen washes across the foreground
image], so they set up this large area where
“I SAID ‘I’D LIKE TO DO people could go in and hand-paint out the
blue spill frame by frame. They got a lot of
STAR WARS... IT LOOKS guys out of CalArts [California Institute of
the Arts] to do this, and they were thrilled.
LIKE 10 OR 15 SHOTS They thought it was great, but I don’t think it
paid very much. In most cases, the people
AND I’LL DO THEM had never really had that kind of job before.
So that kind of enthusiasm was a lot of fun.
AT NIGHT.’ ” I was 31 or 32 years old, and I was an old
man there! There were a few older people,
but most were in their early 20s. I can recall
because I was there at night, and you got
the real dedicated crew there at night.
We do it that way more often than Another thing I remember is the first
not these days, but we had never done time I showed some completed matte shots
it at Disney then. Anyway, I went out in the projection room at ILM. Everyone was
to ILM to take a look at what had been anxious to see what I had done and the room
shot, and it all looked fairly promising. was full. There was a shot of the Millennium
Then the matte department had to move. Falcon inside the Death Star. It came up on
Everybody was tight on space, so the the screen and everyone laughed. I thought,
only place we could go was a little “Oh my God, I’ve failed! They’re laughing at
space upstairs! my stuff!” I just wanted to climb into a hole.
I was also working on the film Pete’s But what I’d done was to put the cockpit on
Dragon at Disney at the time, which I was both sides, to make the ship symmetrical.
very involved with. I’d said to It made sense to me for the ship to be
management, “I’d like to do this film [Star symmetrical. I was working from the
Wars]… it looks like 10 or 15 shots and I’ll storyboard panels because I never saw
do them at night, I’ll moonlight,” which actual footage. The miniature which George
they said was fine. used was locked away at night, and
of course, I came in at night. I had no idea
You used a bipack camera to shoot the [what the Millennium Falcon looked like in
matte effects. What were the benefits detail], and that was always a frustration.
of that? From Star Wars through to Empire, George
Bicapping is a very viable method. It’s really was very secretive about footage.
handy and is like having a single-hand The first footage I saw of Star Wars was
optical printer. You have a number of things: an editorial reel without sound from the
it maintains a very high quality and it’s middle of the film. It was very late at night
relatively quick and easy to use, so it was at ILM and just a few of us gathered around
ideal for us. We still had the normal problems the Moviola to take a look. The scene was
of putting something together from scratch Luke and Han rescuing Princess Leia from
though, and upstairs in the matte room was the detention cell on the Death Star. No
crazy. But we struggled through! one was terribly impressed. Coming right
in, not knowing anything about the story,
You didn’t have a projector at the first ILM Han Solo seemed like a real jerk, just
facility did you? swaggering around. So there were
No, we didn’t have a rear projector or opportunities to see footage, but nobody
front projector. had any idea [of what the finished film

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Right: The Massassi
Temple exterior, ready
for the live-action to
be added.

Far right: Ellenshaw


creating the matte
painting that became
the rebel base exterior.

Below, right:
Ellenshaw is joined
by matte painting
department colleagues
Ralph McQuarrie
and Michael Pangrazio
to film walk-on
cameos for The Empire
Strikes Back.

would look like]. Everyone thought it would


just be a nice “B” movie.

How many matte paintings were there


in the first Star Wars film?
There were 17 matte paintings and we used
a number of them twice for more than one
shot. Seventeen really wasn’t a big number.

Ralph McQuarrie did a few, didn’t he?


Ralph did a couple on Star Wars and we
also shared some. Ralph did most of the
planets and they were blue-screened in.
And on Empire he did at least half of them—
he really saved me. I was working on The
Black Hole at that time. It finished on a
Friday and I went to work at ILM on the
next Monday!
Luckily Ralph had started work on
some paintings. And then at the end of ’79
we had about six months to put together 70
to 80 shots and suddenly it was a different
ballgame. It became something you didn’t
go to do at night. My biggest concern was He would say, “Just let me paint,” so I said, production, which I was concerned with.
getting the equipment put together, and we “That’s fine—you paint any shot you want to I said, “Oh God, I’m going to get a lot of
didn’t crank out a completed shot for about start, and let me worry about making it work.” photo re-touch work again instead of
three months. I must say on George’s behalf, So it worked wonderfully. He could plates that are nice and fully exposed
he really didn’t put the pressure on. Finally come in and work 8, 10, 12, 15 hours a and not shot with wide angle lenses.”
we started cranking them out, and the system day painting, while I was lucky to spend We got our share of that again and
worked fine. It was wonderful. But Ralph half my time painting. The other half was it made me crazy, but this time, I had
helped. To do that many shots in six months doing tests and whatever else it takes to absolutely no doubt I wanted to work
by myself would have killed me. Doing half get it done. on [Empire] because of the pleasurable
of them almost killed me! [Michael Pangrazio experience of working with George.
also worked in the matte painting department They’d already been working six months
on Empire.] before you arrived to work on The Empire The Black Hole must have involved a lot
Strikes Back, hadn’t they? of matte work?
Aside from painting, you were also involved Absolutely. I had made the deal with We did a lot of matte shots on that film
in organizing the department and shooting Gary Kurtz by phone from London. I was —a lot—over 100. It’s kind of a bad sign
the shots on Empire, weren’t you? on the set at Disney on The Black Hole, and when the average length of them is 15
Yes, that’s right. I could leave Ralph to it. once again they called me in the midst of to 20 seconds—that’s too long. After

