AN’S JOURNEY IN SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

WHY WE LOVE THE

T HE OFFICII EWOKS FROM SCARIF TOYAVIN The Psychology of Galactic War!

Model Behavior Crafting concept models for Solo: A Star Wars Story Under the Hood Tracing the origins of the iconic Millennium Falcon Canto Bight What The Last Jedi ’s casino city reveals + about Star Wars! WIN! HOT WHEELS® ELITE STAR WARS VEHICLES!

INTERVIEW: SCULPTOR AND ARTIST LAWRENCE NOBLE ON HIS STAR WARS CAREER!

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

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SEPT/OCT 2018 TITAN EDITORIAL Editor / Chris Cooper Senior Editor / Martin Eden WELCOME... Copy Editor / Simon Hugo Assistant Editors / Tolly Maggs, Jake Devine Art Editor / I think about Star Wars too much. In part, that comes Andrew Leung with the territory—by some twist of fate it’s become my LUCASFILM day job, so it’s largely spent worrying about deadlines— Senior Editor / Brett Rector Art Director / Troy Alders but I’ve been asking myself questions about the Star Creative Director / Michael Siglain Wars universe ever since I saw the original movie (a long Asset Management / Tim Mapp, time ago); What were the Clone Wars? What does Darth Erik Sanchez, Bryce Pinkos, Nicole LaCoursiere, Shahana Alam Vader look like under that helmet? Will Leia choose Luke Story Group / Pablo Hidalgo, Leland Chee, or Han… or does Chewie stand a chance? Matt Martin I can remember the exact conversation I had with a CONTRIBUTORS similarly obsessed fan during the early 1990s, when we Tricia Barr, Megan Crouse, James Floyd, Michael suddenly realized that Obi-Wan Kenobi must have spent Kogge, Darren Scott, Jay Stobie, Mark Wright, Dan Wallace years hanging about in the Tatooine desert, waiting. What did he do to fill the time, we wondered?! SPECIAL THANKS TO Recently I’ve found myself asking, “What is Star Wars Lucy Goldsmith, Erich Schoeneweiss at Random House, Holly McIntosh, Joseph all about?” Conflicts in distant space, obviously, but what Taraborrelli, Andrea Towers and Jim Nausedas else? Is it a celestial soap opera about an extremely at Marvel Comics, Lizzy Draeger, Tracy Cannobbio and Chris Argyropoulos dysfunctional family unit, or a deep exploration of the at Lucasfi lm consequences of choice? A meditation on the nature of good and evil, or just a thrilling cinematic roller coaster? TITAN MAGAZINES Production Controller / Peter James It all depends on your point of view. Production Supervisor / Maria Pearson Like Luke Skywalker strapping on his utility belt Senior Production Controller / Jackie Flook before entering the cave on Dagobah, we carry our daily Art Director / Oz Browne Senior Sales Manager / Steve Tothill lives, our dreams, our opinions, and our beliefs into the Circulation Executive / Frankie Hallam cinema with us. This means our take on Star Wars is as Direct Sales & Marketing Manager / Ricky Claydon personal to each of us as our fingerprints are, and yet our Subscriptions Executive / Tony Ho shared love for this galaxy far, far away has the power to Commercial Manager / Michelle Fairlamb bind us together. That bond is something to cherish. Advertising & Marketing Assistant / Bella Hoy U.S. Advertising Manager / Jeni Smith May the Force be with you! Publishing Manager / Darryl Tothill Publishing Director / Chris Teather Operations Director / Leigh Baulch Executive Director / Vivian Cheung Publisher / Nick Landau

DISTRIBUTION US Newsstand / Total Publisher Services, Inc. John Dziewiatkowski 630-851-7683 US Newsstand Distribution / Curtis Circulation Company Christopher Cooper US Bookstore Distribution / The News Group US Direct Sales / Editor Diamond Comic Distributors SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. subscriptions / 1-800-261-6502, email: [email protected] Canada subscriptions / 818-487-4575 MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS... U.K. subscriptions / 01778 392085 email: [email protected]

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STAR WARS INSIDER SEPT/OCT 2018 (USPS 003-027) (ISSN 1041-5122)

Star Wars Insider is published eight times per year (January/ February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September, October/November, Michael Kogge Megan Crouse Mark Wright Darren Scott Tricia Barr Dan Wallace December) by Titan Magazines, @michaelkogge @blogfullofwords @mwrightwriter @darren_scott @fangirlcantina @danwall88 a division of Titan Publishing Group Limited, 144 Southwark Street, London SE1 0UP. Michael is the Megan enjoys Mark co-authored Growing up loving Tricia is the Dan has written Contents © 2018 Lucasfi lm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved, author of the watching Doctor Who: all things science co-author of many Star Wars Titan Authorized User. TMN 13723 junior novelization movies, and Who-ology and fictional, Darren DK’s Ultimate books including PUBLISHER’S U.S. AGENT of Star Wars: The taking walks. has scripted has forged a Star Wars. several in the 2819 Rosehall Lane, Aurora, IL 60503. Periodicals Postage Paid at Aurora IL and at additional Force Awakens, She is currently numerous audio career from She also wrote Essential Guide mailing offi ces. and the Star Wars waiting for the dramas starring writing about it the acclaimed series and was POSTMASTER Rebels chapter Tesla Model 3 the irrepresible wherever and award-winning a co-author of Send address changes to Star Wars Insider, book series. electric car. time-traveller. whenever he can. novel Wynde. Ultimate Star Wars. PO Box 18479, Anaheim, CA 92817-8479 U.S. subscriptions $49.99 per year; Canada $64.99 and U.K. £31.99. U.S. edition printed by Quad. © 2018 Lucasfi lm Ltd. and ™ All Rights Reserved. Email us: Used Under Authorization. CONTACT US [email protected] Star Wars Insider is also available online. Write to us Call us Find us Todownload, visit: UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM To subscribe in the U.S. please WWW WWW.TITANMAGAZINES.COM www.titanmagazines.com/ Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider, call toll free on 800-261-6502. digitial Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark For U.K. and all other FACEBOOK.COM/STARWARSINSIDER 2819 Rosehall Street, London destinations please call Lane, Aurora, IL, SE1 0UP, 01778 392085 or @SW_INSIDER Visit www.starwars.com 60503, U.S.A. U.K. +44 (0) 1778 392085 CONTENTS ISSUE 183 / SEPT-OCT 2018

18 Becoming Han Solo What did Solo: A Star Wars Story teach us about the scruffy-looking nerf-herder?

4 / STAR WARS INSIDER NEWSSTAND COMIC STORE SUBS EDITION EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE SubscribeS too Star Wars Insider Pa e 50

06 32 58 Launchpad “Evacuate...?!” May the Furs be with You Insider’s regular update on happenings Exploring how the events of Rogue One: With sticks, stones, and heroic deeds they within the Star Wars galaxy, including the A Star Wars Story impacted upon both took on an Empire and won! Insider latest merchandise, books, and comics. sides in the climactic Battle of Yavin. explains why you should never underestimate an Ewok. 18 40 An Unconventional Hero Lawrence Noble 64 From street kid to aspiring pilot, to The sculptor of the iconic Yoda statue Canto Bight scoundrel who won’t believe he’s the which welcomes visitors to Lucasa lm’s How the casino city of Star Wars: good guy. We track Han’s heroic HQ discusses his artistic career and long The Last Jedi reveals the fractured soul journey in Solo: A Star Wars Story. association with Star Wars. of a galaxy far, far away. 26 52 76 Model Behavior Under the Hood The Invisible Hand We speak to the concept model-makers The service history of the Millennium Jennifer Heddle, executive editor at who help visualize the vehicles for Falcon, from early concepts to Lando’s Lucasa lm publishing, explains the role the latest Star Wars movies. slick rea t and the classic Kenner toy. of a Star Wars book editor.

INCOMING TRANSMISSIONS 39 48 72 80 Competition! Jedi Master’s Quiz Worldwide Image Archive A b eet of three Hot Wheels Test your knowledge of Bagpipes, Queen Amidala, and art Resting extras prove it can be a Elite Star Wars vehicles. Solo: A Star Wars Story. by fans inspired by Star Wars. hard life in the Imperial war machine.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 5 LAUNCHPAD NEWS / BOOKS /COMICS / TOYS / GAMES /FASHION

Submit to Win! Star Wars Fan Awards 2018 deadline approaches!

s we reported in our last issue, and the closing date of September 17 Choice Award in each of the main the Star Wars Fan Film Awards with a host of new categories, including sections will be voted for by fans via A are coming back, only this fan fi lms, art, photography and cosplay, starwars.com this November. year they’re part of something among others. That means you’ve still The Star Wars Fan Awards are open to much bigger, celebrating the myriad of got time to create and submit your very legal residents of the U.S.A., Canada creative ways in which fans express their own Star Wars masterpiece, which could (excluding Quebec), Japan, Australia, love for Star Wars. win you a special prize pack consisting New Zealand, and Puerto Rico, aged 13 At the start of July, Lucasfi lm and of incredible Star Wars merchandise and and over at time of entry, and limited to starwars.com announced the launch of a unique trophy. one submission per genre per person. the Star Wars Fan Awards 2018, with A panel of Lucasfi lm judges will select For full rules and entry guidelines visit submissions welcomed between July 18 the winners, while a special Audience starwarsfanawards.com.

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Blu-Ray Rebellion Star Wars Rebels Season Four on Blu-ray

he epic tale of orphan Ezra Bridger, the Lothal T street thief who became a rebel hero and a Jedi, may have come to an end, but fans can now relive the thrilling fi nal season of Star Wars Rebels on DVD and Blu-ray. Released on July 31, the complete fourth season box set contains all 15 episodes of the series, along with a collection of newly produced featurettes and six fascinating audio commentaries from Lucasfilm Animation’s Dave Filoni. The individual award categories are • Best Throwback Photo Filoni shares his understanding as follows: • Best Original Concept of the nature of the Force in • Funniest “Forces of Rebellion,” one of Videos: • Best Pet Photography the featurettes exclusive to this Long fi lm (Up to 5 Minutes) and • Best Star Wars Food release, and in another—“Ghosts Short fi lm (Up to 15 Seconds): • Best in Show of Legend”—the creators of the • Best Animation • Audience Choice series explain how they brought • Best Stop Motion Visual Art: a satisfying conclusion to the • Best Comedy • Best Digital Art personal journeys of Ezra, Kanan, • Best Choreography • Best Poster Art Hera, Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper. • Best Visual Effects • Best Custom Costume There’s also a special behind-the- • Filmmaker Select • Best 2-D/Traditional Art scenes feature on Kevin Kiner’s • Spirit of Fandom • Best 3-D/Physical Art inspiring score for the series, plus • Audience Choice • Best Custom Figure every episode of StarWars.com’s Photos: • Best Custom Diorama Rebels Recon is included, taking • Best Scene-Inspired Photo • Best in Show a closer look at the stories and • Best Family Portrait • Audience Choice themes that Season Four explored.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 7 LAUNCHPAD

