'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 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

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.

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.

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.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: PROMOTING 'REVENGE' FOR '83

Recently listed by a seller on Ebay America, this is one of the gorgeous press packs sent out by FOX and Lucasfilm in 1982 to teaser/promote the upcoming Revenge of the Jedi to various magazine and newspaper editorial departments of the territory, especially via tantalizing open-up production painting art by Ralph McQuarrie of the Sail Barge battle on Tatooine, which is beautifully reproduced.

THE CLOTHING LEGACY OF 'REVENGE'...

The race is on to complete RETURN OF THE JEDI and deliver it to cinemas and expectant fans during 1983, but the original traces of Revenge of the Jedi happily remain, too, as demonstrated by Unit Production Manager and documentarian talent Miki Herman, alongside George Lucas at Lucasfilm headquarters in 1983.

http://www.thepropgallery.com/revenge-of-the-jedi-crew-sweatshirt

A 'REVENGE' IN '82!

A great preview/behind the scenes spread for REVENGE OF THE JEDI, from a Lucasfilm Yearbook of 1982, recently sold in auction via the Prop Store website.

A 'REVENGE' OF DISTINCTION!

The now infamous and iconic red/black REVENGE OF THE JEDI logo looks particularly classy on this 1982 badge. I wonder how many are still out there in proud fans' collections?

And let's also not forget this equally attractive brass paperweight sent out only to theatre owners ready to show the film back in the day, and which must be worth a handsome sum on today's collectors market.

THE RETURN OF 'REVENGE' (2011)

Princess Leia (Sandstorm outfit).

Back to the Sandstorm, and the deleted scenes of EPISODE VI linked to REVENGE OF THE JEDI's 1982 filming days, with these great 2011/2012 KENNER figures that cleverly emerged linked to the then Blu-ray saga box set release. Special illustration work, photoshopping of stills from EPISODE VI, and new artwork were used for the card covers. Interestingly, none of the stills of actor Mike Stevens in the deleted scene Falcon cockpit gun section were used for the cover art (perhaps for legal and cost issues- the figure bears no likeness of Stevens, either). Instead, a photo of an American model, who looked vaguely similar to the UK actor/extra, was used.

Luke Skywalker (Lightsaber Construction).

Lando Calrissian (Sandstorm Outfit).

Colonel Cracken (Millennium Falcon Crew).

Special REVENGE logo for Rebel Commando.

Rebel Pilot (Mon Calamari).

JAPAN GOES 'REVENGE'!

A selection of pages from a Japanese magazine promoting REVENGE OF THE JEDI with a very cool blue logo, alongside some great classic imagery. If anyone knows the magazine title and the exact publication date, please get in touch. We assume its from 1983, and even though the title had already changed to RETURN, as many of these published photos weren't released officially until nearer the film's theatrical dates.

With thanks to Chris Baker for image restoration.

'REVENGE' OF ATARI!

STAR WARS arrival from the mid-seventies onwards conveniently followed along the popular path of the exploding home video game genre, each one soon influencing the other in many respects and ambitions. ATARI was one of the kings of that Eighties "Golden Age", of which REVENGE OF THE JEDI was to have played a memorable part, as seen in these two prototype game covers bearing the original title and logo.