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Star Wars, anything over 15 opening there, which had been open
frames seems long! The Black about six months and they had gone
Hole suffered from being too “I HAD NO DOUBT around to art schools and asked
ponderous, though. people to paint like a photograph.
I WANTED TO Everybody had replied, “That’s
Why did you initially decide not art. We don’t want to do that.”
to go into special effects and WORK ON Now, if you put an ad in the paper,
matte painting? you would have 500 people who’d
My father was involved in it EMPIRE.” want to do anything to do with
for almost all of his life [Peter special effects. Especially for
Ellenshaw was a legend at the ILM, of course.
original Disney Studio and worked on tremendous enthusiasm for mattes,
everything from The Thief of Baghdad special effects, and films in general, Did you have any schooling in art?
(1940) to Dick Tracy (1990)]. I grew up with and it was very infectious. No, I was a psychology major. I went to
that, and I was aware of the film industry I was very lucky—I went to learn a job, college for four years and got a Bachelor’s
and aware of matte painting—although and it was on-the-job training that paid in psychology. That probably did me more
it was a highly unknown aspect, as most me $84 a week. Even that small amount good in this business than any art major
things in postproduction were until was great to me because I really didn’t would have.
recently. I really didn’t have any intention bring anything to them. I brought a little I also went into the Navy for three
of following in my father’s footsteps, but understanding and a little background years. The draft was in effect back then,
he always loved what he did and had this and some inherent ability—if you can and it was a time when you made your
great attitude. He always looked like he call it that—but Alan was really willing own choice or they made it for you.
was having fun. to teach me how to do mattes. Also, he
I didn’t really have any artistic abilities was involved in miniatures and things How did you end up taking over the
that were out of the ordinary, but I went like that, so I learned a lot. We were department at Disney?
to work as an apprentice in 1970 at working on Bedknobs and Broomsticks I was very fortunate, because Alan
Disney in the matte department. My (1971) at the time, and I came in mid- decided that he wanted to go and paint
father was no longer working at Disney, picture because they needed someone for galleries, so he was very interested in
because he had semi-retired and gone on in the matte department. And in 1970, having somebody take over the department.
to painting gallery art. A man named Alan you couldn’t get a young matte artist to I was just an apprentice at the time, and in
Maley was head of the department, and come and train. No one would come and four years he taught me as much as he
Alan was very good because he had a do it—it’s so hard to believe. They had an could— what I know now is really

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Right: Creating the
murky swamps of
Dagobah.

Opposite: Most
of the Empire matte
painting team:
Ellenshaw (center front)
and (from left) matte
cameraman Craig
Barron, McQuarrie,
and matte cameraman
Neil Krepela.

attributable to Alan. After four years, “I ADMIRE GEORGE LUCAS’S


he said to the studio, “I’m leaving and
I would like Harrison to take over the ABILITY TO MOTIVATE
department.” And they said “Wait a minute,
he’s much too young!”—even though I was PEOPLE IN A WORDLESS
in my mid-20s. In those days, a department
head at Disney would have been at least 45. WAY. IT’S VERY
So they said, “We’ll give him a year and see
how he does.” MYSTERIOUS.”
I was very fortunate to go and work
for a man who wanted me to succeed
badly enough to take his job. Usually you
go to work for someone who wants you to
succeed but not so much you’ll be a threat it. Not because of my father so much, but should. I have a lot of sympathy for anyone
to them. because it was the early 1970s and there who has produced, in whatever capacity.
wasn’t that great an interest in special I was made the associate producer on TRON
Did you ever consider art as your vocation effects. So it was just a fortunate instance of because everybody coming in on TRON had
when you were a teenager? being in the right place at the right time. never worked on a film before. They’d done
Not really. I didn’t live and breathe it. I’m commercials and television—that kind of stuff
a poor example in that sense, because if You were associate producer, as well as —so they said, “We’d like you to be associate
you’re an artist these days, the advice is to co-supervisor of visual effects, on TRON. producer and help out in that area.”
just do it—just practice and learn as much Would you like to do more producing? I found it very interesting and gratifying
as you can and you’ll have a chance when I think producing can be very frustrating and in many respects, but a thankless job in
the opportunity arises. I kind of backed into it sometimes doesn’t receive the credit it others. Looking back at it now, I would have

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it. Some people you have to light a fire mountain or a city in the background,
under, some you have to beat over the which the characters are going toward.
head with a two-by-four, and you need The whole purpose of the shot is that
to try to motivate each one. That’s what these people are going toward the
I admire about George: his ability to mountain. The background painting part
motivate people in a wordless way. It’s isn’t as important as the people going
very interesting—and very mysterious. toward it. Good matte paintings have
I would go to George with a shot that to be throwaways.
wasn’t working and say, “It’s not working
and this is what we’ve come up with—it’s How is a matte painting different to
the best we can do. We’ve put a little move a photo?
here, maybe a blinking light, that might You have to paint something that looks real.
help. What do you think?” He’d look at it Something that the eye accepts as reality.
liked to have just looked after the visual and say, “You’re right, it’s not working—go You don’t get extra points for painting a
effects, and let somebody else worry about back and see if you can make it work.” spaceship from scratch if you can use a photo
the extra who says he should get a bigger I would hate to go to George with that, of the model instead. A photograph is 99
rate because the director talked to him on because you’d try everything in the book, percent or 100 percent there, and I say you
the side and all that garbage. Sometimes but even though you’d given it 120 percent, can’t get better than 100 percent reality. You
I think the producer spends 95 percent of he’d still say, “Okay, well, give it another can’t make a painting more real than real;
the day on 5 percent of the picture. try.” And you would go back and find you can only equal reality, and anything less
Like everybody else in the business, something to make it better, and it was is a failure. I have had fights with other matte
I have a tremendous desire to see things worth it. artists where I say, “Why are you painting
on film, and the biggest kick I still get— this? We have a plate over here with a real
and I have yet to find an equal thrill—is What qualities do you need to be a good cloud, why not stick that in there? Put the
to see the dailies. There’s a tremendous matte painter? real one in and stop trying to prove to me
satisfaction in that. However I get to be Somebody once said to me—and it’s you’re so terrific. Save it for when you need
able to contribute to that is okay with something I try to remember—“Don’t it!” Maybe other matte artists in the business
me, whether it’s producing or visual fall in love with it.” It’s very easy to do that will say, “Boy, that guy can really paint
effects. I would love to supervise the when you’re taking a long time to paint. clouds.” I go for whatever works— because
visual effects on a film again. It becomes a very personal thing. You can then you’re really going to be a hero. a
take things very personally and that’s why
Being a supervisor of visual effects matte artists are crazy people. You have
can mean being a producer as well to be able to be objective enough to be EXPANDED
doesn’t it? You have to deal with an sure the completed shot fulfills a purpose. See more of Harrison Ellenshaw’s
awful lot of hassle… It’s got to be smooth. For instance, say work at www.harrisonellenshaw.com
Yes—“stoking and stroking,” as I call you’ve painted a big white vista with a
UNIVERSE
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J. W. RINZLER TAKES A LOOK THROUGH THE
LUCASFILM ARCHIVES—AND UNCOVERS SOME
AMAZING NEVER-BEFORE-PRINTED ARTIFACTS!