is the town on Batuu that Disney Park visitors get to explore. Margaret Kerrison went into some detail about the outpost’s history—a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful and notorious characters—revealing that the jutting spires that pepper the Batuu landscape are “the petrifi ed remains of its once towering ancient trees,” adding that, “To the fi rst settlers, these petrifi ed spires became more than just landmarks; they became the heart of the outpost itself.” A big part of the experience will be encounters with familiar faces from the Black Spire Star Wars pantheon, and now we know Outpost: your the identities of a few of them. Ace rebel Further Corners next vacation and Resistance pilot Nien Nunb is back destination! in action on Batuu, and original actor Kipsang Rotich returns to voice the role of Galaxy’s Edge for his Galaxy’s Edge appearance. Also looking set to make an appearance is New Theme Land Delights Revealed Weequay pirate Hondo Ohnaka, who was spotted on a Galaxy’s Edge trading f there’s one Star Wars In a panel hosted by David Collins, card handed out as guests left the event, spectacle on its way that we Disney Parks’ portfolio creative executive along with the mighty Chewbacca. I at Insider are most excited Scott Trowbridge (interviewed in Insider There will be other full-sized about, it has to be the issue 182), managing story editor vehicles on the planet too, and Disney 2019 opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Margaret Kerrison, executive producer Imagineers even visited the Star Wars Edge at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Jon Georges, and creative director Eric sets at Pinewood Studios in England California, and Walt Disney World Baker spoke about the new attractions, to ensure that their vehicles have a Resort in Orlando, Florida. At a recent incredible vehicles, and the planet which screen-accurate degree of authenticity. Galactic Nights event held at Disney’s guests will be visiting. Two humungous AT-AT walkers have Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney If you heard L3-37 talking about been constructed in Japan, and a World, the team behind the project “Black Spire” in Solo: A Star Wars Story battle-damaged Resistance transport revealed yet more about the immersive and wondered what she meant, then will be the guest’s gateway to a further Star Wars themed land. wonder no more: Black Spire Outpost interactive space adventure. Rewards of the Jedi Star Wars Wins at the Saturn Awards

tar Wars: The Last Jedi and Actor for his role as Luke Skywalker animated series Star Wars in The Last Jedi, while Rian Johnson S Rebels grabbed a conveyex- received the award for Best Screenplay full of statuettes at the 44th for his script, and the movie’s editor annual Saturn Awards this June, with Bob Ducsay was given the Best Editing Rian Johnson and Mark Hamill taking award. Rebels won the Best Animated some of the top honors. TV Series for the second year in a row! Presented by The Academy of Science Also nominated this year were Daisy Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, the Ridley (Rey) for Best Actress, with Kelly Saturn Awards honor the best in science Marie Tran (Rose Tico) and the late fi ction, fantasy, and horror, and this Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa) year Star Wars walked away with four honored with nominations for Best awards. Mark Hamill was named Best Supporting Actress.

8 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD The Watchlist Happy 100th Episode to The Star Wars Show

ur weekly online dose of Star Wars news, interviews, O and fun features celebrated its 100th episode at the end of June, and did so in style with an ambitious song-and-dance number featuring a red Millennium Falcon T-shirt that is sure to become a highly prized collectible. If you don’t already “tune in,” head straight to StarWars.com/the-star-wars- show, where you’ll fi nd the insanely entertaining The Star Wars Show 100th Episode Spectacular (with the emphasis on insane), along with every previous episode of the Emmy-nominated weekly web series.

Old Republic characters join Knights of Old Return mobile RPG! Galaxy of Heroes gains KotOR Combatants

obile RPG Star Wars: Galaxy Joining the likes of Luke Skywalker Jedi Knights were a common sight of Heroes celebrated the and Ezra Bridger in the Jedi ranks across the galaxy, and the Sith lurked M 15th anniversary of classic came fan-favorite characters from the in every shadow. The role-playing computer game Knights of ground-breaking MMO Bastila Shan adventure took players to all-new the Old Republic this summer, adding and Jolee Bindo. corners of the Star Wars galaxy, some a host of familiar characters to the The original Knights of the Old of which have also been translated turn-based battle game which pits Republic game launched in 2003, and into new environments for Galaxy teams of heroes from every Star Wars was set 4,000 years prior to the events of Heroes. The mobile game is free to era against the darkest of villains. of the prequel trilogy, in a time when play on Android and iOS.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 9 LAUNCHPAD

Available in stores and online from August!

Rogue One Goes Vintage Imperial Assault tank gets classic Kenner branding

asbro’s retro-packaged Vintage The TX-225 “Occupier” tank made kyber crystal canister accessories, Collection returns to stores its presence felt patrolling the streets removable canopy, and a highly H this month with the 3.75-inch of Jedha, but ended up as scrap metal detailed paint scheme. This premium action fi gure-scale Imperial following an attack by Saw Gerrera’s addition to Hasbro’s growing line of Combat Assault Tank vehicle, as seen freedom fi ghters. The new toy is a new collectibles in Vintage-inspired in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. movie-accurate re-creation, featuring packaging is available now for $79.99.

THE LIGHT SIDE By Russ Brown and Jamie Cosley

10 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD Timeline Important dates in Star Wars history.

1934 Sept 27: Wilford Brimley, who played hermit Noa Briqualon in Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1995) is born.

1963 Sept 10: Jay Laga’aia—Captain Typho in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (1992) and Revenge of the Sith (1995)—is born.

1979 Sept 30: Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) screenwriter Jon Menacing Maul is in the Money Kasdan is born.

The Sith that’s worth his weight in gold 1983 Sep 12: The paperback edition he dark side force wielder For a pocket-friendly $85, the Darth of Lando Clarissian and the from Star Wars: The Phantom Maul coin is available as a 1oz silver Flamewind of Oseon by L. Neil T Menace (1999)—who coin, from a worldwide limited mintage Smith is published by Del Rey. recently returned to surprise of 10,000 coins. The 1/4oz gold coin moviegoers during Solo: A Star Wars (of which there are only 1000 being 1983 Story—becomes the twelfth iconic minted) can be yours for $600, but at Oct 17: Rogue One: A Star Wars character to grace the reverse side of $2,500 per piece, and only 500 coins Story (2016) actor Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso) is born. a New Zealand mint Star Wars Classic existing, the 1oz gold coin might break coin. But if you’re hoping to bag all even the Intergalactic Banking Clan’s 1987 three variations featuring the Sith resolve. If money is all you love, then Oct 3: Chewbacca actor Joonas apprentice, you’ll need a big purse! visit nzmint.com for more information. Suotamo is born.

1997 Oct 1: Videogame Star Wars : Rolling Back the Masters of Teräs Käsi is released Roleplaying Years on the PlayStation. 1999 Sept 29: Dark Horse Comics Classic RPG gets 30th publishes the first issue of the anniversary edition anthology title Star Wars Tales.

asting a bright light on 2008 the Star Wars-starved dark Sept 20: LucasArts release Star C times of the late 1980s, West Wars : The Force Unleashed End Games’ Star Wars: The a reprint of The Star Wars Sourcebook— videogame on multiple platforms. Roleplaying Game captured the hearts an encyclopedic tome that expanded of a generation of dedicated gamers, fans’ knowledge of the galaxy like no and even played a part in the genesis other book had before. of Lucasfi lm’s own Holocron of in- Both are printed on higher quality universe facts and fi gures. paper than the original books, but the Now, Final Fantasy Games is set layouts have been perfectly recreated, to release a special limited edition of emulating the black-and-white, blue ink the original 144-page core rulebook, design with full color sections packed which explains how to set up and play with photos and art. Pablo Hidalgo of the seminal roleplaying experience, the Lucasfi lm Story Group provides a in celebration of the game’s 30th brand-new foreword to this edition, anniversary. The rulebook is presented which is available to pre-order now at in a stylized slipcase, and is paired with fi nalfantasygames.com, priced $59.99.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 11 LAUNCHPAD San Diego Specials A roundup of the best exclusives snapped up by fans at San Diego Comic-Con 2018…

Hasbro diorama base weren’t enough, the set The rush to the Hasbro stand has features an acrylic light-up backdrop become something of an annual San and a water mister, adding atmospheric Diego Comic-Con ritual, with Star steam to the duel. Limited quantities Wars fans vying to be the fi rst to own of the all-action set can be found at Hallmark the esteemed toy manufacturer’s latest HasbroToyShop.com, with a retail price The Lando Calrissian renaissance SDCC exclusives. of $109.99. continues with Hallmark’s event The main draw to booth #3329 Also available at SDCC for the fi rst exclusive Keepsake ornament two- this year was the The Black Series time was an equally memorable scene pack, featuring the Cloud City Centerpiece Rey (Starkiller Base) & Kylo from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes owner and his faithful sidekick Ren set, re-creating the duos climactic Back—The Black Series Han Solo And Lobot. With a limited run of just lightsaber battle from Star Wars: The Mynock fi gure set. Priced at $34.99, 2,975 units, the $35 duo are sure Force Awakens—with built-in special collectors are advised not to take the to become as prized as ownership effects! As if the two highly articulated exclusive Mynock fi gure anywhere near of the Millennium Falcon. fi gures of Rey, Ren, and a snow-fi lled Rio Durrant’s home planet, Ardennia. Other SDCC offerings from Hallmark included a cool, retro packaged Boba Fett itty bitty plush, and a golden variation of Funko heroic Resistance droid BB-8 as Two new POP! Vinyl a perpetual calendar. fi gures joined the ranks of Funko’s ever-popular range as SDCC limited editions, in the form of devious Star Wars: The Clone Wars bounty hunter Cad Bane, and an Imperial Patrol Trooper fresh from failing to get his hands on Han in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). LAUNCHPAD

Brickheadz Bounty Leia, Luke, Yoda, and Fett get the Brickheadz treatment

nnounced in June on the company’s Facebook page, A LEGO are set to release several new additions to its Star Wars Brickheadz collection, reimagining your favorite characters in chunky brick form. Gentle Giant The new range of buildable fi gures Looking good at 900 years-old, include Dagobah Luke & Yoda, Princess but rather different to how he Leia—Star Wars: A New Hope, and Boba appeared on screen, Gentle Giant’s Fett, the latter being a modifi ed version big (or, rather, small) SDCC of the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive exclusive was the limited-edition from 2017. Check lego.com for launch Ralph McQuarrie Concept Series date and pricing. Yoda mini bust—only available at Comic-Con and to Gentle Giant’s Premier Guild members. Of the many early concepts for the Jedi Master, this one is of note as it actually made it as far as Marvel’s original comic adaptation of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!

No need for A Wretched Hive caution in this Of Cuddly Plushes cantina! LEGO Own the cutest cantina in the galaxy LEGO’S 203-piece reproduction of the Millennium Falcon’s super- hatever beef Obi-Wan Kenobi Nadon, and Snaggletooth, the set comes clean cockpit from Solo: A Star had with the denizens of the with a cardboard diorama so you can Wars Story features Han and H Mos Eisley Cantina, this new re-enact the classic scene from Star Chewie making themselves comfy set of plush toys from Seven20, Wars: A New Hope—although removal in those yellow seats. Another makes that wretched hive of scum and of walrus-man Ponda Baba’s arm strictly limited edition, available villainy look like a nest of huggable fun! with a lightsaber (or any other sharp only at Comic-Con 2018, the Featuring plush fi gures of slow-on- implement) will void your right to a mini-set retailed for $40. the-draw Greedo, Ponda Baba, Momaw refund. Available now, priced $19.99.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 13 LAUNCHPAD Book Club The Secrets of the Galaxy Can Be Yours in the Latest Star Wars Releases

Revised and updated edition, out now!

From A-wing to Zuckuss Updated Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary Revels in Facts!

Due in bookstores on The incredibly detailed, update sheds new light on about galactic history and September 14, this new 352-page hardcover from fascinating and obscure character lore, including the edition of the bestselling DK Publishing presents a corners of the universe. identity of Poe Dameron’s reference book has been huge collection of more You can pore over the idol and the technology comprehensively updated than 1,500 stunning images, fi ner points of Padmé that allows BB-8 to roll in to include all the latest and provides an up-close Amidala’s costumes, get any direction. characters, vehicles, look at the many costumes, up to speed on Boba Fett’s With its breathtakingly weapons, and technology models, and props created array of hidden weapons, broad scope and precise introduced to the Star Wars for the entire saga. With and study the specifi c attention to detail, Star galaxy since the new wave informative text and witty functions of each plate of Wars: The Complete Visual of movies arrived with The image captions written by Darth Vader’s armor. There Dictionary is a must-have Force Awakens in 2015. Star Wars experts, the is also plenty to discover for every fan of the saga.

