MORE BLU-RAY STUFF...

In a nice and quiet alcove at Mos Eisley Cantina, Han and Jenny cuddle up and get ready to watch the STAR WARS Blu-rays!

Finally! A proper trailer for the Blu-ray Box set, with clips from deleted scenes and footage giving us a proper idea of the picture quality transfers (the above pic of the B/W alternate Cantina scene edit is greatly improved to what was seen all those years ago on CD-rom in 1997). From YAHOO, here: Star Wars: The Complete Saga - exclusive trailer | Movies Blog - Yahoo! Movies

Also, check out the Pod Race clip: Star Wars BLU-Ray Preview - The Phantom Menace Pod Doc - YouTube

And a recent feature on the Blu-ray blog: Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray preview with Holiday Special easter egg

A message from Darth Vader for AMAZON: Amazon.co.uk : Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) Ltd. Edition Film Cell

On the Prequels side of things, here's a taster of the Special Features Menus: STAR WARS - The Complete Saga auf Blu-ray: Sample Menü-Navigation (HD) - YouTube

Luke looks to the heavens waiting for his next Blu-ray post delivery!

CLASSIC IMAGE: FAMILY CONFLICT...

Now more experienced and better able to handle himself with a lightsaber, the last of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker, holds firm against the might of his father, Darth Vader, within the Emperor's Throne Room, in this terrific image from RETURN OF THE JEDI.

NEW BLU-RAY DELETED SCENE CLIP: CHASM CLASH!

Another welcome little deleted scene snippet from the upcoming Blu-rays has turned up online: this time its a slightly different version of the chasm battle from STAR WARS (Episode IV), incorporating the famous, for years debated, was it or wasn't it filmed moment in which Luke throws the grappling hook and misses the first time around.

Here it is:  STAR WARS Blu-Ray New Deleted Scene‬‏ - YouTube

We're sure there will be more hotly debated scenes like this to come on those shiny discs!!

UPDATE 2/8/2011: Turns out it was all just a clever hoax from the YOUTUBE poster. But, I'm sure you'll agree a nicely done one at that!

Also, here's an apparent Russian trailer for the Blu-rays. We don't think it's the real deal, though it's well put together: ‪Star Wars Blu Ray HD [Russian]‬‏ - YouTube

BEHIND THE SCENES: TUNISIAN BUDDIES!

Mark Hamill and Sir Alec Guinness have some behind the scenes fun with Anthony Daniels as See-Threepio and Artoo Detoo in this great shot from the near completion of Tunisian filming on the original STAR WARS in April 1976.

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY: FIGHTER PILOT TALK

It'd be great if we could finally see on Blu-ray the complete version of the pre-Death Star battle talk between Luke, Biggs and Red Leader (as played by Drewe Henley), where the latter mentions having previously flown with Luke's father- a line of dialogue omitted by a sneaky Rebel trooper walk past edit in THE SPECIAL EDITION of STAR WARS in 1997 (but available to read in its entirety in the MARVEL comic of 1977) presumably so as not to contradict anything that might have been coming up concerning Anakin Skywalker in the then to be filmed Prequels. As we now know, the line didn't clash at all- Red Leader, who's in his early forties at least, could have been a young pilot fighting in the Clone Wars near the end of the conflict somewhere in the galaxy, so I say it should be re-instated in full!

Let's also hope that, with the newly revised (?) version of the original film they can at least bother to get Drewe Henley and Denis Lawson's names spelt correctly this time on the end credits-a mistake that has endured on the film since 1977!

JEDI'S LOST MOMENTS...

As a hopefully nice little taster for tomorrow's exciting LUCASFILM announcement on the complete STAR WARS SAGA on Blu-ray, I thought readers might enjoy this fun little visual feature looking at the lost scenes/moments from REVENGE OF THE JEDI, as first seen in early trailers from 1982/83. Some of this footage, like the infamous Sandstorm, will hopefully make it into the new set....

Here's the link: JEDI'S LOST MOMENTS

CLASSIC IMAGE: HIGH SPIRITED REBELS!

Overjoyed with their first gargantuan success against the Empire: the destruction of the fearsome Death Star, our trio of heroes-Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Prncess Leia, followed close behind by Chewbacca- depart the fighter bay hanger of the Massassi Temple on Yavin IV, and get ready to par-ty!

CLASSIC IMAGE: CARBON CONFLICT!