hile rummaging through

M A K I N G W the drawers of the


Lucasfilm Archives at
Skywalker Ranch I had
the good fortune to hold
in my hands literally every piece of artwork
generated for Return of the Jedi (at least
everything I could find). It was humbling
to see up close the immense talent and
craft and the instilled beauty, creativity,
and energy of those paintings, drawings,
storyboards, and sketches by the likes
of Ralph McQuarrie, Joe Johnston, Nilo
Rodis-Jamero, and others. All the more
so given that the majority of artworks
were produced in a great hurry. On the
one hand d I was
a looking for artwork that
had never been e scanned, photographed,
or pub
publis
published;
lished; o on the other, I was looking
for
or gems that w would benefit from being
re-
re-scanned
e-sca
e- s nne
n d or rre-photographed with
better
bet e techn
technology.
c olool
Whilele con
contin
continuing
i research for the
forthc
forthcoming
h omi
m ng book The Making of Star Wars:
g bo
Return of th the
he JeJedi
e (Del Rey, fall 2013), I went
throug
through
u h tthe
hee Ima
Im
Image Archives and Industrial
Light & Magic
Magig c photo
ph files—finding literally
hun
hundreds
ndreds of ima images that either have never
be
bee
been
e n seen or onl only rarely.
T final
The al step p in all this was laying out
the book. k As usual
usua I had far too much to
us
fit iinto
nto the 37372 p pages
a (though they’ll have
more
mo
mor e than 700
7 0 images)—so
70 im
m Insider can
present an extended
exten feature dedicated to
those unseen or rescanned pieces that
didn’t make it into the book.

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c An early speeder bike (or “rocket bike”) concept by Ralph McQuarrie, early 1981.

cEarly creature concepts (possibly for


the rancor) by McQuarrie, early 1981.

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cA continuity Polaroid
taken at Elstree Studios of an
“Imp Dig” (Imperial
dignitary) , early 1982.

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cOn the Emperor’s throne room set, director
Richard Marquand gives instructions to Mark
Hamill (Luke Skywalker), who eyes his lightsaber,
and Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor), at Elstree
Studios, early 1982.

fA PR photo taken of Carrie Fisher, early 1982.

eAn ILM maquette of an A-wing, circa mid 1982.

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e“The Old Wrist Man” by visual effects
supervisor Ken Ralston—a joke drawing,
exact date unknown, but between 1981
and 1983. Ken Ralston writes: “I guess
I’m referring to my doodles by ‘wrist man.’
I was a big EC Comics fan, but Creepy and
Eerie magazines were more my era... plus
a big dose of MAD magazine.”

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dAfter Jedi wrapped, a photo session was held
with all the models from the original trilogy.
Before the official pics were taken, George Lucas
took a look at the assembled artworks—and
examined an Ewok concept maquette in
particular (perhaps already thinking of Ewok TV
movies?) while producer Howard Kazanjian
looked on.

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SConcept art by Nilo Rodis-Jamero of the
“rebel war room,” circa mid 1981. The red dot in
the lower right-hand corner signified George
Lucas’s “okay” for further exploration, as Nilo and
Joe Johnston came up with successive ideas for
this set. Here the holographic planets can be seen
in the center of the illustration.

J. W. RINZLER TAKES A LOOK THROUGH THE LUCASFILM


ARCHIVES—AND UNCOVERS SOME AMAZING
NEVER-BEFORE-PRINTED ARTIFACTS!

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At Elstree Studios, director
Richard Marquand talks
with Harrison Ford (Han
Solo) in the Rebel Alliance
hangar, early 1982.

TProduction designer Norman Reynolds’ artwork for Red Ball Jett, as Max Rebo was known then, was labeled “Key musician, Jabba’s” and dated October 1981. Always thinking of how things would be built,
Reynolds also marked, “Practical bellows from blacksmith’s forge, hopefully!” and that some of the valves here and there would be practical.

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XA publicity still taken of the ever-debonair Billy Dee
Williams as Lando Calrissian during a photo shoot at
Elstree.

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SModel shop supervisor Steve Gawley (in short sleeves) climbs with others
on the outside of the Death Star II reactor chamber model (Nilo Rodis-Jamero
is wearing blue jeans). The reactor model was one of the last big projects to
be completed at ILM, as time ran was running out…

XConcept art by Nilo Rodis-Jamero of the “transport


scene,” from April 1981. Here Imperial troopers descend
from their massive ship to the planet surface (most likely,
Endor), in what was probably a response to Lucas’s verbal
description of a scene that was eventually cut.

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SGeorge Lucas supervises a costume fitting for Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) in late 1981.

SWI_2018_SE_112_117_ROTJ_PhotoGallery.indd 117 10/11/2017 16:19


Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill during filming on the
Ewok forest set at Elstree Studios, early 1982.

J. W. RINZLER TAKES A LOOK THROUGH THE LUCASFILM


ARCHIVES—AND UNCOVERS SOME AMAZING
NEVER-BEFORE-PRINTED ARTIFACTS!

SWI_2018_SE_118_123_ROTJ_PhotoGallery.indd 118 10/11/2017 16:19


SWI_2018_SE_118_123_ROTJ_PhotoGallery.indd 119 10/11/2017 16:19
Michael Stevens as a gunner in the Millennium Falcon, in a scene that wouldn’t make
the final cut; two gunners were filmed, as, originally, more battle action was planned
for the pirate ship, early 1982.

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aModel maker Paul Huston at work on the large AT-ST, whose head would be squished between two trees in an Ewok ambush (Huston crafted figures for the vehicle’s cockpit, in case the interior became visible
when the head was crushed).

c“Insect droid at slots”—one of the planned creatures for


Jabba’s throne room—concept by production designer Norman
Reynolds, December 1981 (a re-scan for the book).

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On January 21, 1982, cast and crew prepare
to film a take of the celebration scene—scene
no.132—on the Ewok village set.

SWI_2018_SE_118_123_ROTJ_PhotoGallery.indd 122 10/11/2017 16:19


XOne of eight possible logos for Revenge of the Jedi,
circa October 2, 1980.

W Perhaps the first concept art piece by Nilo


Rodis-Jamero for the rebel headquarters on what was to
be a grass planet in early scripts.

T Early story ideas from an outline by Lucas for


Jedi, undated.

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124 INSIDER

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J. W. RINZLER TAKES A LOOK THROUGH THE LUCASFILM
ARCHIVES—AND UNCOVERS SOME AMAZING
NEVER-BEFORE-PRINTED ARTIFACTS!

SReconstructing the Millennium Falcon, in part; this stage would be “flooded” with
sand for the sandstorm scene—the first scene shot during principal photography.

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SHan Solo (Harrison Ford) coming out of carbon freeze, as filmed by second unit director Roger Christian. The
effects would be added in post.

SConcept by Ralph McQuarrie of Imperial guards, perhaps those guarding the


Emperor’s palace when it was situated on Had Abbadon in early drafts.

SThe bunker on location in northern California as it was being built in advance of the Main Unit’s arrival. It had to
be built sturdy enough to last through the heavy rains anticipated during that time.