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01

03 02

01 02 03 Star Wars IncrediBuilds: Jedi Academy: The Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Resistance Bomber Principal Strikes Back Little Golden Book The newest Star Wars IncrediBuilds Following his coming-of-age Kylo Ren and the First Order strike release gives Resistance pilots the tribulations in Jedi Academy: A New back! General Leia Organa and laser-cut tech to assemble a 3D Class and Jedi Academy: The Force Poe Dameron are on the run, while wooden model of the devastatingly Oversleeps, third-year Padawan Rey seeks Jedi guidance from destructive starcraft, the MG-100 Victor Starspeeder is hoping his next Luke Skywalker, and Finn teams up StarFortress bomber. semester proves to be drama-free. with Rose Tico for a high-stakes This 32-page, full-color book is But Victor is without the guidance mission. It’s all here in the Little also packed with facts about the of his older sister Christina this Golden Book adaptation of The Last StarFortress and its Imperial and year, not to mention the fact that Jedi, retelling the movie for early rebel predecessors, spotlighting the his principal has been replaced by readers in the classic format that harried Resistance fl eet during their Commander ZC-04—a battle droid! has charmed kids and their parents fl ight from D’Qar, and includes an When faced with rules and curfews, since 1942. Elizabeth Schaefer exclusive interview with Lucasfi lm Victor and his friends have to dig (author of Rey Meets BB-8, and design supervisor James Clyne, who deep to uncover the truth behind Chopper Saves the Day) adapts reveals the real-world inspirations ZC-04’s tenure. Scholastic’s out-of- the story, while veteran children’s behind the bomber’s unique shape. this-world saga, told through writer illustrator Alan Batson renders the Easy-to-follow instructions make and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s delightfully retro artwork. assembling your Republic bomber mix of comics, doodles, and journal a breeze, and there’s advice on entries, is the perfect adventure for customizing your creation too. young readers.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 15 LAUNCHPAD Comics Roundup The Galaxy’s Criminal Element Inspires the Latest Round of Star Wars comics. A Fistful of Galactic Credits Bad Guy Beckett Bears a Grudge in Marvel’s Criminally Entertaining One-Shot

Thief, gunslinger, mentor, scoundrel? Tobias Beckett is an interstellar outlaw who taught Han Solo a few valuable lessons in trust during their escapades on Mimban, Vandor, and Savareen. But who was he before he fell in with the Corellian outcast and his Wookiee partner? And why is the notorious marauder Enfys Nest so determined to take him down? Look to Marvel’s Beckett one-shot to pull back the curtain on the checkered past of this career lawbreaker, portrayed with winning charisma by Woody Harrelson in 2018’s big screen adventure, Solo: A Star Wars Story. Writer Gerry Duggan pens a tale of the good, the bad, and the deadly, while Will Sliney, Edgar Salazar, and Marc Laming contribute interior art behind a cover by John Tyler Christopher. Tobias Beckett has scammed countless star systems, but when the tables turn, can he cover his debts? Beckett #1 is on sale August 15.

Doctor Aphra #23 The doctor is in! Issue #23 of the ongoing Star Wars series stars the titular rogue archaeologist, currently facing a crisis that could end her career permanently! This tale by writer Simon Spurrier and artist Kev Walker, with a cover by artist Ashley Witter, sees Aphra as an inmate at the abandoned Accresker Jail, which the Empire has weaponized by launching it on a collision course with a Rebel planet. Accompanied by old and new fl ames Sana Starros and Inspector Tolvan, Aphra must resist the pull of a priceless relic long enough to make her escape. In stores on August 22.

16 / STAR WARS INSIDER LAUNCHPAD Incoming Don’tMissTheseGreat Forthcoming Titles Star Wars #52 The “Hope Dies” storyline continues to unfold with devastating consequences, as writer Kieron Gillen orchestrates one of the biggest storylines to hit Marvel’s Star AUGUST Wars since the launch of the series. Star Wars Adventures #13 In the third part of this exciting story IDW Comics arc, the Millennium Falcon goes up Writers Elsa Charretier against the entire Imperial fl eet, as well & Pierrick Colinet as a TIE Advanced starfi ghter piloted by Artist Elsa Charretier none other than the Sith Lord, Darth Cover Artist Elsa Charretier Vader. Faced with incredibly long odds, is it possible that the task of saving the Star Wars: Lando – Double or day might fall to a droid? Nothing #4 (of 5) Marvel Comics Star Wars #52 features art by Salvador Writer Rodney Barnes Larroca, and a cover by David Marquez. Artist Paolo Villanelli On sale from August 1. Cover Artist W. Scott Forbes

Darth Vader #19 & #20 Marvel Comics Star Wars Legends Epic Writer Charles Soule Collection: Menace Revealed Artist Giuseppe Camuncoli The fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of Cover Artists Giuseppe Camuncoli & Elia Bonetti the bounty-hunting fringe take center stage in this value-priced omnibus from Star Wars: Poe Dameron #30 Marvel. The 480-page Star Wars Legends Marvel Comics Epic Collection: Menace Revealed Writer Charles Soule collects classic adventures of Jango Fett, Artist Angel Unzueta Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and more, Cover Artist Phil Noto from the sands of Tatooine to the deadly battlefi elds of Concord Dawn, by way of Star Wars: Poe Dameron Malastare’s Podracing tracks! Annual #2 Marvel Comics Available on September 19, this Writer Jody Houser collection reprints Star Wars: Jango Fett Artist Andrea Broccardo – Open Seasons, Star Wars (1998 series) Cover Artist Rod Reis #7-18, and material from Star Wars Tales #8 and #21-24, featuring strips by Tim Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #23 Truman and art by Rob Pereira. Marvel Comics Writer Simon Spurrier Artist Kev Walker Cover Artist Ashley Witter Star Wars: A New Hope Star Wars: The Last Jedi #5 When the original Star Wars movie & #6 (of 6) debuted in 1977, audiences had never Marvel Comics seen anything like it. This September, Writer Gary Whitta IDW aims to recapture that same sense Artist Michael Walsh of wonder with a unique adaptation of Cover Artist Paolo Rivera the movie that started it all. First published as part of 2016’s Star Wars: The Original Trilogy graphic novel by Disney Lucasfi lm Press, this edition packages A New Hope in its own, separate volume for the fi rst time. Written by Alessandro Ferrari, a team of talented artists render the heroes, villains, starships, planets, and aliens of the galaxy in a strikingly fresh way. Look out for it in bookstores starting September 4.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 17 AN UNCONVENTIONAL HERO

WORDS: TRICIA BARR

he Hero’s Journey—an oft-used and well-recognized narrative technique—carries a character toward their true self. Star Wars Insider fi rst explored Han Solo’s heroic journey way back in Issue #158, and Tdescribed Solo as someone “who simply wants to belong,” in contrast to the defi ned objectives of his counterparts Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, who seek to redeem a father and overthrow the Empire, respectively. Over the course of the original Star Wars trilogy, he evolves from a smuggler on the run to a general in the Rebel Alliance, friend of Luke, and love interest for Leia. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) rewinds the heroic cycle, hewing closer to acclaimed American professor of literature and mythologist Joseph Campbell’s model than toward the modern fi lm version described by professor, author, and movie-maker Christopher Vogler, and takes the audience back to the formative time in Han’s life—a decade before that fortuitous encounter in the Mos Eisley cantina—to reveal just how the character became a smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon.

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AN UNCONVENTIONAL HERO

01

01 Han’s destiny An Ordinary World come from falling into a pigpen. will be shaped by those who Although Joseph Campbell’s However, in Solo, Han’s early life join him on a monomyth model is often is challenging and unpleasant: smuggling associated with heroes, it can he must scrape out a living as an mission to Kessel. serve as a template for any type orphan, beholden to the White of character’s evolution. The Worms, a criminal gang run by 02 Serving in the framework moves a protagonist Lady Proxima. When he suggests Imperial Infantry, Han from an ordinary world into a to Qi’ra that they use a stolen Solo’s quick special world, in which they are vial of coaxium to bribe their way wits get him into (and out transformed by profound events. through a checkpoint and fl ee of) trouble For some characters, the ordinary Corellia, he imagines a life of self- on Mimban. world is mundane and safe, such determination and independence (See opposite page.) as Dorothy living on the farm not one of grand adventure. After in The Wizard of Oz (1939), their escape plan falters, Han’s where the greatest danger might life remains mired in service to an oppressive organization, this time in the form of the Empire. The Imperial recruiting video In Solo, Han’s early life is in the spaceport offers a call to adventure for Solo’s protagonist. challenging and unpleasant: The speeder chase sequence in which Han and Qi’ra fl ee Proxima’s he must scrape out a living enforcer and the Corellian hounds as an orphan, beholden to has already established Han as a hotshot driver, and now he sees a the White Worms, a criminal chance to prove himself as an ace pilot. Once the acclaim promised gang run by Lady Proxima. by the recruitment videos is

20 / STAR WARS INSIDER AN UNCONVENTIONAL HERO

02 THE HERO’S JOURNEY In 1949, acclaimed American Literature professor Joseph Campbell set out 17 stages that he believed a character traversed during the course of a story in order to become a hero. Campbell’s infl uential theory became known as the Hero’s Journey and has since been applied to countless narratives across a variety of mediums—by scholars and screenwriters alike. Here’s a brief explanation of some of the stages referenced in our exploration of Han Solo’s heroic journey… Call to Adventure A piece of information that encourages the character to set off on a new adventure, often leaving their comfort zone (or ordinary world). Crossing the First Threshold earned, Han can fulfi ll his pledge tries to blackmail his way onto The exact point the character crosses from to come back for Qi’ra. Despite Beckett’s team. Tobias turns the their comfort zone into the fi eld of adventure. his initial intentions, though, young man in as a deserter and Han refuses the call, explaining Han is arrested, then thrown in Belly of the Whale When a character enters this stage, which may later that he was thrown out of the pit with “the Beast.” be a particular situation or act, it represents the Academy for having a mind of It’s at this point that Han enters their willingness to change. his own. The movie emphasizes the belly of the whale (a term that his thwarted path by cutting signifi es a symbolic death and Meeting with the Goddess The point when a character experiences a from Han’s recruitment, where rebirth for the protagonist), which powerful, all-encompassing love. he proclaims his desire to fl y, can often occur after crossing to a shot of him literally being into the special world. In A New Magic Flight propelled through the air from Hope, this is signifi ed by the leap The (often-exciting) process of escaping with the reward. the force of an artillery blast. into the Death Star detention Banished to the infantry, Han is block trash compactor; in The Master of Two Worlds still rooted in an ordinary world Force Awakens (2015), it’s when The character’s ability to strike a balance of servitude—until a chance Rey and Finn—in the Millennium between the material and spiritual worlds. encounter with mercenary Tobias Falcon—are swallowed by Han’s Beckett introduces him to another new freighter, then crawl around important archetype on the hero’s its undercarriage trying to avoid journey: the mentor. capture by gangs intent on settling Just as Solo isn’t a traditional old debts with the aging Rebellion it signifi es the end of the fi rst act hero’s journey, nor is Beckett a hero. However, it’s fi tting for Han’s and crossing the fi rst threshold, traditional mentor. Ordinarily, the legacy in myth that in Solo, it is the point at which the protagonist mentor passes along the insight embodied by the event that fi rst enters the special world. Han’s or advice the protagonist needs unites him with Chewbacca. His shower marks a baptism of sorts, to survive in the special world, poorly pronounced Shyriiwook as he washes away the mud that and often bestows a magical gift and the subtitled translation represents the oppression that has to help in this task—classically provide classic Han Solo humor as bogged down his life and impeded portrayed in A New Hope (1977) he barely manages to talk his way his independence. Paralleling by Obi-Wan Kenobi offering Luke out of a sticky situation, earning where we see Han in The Force his father’s lightsaber. In Solo, a life-long friendship with the Awakens, having resumed his old however, events take a more esteemable Wookiee. life with his Wookiee sidekick in roundabout course. When Han Their escape from “the Beast” the co-pilot’s seat, Chewbacca recognizes that the Empire is pit gains Han at least some small joins Han and denotes that willing to sacrifi ce him in pursuit measure of respect from Val moving forward, their lives will of its tyrannical (and futile) and Rio Durant, Beckett’s crew be forever intertwined. conquest of the muddy planet members, who swoop back down Mimban, his survival instincts kick in their stolen AT hauler to rescue Western Ho in. Instead of Beckett willingly the stranded duo. When the ship In the book The Art of Solo: A offering him a job, though, Han takes off from Mimban’s surface, Star Wars Story, members of

