CLASSIC IMAGE: ICON HEROES...

Pals through thick and thin, during Empire and Rebellion, Han Solo and Chewbacca the Wookiee are quite an enduring team still very much loved by STAR WARS fans and film fans worldwide.

This is a shot I found online that I'd never ever seen before. Photographed for RETURN OF THE JEDI in 1982, it's one of the few posed studio pixs of the pair taken for that film that I've seen (and believe me, I've seen very little so far). There must be more B/W and colour variations of this image out there in the LUCASFILM Archives waiting to be published or released by OFFICIALPIX...

In the meantime, why not check out how to get hold of our AFICIONADO BEST OF ISSUES 1-4, with its major section devoted to the smuggling duo, here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO: THE BEST OF ISSUES 1-4

CLASSIC IMAGE: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOOKIEE?

Peter Mayhew in his iconic Stuart Freeborn created Chewbacca costume poses for a side angle publicity/costume reference image from 1982 for his final Classic Trilogy STAR WARS appearance in EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI.

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 5: REBEL INFILTRATION!

General Han Solo and Princess Leia, with Chewbacca and their Rebel Commando squad, continue their uneasy journey into the dark and dangerous corridors of the Imperial energy shield bunker so as to find and neutralise its command and control area for the incoming "surprise" fighter attack on the Death Star II.

This action sequence, which involves the group accidentally running into a Stormtrooper patrol and getting into a firefight, is probably one of the most desired deleted scenes from RETURN OF THE JEDI, after the infamous Tatooine Sandstorm, that I hope will be included on the Blu-rays. So far, those talented people at ORIGINAL TRILOGY.COM have found a foreign Blu-ray/DVD classifications source (FSK - FSK Suchergebnis) confirming that the deleted/extended scenes for both trilogies will have a running time of up to 45 minutes each, so it looks like we'll get a worthy selection of material to enjoy...

Here's an early look at the box sets from a LUCASFILM STAR WARS MEDIA DAY press event last week: A Destiny Revealed: Star Wars Media Day Brings Blu-ray and More to New York City: BigPictureBigSound

CLASSIC IMAGE: A SHOULDER TO MOAN ON!

The battle damaged golden shell of See-Threepio rests uncomfortably on Chewbacca's furry back-an unlikely duo unique to STAR WARS- as they race to the Bespin landing pad sheltering Boba Fett's about to depart Slave One craft, in this classic race against time moment of comedy and suspense from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

OUT NOW! STAR WARS AFICIONADO: THE BEST OF ISSUES 1-4

Just in time to celebrate the upcoming Blu-rays, check out our latest edition- a compilation PDF magazine of numbers 1- 4, featuring the best articles, some of them slightly revised with additional material and photos, from our previously sold out printed editions of 2002 -2004.

BACK ISSUE PDF CATALOG

BEST OF ISSUES 1-4 INFO

CLASSIC IMAGE: HIGH SPIRITED REBELS!

Overjoyed with their first gargantuan success against the Empire: the destruction of the fearsome Death Star, our trio of heroes-Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Prncess Leia, followed close behind by Chewbacca- depart the fighter bay hanger of the Massassi Temple on Yavin IV, and get ready to par-ty!

AFICIONADO REVIEW: "WOOKIEE HUNT"

Please note: This blog contains a very mild spoiler...

I don't normally post advance reviews of CLONE WARS episodes (especially as US fans don't see the two part finale until April 1st), but I saw WOOKIEE HUNT yesterday and I'm happy to report that its an absolute winner which STAR WARS fans will love from beginning to end, and a real highlight of this season. Dave Filoni does a terrific job with this episodes direction, with its shades of PLANET OF THE APES, JURASSIC PARK and PREDATOR, and Chewbacca's introduction into the tale is cleverly handled. The much-loved iconic character, thoroughly immersed into the story (whch Expanded Universe fans will really get a kick out of), gets to show all of his best characteristics and works well with his new colleagues-in-arms. And boy is he a beast of action this time! As shown in the online documentary, the animators, alongside Peter Mayhew, have really done a fine job re-creating the character, and kudos to the sound design for resurrecting all the great Chewie barks and subtle language noises, too. My only complaint is that the episode, already tight and exciting, was too short. Another two or three minutes would have been even better-lets hope the eventual Blu-ray and DVD season release of this episode has extra material.

With a last ten minutes where fans of all ages will be cheering at the screen a lot, WOOKIEE HUNT brings Season Three of THE CLONE WARS, after a mixed start, to a very successful and very satisfying close.

Episode rating: a worthy 5 out of 5

With thanks to SKY MOVIES HD.

"WOOKIEE HUNT" - BEHIND THE SCENES

In anticipation of next weeks exciting Season Finale of THE CLONE WARS: "Wookiee Hunt", featuring the return of Chewbacca, SKY MOVIES HD, showing the episode in a world exclusive this weekend, have kindly sent me a couple of great behind the scenes pics relating to it- one of the Chewbacca CGI animation maquette reference, and the other of original Wookiee costume encumbent Peter Mayhew with Series Supervising Director Dave Filoni, joining forces in bringing Chewie to life in the animated medium.

CLASSIC CHEWBACCA: THE BOWCASTER.