Within the smoke filled, heat fuelled scenario of the Bespin Carbon Freezing Chamber set at London's ELSTREE Studios, here's a terrific shot from EMPIRE of Mark Hamill showing his exhaustive sword fighting/training skills in action (Note the un-rotoscoped carbon rods attached to the lightsabers) against Darth Vader (presumably played by Bob Anderson, though Dave Prowse did do a small part of the epic action sequence), in what many fans still regard as the ultimate STAR WARS lightsaber duel of choreography and dramatic impetus.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FALCON DUDES!

Here's a scene from STAR WARS that I want to see included on the upcoming Blu-ray release no matter what-I don't care if it turns out good or badly realised, I just want to see it. It's the moment after the TIE fighter battle where Han and Luke congratulate themselves on their laser gun targeting skills. There's a real "Whoa, look what we did!" expression on Luke's face. Classic.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HAMILL, FORD, FISHER - TORONTO JUNE 16TH, 1977

A very rare signing of our Clsssic Trilogy actors for Toronto STAR WARS fans in 1977. All images: Charles McKee. 

Regular AFICIONADO contributor Chris Baker has kindly sent me another great piece of rare Classic Trilogy nostalgia, and it’s an amazing find I wasn’t previously aware of, and one that must be shared…

Here’s what Chris said….

"A friend named AJ just picked this up off of EBay. Here is what he had to say about it (w/ the images he was able to score from the event). Not sure if this store is still in existence but I do know Yonge Street (in Toronto) well .. If I hadn't only been 7 at the time of this little gathering I likely would have been there.

Here is to missed opportunities, can u imagine all three of them at one sitting ..!”

 

“I just scored this off eBay, and I am super psyched. It's a vintage Marvel comic book (Issue #3) signed by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford... without a doubt the best examples of their vintage signatures in my collection:

Back in June of 1977, 20th Century Fox agreed to have a book signing at a store in Toronto to promote the upcoming release of Star Wars. Bakka books (May 1972 -1982) was Toronto's biggest Sci-Fi bookstore at the time, and Hamill, Ford and Fisher made a fairly rare appearance. This comic was signed that day. I found some great pics from the signing... how cool would it have been to be there!!!!! Check 'em out:”

The collection is from the store's owner, Charles McKee (who we think is the guy wearing the STAR WARS t-shirt in the corner), who has a FACEBOOK page for the life and toimes of his popuar shop: You will have to log in and "like" the pictures, and if you scroll back to June 6th of last year (in the news feed) there are some other 'SW' auto. party related pics

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20685070776

  

And here is a link to a slideshow of the images:

http://www.charlesmckeebooks.com/bakka/slideshows/catmags/BakkaMagazine-No6-Fall1977.pdf

One guy even posts on the Bakka FB wall ... "I know I was there. I even remember running four blocks to get American cigarettes for Harrison Ford. I guess all the photos were taken while I was off doing that" (lol)

Thanks to Chris, his friend AJ, and, most importantly, Charles McKee, for the info and great images...

"STAR WARS" AT THE 1978 OSCARS

Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and the remote controlled Artoo at the 1978 Academy Awards. Image: ABC TV/A.M.P.A.S.

With the world enjoying the aftermath of the 83rd Academy Awards last night-and congratulations to Natalie Portman on her Best Actress win for BLACK SWAN (though she'll probably be more determined than ever now to distance herself from any connection to STAR WARS!)-here's a very good quality nostalgia clip from the CINEMATRIX website showing the 50th ACADEMY AWARDS from 1978, where STAR WARS won seven Oscars but failed to win Best Picture (I'm still in shock from that result, even thirty plus years on!). Watch Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Artoo Detoo having fun with comedy legend Bob Hope, and presenting Ben Burtt's well deserved OSCAR, at: http://index.hu/kultur/cinematrix/ccikkek/2011/02/26/star_wars_oscar/

CLASSIC IMAGE: THREEPIO'S RESCUER!

A cloaked Luke Skywalker, last of the Jedi, enters Jabba's Palace on Tatooine to demand the immediate release of his captured friends, in this atmospheric, and very cool, shot from RETURN OF THE JEDI.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FIGHTING TALK!

On location at the desert of Yuma, Arizona, RETURN OF THE JEDI director Richard Marquand confers with Mark Hamill and Boba Fett (played by either stuntmen Dickey Beer or Glenn Randall, both of whom inhabited the suit for various sequences during the exterior filming) over the duo's upcoming confrontation.

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.

MARK HAMILL TALKS!

Our good friends at the STAR WARS COLLECTORS CLUB site have kindly sent us their YOUTUBE posting (with thanks to the original recording source: a fan named "IG-88") of a rare Mark Hamill interview done sometime between 1981 and 1983 for a breakfast TV programme in New York, where he briefly chats about the upcoming JEDI (where he looks forward to a life beyond playing Luke Skywalker), his work on the Broadway stage and his life/career.