S A continuity Polaroid of some food props for scenes shot in Jabba’s barge.

SProduction designer Norman Reynolds and co-producer Robert Watts on the SMark Hamill goes “Hamlet” while filming the rancor scene: “Alas, poor… Gamorrean guard?”
Emperor’s throne set.

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© & TM 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd.

TBOSWI Book 7_v3.indd 1 14/11/2017 11:39


BRICK

S
tar Wars Insider: Why with Harrison Ford have a good deal raised by the Skywalker family? If they
is Star Wars so ripe of comedy in them. Aside from that, it’s were really trying to hide him from Darth
for parody? incredibly serious—especially in the middle Vader, wouldn’t you send him almost
Michael Price: Everyone section with The Empire Strikes Back. The anywhere but there? I guess Tatooine
knows and loves Star Wars; Prequels are so incredibly serious that it’s is on the Outer Rim and far away from
it’s been around for so long that it’s just fun to find the humor in them. everything, but you’d think Vader would
become a fun thing to talk about. It’s We’ve also become so familiar with have a chance to stop by and take a look
such a vast universe with so many fun the movies and the characters that it’s at his old house!
characters that there’s just so much to fun to laugh at the unrealness of it. I was
pick at and have fun with, in a loving way. wondering today about who came up with Where did the idea of LEGO Star Wars
I think that any of the Star Wars movies the plan to send Luke to Tatooine to be specials come from?

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BUSTER! MICHAEL PRICE IS AN
AWARD-WINNING WRITER,
WHOSE WORK ON THE
SIMPSONS INCLUDES SOME
OF THE SHOWS FUNNIEST
EPISODES, SUCH AS “HOW THE TEST WAS
WON” AND “MY FAIR LADDY.” HE HAS
RECENTLY VISITED THE GALAXY FAR,
FAR AWAY TO WRITE THE LEGO
STAR WARS TV SPECIALS.
INSIDER FOUND OUT EXACTLY
HOW HE BUILT A CLASSIC STAR
WARS SPOOF. INTERVIEW
BY JONATHAN WILKINS

Main image: Darths


Maul and Vader lock
lightsabers in The
Empire Strikes Out!

Above: Writer
Michael Price

Usually the show comes first, then the characters as LEGO, which became hugely in for a meeting at Lucasfilm about another
toy, and then the game. That’s not what popular. They created these mini-movies that project and they recommended me to LEGO.
happened with the whole LEGO Star Wars were like cut-scenes from the games, but The brief was that the story had to take place
line. LEGO started making their Star Wars also their own sort of standalone, three-or in the Star Wars universe, somewhere in the
toys around the time The Phantom Menace four-minute shorts—The Hunt for R2-D2 and world and timeline of the six established
was released in 1999. Then LEGO Star Bombad Bounty. They were just very silly movies. It needed to have established Star
Wars sets became a big thing, and people shorts with no dialogue, and they became Wars characters, but, other than that, I had
started making their own stop-motion LEGO very popular. free rein.
Star Wars movies that went on YouTube. I came into the picture around the time I watched those little mini-movies,
Lucasfilm and LEGO decided to start making LEGO and Lucasfilm decided to make a TV familiarized myself with the games, and
the videogames with the CGI Star Wars special: The Padawan Menace. I was brought I realized the kind of whimsical tone they

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Left, from top: The
Emperor and Vader;
Han and Leia; Jawa
buddies!

Right: Luke takes


flight in his trusty
X-wing; Chewbacca
and C-3PO face an
AT-AT attack!

were looking for. I came up with the original


pitch that would become The Padawan “I WAS TOLD TO DO WHAT I WANTED
Menace. I wrote a five or six-page pitch
document that was submitted along with
TO DO, TO TAKE MY SATIRICAL SHOTS,
many other pitches from other writers. About AND DO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS FUNNY”
two weeks later, I heard from my agent that
they liked mine the best—and I was hired! was funny. Then they’d tell me if I’d gone three of us, we came up with the idea of him
I flew up to San Francisco to meet too far. walking on to the set and then George Lucas
Kathleen Fleming, who produced the show My original pitch was that the kids were appearing and saying, “No, no—you’re not in
for LEGO, and Howard Roffman, who was the children from the Outer Rim Territories. this one!”
head of Lucas Licensing, and another great Howard said to make them Padawans, which
name, Derek Stothard, who’s the Lucasfilm made total sense. I had two or three weeks It sounds like it was a straightforward
LEGO guy. We had a meeting where I got to to write the first draft of the script, and I just process. Were there any challenges?
tour the Lucasfilm offices and walk the halls immersed myself in everything Star Wars. The only challenges were in terms of finding
of ILM. At one point I said, “Oh, it’d be great to have the right story and being able to tell it in a
Howard basically told me to go ahead and Darth Vader in here, but of course we can’t 21/22-minute television show. I tend to write
do what I wanted to do, to take my satirical have him because this show is taking place long and then have to find a way to make
shots at the movies, and do what I thought during the Prequels.” I think between the cuts. There were some ideas that I really

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liked that had to be cut. I wasn’t heavily stage of animation and when it comes when we did the final postproduction sound
involved in the animation process, but back, we have one more shot to make mixing for The Empire Strikes Out. We
I made myself available. I wasn’t contracted small changes before it gets on television. were able to do the mixing and editing at
to do anything except write the script, but I said I’d be really happy to make suggestions Skywalker Ranch and Skywalker Sound.
I had a meeting with Kathleen and the or even write some new lines. I wasn’t It was an unbelievable day and we did the
director, David Scott, right before they involved in the voice recording or anything sound mix with Matthew Wood who does
started production. I talked about the way like that on the first special. When it came the sound editing with Ben Burtt on
we do things on The Simpsons, which is time to do the second one—The Empire all the Prequels—that was just an
that the writer will write the script, put it Strikes Out—I was made an executive unbelievable experience.
into production, record it; it’ll start to be producer and I was officially active in
animated, and then, about a third of the way every part. Was there anything that got cut that you
through the process, we get an early version The animation house that did The Empire were especially sad to see go?
of the show back, which we call an animatic Strikes Out is located about 10 minutes away In The Padawan Menace, my original pitch
(a black-and-white, pencil version of the from my office at The Simpsons in Santa for the middle section had Yoda and “Ian”
entire show). We’ll then go back and rewrite Monica, so in my lunch hour I was able to run on Hoth, was much more ambitious. They
things that don’t work. Then the animators over there, watch a cut of the scene, and talk were chasing a B1 battle droid that had
reanimate the new stuff and we record new about what to do. stolen plans. In my original pitch, they follow
lines. Then it goes forward into the next The second greatest day of my life was him and he disappears through a door and

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Left, from top:
Luke Skywalker
springs into action; the
Millennium Falcon
takes a dive; Darth
Vader takes up an
old hobby!