Continuing our celebration of our favourite Wookiee's return to the STAR WARS saga with THE CLONE WARS, here's a great behind the scenes reference image of the Bowcaster, the distinctive crossbow/laser weapon hybrid which Chewbacca has but ultimately doesn't use in the first STAR WARS, though he soon proves an excellent shot with it in a very cool moment from RETURN OF THE JEDI, when he skillfully takes down an accelerating Speeder Bike pilot within the forests of Endor.

I'm not sure if the Bowcaster was a specially made prop for the films or an adapted weapon from a British armourers (I'm assuming the latter), so if anyone has any more info on it, please get in touch...

CLASSIC IMAGE: WOOKIEE LEGEND!

To celebrate the welcome return of Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca in THE CLONE WARS two part Season Three finale, here's a great pic you don't see much of these days of the legendary 200 year old Wookiee from the original STAR WARS, from the characters first filmed scene at Docking Bay 94.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SNOW RAGE!

Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) braves the outside sub-zero temperatures of the icy planet Hoth and barks out his dissent to the nearby Imperial Probe Droid, for a scene filmed by Irvin Kershner and his EMPIRE first unit crew on location at Finse, Norway in March 1979.

"THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK" - AN IMAGE EXTRAVAGANZA

Left to right: Irvin Kershner watches Ford, Fisher and Billy Dee Williams in a break before filming our heroes infamous dinner with Darth Vader. One of many great rare images in THE MAKING OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK book, out now in the UK from AURUM PRESS.

VANITY FAIR have a lovely picture gallery of rare colour and B/W behind the scenes images from the new THE MAKING OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK book by J. W. Rinzler, which is in bookstores now.

Check out the gallery (which includes the great above image) here:

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/10/the-making-of-the-empire-strikes-back-201010?currentPage=10

CLASSIC IMAGE: GOODBYE, HAN SOLO!

Here's another great image from EMPIRE-this one showing the terrible time Chewbacca and Princess Leia have whilst watching Han Solo become carbonised. Its an evocative image-and one not always seen in its entirety (often cropped to focus just on Leia and Chewie when used in magazines during the period of EMPIRE's 1980 theatrical release)- and shows what an incredible set the Carbon Freezing chamber was during the filming in the summer of 1979-full of atmosphere, heat and steam, brilliantly lit by the UK lighting team and filmed with strong, but beautifully haunting cinematography by Peter Suschitzky.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DIA - NOGA ATTACK!

Luke almost becomes dinner for a tentacled beastie in this classic scene in the Death Star's trash compactor. Filmed in the UK's long hot summer of 1976 at ELSTREE, all of the principal actors had to wear diving suits under their costumes, whilst Chewbacca's fur began to smell very badly amongst the gunge. Mark Hamill also received a bad eye infection that lasted for a while, where he was unable to film certain close-up shots required in his to follow shooting of his X-wing fighter cockpit scenes. The Dia-noga creature itself was not the original design-which was abandoned for looking terrible (do any still photos exist of it?)- and a solitary tentacle was created instead as a replacement. The creature was later embellished with a stop-motion eye, operated by Phil Tippett, in post-production.

Despite all the problems, though, the scene is still quite rightly regarded as a classic.

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: LOVE STORY!

I think Carrie Fisher's always had a thing for big hairy guys, even if they are Wookiees!, as this hilarious 1979 out-take picture shot for EMPIRE publicity at ELSTREE clearly proves.

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: CORELLIAN MAKE-UP CHECK!

Great grab image from the EMPIRE OF DREAMS documentary of Harrison Ford-probably a lot more like Han Solo in those days than he cares to admit-on the Death Star docking bay above office set, getting a make-up check and re-touch (possibly from a young Graham Freeborn?) for the next scenes filming, with Peter Mayhew, his mask and top half costume removed, close behind as his lovable Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca.

CLASSIC IMAGE: REBELS VICTORIOUS!

Another great image that you don't see too much of these days, from the first films marvellous finale medal ceremony. I love the look on a proud Luke's face. It's like he's saying to Han, "Dude, we kicked the Empire's ass, now we're gonna get medals and kiss the Princess!" Han also looks confident, but as to what Chewbacca's thinking, I haven't a clue!

Ah, those were the days-to be young again!

With thanks to Ian Trussler for the image.

AFICIONADO STAR WARS MYSTERY: THE UNKNOWN PREMIERE

I recently found this image during an internet trawl, but am slightly mystified with it as to where and when its from. Someone online listed it as a premiere for the original STAR WARS, but I can't find any records of a premiere like this for 1977/78. I think its more likely a premiere for EMPIRE in 1980-it may be the UK Royal Premiere held in May that year at London's ODEON Leicester Square (the exterior certainly looks like it could be their outside foyer), with Chris Parsons filling in for Anthony Daniels (who was ill in hospital) inside the golden suit, alongside the remote controlled Artoo which was used at the event (a picture exists from the premiere of the droid with Mark Hamill and his wife). If that's the case, who played Chewbacca (I wasn't aware that the character was at the premiere)? Peter Mayhew can be seen at the UK premiere in his evening suit, but could he have briefly played Chewie before the film started? Mayhew had played the lovable Wookiee that week for the UK children's programme BLUE PETER, alongside Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher in promoting EMPIRE, so the costume was in the country.

If anyone has info on this intriguing image, please get in touch...