STAR WARS INSIDER / 21 AN UNCONVENTIONAL HERO

the development team note that the fi lm’s intention is to evoke the romance of the American western frontier, starting in the cityscape of Corellia that reflects America’s populated East Coast, 03 then on to the snowy mountains of Vandor rising up like the Rocky Mountains, an obstacle to those brave enough to venture to the West Coast in search of a new life. It is here that Han prepares to join Beckett’s crew on a train heist, a classic Western genre motif where the robbers are portrayed as individuals taking back a portion of what greedy regimes like railroads and mining corporations have plundered. In Solo, the special world is not one of noble heroism like becoming a Jedi Knight, but instead an outlaw’s life on the run, where only the strongest survive and the players are each in it for their own individual gain. To signify Han’s new role, Beckett gives him his talisman: a DL-44 blaster that becomes synonymous with the character in later movies. In The Force Awakens, Han serves as an unconventional mentor to Rey in Cloud-Riders, also vies for the 03 Han and the conclusion of the pursuit, Val Chewbacca her heroic quest and in turn he prize, and as the train speeds join Beckett’s and Rio are dead and the train car gives her a blaster upon arriving along the tracks, the Empire’s conveyex is lost in a treacherous tug-of-war on Takodana. defenses and the rival gang heist on with the Cloud-Riders. Afterwards, Vandor. The train heist’s objective is become a deadly challenge for Han—who refused Beckett’s the film’s Macguffin: coaxium, a Beckett’s crew. Rio Durant is 04 Dryden orders and cut the ties to the train volatile form of starship hyperfuel critically wounded, and Han Vos offers car—demonstrates his sense of Beckett and that happens to be quite valuable. must take the controls of the Han one last honor. He agrees to accompany Enfys Nest, Beckett’s rival and AT hauler in order to whisk chance. Beckett to meet Crimson Dawn leader of the marauder gang the one of the train cars away. By crime lord Dryden Vos and accept responsibility for the botched job, and ask for another opportunity to 04 fulfi ll their end of the deal. A Star Wars fi lm wouldn’t feel like Star Wars without taking a step inside an underworld den, whether it’s the Outlander Club in Attack of the Clones (2002), the Mos Eisley cantina, or Maz Kanata’s castle. In Solo we meet plenty of the dubious denizens of such locations, from highbrow criminals on Dryden Vos’ luxury yacht to the ruffi ans in a rustic lodge where Han fi rst meets Lando Calrissian and the droid L3-37. Many of the classic steps of the hero’s journey occur during the second act, from the

22 / STAR WARS INSIDER AN UNCONVENTIONAL HERO

05

meeting with the goddess, when Qi’ra materializes to reunite with A Star Wars film wouldn’t feel like Han in the lounge of Vos’ ship First Light, to woman as temptress, Star Wars without taking a step when he falls deeper into the criminal life in an attempt to help inside an underworld den, whether Qi’ra. Han’s old fl ame, though, like it’s the Outlander Club in Attack of many female Star Wars characters, isn’t a damsel-in-distress and soon the Clones (2002), the Mos Eisley takes charge of the situation. She helps hatch the plan to steal raw cantina, or Maz Kanata’s castle. coaxium from the Pyke Syndicate on Kessel, then takes Beckett’s crew to Fort Ypso, where they important choices in his life, 05 Han and While Qi’ra initially sits in the enlist the help of Lando and his so an ignominious death in Chewie take co-pilot position, when Chewie control of ship, the Millennium Falcon, for the Maelstrom surrounding their very takes her place it visually signifies their scheme. Kessel feels appropriate for own starship. that the Wookiee is meant to The infi ltration of Kessel the character and creates be the young outlaw’s partner serves as the stage known as ‘the a poetic beat in relation to his on this adventure. However, approach to the inmost cave,’ tragic end in The Force Awakens. mortally damaged just minutes where stakes are heightened before During the improvised route into after realizing her purpose, it is the ordeal, which is encapsulated the unknown—notably, at this L3 who possesses the information in Solo as the notorious Kessel point Han has abandoned his vital to the Falcon’s safe passage. Run. The ordeal is the central mentor Beckett’s advice to always With the Maelstrom’s many crisis wherein the protagonist stick to the plan—Han’s innate dangers—an Imperial blockade, confronts his greatest fear and piloting ability is showcased, also a hungry summa-verminoth, faces failure in his quest. For Han, paralleling Rey’s fi rst time in the carbonbergs, and an enormous survival has always motivated the pilot’s seat of the iconic ship. gravity well—threatening

STAR WARS INSIDER / 23 AN UNCONVENTIONAL HERO

to destroy the fl eeing ship, the 06 droid’s knowledge, and perhaps her self-awareness, is downloaded into the Falcon. The monomyth’s magic fl ight (the race to return home with the reward) in Solo is L3 plotting a survivable escape, which wouldn’t work without that instinctual hyperspace jump timing we all know and expect from Han Solo.

The Payoff Passing through the ordeal, the protagonist survives death yet again, slaying a symbolic dragon and earning the reward he seeks. But the quest cannot end there—the protagonist must Han isn’t in it for the Rebellion, defeat one last push from the adversaries who seek to prevent but for the people he holds close his success. Solo’s third act takes to his heart. Solo is the journey to its time reintegrating Han into the ordinary world, staying closer to understanding that hero’s heart. a traditional Campbellian journey than many contemporary movies inspired by the Vogler model. oppression. For Han, the road 06 Han’s young he completes the stage known as From earlier scenes, the audience back requires that he use the love for Qi’ra ‘return with the elixir.’ He is now will lead to also expects that Enfys Nest will lessons learned to rectify the heartbreak. the master of two worlds: he is a be the nemesis intent on seizing dueling aspects of himself. From ‘good guy,’ but also one willing to 07 Enfys Nest the coaxium once Beckett’s crew the ordinary world, we know asks Han to make the tough choices necessary arrives at the Savareen refi nery, Han as a man who wishes for join the fight to survive. After his adventure, which would prevent its delivery independence, but also a person against the Han embodies the duality of a Empire, but to Dryden Vos and deny Han the who understands the toll of he is not yet character fighting tyranny. fi nancial boon he is counting on oppression on the human spirit, ready to heed But while he may be cocky, to earn his independence in the highlighted poignantly as a brief the call. Han Solo isn’t yet quite ready ordinary world. recollection of his own father to confidently accept his role in Enfys Nest fulfi lls the classic (Campbell’s atonement with the restoring balance to the galaxy. role of the shapeshifter when she father), and as he kisses Qi’ra after This vulnerability, a lack of faith takes off her mask and reveals Dryden is defeated (crossing the in his self and purpose, is what that her Cloud-Riders oppose return threshold). When Han made audiences fall in love with the Empire and its wide-spread gives the coaxium to Enfys Nest, the character in the original trilogy—and scream with joy when he turned that hunk of 07 junk freighter around to save his friend Luke. Han isn’t in it for the Rebellion, but for the people he holds close to his heart. Solo is the journey to understanding that hero’s heart, and how it later comes to encompass a close circle of trust comprised of a princess with a mind for overthrowing an Empire, a kid with a heart big enough to bring a Sith back to the light, a courageous, kind- hearted Wookiee, and a ship who insists she is far more than just a sum of her parts.

24 / STAR WARS INSIDER GOTHIC ROMANCE AND INTERSTELLAR TERROR CLASH IN THIS COMPLETE MINI-SERIES! THE DOCTOR THE MASTER IS TRAPPED IN UNLEASHES HIS A PETRIFYING THE HUNT LATEST TERRIFYING CONSPIRACY CONTINUES! WILL PLOT UPON THOUSANDS OF THE DOCTOR FIND THE WORLD! YEARS AGO! CAPTAIN JACK'S LOST MEMORIES?

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BBC, DOCTOR WHO (word marks, logos and devices), TARDIS, DALEKS, CYBERMAN and K-9 (word marks and devices) are trade marks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence. BBC logo © BBC 1996. Doctor Who logo © BBC 1996. Dalek image © BBC/Terry Nation 1963. Cyberman image © BBC/Kit Pedler/Gerry Davis 1966. K-9 image © BBC/Bob Baker/Dave Martin 1977. MODEL BEHAVIOR The Return of the Kit Bashers

Traditional filmmaking tools are undergoing a revival thanks to the Star Wars movies, with kit-bashing model makers keeping the saga’s look grounded in reality. Insider speaks to three such artisans—Neil Ellis, Alex Hutchings, and Paul Marsh—whose concept models helped bring Solo: A Star Wars Story to the screen.

WORDS: DARREN SCOTT

tar Wars Insider: What does being a Star Wars concept model maker entail? S Alex Hutchings: On the original fi lms the concept artist would “kit-bash,” which was where they would pillage parts from commercial model kits to come up with a design. That was a process that Neil Lamont, the production designer on Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), wanted to emulate. We actually met Dennis Muren, the visual effects supervisor on the original trilogy who did many of the models and effects, and Neil (Ellis) was in shock.

Neil Ellis: Lamont had seen a scratch-built Millennium Falcon I’d made when I worked with him on Edge of Tomorrow (2014), and

26 / STAR WARS INSIDER 01 Neil Ellis with several of the concept models built during pre-production for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. MODEL BEHAVIOR

recognized the amount of work that went into 02 building it, so he knew I had that knowledge there. Being an art department concept model maker doesn’t particularly exist on other movies, so the role was recreated, at least in my mind, when we fi rst met up for The Force Awakens. More recently we’ve been doing things from scratch, the shapes and the silhouette. That’s what Star Wars is about, really, the core silhouettes. We came back for Solo: A Star Wars Story predominantly as a concept model-making team, where we were actually getting to design stuff, so this has probably been the most heavily involved we’ve been. Our role has evolved quite a lot since The Force Awakens.

Paul Marsh: All of us have a cinematic approach to our work. When making a model, or creating a painting, and the director and cinematographer look at it and say, “That is amazing, that’s the shot,” time and again, that for me sums up what we do. If you look at pages from the Art of Solo book, what you see in those paintings are pretty 02 The U-wing starfighter much the shots in the movie. concept model built for Rogue One.