Right: Yoda takes on


Asajj Ventress in The
Padawan Menace.

they follow—and it’s a giant battle droid


warehouse full of hundreds and hundreds
“CHANCELLOR PALPATINE IS FORCED
of droids. They don’t know which one it is, TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE GOOD GUYS
so the kid starts a snowball fight. Yoda thinks
he’s throwing a snowball at him, but he’s
HAVE WON! EVERYONE’S CHEERING
really throwing them at all the battle droids, AND IT’S JUST KILLING HIM!”
his deduction being that the one who just ran
in would be warm and that the snow would the really minor Star Wars characters, so three episodes this year, and they tell
melt on him. They find him and there’s a I’d written a little part for Fode and Beed, a story that is set around the same time
battle in the warehouse between Yoda, this the two-headed announcer from The as The Padawan Menace. The big star in
kid, and 100 battle droids. Everyone said it’d Phantom Menace. We ended up cutting that. that, you’ll be unsurprised to hear, is Yoda.
be way too expensive and time-consuming, But it was only small things like that. I think one thing that helped me get the
so David pitched the idea of the battle droid job in the first place was making Yoda such
hiding in a sliced-up tauntaun. Do you have a favorite character to a big character, because not only are there
In The Empire Strikes Out, there’s a scene write for? endless jokes about the way Yoda talks,
where Vader escapes from the Jawas in his I love Yoda. In The Yoda Chronicles [the all- but it’s funny to see this very dignified
old podracer and races away. I’m a big fan of new LEGO Star Wars project], we’re doing Jedi Master forced to argue with a kid.

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In these new shows, we have a greatly With the promise of more Star Wars movies comes with the Blu-ray?
expanded part for Chancellor Palpatine/ to come, would you be interested writing a That to me is the greatest thing of all: that
Darth Sidious. I was really pleased with Star Wars comedy movie? I’m responsible for a LEGO Star Wars mini-
that little moment in The Padawan Menace Absolutely! I’ve been a huge fan of Star Wars figure. I have the mini-figure of young Han
when he’s flipping his hood back and forth, and it’s always been a part of my life. To now Solo from the DVD and I can’t wait to have
so that’s been expanded to have fun with be a part of it and working with these really Vader with his medal!!a
the idea of his double life. This man who amazing characters and getting to know
is secretly the embodiment of all evil has them has just been one of the greatest thrills
to pretend to be Mr. Nice Guy. There’s of my life. I would jump at the chance to do EXPANDED
a scene where Sith forces are being routed anything! The Simpsons is wonderful, the LEGO Star Wars The Empire Strikes Out is
in a battle and Chancellor Palpatine is forced greatest job I’ll ever have, but if I’m going out on Blu-ray and DVD on March 26 in
to announce that the good guys have won! to be doing a little something on the side the U.S.A. and in the U.K. on March 18.
Everyone’s cheering and it’s just killing him while I’m there, I can’t think of anything The Yoda Chronicles airdate is TBA.
inside that he can’t express his anger and better than this.
his fury! We also have a lot of great fun with Follow Michael on twitter @
Count Dooku and General Grievous, who What do you make of the exclusive mini- MikePriceinLA.
is a bumbling fall guy of the baddies. figure of Darth Vader with his medal that
UNIVERSE
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2

SAVE THE QUEEN!


WITH A NEW HAIRSTYLE IN EVERY SCENE AND OU
ER CO
TS RANGING FROM
TFITS
LLECTORS WANT TO GET
OR NATE TO DO WN RIG HT HOT, IT’ S NO WO ND
ND S ON PA DM É AM IDA LA ! WO RD S AN D PIC TU RES: GUS LOPEZ
THEIR HA
A
s the heroine of the Star Wars prequel 1] During production 2] Some of the most
trilogy, Padmé Amidala has been of Episode I, Lucasfilm highly-prized Padmé pieces
represented by thousands of featured the young emerged from the original
collectibles in the years since she was queen on a variety of Clone Wars micro-series that
introduced in The Phantom Menace. cast and crew items. aired following Attack of the
The official invitation Clones. In one episode, Padmé
to the Lucasfilm travels to an ice planet
company screening of wearing her “snow bunny”
the movie was based outfit. Though Padmé is in the
on Queen Amidala’s ensemble for only a couple
gown and the wider of minutes, various toys and
design ethic of Naboo. collectibles have been produced
Later that year, based on this design. The holy
Padmé’s likeness was grail among these is the Gentle
used on the invitation Giant “Snow Bunny” Padmé
2
for the 1999 Lucas sculpture, which was produced as
Companies Holiday Party. There were four a Star Wars Shop exclusive. Its popularity
different variants of the invite, based massively underestimated, it sold out
on one of four Tarot cards, and the Queen quickly and now commands multiples of its
Amidala
A design saw her on her throne, original price. Similarly, the ACME Archives
holding a lightsaber and a crystal ball, Padmé Snow Bunny character key was
above the title “Queen of Visual FX”. another instant hit, produced in a limited
Also in 1999, Queen Amidala appeared edition. Chef Boyardee also participated
on an embroidered patch in a set made for in a promotion for the micro-series, creating
1 Industrial Light & Magic crewmembers a label for its beef ravioli cans showing
working
w on The Phantom Menace. A year Padmé in a different gown from the series.
later,
la Queen Amidala appeared on the
2000 Lucas Learning Holiday Card,
in a Christmas
Chr Tree gown
based on
o her red, bell-
shaped
shape gown from the
Theed
Th Palace throne
room
r scenes.

