'REVENGE' OF THE EWAKS!

Their appearance deliberately kept a secret for the most part prior to the release of Return of the Jedi, as Yoda had been for The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, some images of the Ewok (first called Ewaks) creatures of the forest moon of Endor, via conceptual designs by Joe Johnston, did make it to specific trusted sources in licensing and advance publicity planning beyond the confines of Lucasfilm, as seen here with these very rare production still duplicates of the furry warriors. We assume that this was when the film was in its post January 1983 locked-in title phase, though some transparancy holders with the titular Revenge of the Jedi were used that still bore that original title.

Sold at Auction: PRICE REDUCED: Extremely Rare Collectible Star Wars Revenge of The Jedi & Return of the Jedi Original Numbered Projection Slides

'REVENGE' OF THE PRODUCTION STILLS!

Here's a few further great 35mm image slides from Return of the Jedi that went out to media and merchandising companies with Revenge of the Jedi logo captioning either prior to the name change to Return, or regardless uncorrected of either title, during 1982/83.

Art by Joe Johnston.

'REVENGE' OF THE STICKERS!

Character stickers of the original saga's iconic heroes and villains were all the rage between 1977 and 1983. and here are some genuine rarities linked to Revenge of the Jedi from the UK Leeds-based Fun Products International Ltd company, which were made circa 1982 and recently went for a lot of money on online auction. Presumably these were part of some kind of advance test package for publicity or for licensing approval. If anyone saw these released as part of the eventual Return of the Jedi merchandise line-up by 1983, please get in touch... 

Revenge of the Jedi | C&T Auctioneers and Valuers

'REVENGE' OF THE GRAPHIC!

Movie poster art is vitally important in selling any film to the general public either before or during its theatrical release. And when it comes to the evolving Star Wars movie series, just as important in the marketing is each adventure's logo, which goes through many iterations before the final one is locked in for use. Here's an early hand drawn graphic by designer Jay Vigon for Revenge of the Jedi, which has intriguing differencies to the final version used for what would ultimately become Return of the Jedi by 1983.

An image that was part of an online propstore auction from earlier in 2023.

'REVENGE' OF THE MAIL-IN!

It was a long time coming but Star Wars fans were finally getting hold of one of the first action figures for the then upcoming Revenge of the Jedi by late 1982/early 1983, via highly successful proof of purchase mail-ins within both the US (Kenner) and UK (via Palitoy), as the mystery leader of the Rebel Alliance space fleet, the fishy Admiral Ackbar, was revealed, whetting (forgive the potential pun) our appetites for more...

Mail-in Offers: Admiral Ackbar Action Figure

The US sticker for the new Revenge figure mail-in stuck to Empire figures in the US.

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY, 'RETURN OF THE JEDI'!

Unused poster concept art.

It ended the once publicity described saga of 'a boy, a girl and a universe' in spectacular, noteworthy style, with epic action, amazing special effects, grotesque and humorous creatures, and, in its key storytelling - most importantly - resolving an emotional and highly dramatic personal conflict, ultimately through honour and sacrifice, darkness turned to light, between father and son.

Return of the Jedi turned out to be the emotionally satisfying and rewarding viewing experience we all hoped it would be back on this day May 25th, 1983 onwards...

May the Force be with George Lucas and the cast and crew who made the film such an enduring winner in the Star Wars franchise.

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY, 'RETURN OF THE JEDI'! 

THE LOST 'REVENGE' LOCATION: THE TATOOINE HOVEL!

Luke and Artoo make the most of a local Tatooine hovel in order to plan (alongside Lando and Chewie) Han Solo's ultimate rescue from Jabba the Hutt, in this intriguing production design by the late Norman Reynolds, from circa mid-1981, for Revenge of the Jedi. It would be a scene that would be changed by the time Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas's script was finalised by the end of that year, replaced with a small cave environment where Luke would receive telepath communication from Darth Vader whilst completing his new lightsaber.

IMPERIAL 'REVENGE' AND THE BUNKER CAPTURE!

It's a trap! And Han Solo and his commando squad have been caught firmly in it as they are now paraded out of the Shield Generator Control room by their captors. A great image, which first appeared (as far as I know) in the US Fantastic Films magazine, showing the continued blockbuster action scope of the saga and its latest entry then coming soon to cinemas- a mouth-watering sneak peak (a full size AT-ST Walker on location!) showing LOTS of Imperial Stormtroopers and a chance to see Han Solo back in action, now clearly committed to the Rebel cause, unthawed after the climactic events of The Empire Strikes Back. 

It was so great to have Solo/Ford returning for Revenge of the Jedi, as their had been some doubts for a short while back in 1981...

A 'WARS' FOR 'REVENGE'!

A rarity that was unearthed from the late Jeremy Bulloch's collection that was sold off via an East Bristol UK auction house last year- some kind of one sheet poster celebrating the 1982 sixth anniversary of the original Star Wars whilst primarily promoting the upcoming Revenge of the Jedi. a rare piece of merchandise signed not just by Bulloch but also Dave Prowse and Kenny Baker, two other saga legends sadly no longer with us.

'REVENGE' OF THE UK WRAP PARTY!

It's time to break out the food and bubbly as the UK filming crew of Revenge of the Jedi issue invites to a unique party celebrating the end of the film's fast and efficient Elstree Studios filming by April 1982. The event proved a success - the technicians known for their legendary ability to enjoy alcohol! - though one or two of the British crew were deeply saddened that George Lucas didn't even bother to make a brief 'hello' at the party!

This image was one of many items from the late Jeremy Bulloch's personal SW collection, the majority of which were auctioned off for charity during 2022.