Hutchings: The idea is that you treat Star Wars 03 A concept model for Han’s stolen like a period movie, because it’s not like anything landspeeder in else out there. Science-fi ction now is all explosions Solo: A Star Wars and over-the-top CGI, and I actually miss the Story. nuance of the 1970s and 80s, where things went a 04 A Neil Ellis-built little slower. The idea with models is to emphasize concept model for the designs—that’s how they did it back then, so Lando’s Millennium Falcon. setting yourself back in that period makes it Star 03 Wars. It’s trying to get that aesthetic right. 05 A refined model of Han’s landspeeder from Solo, closer to What was the fi rst Star Wars concept that the eventual design Marsh: I worked in costume effects for The Force you worked on? seen in the movie. Awakens. We were making droids, armor and Ellis: It would have been working with Alex on 06 The Imperial Arrestor helmets, and things like that. I made the X-wing the Jakku speeders. We were on the production cruiser model, built for pilot helmets for the humans and aliens, including at such an early stage that no one really knew Solo by Alex Hutchings. Nien Nunb and Ello Asty. I did the same on The The ship was inspired what would be needed. If you look through The by an unused design Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Art of The Force Awakens book you’ll also see from A New Hope, (2016), and The Last Jedi (2017). Then I got a call conceptualized by some of the junker vehicles we worked on, which artist Colin Cantwell. from Neil while I was working on Life (2017) at are combinations of X-wings, Y-wings and TIE Shepperton Studios, asking if I wanted to join the fi ghters. Actually, we also did a two-seater version art department on Solo: A Star Wars Story. It was of the X-wing. The original reboot of the T-65 was an easy decision. a two-seater, rather than the single-seater T-70 that we know now. In this age of digital effects, is the art of making physical models for movies enjoying something of a resurgence? Marsh: Our role as model makers is so important, Our role as model makers is so and it’s really nice to see it embraced again, because model-making went away for a while. It imppporta ant, and it’s really nice to see just wasn’t used, because models weren’t being it embracedb again, because model-mod l- fi lmed as much so they didn’t think to make them. It was Neil Ellis who actually suggested to making went away for aawh hiile The Force Awakens art department that they make PaullM Marsh concept models. It seemed so obvious, but they’d kind of forgotten about it.

28 / STAR WARS INSIDER MODEL BEHAVIOR

THE FIRST TIME Many of the professionals working on Star Wars today chose their careers because they were fans as children. Insider asked Ellis, Marsh, and Hutchings to share their earliest Star Wars memory:

04 Neil Ellis I would love to say seeing A New Hope in the cinema, but it wasn’t. It was The Empire Strikes Back. I would’ve been fi ve or six. There was this one time I found £7 in an alleyway. I went straight to the local toy shop to spend it on Star Wars action fi gures. I think that got me three of them! Paul Marsh I lived in Cape Town when I was a kid, and saw the fi rst Star Wars in 1977 06 05 when I was 11 years old. It blew me away, like it did a Ellis: Because there are concept designers, and you which you see for a couple of moments in the lot of people. I remember work from sketches, it wasn’t even a thing they’d fi lm. Marco Kane, an amazing fi gure modeler, took coming home and tipping over my LEGO bin, and considered. You don’t necessarily need to have the little kit-bashed model I’d built, and he turned then trying to make a a design rendered physically, but we worked out it into what you see in the fi lm. Whatever I make, spaceship. I realized I that directors quite like to pick up the models and whether it’s a prop, a costume or a miniature, I try couldn’t, so I started building things from have a look. Half the stuff on Solo was selected as to make them beautiful and camera-ready. scratch from card and kits a model, not designed as a model particularly, but and stuff, which kind of chosen from the concept models, at least with the Marsh: When you make a model, when you’re paid off—I never thought I’d be here, now, working vehicles. To hold a nice vehicle in your hand, that working with the designers to develop it, you have on my fi fth Star Wars fi lm! you could potentially be pointing your camera at, to be very logical and practical about its creation. it opens up a whole different level of opportunity. Does it function? Does it look real? I built the Alex Hutchings AT-hauler, and the silhouette of that was key for Probably wearing out multiple VHS tapes of The Marsh: You can build as much as you like in me because it’s very Imperial. You can see where Empire Strikes Back. the digital world, but you never get the feel of we’ve translated elements of the AT-AT because, It was my favorite fi lm at something until you pick it up and hold it in your logically, the same factory built them. The vehicles the time because the Hoth battle is at the beginning, hands. It makes such a difference. You can rotate that we’ve been working on look so much better and as an eight-year-old it, put it in a landscape, do a painting of it, but if because they were built—they started in the real I loved it for that. It was you can pick it up and look at it—squint against world and they were developed in the real world. simple—I’d fast forward the light and put it in a white set model—that’s They work, and they’re convincing. straight to that part. My dad would have to buy the the only way you’re really going to understand if video for me again every you’ve done it right, I think. Of all the designs for Solo, do you have a Christmas or birthday. particular favorite? Hutchings: I think that we did well with Solo. Marsh: It has to be the Millennium Falcon. When The designs are great. I did the Mimban walker, you get asked, “Would you like to help develop

STAR WARS INSIDER / 29 MODEL BEHAVIOR

07 the Millennium Falcon,” it’s a no-brainer, isn’t it?! The fi nal model went through many iterations—I think Neil built seven and there were at least another three. I built the last one—until we fi nally got to this exquisite, logical aesthetic. And that’s a diffi cult thing to do. It’s terrifying, because the original Falcon design is such an iconic thing! You can’t mess with it. You’ve got to get it right, so ours is a logical development, which I think all made sense.

Ellis: Defi nitely what I did on L3-37, because of how well it turned out, and how much screen time it got. L3-37 is not a wholly digital droid, she’s 50 percent digital—all of the mechanics and the guts that you see on screen are 3D scans of the physical prop, a full-size model that we built, which is then composited during post production over Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s green leotard. Every single piece of armor you see on L3, Phoebe is wearing for real on set, including the head, which is a hat. The movement is so natural because they are Phoebe’s movements. Every wrist fl ick and every knee bend is all her, in real time. The other thing is Enfys Nest’s swoop bike. I really liked what we did with that. All told we made about 12 or 14 of them, but my little spin on it got picked as her bike, which is quite cool. Everybody improves on everyone’s designs, and we all riff off of each other, but that’s the fi rst vehicle I’ve designed for Star Wars, really, where I can say that’s one thing I can be proud of.

Hutchings: The Enfys Nest stuff is really good. We 07 Jakku landseeder How does it feel, knowing that the concepts were bashing them out, churning out model after concept models, built you worked on are now part of Star Wars from model kit and model after model until we had a biker gang of 20- fabricated parts. mythology? odd bikes. Neil Ellis was working predominantly Hutchings: That’s the thing, isn’t it? It’s hard on Han Solo’s landspeeder, but he said “Oh, I to answer, because you do forget that the work might have a go at [a bike].” So he knocked one you’ve done will last forever. As a kid, reading up, randomly, and we didn’t expect anything to through The Art of Return of the Jedi, I wanted happen with it. Then the director went “I love it! to write a letter to Dennis Muren asking, “How That’s the hero!” As a design, it is probably one of do I do this?” So to grow up and have your name my favorites. That, and another of the Enfys Nest associated with it all… I worked on Star Wars, and bikes you don’t really see. no one can take that away from me!

Is it diffi cult going back to projects set in the real-world? The Enfys Nest stuff is really Ellis: Yes! I’ve done it already, and it’s horrible [laughs]. I’ve been spoiled. Six years on Star Wars good. We were bashing them out, spoils you rotten! You know, I’m actually in Solo? I did a four- churning out model after model day shoot, but I’m only in it for a second and after model until we had a biker they dubbed over my voice. It’s when Han’s having an argument about who the invaders are gang of 20-odd bikes. on Mimban, then I come in, shouting orders at Alex Hutchings some stormtroopers. My son was pointing, “That’s my dad!”

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There is an old saying that winning a battle does not mean you have won the war. Star Wars Insider explores how the engagements seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story impacted upon both sides in the climactic Battle of Yavin.

WORDS: JAY STOBIE rand Moff Tarkin’s ill-fated decision to remain on the Death Star in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) comes across as foolish in retrospect, but the arrogance he displays as the superweapon prepares to eradicate the Rebellion’s headquarters on Yavin 4 draws upon its impressive performances at Jedha and Scarif, as seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Victorious in their pursuit of the Death Star plans, the Alliance’s hierarchy and fl eet of starships nevertheless suffered excruciating losses at Scarif, which directly infl uence their defense of Yavin. The events leading up to Tarkin’s notorious words created psychological ramifi cations for the individuals on both sides of the confl ict, fostering false confi dence among the Imperials and a last- ditch reliance on hope for the rebels. To fully appreciate the connections between the Battles of Scarif and Yavin, we need to understand the manner in which the participants perceive those encounters. Prior to Scarif, rumors of an Imperial planet-killer worry the Alliance enough for them to dispatch Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, and K-2S0 in search of Saw Gerrera. This team bear witness to the annihilation of Jedha City and the chaotic dispersal of Saw’s independent rebel faction. As Director Orson Krennic later points out to Galen Erso, the Holy City’s erasure eliminates the last reminder of the Jedi who protected the Old Republic. Krennic’s creation demonstrates enough power to rattle the most steadfast of veterans—as even General Draven appears speechless upon receiving Andor’s report. The strike evokes such fear that—after hearing about Galen’s subterfuge from Jyn—much of the Alliance’s top brass panic at the thought of assaulting Scarif to attain the Death Star schematics. Many doubt the credibility of the information, as well as that of Jyn, her father, and the former Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook. Those opposed to open warfare suggest that such an effort would waste the ships and other resources that have taken such a long time to muster, while others raise the possibility of surrender. Terror grips some rebels so strongly that giving up strikes them as the best alternative in the face of certain slaughter.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 33 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WAR

Others, of course, believe that forfeiting 01 the cause is unthinkable when even the slimmest chance of success still persists. And, in time, those such as Admiral Raddus are proved correct, when the Rogue One cadre infiltrates the security complex at Scarif, generating support to send in reinforcements. The transmission of the Death Star’s layout to the massive flagship Profundity allows the Alliance to claim a win, albeit at a massive cost. Raddus and General Merrick are both killed, depriving the fleet of its primary commanders, and the Rogue One ground team perishes in its entirety. Numerous X-wings, Y-wings, and U-wings were lost during the hostilities at Eadu and Scarif, and the arrival of Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer Devastator leads to the capture of the Profundity. To top it all off, many rebels witness the arrival of the Death Star at Scarif and its devastating deployment, sending vast shockwaves through the fleet’s morale as well as across the planet’s archipelagos. The relatively small and tight-knit Alliance to Restore the Republic committed the bulk of its detachments to the engagement at Scarif, making it impossible to hide the extent of the losses 02 from its surviving members in the aftermath. While landing on the beach at Scarif, one soldier cries out, “For Jedha,” signaling how quickly awareness of attacks and engagements spreads throughout the ranks—the heavy losses at Scarif would most likely have been perceived by the average rebel in an even more desperate light. The entire Alliance fleet barely holds its own against two Star Destroyers and the shield gate’s defenses, and it is only the sacrifice of a valuable Hammerhead corvette that staves off total defeat. No one even tries to go up against the technological terror that has twice now proven 03 its unprecedented power. In the wake of Scarif, the Alliance is denied the morale boost of rallying around the heroes who swung the battle in its favor. As well as losing the Rogue One team, Raddus, and Merrick in battle, Princess Leia and the Tantive IV are captured in the aftermath. The Death Star plans upon which the entire assault had been predicated are presumed lost, and the momentary victory seems forfeit. In the light of this, the psychological toll of losing so many friends and leaders at Scarif must cut even deeper for each and every rebel. The word “hope” serves as a rallying cry throughout Rogue One: for a conflicted Jyn Erso, a composed Leia Organa, and a war-weary Cassian Andor. While these individuals surely maintain a desire to vanquish their enemy, the sentiment acts as a mask for an underlying desperation brought upon by combating staggering odds for so long.

