BEHIND THE SCENES: IMPERIAL HEAD WEAR!

Here's a couple of helmet scale/costume reference images of a distinctive and menacing Imperial TIE fighter pilot, though I'm not sure from which Classic Trilogy film (probably JEDI, as a lot more costume reference photo material exists for that one compared to the original STAR WARS).

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: IMPERIAL LINE-UP!

A posse of Imperial Snowtroopers assemble inside the abandoned Echo Base in this atmospheric behind the scenes image from April 1979, on the ELSTREE STUDIOS set of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

CLASSIC IMAGE: EMPEROR UNBOUND!

With the Jedi fire extinguished from the galaxy, the first Galactic Empire is now fully established, as its newly crowned Emperor makes his first speech to the galaxy's now leashed and controlled leaders. Deformed and more evil than ever, he declares his intentions for a "safe and secure" society...

CLASSIC IMAGE: BATTLE READY REBELS!

A group of loyal Rebel soldiers prepare to meet heavy Imperial resistance cutting its way into the Blockade Runner in search of the stolen data tapes of the Death Star. In the original script (and comic book), the Stormtroopers blast downwards from the ceiling and into battle-an intriguing image. Though what was finally seen on screen in 1977 with their explosive entrance would prove more than exemplary!

CLASSIC IMAGE: BUNKER SNARE!

On the forest moon of Endor, captured by a legion of Imperial troops, Han, Leia, Chewie and the Rebel commando team are unable to carry out their destructive mission against the shield generator protecting the Death Star. Soon enough, though, the tide will turn...

RETURN OF THE JEDI is showing today on the UK's ITV 1 HD channel this mid-afternoon.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TARKIN'S TYRANNY!

Its amazing to see just how the kindest and most gentlest of people can play on screen baddies in film and TV so effectively. The much missed Peter Cushing being a particular case in point with his fine performance as Grand Moff Tarkin in STAR WARS. His acting and character were so great that, despite his demise with the destruction of the Death Star at the end of the first STAR WARS movie (which Cushing regretted as he wasn't able to come back for any sequels), he would return as a younger man for a brief appearance at the end of 2005's REVENGE OF THE SITH, and now, as well as his cruel and nasty adventures continuing in the Expanded Universe of books and comics, can shortly be seen as Captain Tarkin for the upcoming episode of THE CLONE WARS Season Three: The Citadel.

It looks as if evil is indeed everywhere!

CLASSIC ART: DARTH VADER STRIKES BACK!

Here's a revised commercial art version of Lawrence Noble's great work for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, of which a prior version had been originally considered as a theatrical release poster for the 1980 cinema engagements, and then finally put out as an official poster for EMPIRE's Tenth Anniversary in 1990. This new art version has substantially changed imagery at the bottom of it, including Rebel Snowspeeders and Imperial Walkers.

If you're in the UK, celebrate Darth Vader's epic return to fight the Rebels by catching the HD screening of the much beloved film this Saturday afternoon on ITV1.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: DEATH STAR DEATH POINTS!

An intriguing look at the uncompleted but prime weapon ready Death Star II, as built by ILM in 1982 for model filming use in the Classic Trilogy finale RETURN OF THE JEDI.

"You may fire when ready!"

CLASSIC IMAGE: "FIRE AT WILL, COMMANDER"

Under orders from The Emperor, Moff Jerjerrod (Michael Pennington) prepares to use the Death Star II battle stations primary weapon against the trapped Rebel fleet in this rare RETURN OF THE JEDI image, previously supplied to KENNER TOYS in 1982/3 in scratched reference form so that it couldn't be copied.

For more on Moff Jerjerrod's lost scenes in JEDI, head over to our previous article here: http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/raceagainsttime.html

And don't forget, our comprehensive MAKING OF RETURN OF THE JEDI special issue is available in PDF form here: http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/backissuepdfcatalog.html

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: GOING IN FOR THE KILL!

Above the Death Star planetoids surface, two deadly TIE fighters move speedily to intercept a Rebel X-wing fighter (possibly Luke's, from looking at the Fourth Draft script) in a lovely ILM 1976/77 storyboarded image by artist unknown (presumably Joe Johnston).

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: AN EMPIRE IN FLAMES!

Here's a great shot of a destroyed TIE fighter from the 1982/1983 model filming of the epic space battle for RETURN OF THE JEDI, supervised by ILM's Ken Ralston. I loved the shot so much I thought it might make a great cover for our MAKING OF RETURN OF THE JEDI Anniversary special issue a few years back (its still available in PDF format in our main sites back issues area-our biggest ever issue as well!) - the TIE in flames signifying the death of the mighty Empire - resulting in a few cover ideas that were put up by myself and regular AFICIONADO contributor Chris Baker.

Here they are (and I do still like them!):

Ultimately, however, because the image was just too dark, I decided against it and went with another rare photo of Mark Hamill in prime Jedi action on the Sail Barge instead (from an image kindly provided by another AFICIONADO contributor, Ian Trussler). As a nice curiosity I thought readers might enjoy seeing the above unused images anyway.

CLASSIC CONCEPTION: THE BEAUTY OF ALDERAAN

Here's some great conceptual art for EPISODE III of Bail Organa's home planet of Alderaan, an iconic world with strong ideals of peace and admired by many of the peoples living within the once noble Republic. Until its destruction by the first dreaded Death Star battle station, the snow capped mountain planet had been a beacon of hope for the Rebel Alliance and its galaxy wide supporters during the fight against the tyranny of the now established First Galactic Empire.

Recently shown in THE CLONE WARS episode ASSASSIN, we hope to see more of House Organa and its civilisation in later seasons...

CLASSIC IMAGE: CORUSCANT- A CITY WORLD OF WONDER!

One of the great things that the STAR WARS Prequels did so well, and what continues to make them stand out and be so pioneering in comparison to so many other modern sci-fi films and TV programmes out there, is the incredible worlds of wonder that George Lucas and his team of artists and digital/model makers would think up and create over the space of three movies. And especially so for EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH - from the volcanic and dangerous Mustafa to the lush, tropical Wookiee world of Kashyyyk, and to here, in this picture, the incredible and beautiful capital and Senate District of the sadly corrupt Republic, and the later birth place of its Imperial Empire- Coruscant- as seen in this terrific ILM image - a true testament to the films amazingly talented artists and model makers.

We look forward to seeing these incredible vistas once again on both the small screen (with pristine quality Blu-rays next year) and, even better, the big screen, and in 3D, in the hopefully not too distant future...

CLASSIC IMAGE: IMPERIAL ARRIVAL!

As our Rebel heroes within the Millennium Falcon try to blast away from the dying remnants of their once Echo Base, a force of newly arrived Imperial Snowtroopers wades into the deserted hangar, setting up their heavy weaponry in an attempt to stop their targets from escaping. Lord Vader wants them alive!

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: EMPIRE EVOLUTION

Early 1976 costume concepts for Darth Vader and a Stromtrooper by British talent John Mollo. Note the insignias on both helmets-this concept would be around as an idea for a short while during UK post-production, and, at one point, Vader's helmet would even have additional little satanic-type horns (as seen in early storyboards in his duel with Kenobi). The black Stormtrooper would obviously become a TIE fighter pilot later down the line.

As for the costumes colour scheme...well, they say black is the new...black!

HUMOUR: "THE VADER SESSIONS"

Very funny youtube video-what would happen if Vader's dialogue was replaced with other James Earl Jones movie dialogue?

The results are often hilarious, especially with Princess Leia.

Note: this contains adult humour which some people may find offensive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A0rwG39Jzk

With thanks to Chris Baker for the heads up.