RECOMMENDED PURCHASE - 'HOWARD KAZANJIAN - A PRODUCER'S LIFE'

Howard Kazanjian is best known as the producer of the worldwide box office hit conclusion to the original Star Wars saga with Return of the Jedi, where he had to bring his lifelong friend George Lucas's epic blockbuster filmed across the world in on both budget and time for its then May 1983 release, as well as vitally making sure it delivered the storytelling goods to millions of devoted fans eager to see the further adventures of Luke Skywalker and friends. No easy task for sure, but one that Kazanjian ultimately handled and professionally realized via strong discipline, creative inspiration, some occasional no-nonsense directness, and using the rare ability to 'listen' to people and work things out when there were problems. Most importantly, Kazanjian had, and still has, a wealth of knowledge and life-experience about how to make Hollywood/Independent movies, and make them work well. Discover his career, not just on Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark (where you'll see and appreciate his critical input on both in new ways) but over a variety of other movie and TV projects across fifty years (most notably in the seventies and mid-eighties - an incredible and certainly magical time), within a rightfully celebrated in-depth, all-new book: Howard Kazanjian - A Producer's Life, available now from Cameron Books.

Adapted with Kazanjian by the late and much-missed film historian and novelist J.W. Rinzler (with additional support from archivist Brandon Alinger), packed with terrific rare photos, and featuring some diverse collaborators happily recalling Kazanjian's hard work and dedication to all the projects he's worked on (including contributions and a foreword from the producer's rarely interviewed friend, Marcia Lucas - a major coup for the book), A Producer's Life is well worth adding to your behind the scenes collection and will prove a must-have for aspiring film-makers.

https://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.com/2020/12/coming-soon-howard-kazanjian-producers.html

Get it here:

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'REVENGE' OF THE HAIRSTYLE!

Right from the get-go, Princess Leia Organa's 'buns' hairdo would be an iconic aspect of the Rebel heroine's character in 1977. The subsequent sequels would also see Carrie Fisher's alter-ego on screen sport a variety of further intriguing hair styles, including a tribute to Nordic female history in The Empire Strikes Back. Sadly, this lovely design idea above, created for Revenge of the Jedi during 1981 pre-production, sadly never made it to the screen. Perhaps this classy, regal look would have been for the aborted Rebels gathering sequence to have been set on the grasslands world of Sicemon?

Revisiting Marilee Heyer's Beautiful Leia Concept Art for 'Return of the Jedi' - Star Wars News Net

PHOTOPLAY PREVIEWS 'REVENGE'!

Previewing the film a year in advance (as well as the prior and still in on/off release The Empire Strikes Back), the popular Photoplay magazine UK got to chat with both Anthony Daniels and Harrison Ford about their roles and the upcoming then-titled Revenge of the Jedi for its May 1982 issue.

Images via: Graeme Wood/ Twitter.

'Y' IS FOR Y-WING!

Another great behind the scenes reference image from Revenge of the Jedi presumably sent to Kenner Toys/merchandisers in 1982, showing in close detail Princess Leia's Y-wing fighter, ultimately abandoned on Tatooine as she, Han, Lando, Chewie and Threepio depart the planet during the deleted 'Sandstorm' sequence... 

A UK 'REVENGE' SNEAK-PEEK

One of the striking gold advert posters promoting the screening of a Revenge of the Jedi trailer playing exclusively with the UK's exciting re-release double bill Summer 1982 screenings of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back in cinemas from May 30th onwards (of which 220 prints had been release struck, with a prior exclusive premiere engagement at London's Odeon Leicester Square one week earlier). By Christmas, the double bill became singular screenings of Empire, though I cannot confirm if the Revenge trailer was still screening with it by that point.

CALL-ING 'REVENGE'...

 

A vital part of the behind the scenes process on any film, large or small in scale, production call sheets are the ultimate guide for cast and crew to a filming day and its requirements, of which Revenge of the Jedi's filming, back in 1982, was no exception.

THE 'REVENGE'-ING REBELS OF DAC!

The return of our Classic Trilogy heroes with each sequel was always welcome, but so too was the promise of new heroes, villains and aliens in the story alongside them. With Revenge of the Jedi, the film would be packed with all-new creatures in particular, but one of the most important would be rebel leader Admiral Ackbar, given some worthy special advance coverage in 1982 by The Official Star Wars Fan Club's all-important Bantha Tracks newsletter, but with a planet of origin that would change by the film's publicity/merchandise release of 1983.

A NOTICE FOR 'REVENGE'!

The important notification for US cinema projectionists from FOX for the accompanying eagerly awaited Revenge of the Jedi trailer showing with the 13th August 1982 limited re-release of the original Star Wars, which now had the opening crawl extra subtitling of Episode IV: A New Hope.

BEHIND THE SCENES: CARRIE'S GIFT FROM 'REVENGE'!

Always a fascinated reader and a talented script writer. script doctor and acclaimed novelist in her own right, the late Carrie Fisher's personal collection of literature must have been both diverse and superb. Linked to Star Wars, this specially bound script for Revenge of the Jedi (with a humorous signature message from George Lucas, referencing a joke Miss Fisher made about his original first film's dialogue of 1976) is a classy item that must have looked amazing on her book shelves. It would eventually be sold in auction a few years back, of which I can only guess at how much money it made!

LETTERS OF 'REVENGE'!

Before and after the film's title change to Return of the Jedi, there was still lots of stationery to be used for Lucasfilm-related personnel to use bearing the Revenge of the Jedi logo on it, like these two examples- one from Richard Marquand saying goodbye and thank you to Lucasfilm just before the film's 1983 release, and a service letter contract confirmation.