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04

01 The Death Empire State of Mind into their ultimate weapon, as Jyn Erso divulged Star’s superlaser From the point-of-view of Grand Moff Tarkin that information only to the recently deceased fires for the and the Imperial elite, these events are the Orson Krennic. first time. foundations of a very different outlook. The Both Tarkin and Vader become yet more 02 The rebels Death Star, plagued by setbacks for years, finally emboldened as the pursuit of the stolen throw reaches operational status and demolishes Jedha schematics continues. The Emperor dissolves the everything City with a mere fraction of its potential. Two Imperial Senate, thus removing the last vestiges into their attack on Star Destroyers, representing a minute percentage of the Old Republic’s governmental structure Scarif. of the Empire’s vast armada, prove capable of and granting more prestige to high-ranking 03 Numerous holding the entirety of the Alliance’s forces at bay military officials such as Tarkin. His battle station rebel ships for an extended period of time. Tarkin brushes performs admirably at Alderaan, boosting his were lost at off the idea of entering his prized possession into confidence, and even Vader succumbs to the Eadu and Scarif, the clash, correctly surmising that Darth Vader’s lure of egotism after vanquishing Obi-Wan leaving the lone Star Destroyer easily matches the remaining Kenobi. Though hesitant, Tarkin gives Vader main base Alliance starships. A single corvette manages permission to let the Millennium Falcon escape relatively undefended. to escape with the stolen plans, but Vader soon with the Death Star plans in order to locate the captures the vessel. The recovery of the data rebel base. He acknowledges the gamble, yet sees 04 Tarkin’s confidence is seems inevitable, and the Grand Moff doubts the the opportunity to wipe out the insurgents as bolstered by Rebellion’s wherewithal to find an exploitable outweighing the risks. As the Death Star nears its the proven defect. During a senior staff meeting, General target, Vader proclaims with absolute certainty, destructive power of the Tagge expresses the sole concern over the remote “This will be a day long remembered. It has seen Death Star at possibility that such an oversight exists. Tarkin the end of Kenobi, and will soon see the end of both Jedha and his advisors remain oblivious to the fatal the Rebellion.” and Scarif. imperfection that Galen Erso has constructed The Imperials also reap the benefits of their strict command structure, as the upper echelons shield their subordinates from learning about To fully appreciate the connections the theft of the confidential plans. At his castle on Mustafar, Darth Vader speaks with Director between the Battles of Scarif and Yavin, we Krennic and says that the Senate was told that need to understand the manner in which the a mining accident caused the tragedy at Jedha City. During Obi-Wan’s mission to disable the participants perceive those encounters. tractor beam, the conversation between the

STAR WARS INSIDER / 35 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WAR

05 A dark stormtroopers nearby intimates that the guards symbol of never received a full briefi ng on the true nature Imperial might: the of their current assignment and misunderstand Death Star. the genuine alert as a simple drill. Such 06 General commonplace deception gives Tarkin and Vader Dodonna control over the fl ow of information to their briefs rebel legions. pilots for what seems like an Never Tell Me the Odds impossible The turmoil preceding the Battle of Yavin clearly mission. leaves different impressions on the two sides 07 A T-65 of the confl ict. One simply needs to compare X-wing fighter the establishing shots of the Yavin 4 base from awaits Rogue One to those in A New Hope to see how its pilot. it affects the rebels. After Scarif, the exterior is 08 The main transformed from a landing fi eld brimming with rebel base various classes of ships into a barren reminder on Yavin 4. of those no longer left alive to fi ght as the Death 09 The fate of Star looms closer. After uncovering the hidden the galaxy fl aw in the superweapon’s design, the question rests on the young still remains whether or not the terminal shot shoulders can be accurately delivered. A self-assured of Luke Luke Skywalker offers reassuring words, but Skywalker. Han Solo’s description of the plan as a suicide mission tempers the young man’s enthusiasm. One wonders if anyone dampened Luke’s spirits 05 further by informing him about the fiery fate suffered by his “Red Five” predecessor at Scarif? Despite all of the odds stacked against them, The prominent voices who survived the skirmish one group at least gives off an air of assertiveness. at Scarif, namely Princess Leia, Garven Dreis (Red Leader), and Dutch Vander (Gold Leader), project an air of professionalism and attempt The Death Star, plagued by setbacks to uplift the lower ranks. As viewers come to for years, finally reaches operational realize over the course of A New Hope’s sequels, Leia’s determination emerges from an inherent status and demolishes Jedha City with belief in her own aptitude. A glimpse of her poise amerefractionofitspotential. surfaces briefl y in the fi nal scene of Rogue One, as she reassures the Tantive IV crew that the stolen data symbolizes the prospect of victory. 06 Vander expresses doubts at the briefi ng before the Battle of Yavin, yet maintains a calm demeanor and a stable voice when he goes on to lead Gold Squadron through the trench. Dreis, meanwhile, offers encouragement to Luke and Biggs Darklighter as technicians fuel the snubfi ghters. Devoted commanders and actionable intelligence aside, the reality of the Alliance’s situation at Yavin is rooted in desperation. The rebels throw their entire fl eet behind the assault on Scarif, only for it to cost them untold lives and critical resources. General Dodonna briefs the pilots before the Battle of Yavin and defi nes a strategy for triumph, but, in truth, these freedom fighters have only one method of attack available to them. Perhaps Dodonna and others present before Rogue One’s departure recall Jyn Erso’s prophetic words: “What chance do we have? The question is what choice?” No reserve units wait to follow the fl ight group dispatched from

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Many rebels witness the arrival of the Death Star at Scarif and its devastating deployment, sending vast shockwaves through the fleet’s morale.

07

Yavin 4. No powerful allies stand ready to take up the mantle of the Republic’s restoration if a green-hued beam of energy happens to wipe out the Massassi temple cradling the last remnants of organized resistance. Those left to wait as reports come into the communications center release their unease and frustration via one outlet: hope.

Tarkin’s Folly No amount of strenuous training regimes and prior experience can ready the rebel pilots for their confrontation with a moon-sized opponent. As the ragtag fl eet advances, Wedge Antilles gasps and says: “Look at the size of 08 that thing!” Dreis immediately clamps down on the chatter, conscious of the demoralizing bulk of their competition. As the assailants press their offensive and incur casualties around the sprawling superstructure, the cool exteriors initially shown by the squadron leaders begin to erode. The deaths of Dreis and Vander leave the task of delivering proton torpedoes through the thermal exhaust port to the young trio of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge. With the rebels in dire straits, Tarkin’s hubris appears thoroughly warranted. No escort of Star Destroyers accompanies the Death Star on its mission to Yavin, despite the availability of the Devastator and Executrix, the respective fl agships of Vader and the Grand Moff. Excluding the 09 Executrix, at least eight other Star Destroyers

STAR WARS INSIDER / 37 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WAR

oversaw the installation of the superlaser and 10 protected the assembly area. But now the Death Star has proven itself, there is no need for additional fi repower. Similarly, no TIE fi ghters launch from its bays to intercept the Alliance ships before they can get close to the battle station. When a number of TIEs do fi nally enter the fray, they represent only a fraction of the vessels berthed on the Death Star. And yet, with Vader’s assistance, they swiftly reduce the number of rebel ships to just a handful. All indications point toward glory for the Galactic Empire, until... An offi cer approaches Tarkin and says: “We’ve analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?” Tarkin’s infamous and incredulous reply, “Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances,” reveals that the thermal exhaust port is not the only fl aw aboard the Death Star. Forged out of the embers of Imperial pomposity, an underestimation 11 of the Alliance’s desperate fortitude, and an unassailable attitude stoked by the shock-and- 10 The awe maneuvers employed at Jedha, Scarif, and desperate rebel attack Alderaan, Tarkin’s misjudgment of the situation commences. becomes his epitaph. Luke lets loose the volley of proton torpedoes that strikes the reactor 11 Tarkin dismisses the and causes the superweapon’s million-to-one danger posed detonation. Fittingly, Skywalker fi nds his target by the tiny by putting his trust in the unseen Force, a rebel fleet. decision that embodies the Rebellion’s signature 12 Luke’s proton mixture of desperation and conviction. torpedoes exploit Galen The Death Star’s tactical superiority over Erso’s secret the ragtag Alliance congregated at Yavin design flaw.

contributes to Tarkin’s feeling of invincibility, 12 but the psychological impact of him seeing the superlaser infl ict such total destruction on Jedha, Scarif, and Alderaan surely buoys his false sense of security. Tarkin’s true folly is not in believing in the invincibility of the Death Star, it’s in his belief that the Force no longer has a place in the cold, rational galaxy he is building. Conversely, the events leading up to the Battle of Yavin leave the rebels feeling as if there is no refuge from the Empire’s might, and incites them to risk everything rather than retreat. In a fortunate turn for the Alliance troops, this daring, do-or- die streak in their character perfectly exploits Tarkin’s overconfi dence. Though she does not live to know the truth of her words, Jyn Erso sums this up perfectly when she echoes Saw Gerrera’s advice during the Scarif landing: “One fi ghter with a sharp stick and nothing left to lose can take the day. If we can make it to the ground, we’ll take the next chance. And the next. On and on until we win, or the chances are spent.”

38 / STAR WARS INSIDER WIN!

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STAR WARS INSIDER / 39 Photo by Roger Arvid Anderson SCULPTING THE FORCE

LAWRENCE NOBLE SCULPTING THE FORCE

Of the many creatives inspired by Star Wars, sculptor Lawrence Noble’s work holds a special place in the hearts of fans—quite literally; Noble sculpted the iconic Yoda statue which welcomes visitors to Lucasfi lm’s San Francisco HQ. Insider speaks to the artist about how the diminutive green Jedi changed his life.

WORDS: MARK WRIGHT

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early 40 years after sculpting 01 Noble sketches his not to use it, which was devastating and I just fell his fi rst piece of Star Wars concepts as pencil into a depression.” thumbnails before art, Lawrence Noble still feels committing to other That cloud would lift when Noble eventually N a strong connection to the media. This 2014 got to see the fi nished movie, and was enthralled design drawing was worlds created by George originally an idea by a new character performed by puppeteer Frank Lucas—worlds that continue for a Darth Vader Oz. “I went to see an advanced screening for The to inspire and excite him throughout a creative sculpture. Empire Strikes Back with a good friend of mine career that has spanned almost fi ve decades. 02 An Imperial John Alvin, who was another Star Wars artist,” Beginning in 1969 during his military service, propoganda poster remembers Noble, “That was the fi rst time that I where a twist of fate led to him painting resulting from Noble’s ever saw Yoda, because [Lucasfi lm] hadn’t wanted concept sketch portraits of four-star army generals, Noble (See 01). to reveal him in the poster art–and something has illustrated book and magazine covers, went on between the Jedi Master and me. It was 03 Scultping small designed motion picture advertising and poster maquettes is an like he was saying, ‘Lawrence, it’s time for you to campaigns, awards statuettes, and memorials. important stage in start doing sculpture.’” Best known as a sculptor, the artist credits the communicating Noble’s For an artist who had worked predominantly vision to his clients. works of George Lucas and one iconic Star Wars in two-dimensional media, it was a turning point character in particular for changing his life. 04 Noble’s design drawing in Noble’s creative life. “Up to that point, I had “I saw Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) in New for the California not done any sculpting,” he admits. “I went Firefighter’s Memorial York,” Noble recalls, “and I was knocked out. (pencil on toned straight out and bought clay and tools and did A few years later I was living in Los Angeles, paper, 1996). a little sculpture of an eight-inch-tall Yoda, working on the campaign for Nicholas Meyer’s 05 Lawrence Noble which I then had cast in bronze. I pitched it to Time After Time (1979) with Sid Ganis, who was inspects the bronze Lucasfi lm and said, ‘Maybe you could do this for the marketing director at Warner Brothers before California Firefighter’s exhibitors or something?’ They replied, ‘No, it’s Memorial. he went over to Lucasfi lm. I lobbied my agent to too good!’” Noble says with a shrug and a laugh. get me a job with them, which he did.” “Sid hired me again to work on Return of the Lucasfi lm hired Noble to design a poster for Jedi (1983). I did poster designs for it, but they the new movie, and he was given two directives: weren’t used, and then they were stolen out of myth and legend. “I went to town and gave it the trunk of my agent’s car.” everything I had, emotionally and physically,” says Noble. “At the end of the day, they chose Adventures In Art Lawrence Noble was born in 1948 in Tampa, Florida, before his family moved to Houston, “Something went on between the Jedi Texas. “It was almost like a Huckleberry Finn Master and me. It was like, ‘Lawrence, it’s childhood,” he recalls. “I lived in a suburban environment, but there were woods behind our time for you to start doing sculpture.’” house that offered many avenues for adventure.