2
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3

3] In addition to the ravioli, Padmé deformed


deform
f figure toy (massive head
has appeared on a wide range of on a tiny
tin body) also projected an
food items from the movies. For image of
o Anakin Skywalker against
Episode I, La Vache Qui Rit cheese the wall
wall. Even harder to find are
was released in five different- the hard copy prototypes saved by the
sized “wheel” boxes with Queen line’s des
designers.
sode
Amidala’s image on the carton. For Episode
III, Pepsi Japan created unusual bottle- cereal brand, Franken Berry, with Padmé’s 5] One of the most obscure Padmé items
shaped Pepsi Twist cans for special vending high Episode II hairstyle tweaked with is a Queen Amidala bootleg coin made for
machines using an image of the Queen. “Bride of Frankenstein” highlights to San Diego Comic-Con in 2004. One of the
Also for Episode III, tiny 25-30 gram boxes create an image fitting for that cereal. Jeff dealers at the show created 250 of these
of Coco Pops, Frosties, and Corn Flakes Correll’s brilliant design for the box has unlicensed coins, and though sales were
available in Southeast Asia offered Padmé all sorts of subtleties, from the Naboo-style not particularly successful, a small number
Amidala “power cards” on the box backs. “fleur de lis” on the strawberry to the stamp did get into circulation, and have since
But the coolest Padmé cereal item was the proclaiming “Fortified with eight essential become some of the rarest Queen Amidala
free giveaway to attendees of the Star Gungans and Panaka.” items ever produced. a
Wars Celebration V Collecting Panels—
the “Franken Naberrie” cereal box 4] Numerous Padmé Amidala toys have
parody that wass featured among been produced over the years, and some
the 16 differentt boxes favorites include the Queen
in the set. The Amidala “shadow caster” made
design parodieded Burger King’s Revenge
for Bu
a well-known of th
the Sith promotion. This

4 5

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HERE’S
HERA!
ACTRESS VANESSA MARSHALL KNOWS ACE PILOT HERA SYNDULLA BETTER THAN
ANYONE, HAVING PLAYED HER THE PAST TWO SEASONS ON STAR WARS REBELS.
SHE TELLS AMY RATCLIFFE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO DELVE INTO THE CHARACTER’S
BACKSTORY, AND WHY HERA NEEDS TO CHILL OUT!

S
tar Wars to get to work with Robin
Insider: Season Atkin Downes (Cham
two of Star Syndulla) and Catherine
Wars Rebels Taber (Numa). It was an
has really honor; I really treasured
been about diving into the work they did on
characters’ backstories. The Clone Wars. It was
How much do you know, satisfying on every level.
or do you learn more
about Hera as you That episode, along
recieve scripts? with other events in
Vanessa Marshall: We season two, showed
learn as the scripts are how Hera has become
doled out. Sometimes we a stronger leader.
have vague notions, but With her new role
nothing’s confirmed or in the Rebellion,
denied. We learn in real time as years. How did you react to that as she’s had to carry burdens like
we record the arc of the season, a fan of The Clone Wars? losing pilots. How is she handling
and then come the secondary I was thrilled to find out more about the different responsibilities
experience of seeing it fully executed Hera’s backstory and what motivated and pressure?
which is like a magic carpet ride her to make the sacrifices that she It’s interesting because the structure
compared to actually reading the did and join the Rebel Alliance and of the Rebel Alliance has grown
text. It’s a two-fold learning process, go at it alone. It was really helpful more organized, and that’s of course
and it’s interesting because we learn for me to get more background simultaneous to the Empire growing
along with the fans since we end up information. But as a fangirl, I loved so it’s not that much of an advantage,
seeing the final product when they the Ryloth arc in The Clone Wars so but I did feel like this season Hera
do, when it airs. It’s exciting. much and I was, of course, curious could somewhat fall back and rely
about what happened to Cham and on their military code and structure.
Hera recently interacted with her Numa. We had so much answered in She hasn’t had to be so covert, doling
father, Cham, for the first time in this episode. I was also very excited out only certain pieces of information

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to her crew members. She
tended to know a lot more from
Fulcrum than they did and would
only tell them as much as they
needed to know to get the
mission done. So now, that
burden isn’t on her. On the one
hand, it’s a bit more relaxed
for her, but since both
parties have grown, the
battles have become far
more heinous and the
consequences have too.
She’s been awarded
for all the militaristic
choices she’s made—
she’s Phoenix Leader
now. With that comes a lot
of dire consequences that
she has to face. With
a greater number of ships
comes a greater probability of
losing one of them, if you
will, so I think she has had to
experience different kinds of
losses in this season and that
definitely takes its toll really important to her that she
because she cares so deeply prove a point that may have been
about all of them. The cause is left hanging when she left Ryloth.
important, but it breaks her If she’s living her beliefs, she’s
heart to lose anyone at the demonstrating the validity of
expense of winning a battle. her departure and the value
of choice and the good it does.
She does seem to have more Ultimately, I’m so glad that
compassion compared to Hera and her father saw eye to
someone like Commander Sato. eye because they really are on
She’s more emotionally the same page, so it was great
invested. She has that that they could realize, “Well, you
rebellious spirit and she stands actually inspired me,” and “Well,
“HERA IS MORE EMOTIONALLY for human rights, or entity you actually broke my heart when
rights. She has noble ideas, you left and I cared.” They were
INVESTED. SHE HAS THAT and she was raised with that able to say, “Wait a minute,
REBELLIOUS SPIRIT AND SHE philosophy. She utilizes that we’re both fighting for freedom.
on a daily basis, and it’s more Why don’t we stop fighting
STANDS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, of a religion for her whereas ourselves?” It was a non-fight,
perhaps for Sato, it’s a job. in a way, but when feelings are
OR ENTITY RIGHTS.” We particularly learned that hurt like that, I think particularly
in the episode with her father when family’s involved, there’s
where she’s trying to argue for nothing in the world that means
the validity of her cause. It’s more than a parent saying, “I am

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Hera’s Best
Quotes
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE PILOT
OF THE GHOST.
“If all you do is fight for your own
life, then your life is
worth nothing.”
—“Spark of Rebellion”

Clockwise, from far “We have hope; hope that things


left: Hera Syndulla,
can get better. And they will.”
rebel hero; Hera and
Sabine in action; Sabine —“Vision of Hope”
and Hera continue the
Star Wars saga’s long “There isn’t a pilot in the Imperial
tradition of presenting Fleet that can outrun me.”
strong role models for
it’s audience; Cham
—“Vision of Hope”
Syndulla reunited
with his daughter; “I chose to leave my family,
A family bond I chose to learn to fly, and then
is rekindled.
I chose to use that ability to help
others in need. But it’s all rooted
in something I can’t explain, a
need to be up there. Because even
when there are explosions all
around me, and things are at their
worst, I feel like I’m at my best.”
—“Wings of the Master”

proud of you.” When he does so


at the end of the episode and
acknowledges her title as captain,
there’s a smile on her face and it’s
a very genuine smile. That’s all she
ever wanted.