It's worth a look. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhvdAk3q0c4

And check out some of the other SW rarities on their channel page.

CLASSIC SCENE: ENCOUNTER WITH A JEDI!

"You will take me to Jabba now." Luke trades Force-ful words with Bib Fortuna.

Newly arrived at Jabba's Palace, Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) confers with the Hutt's Major Domo, Bib Fortuna (Michael Carter), who tries to prevent him from an audience with his master. This scene, for reasons unknown, was ultimately re-filmed a short time after, on the steps leading to the creature's Throne Room instead.

This image, which was originally provided to KENNER TOYS for reference in 1982 (note the scratches made by LUCASFILM to prevent copying), was sold online recently at an auction by the website ENTERTAINMENT EARTH.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HIGH ABOVE MOS EISLEY!

March/April 1976: On a Tunisian mountain within whats now known as STAR WARS Canyon, Mark Hamill, Sir Alec Guinness, and Anthony Daniels get ready to film a scene where our heroes look down towards the wretched hive of "scum and villainy" that is Mos Eisley space port. The camera angle looking forwards from Luke's Landspeeder never made the final cut, instead replaced with a matte composite plate shot put over a wide image of California's Death Valley, filmed by Lucas and a small Second Unit later in STAR WARS 1977 Post-Production.

REVIEW: THE MAKING OF "THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK"



Mark Hamill poses for the camera at ELSTREE STUDIOS in 1979 - one of the many wonderful rare images in THE MAKING OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK book by J.W. Rinzler, from AURUM PRESS


What did we think of J. W. Rinzler's new book? Hit the link to find out.

http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/making_of_esb_book.html

CLASSIC IMAGE: REBEL ASSEMBLY!

Those determined Classic Trilogy detectives at the REBELSCUM autograph forum's area have managed to correctly identify all of the main UK stunt team that worked on RETURN OF THE JEDI as Rebel Commandos (click on the image for a larger scan. Note: Mark Boyle should be read as Marc Boyle) - most of which also attended the Yuma/ Redwoods filming, playing multiple parts including Jabba's mercenaries and Stormtroopers, with special permission (for reasons of filming continuity) from the US government at that time in 1982. The group, headed by legendary STAR WARS stunt specialist Peter Diamond, would pose for a series of fun behind the scenes images taken on the Emperor's Throne Room set, alongside Mark Hamill and Bob Anderson as Darth Vader, at some point at ELSTREE studios between February and April 1982 (with thanks to Chris Baker for sending the above image)

And here's some other images from that fun shoot:

MARK HAMILL: BACK IN ACTION!

Way back in 2004, Ian Trussler wrote a very nice career overview feature for AFICIONADO's issue 5/6, long since out of print from its original limited edition run, called MARK HAMILL: WHAT HAPPENED?

With Mark's recent convention appearance at Celebration V this year, I thought it would be a nice idea to revise and update Ian's feature with a new design and additional pictures.

Here's the link to it on the main site: http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/markhamillwhathappened.html

And here's another great feature on Hamill's varied film and TV career that's worth a look:

http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/07/mark_hamills_10_greatest_poststar_wars_roles.php

CELEBRATION V: "IT'S NOT OVER YET!"

If, like me, you’re still suffering badly from Celebration V withdrawal symptoms, then here’s some of my favourite links from the four day event that will keep you cheered up.

THE MAIN EVENT talk:

http://www.starwars.com/fans/events/jon_stewart_george_lucas_main_event/index.html

Jon Stewart and CNN at Celebration:

http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/CV_CNN_Covers_John_Stewart_At_Celebration_V_133436.asp

Excellent STARWARS.COM/ fan FLICKR sets:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/starwarsblog/sets/72157624365192239

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48811827@N00/sets/72157624618664693/?page=6

Tom Kane and James Arnold Taylor at THE CLONE WARS VOICE PANEL:

http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/CV_The_Vocal_Stylings_of_Taylor_Kane_133414.asp

Ben Burtt and the SOUNDS OF STAR WARS

http://www.starwars.com/vault/books/sounds_of_sw_c5/index.html

San Francisco Chronicle culture blog article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/culture/detail?entry_id=70355

One big mystery: LUCASFILM films the entire event for posterity yet only puts a few short clips up that last two or three minutes to cover each day. C’mon LUCASFILM, show some fuller length material!

Above pic: a multitude of Yoda ears for the creative team at the ROBOT CHICKEN panel.
Image: copyright LUCASFILM / CELEBRATION V / STARWARS.COM