01 02

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04

“I’m not sure I ever thought it wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Noble considers, when asked THE ARTIST AT WORK when his artistic ambitions fi rst came to the “I usually start with a cup of coffee,” Noble explains of his fore. “In high school I took art classes and working day. “I’ll read the news online, just while I’m having studied drawing. I realized I loved it, and had my breakfast. Then I get to work. I’m faster now than I used a propensity for it. That certainly manifested to be. I’m still slow like a tortoise, but I can get to the end when I went to the Texas Academy of Art and of the race quicker because of having done it for a while.” Noble has adapted his working methods to current studied to be a commercial artist. technology, but prefers traditional techniques. “I’m using “I went into the army right after I graduated some laser and cutting technology, but I don’t think you can in 1969. As I walked in the door, there was a get away from actually doing a physical sculpture,” he says. sergeant in front of me at a desk, on the phone. “I do a drawing before I commit to clay. That drawing, He covered the phone and asked out loud like a blueprint for a house, defi nes what you’re going to to the entire building, ‘Are there any artists build, and is something the client can understand. Once they say ‘Yes, I like this direction,’ then I’ll hire a model to here?’” Noble answered in the affi rmative, and photograph, do a fi nal drawing, and use those photographs was promptly assigned to prepare graphs and to guide me on the sculpture, which is sometimes built just charts for military presentations. from the ground up on a metal armature. I’m still on that During this posting, Noble continued to analogue approach and methodology, which is important, sketch until a pencil portrait he’d drawn of because sooner or later you won’t be able to fi nd someone the Continental U.S. Army commander at the who can build you a wooden ship, and you won’t be able to fi nd someone who can sculpt in analogue. I’m a dinosaur,” time, General James K. Woolnough, caught the Noble laughs, “but I’ve been told people love dinosaurs!” eye of one of his superior offi cers.

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“The next thing I knew, I was meeting 06 07 General Woolnough at the Fort Polk airport,” remembers Noble. “He was standing there, and I was holding this framed portrait. He said, ‘This is quite a handsome portrait, son. Did you draw on the outside?’ I responded, ‘Yes, sir.’ When he asked whether I would like to do it in the army—to which I replied yes—he said, ‘I’ll see what I can do.’ So I became an artist in the army, painting oil portraits of generals.” Two years later, Noble left military service and sought employment in the civilian world as a professional illustrator. “I got a job at the Houston Chronicle in their promotions department, and that allowed me to stretch my creative wings,” he recalls. “I was then hired as a staff illustrator for a design fi rm, before I opened the doors as a freelance illustrator on November 1, 1973. I was one of the fi rst artists in Houston to get a New York agent, and then I moved to New York in 1976. When I got there 08 I was creating covers for two national magazines, working on book covers, and doing a little bit of movie work. In 1978, when the movie industry moved to L.A., I relocated with it. That’s when I worked on a lot of fi lms.”

Representing The Force It was this move that brought Noble into the orbit of Lucasfi lm, and eventually led to his fateful fi rst sighting of Yoda in 1980. “I think Yoda represented the Force to me, and my love of science-fi ction,” he explains. “That spiritual side of Yoda touched my heart, and that not only changed my life, but the direction of my life. That’s the power of the fi lm; of the writing; of the character. Of life.” Years later, Lucasfi lm loaned Noble one of the original Yoda puppets for reference, but the artist thought it “looked skinny and gaunt. It didn’t look like it had any life in it. When Frank Oz inhabited the character, and it had optical weight to it and was lit in three dimensions, it worked. So I would sculpt to what I remembered in the scenes from The Empire Strikes Back, where Yoda LIVE SCULPTING was full of life and had a heroic sense, which didn’t come across from the puppet alone.” In 2007, Lawrence Noble was invited to attend the 30th During the 1980s, as Star Wars fever waned anniversary of Star Wars at Celebration IV in Los Angeles. “It was a heady, and at times overwhelming, experience,” Noble following the ending of the original trilogy, recalls of the event, where he spent several days ‘live-sculpting’ Noble was sad that his ambitions to continue a life-size clay bust of Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi. working within the Star Wars universe were “In every crowd like that, there are a few critics. You’re put seemingly misplaced. “I put 100-percent positive on the spot, you’re sculpting in front of everybody, and there’s defi nitely a challenge to that—like showing off. You have to be in the right mindset for it,” says Noble. “When I brought the bust back to the studio after the convention, I thought I would “I think Yoda represented keep working on it but decided not to—it was just fi ne.” Later that same year, Lucasfi lm invited Noble to London the Force to me, and my for the 2007 Celebration Europe event. Noble once again performed a live-sculpt, on this occasion opting to create a life- love of science-fiction.” size bust of Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin.

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energy into my work on Star Wars,” the artist says ruefully, “so how could it just die? Well, 10 “Five collectors wanted a life-size bronze years later I was starting to believe maybe it had.” Yoda. I produced six, so each one of However, just as he had given up hope, one of Noble’s earliest pieces of work for them got a sculpture, but the last one Lucasfi lm gained a new lease of life. “Dan was reserved for George Lucas.” Madsen, president of the Offi cial Star Wars Fan Club, decided he wanted to use my original poster for the 10th anniversary of The Empire 06 Life-size, tinted bronze dollars. “There were 50 in the run, which sold Strikes Back as a giveaway to new members,” bust of Darth Maul, out. Fifteen years ago, one came up for sale in cast at Artworks recalls Noble, “And then Kilian Enterprises Foundry, CA. England and sold for a little more than $5000,” [which specialized in releasing limited edition says Noble. 07 Bronze Obi-Wan movie artwork] wanted to release that poster Kenobi life-sized bust... This crucial point in Noble’s career coincided commercially. So the energy hadn’t died—and with the unveiling of his first professionally it found a way to come back.” 08 ...as sculpted by Noble, commissioned, life-sized sculpture—a bronze live at Celebration IV in 2007. of Civil War Cavalry general, Philip Sheridan— Return of the Jedi installed at Fort Sheridan, where the artist had 09 Noble’s Yoda awaits Master Yoda re-entered Noble’s life around this visitors to Lucasfilm’s served for a time in the military. “I must owe time, in the form of the statue he’d sculpted years San Francsico HQ. some karmic debt to Sheridan,” Noble reflects. before, and been previously declared “too good.” “When I finished the piece I told my wife, Libby, 10 Noble’s artwork “It wasn’t very good,” Noble laughs, with an was used for a ‘When this gets unveiled, our life will change.’ honesty borne of hindsight. “It was more heart poster released by And that’s what happened in 1990, exactly when Killan Enterprises, than it was good—it was heartfelt—but Kilian celebrating the 10th Lucasfilm and Kilian put out those posters and Enterprises decided to release that [piece] along anniversary of The the first Yoda bronze. My life totally changed.” with the poster in 1990.” The Yoda statuette Empire Strikes Back. During the next decade, Noble’s artistic became the fi rst limited edition bronze that energies were devoted entirely to sculpture, Lucasfi lm had issued, and it was sold for $550 taking on commissions through his business,

STAR WARS INSIDER / 45 SCULPTING THE FORCE

Noble Studio. The projects he worked on ranged from trophies for major sporting events to memorials (including the California Firefi ghters Memorial in Sacramento, CA)—and 11 even the Star Wars chess set for Danbury Mint. However, in 2001, the pull of Yoda and the Force once again proved too strong to resist. “I had fi ve collectors come to me; they wanted to get together and purchase a life-sized bronze Yoda,” Noble explains. “I said I’d produce six, so each one of them got a sculpture, but the last one was reserved for George Lucas. Steve Sansweet [of Rancho Obi-Wan] helped me set up a scenario where I could actually present one to George. I met with Lucasfi lm Licensing that same day, who said I could do a limited edition of 30, and for every fi ve I’d give one to Lucasfi lm. “I wanted to honor the iconic Jedi Master as I remembered him. When George fi rst saw the sculpture, his initial words were, ‘That’s Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back.’ I realized that George loved Yoda, but I didn’t know he was such a bronze fan. He put the sculpture 12 near the entrance to Big Rock Ranch, a property owned by George adjacent to Skywalker Ranch in Marin County. He sent me a beautiful letter and a photograph, which was wonderful. Then I found out he wanted to make it an emblem for his company. It was like designing the Mouse for Disney,” Noble says with great pride. “There’s now one in Singapore, at Lucasfi lm’s Sandcrawler building; one in Lucasfi lm president Kathleen Kennedy’s offi ce; and one in San Anselmo.” This latter installation of the Yoda bronze was unveiled in the town’s Imagination Park by George Lucas himself as a gift to the town where he lives, alongside a life-size bronze of Indiana Jones, also sculpted by Noble.

Life As Symphony Following the opening of Lucasfi lm’s current headquarters at the Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco’s Presidio National Park in 2005, Lawrence Noble’s celebrated Yoda sculpture now stands in pride of place at the entrance to the main campus building as a fountain installation. Nearby are three additional bronze sculptures of cinematic pioneers Eadweard Muybridge, Philo Farnsworth, and Willis O’Brien, commissioned from the artist especially for the Presidio site. Noble, George Lucas, and the late architect Lawrence Halprin were awarded the Henry Hering Memorial Medal for Art and Architecture by the National Sculpture Society in 2014 for their collaborative efforts at the Presidio. “The biggest honor I’ve received in my fi eld has been the Henry Hering Award, for my body of work at Lucasfi lm,” Noble shares. “It goes to

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14

“I’ve been tied to George Lucas, really, and to San Francisco. It’s all tied together.”

the architect, the owner, and the sculptor. George 11 Finished clay sculpt ordered to take from Oakland to the Presidio decided to go to New York to receive the award at of Noble’s life-size in San Francisco. Indiana Jones at the Century Club, and we met for lunch. He and Crestline Studio. “I knew that Sixth Army HQ was stationed in I talked to the National Sculpture Society about the Presidio, so I went in and asked if they needed what it was like to work together to sculpt Yoda, 12 A life-sized an illustrator. They said, ‘Yeah, ours just went stormtrooper by Noble Muybridge, and Farnsworth. That has been the makes an appearance to Vietnam! Here’s your offi ce.’ I was stationed highlight of my career so far.” at Lucasfilm in the there for the remainder of my tour of duty. You Presidio. Now based in Oregon, Noble remains as busy can imagine the 22-year-old me walking around, and enthusiastic as ever. Accepting commissions 13 24” Rey Bronze at wondering what would happen when I made it for a wide-range of sculptures, his recent works Artworks Foundry. back to Texas; ruminating on what the future was include a life-size bronze of a stormtrooper for 14 Noble at work on going to bring for me, and not realizing that 35 a private collector, and a distinctive winged the original clay years later, in the same spot where I got off the ‘Skywalker’ for George Lucas’ Skywalker Vine- Rey sculpture. bus to walk into Letterman Hospital, most of my yards in California. “My life has been tied to Lucasfi lm work would be on display. The Yoda George Lucas, really,” Noble says philosophically, fountain is about 50 yards from that bus stop. I looking back over the decades, “and to San even saw George Lucas’ fi lm, THX 1138 (1971), Francisco. It’s all tied together.” at the post’s theater. I remember saying, ‘That His long association with the City by the Bay guy’s going somewhere.’ began on February 24, 1971, when, having been “You have no clue how tied in everything is diverted from traveling to serve in Vietnam, a until you look back,” Noble concludes with a smile, young Noble stepped off the bus he had been “and then you go, ‘Man, that was a symphony!’”