She doesn’t necessarily fight to


get recognition, but it’s nice when
it happens.
It was important that she was
seen and heard. I know, in general,
if you want to be understood or
heard, you’re setting up a recipe
for disaster. It’s better to understand
than be understood in most
situations. Because arguing to
be understood, you can blow hot
air for hours and get nothing but
frustrated. People say it’s a set up
for resentment if you need to be
understood. When she was arguing
with her father, I don’t even know
if she was aware of how much she

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needed his validation. Maybe her ego
would say she didn’t need it, but she
was very satisfied to have it. I can
understand that because there are
times when it feels really great to
feel understood.
She really doesn’t get distracted with
the small stuff. This is the one and only
situation where she did. I thought it was
interesting that her Ryloth accent
came out in that heated moment. As
an actress, it made sense to me that
Cham was triggering some of her very
core childhood issues and the last time
she spoke to him that is how she
sounded. She cried out from that place
of injury, and it spoke with that accent
and it was a very authentic moment—
the military strategist in her would
never have revealed that accent. I think
she dropped the accent so she could
operate as more of anonymous entity discussion, and we e were thinking, would
accomplishing more for the cause, but Hera ever, if she went home, speak in her
it flips out in that moment because the native tongue?” My response was, “Only
situation really broke her heart. “IT’S BEEN REALLY COOL if she’s angry.” I’ve
ve seen that with friends
who lose their native
tive accent, but the
Was it an intentional decision to have
TO EXPLORE HERA’S WIDE minute someone from their family calls
her Ryloth accent come up during the RANGE OF EMOTIONS IN to nag them aboutt something, they’ll go
argument or something that happened right into their deep
ep southern accent
as an experiment? SEASON TWO.” or whatever it is. So, when we went to
We recorded it both ways. Dave Filoni record the episode, e, I asked Dave if I could
emailed me several months before we do the accent and he said, “Yeah, let’s try
got this episode saying, “I’m having a it.” We recorded itt both ways, and frankly,

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I didn’t kn
know which one they were
going to cchoose. Clockwise, from top
left: Hera joins the
The episo
episode with Cham showed crew of the Ghost;
Hera with a little anger, and the Cham Syndulla
episode w with the purrgil featured previously appeared in
a very irritated
irr Hera. She’s Star Wars: The Clone
shown a wider
w range of emotion Wars; the return of
in season two. What’s that been Hera’s father allowed
like to ex
explore? actress Vanessa
It’s been rreally cool. Obviously the Marshall the chance to
purrgil kikilled some of her friends, explore Hera’s emotions
so she hahas a natural hatred for more; Kanan and Hera,
them—not hatred necessarily but
them—no crew mates on the
lives were lost because of them. Ghost, have a special
But what’
what’s cool is her opinion got bond; Hera takes aim!
to change and evolve. Some people
focus on tthe fact that she didn’t
like them,
them but what Dave wanted to
illustrate is you’re allowed to have
an opinio
opinion at the beginning of the
episode anda it can change. By the
end of it, when
w you watch them go
hyperspace and realize the
into hype
part of the story where they
other par
gave us th the idea of hyperspace,

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that’s quite magical. Hera praises
them, ultimately. That’s what Dave
was trying to show—people are able

HERA’S to go from having close-minded views


to learning and accepting things, even
in one episode.

GREATEST
Hera has developed so much
already, but where do you think she
could stand to learn some lessons?
I think she’s so focused on the
overall mission that at times it

MOMENTS
seems like she doesn’t know how
to unwind. She’s pretty tightly
wound with honoring the agenda,
which is understandable because
there are things in the balance
that make it that important. People
A WOMAN OF ACTION AND STRENGTH, ask about Kanan and Hera and the
HERA HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE
OLE IIN
N status of their relationship, and
I think she is so focused on her
THE FIGHT AGAINST THE EMPIRE!
RE! mission she doesn’t even allow
herself to have anything as, for
WIELDING A TRAY
Y lack of a better term, petty as a
Hera has shown her resourcefulnesss over
over romance. That’s terrific because
and over again. She demonstrated that at skil
sskill
killl she manages to be focused and
n she
to the extreme in “Idiot’s Array” when shhee get a lot done. She’s an incredible
escaped Azmorigan by using a serving g tr
tray
ayy leader, but sometimes I wonder
as a weapon. what it would look like if she just
chilled out, played sabacc, and
TESTING B-WINGS
S mellowed out a little. That doesn’t
Ever the fearless pilot, Hera visited
ed seem to be her specialty.
Shantipole to test a new ship designeded by
b Someone’s work ethic is
an engineer named Quarrie in “Wingss of thethe fantastic until it becomes
Master.” It was a dangerous mission, n bu
n, butt
Hera succeeded in flying the B-wing,n
ng,
which would become invaluable to the h
Rebel Alliance.

EMPHASIZING TRUST
ST
In season one, Hera was responsible e for
f
keeping the secrets of the burgeoning
nin
n ing
rebellion safe. She had to keep things
ngss
hidden from her crew, and though it wasn’t
w n’tt
was
as daring as piloting, the lessons she taught
ta
tau
aught
g
gh
Sabine in “Out of Darkness” about trust
trrustst
were just as valuable.

DARING RESCUES
S
Hera’s used her piloting skills to save
ve
e th
the
he
crew of the Ghost again and again. She
She’s
e’ss
performed so many impressive maneuverseuve
uvers
rs
in nearly every episode; all of them should
houl
ou d
be counted among her best moments. nts
t .

MOVING UP THE RANKS


NKS
Hera has fought on the side of the R
Rebel
eb l
ebe
Alliance because she wants to see change
hang
n e
come to the galaxy, not because she
he
wants recognition. She was promotededd byy
Commander Sato to Phoenix Leader der
in “Wings of the Master” though, an
and
d
the promotion couldn’t have been more
mo e
mor
well-deserved.

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workaholicism, and they cease to Even his lightsaber is made out of is mirroring that of Ezra’s,
have an emotional life. I think it’s garbage or scraps. It’s last-minute, and I’m really impressed with
important to do things or have yet very effective. I love how Taylor’s work and his work ethic. Clockwise, from top:
hobbies outside such death- industrious he is and how he’s Hera can be as tough as
defying circumstances, and I Now that the cast has been she is compassionate; the
don’t think she allows herself to recording for a few years, how have Ghost; a bold pilot,
play and unwind. I don’t think she things changed or stayed the same Hera’s skill in the
will and I don’t think she has time during sessions? cock-pit has gotten the
for it, but I’d love to see her be
“AT THE BEGINNING, At the beginning, none of us could crew out of countless
silly. NONE OF US COULD actually believe we got this job. scrapes; actress Vanessa
There was more wonder and Marshall gives voice to
Hera’s day off! She needs one. ACTUALLY BELIEVE WE amazement; people were sort of Hera in Star Wars Rebels
Exactly. I don’t think she’s had GOT THIS JOB.” suspended in a dreamlike fog of (photo: Cherie Roberts)
one in a while. euphoria and gratitude. As we’ve
gotten to know each other and this
Over the course of two seasons, has become more of a common
which character’s development, situation, it’s much more relaxed.
apart from your own, has It’s no less impressive; we are still
surprised you the most? really grown up and consistently equally grateful to be there but we
Ezra. I’m really proud of Ezra. I chosen to do the right thing. I feel do make fun of each other and
love how he has learned from the same way about Taylor. I’ve crack jokes. It definitely feels more
Kanan and how his take on being been surprised by his growth and like a family environment.
virtuous is somewhat scrappy. evolution. It seems like his growth

