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:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Howard-Kazanjian-Producers-J-Rinzler/dp/1951836189/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WMT5AW843FMD&keywords=howard+kazanjian+a+producer%27s+life&qid=1638362027&sprefix=HOWARD+KAZAN%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1

'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...