'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.

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.

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.

THE 'REVENGE' OF SALACIOUS!

Another great clapperboard image bearing the Revenge of the Jedi logo, though not a great experience for Anthony Daniels in February 1982, inside the Threepio suit whilst attacked by the puppet of Salacious Crumb, ultimately rescued by Artoo. This was a rare time when Daniels had an attack of claustrophobia, and the scene having to be finished quickly in order to remove him from the restrictive costume.

WHEN 'EMPIRE' MET 'REVENGE'!

I don't know whether it's a fake, a prototype card back from 1982, or a modern-day special release, but this potential TESB Luke Skywalker figure packaging re-branded to Revenge of the Jedi, with added new character Nine Nunb action figure giveaway sticker, is nonetheless good enough for inclusion on this site.

A SNEAK PEEK FOR ONTARIO!

Sent to the Ontario Board of Film, the Revenge of the Jedi teaser trailer of December 1982 would surely have been a thrilling prospect to see, just as it was for the rest of the world's Star Wars fans of the time. It's always fun to see the original film prints or rolls of Classic Trilogy related items that have materialized for the early-titled film, and this is certainly a special one- an item that was sold a few years back on Ebay.

CLASSIC ART: THE DEFIANT SKYWALKER!

The simple yet emotionally complex battle between good and evil, father and son, rages on in these intriguing poster conceptual art ideas by Tom Jung for Revenge of the Jedi's climactic and iconic finale lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: 'FANTASTIC' SPECULATION!

Fantastic Films, the competitive US sci-fi/fantasy magazine rival to the iconic Starlog, loved Star Wars, and they especially loved discussing and speculating (via features and alongside readers input) about what was going to happen next with the finale to the then upcoming Revenge of the Jedi. This classic issue of nostalgia, from 1982, was certainly no exception, its cover of Luke Skywalker guaranteeing good sales at the newsstands!

WHEN 'VARIETY' GOT 'REVENGE'D!

Celebrating their success in having the number one and two highest grossing films at the box office at that point with Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, Twentieth Century Fox and their marketing teams were eager to publicise Revenge of the Jedi - the third chapter of the STAR WARS saga, then in production - in the American Variety entertainment newspaper in 1982, via a special and lavish gate-fold pull-out poster advertorial that has become a lovely collector's item.