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CLASSIC MOMENT
STAR WARS: EPISODE IV
A NEW HOPE
DVD CHAPTER 37

WHAT THEY SAID


D
“Fi
F rst
s they
e pra racti
t ced with h two
wo pupp petss on one strin
strin
st ng
dangling from the roof jusst to see if the h rop
r e wass
s ong
stro enoug ugh,
h then they pu ut allll the
thesse car
th ca dbo
dboardarrd
ard
boxes down on
box n the
t grog und, but I cou oul
u dn’’t see
ul see
e how
the
h boxes we were goi
go ng to prep eve ent me from om brreea aking
any bones. Aftef r kissing Ma Markrk,
k Ge
G o org
rge want
wanted me
to say
ay ‘Forr luc
uck’.. Then I was sup ppos
po ed tto
posed o sho
shh ot the
gun and swin
wi g.g On
O the sw wing acros
accros
ross,s I was g
s, gooing g to
hold the gun
g , whic h h wass re real heav
eavyy,
eav y, and th
that
a sca
at cared d
me bec
b ausse I thought I’d d drop it. t I was
was alalso
so afrfraid
a
aid
my hairr was
w going to o falll off.
ff Buut it w wasas fu
funny
fun nyy tha
hatt
ha
day—everyone ne was laug
a ghinhin
i g—a
g
g— nd we onlonlyy had d to do
it onc
o e.”
e
Carrie Fi r The
F sher, T Makining
g of
of Star
ta
a Wa
Wars
rs—
rs —T
The
e De
efin
initi
itivve
e
Sto
t ry Beh
Behind The Origina
nal Fil
ilm
m by J.
J.W. Rin
R zle
er

TRIVIA
a yss Mark
ab
The abyss k Hamill
Ham andannd Carrie
Carriie Fisher
Fis er swung
swungng
was only
over was only around
around 12 feet
fee
eett deep
d
dee
eep
ee
e p in th
thee stud
sstudio—the
tud
udio—
io—the
io— the
e
illusi
s on of the
illusion he long
g drop seen
seen in n the
the finished
nishe
nished fi film was
lm was
created by using a mam tte
e pain
matte p ntting
ing
painting.g.

INT. DEATH STAR—CENTRAL CORE SHAFT

Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto


a narrow bridge that spans a huge, deep
shaft that seems to go into infinity. The
bridge has been retracted into the wall of
the shaft, and Luke almost rushes into the
abyss. He loses his balance off the end of
the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold
of his arm and pulls him back.

WHY IT’S A CLASSIC LUKE: (gasping) I think we took


a wrong turn.
WORDS: NEIL EDWARDS

The iconic 1930s Saturday film serials like Flash Gordon and Zorro were influences on
Star Wars, and George Lucas tried to buy the rights to the former before deciding to
Blasts from the stormtroopers’ laser guns
follow his own vision. Those influences are evident in this scene in particular. It’s not
explode nearby reminding them of the
difficult to imagine Luke and Leia’s predicament here—trapped on a precipice with oncoming danger. Luke fires back at the
no apparent way across, and enemy stormtroopers about to come through the door advancing troops. Leia reaches over and
behind them—as a literal cliff-hanger ending to an episode of one of those serials. In hits a switch that pops the hatch door shut
this case, however, the audience didn’t have to wait another week for the outcome, with a resounding boom, leaving them
as the resourceful Luke uses a rope and grappling hook to swing across the chasm, precariously perched on a short piece
the princess in his arms. It’s a particularly swashbuckling moment, and shows that of bridge overhang. Laser fire from the
from the very start, Star Wars deserved its place among the classics. troopers continues to hit the steel door.

144 INSIDER

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LUKE & LEIA
WHAT THEY SAID
“I split the teams up
and had them both go
through their little series
of adventures here. The
swing across the Death
Star canyon was really,
again, in the tradition of the
old serials—Tarzan, Zorro,
Errol Flynn movies, Robin
Hood—they always had
a swinging scene of some
kind. It also was a chance
to sort of bond Princess
Leia and Luke who—
unbeknownst to them at
this point, are brother and
sister, but to give them that
moment of connection.”
George Lucas, Star Wars:
Episode IV A New Hope DVD
audio commentary

SCRIPT – REVISED FOURTH DRAFT (1976)

LEIA: There’s no lock! bridge overhang across the abyss from LEIA: Here they come!
them. They exchange fire. Two more
Luke blasts the controls with his laser troopers appear on another overhang, Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on
pistol. also firing. A trooper is hit, and grabs the bridge above, and he falls into the
at his chest. abyss. Luke tosses the rope across
LUKE: That oughta hold it for a while. the gorge and it wraps itself around
Another trooper standing on a bridge an outcropping of pipes. He tugs on
LEIA: Quick, we’ve got to get across. overhang is hit by Luke’s laser fire, and the rope to make sure it is secure,
Find the control that extends the bridge. plummets down the shaft. Troopers and then grabs the princess in his
move back off the bridge; Luke hands arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses
LUKE: Oh, I think I just blasted it. his gun to Leia. him quickly on the lips. Luke is very
surprised.
Luke looks at the blasted bridge control LUKE: Here, hold this.
while the stormtroopers on the opposite LEIA: For luck!
side of the door begin making ominous Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his
drilling and pounding sounds. trooper utility belt. It has a grappler Luke pushes off and they swing across
hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge the treacherous abyss to the opposite
LEIA: They’re coming through! overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As side. Just as Luke and Leia reach the
Luke works with the rope, Leia returns far side of the canyon, the stormtroopers
Luke notices something on his the laser volley. Another trooper appears break through the hatch and begin to
stormtrooper belt, when laser fire hits the and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire fire at the escaping duo. Luke returns
wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol as well. Suddenly, the hatch door begins the fire before ducking into the tiny
at a stormtrooper perched on a higher to open, revealing the feet of more troops. subhallway.

INSIDER 145

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