STAR WARS INSIDER / 47 Solo: A Star Wars Story has burst onto the big screen like the Millennium Falcon streaking out of an exploding Death Star. So how much did you learn about Han Solo’s origins? Compiled by Jake Devine & Tolly Maggs “I GOT A REALLY GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS!” Testt yoour kknowwledgge of thhe Corellian scounndrel’ss earlyy life. Answwers are beelow rigght (no cheating!)...

CORELLIA BECKETT’S GANG THE KESSEL RUN

1.What does Han bribe an 11.Who was the Kessel Run Imperial Offi cer with? primarily used by? A: Vat of hyperfuel A: Imperial forces B: Vial of coaxium B: Smugglers C: Chalice of petroleum C: Rebels D: Jar of unobtanium D: Trade ships

12. According to Solo: A Star Wars Story, how many parsecs did the Millennium Falcon do the Kessel Run in—rounded down? A: Ten parsecs B: Eleven parsecs C: Twelve parsecs D: Thirteen parsecs 2. What is the name of the Imperial Offi cer who gives Han the surname “Solo?” A: Taskmaster Myles Grint B: Junior Lieutenant Tobix Chasser C: Captain Lorth Needa 6. What gun did Tobias Beckett 8. With which member of the D: Chief Drawd Munbrin give to Han Solo? crew did Beckett have a A: RSKF-44 heavy blaster pistol romantic relationship? 13. What is the full name of the 3. Which other notable rebel B: DG-29 heavy blaster pistol A: Val Maelstrom surrounding the planet pilot was born on Corellia? C: DL-44 heavy blaster pistol B: Han Kessel? A: Biggs Darklighterer D: DC-17DC 17 hanhanddb blasterlaster C: Korso A: Akkadese Maelstrom B: Nora Wexley D: Qi’ra B: Pyke Maelstrom C: Wedge Antilles C: Oba Maelstrom D: Sila Kott 9. Where does D: Carbonberg Maelstrom Tobias Beckett 4. At the time of Soloo, what want to retire? 14. Which of these is the turbulent was Corellia knownn A: Corellia cluster within the Maelstrom? for manufacturing?? B: Yavin A: The Curtain A: Speeders C: Canto Bight B: The Crawl B: Lightsabers D: Glee Anselm C: The Mist C: Imperial Starships D: The Maw D: Droids 10. Which unit was Han Solo assigned to on Mimban before 15. What is the name of the 5. Which of the followingg is joining Beckett’s gang? gigantic species that inhabits the a major city on Corellia? 7. What species was Rio Durant? A: 224th Imperial Armored Maelstrom? A: Coronet City A: Ewok Division A: Sando B: Coruscant B: Kowakian Monkey-Lizard B: 291st Legion B: Dianoga C: Mos Espa C: Wookiee C: JN093’s Squad C: Summa-Verminoth D: Theed D: Ardennian D: 975th Stormtrooper Garrison D: Exogorths

48 / STAR WARS INSIDER “WHO ARE THESE GUYS?” Idenntifyy whhich charaacters ssaid the foollowingg liness: 1. “Assume everyone 4. “LET GO OF will betray you.” THE 2. “You’re 3. MEAN gonna “YOU LOOK need a GOOD. LITTLE MAN’S nickname cause ROUGH FACE.” I ain’t AROUND THE saying 5. “So glad that every EDGES, BUT we took time.” GOOD.” this job!”

TRUST NO ONE Namme each of these double crossingg scounddrels.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Han Solo Solo Han Beckett, Tobias Calrissian, Lando Vos, Dryden 4 3 2 1

TRUST NO ONE NO TRUST HOW DID YOU DO, KID?

L3-37 L3-37 Calrissian, Lando Qi’ra, Solo, Han Beckett, Tobias

5 4 3 2 1

WHO ARE THESE GUYS? THESE ARE WHO 0-9 Looks like you’ll always be a scruffy looking nerf herder! C D, A, C, B, A, D, A, D, C, A, C, C, D, B, 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 QUIZ Answers: Answers: 10-19 I thought we were in trouble there for a second, but it’s fine. 20-24 Hey kid, I’m putting a crew together. You in?

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TTOO SUBSCRIBE,SUBSCRIBE, VISIT:VISIT: TTITANMAGAZINES.COM/INSIDER183ITANMAGAZINES.COM/INSIDER183 OORR CCALL:ALL: UU.S..S. 880000 261261 65026502 - U.K.U.K. 0177801778 392085392085 UNDER THE HOOD The Millennium Falcon Service History

With the Millennium Falcon once again soaring across cinema screens in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Insider traces the origins of a movie design classic.

WORDS: MICHAEL KOGGE

UNDER THE HOOD

ne doesn’t need to 01 be a Star Wars fan to recognize the O Millennium Falcon. The spaceship’s design—a saucer- shaped body with an outrigger cockpit and two wedge-like mandibles—is positively unique when compared to the thousands of other more aerodynamic spacecraft that have graced the silver screen. Since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope

(1977), the Falcon has soared with the 02 fi lms’ success, becoming one of the primary symbols of the saga and a genuine icon in popular culture. Put simply, nothing else in the movies— perhaps even in the galaxy—looks quite like the vessel that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. But it might not have been that way...

The First Falcon In November 1974, writer-director George Lucas hired Colin Cantwell, an expert concept artist who had worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), to help conceptualize the spaceships for A New Hope. Under Lucas’ direction, Cantwell poached pieces from various production design and allowed the funding allowed for preproduction, a store-bought model kits and glued them ships of Star Wars to stand out as true fi lming miniature of the pirate vessel was together to create physical prototypes originals in science-fi ction cinema. built based on Cantwell and McQuarrie’s for the X-wing, TIE fi ghter, Star The pirate ship proved a diffi cult designs. But this version of the Falcon Destroyer, and the Millennium Falcon, challenge. Cantwell kit-bashed a model never made it to the fi nal fi lm. which in Lucas’ script at that time was with a rounded cockpit at its bow and called the “pirate ship.” Eschewing the a rectilinear spine that terminated in Pork Burger complicated, technical conventions of a triangular set of engines. The other “The Millennium Falcon was a problem. modern aerospace engineering, the artist Lucas employed at the time, Ralph I did a version emphasizing its power concept artist opted for a different McQuarrie, turned Cantwell’s creations being a cast-off engine,” Cantwell recalls. aesthetic. He based his starship models into concept paintings. Lucas then used “Then another sci-fi production came on basic geometric shapes: squares, both representations to sell his script out, with a sort of lizard-based ship that triangles, rectangles, and spheres. and the vision of his odd space-fantasy was way too close in gesture. That meant His elegance broke new ground in fi lm to 20th Century Fox. Once studio we had to break [ours] apart.”

KENNER CLASSIC Kenner Toys of Cincinnati, Ohio, hit the bonanza prototypes of the toy, working in every detail gun turret that “clicked” around a 360-degree when they acquired the license to produce Star that they could. axis. Floor compartments could hide fi gures for Wars merchandise in June 1977. Kenner’s fi rst Their resulting design came to represent a top-secret missions, while two more could sit in wave of 3.75-inch action fi gures sold so well landmark in the history of action toys, for the the forward cockpit and pretend to operate the when they came out in 1978 that the company production of something so complex had rarely ship’s controls. Sticker decals added color and decided to manufacture a toy Millennium Falcon been attempted on such a mass scale. Two illustrative detail to the gray plastic. vehicle to the same scale. C batteries energized a high-pitched “battle The entire process, from conception to Referencing photographs of the fi lming alert” sound from the Kenner Falcon’s engines, making the steel production molds, took nearly miniatures and the set, the Kenner design while the interior lounge, accessible under a a year to complete, and the fi rst Millennium team—lead by Mark Boudreaux, who has had a removable section of the hull, was a playset in Falcon landed on store shelves in early 1979, hand in designing every Kenner iteration of the itself. Here, fi gures could practice lightsaber becoming a perennial favorite until Kenner Falcon since then—drafted blueprints and made training, play holochess at a table, or sit in a discontinued the line six years later.

54 / STAR WARS INSIDER UNDER THE HOOD

03 JAMES CLYNE: REFRESHING THE FALCON

Solo: A Star Wars Story’s design supervisor, James Clyne, talks about his experience of re-making the Millennium Falcon for the younger days of Han Solo and Lando Calrissian.

When did you begin working on Solo and the new Millennium Falcon? I got started on Solo in the fall of 2015, maybe even August 2015. I hired a small team of artists to jumpstart the visual language of what this new section of the Star Wars universe could be. I had about four artists working with me for the initial eight months, developing all the worlds and vehicles. It started with conversations with the production team about what they were hoping to see. We wanted to make sure we gave them the freedom to express themselves, and see what kind of new and fresh ideas they would bring to it as well.

The Falcon’s interior has an upgraded, futuristic look in the movie. How did that come about? The one movie I kept going back to was 2001: A Space Odyssey. In fact, for the 01 The original Falcon model, before the interior of the Lando Falcon, I showed ship was redesigned. the crew a lot of behind-the-scenes set photography from 2001, and used that 02 Concept art by Ralph as a direct reference. It’s a cleaner, more McQuarrie of the optimistic universe. That’s the approach revised Falcon we wanted to take with the new Falcon: design for since Lando was more of an optimist, his A New Hope. ship needed to refl ect that.

03 The ship’s cockpit What different versions of the Falcon has remained largely did you have as fi lm assets? unchanged since it There was a full-size build of the Falcon on first appeared on the back lot at Pinewood that was based screen in 1977. off of my design with the draftsman. But it was slightly different than the others. It 04 One of the didn’t have all the detail of the fi nal digital Millennium Falcon filming models in asset, simply because we had more time storage at ILM. at ILM to really fi nish it. And then there was the digital ILM asset that had at least 04 six variations—or damage states—to it.

The British TV series, Space: 1999 Lucas, ILM head John Dykstra, and Did Ron Howard suggest any big changes to your concept for (1975), was that other sci-fi production. concept artist Joe Johnston had fun the Falcon makeover? The main vehicle in the show was with this novel look for the vessel, There was a fear of, “we’re going to have the Eagle, a moon shuttle that had which chief model maker Grant to start over!” The fact that we didn’t a forward cockpit and an elongated McCune dubbed the “Pork Burger.” is a testament to how wonderful Ron Howard is. He came in and didn’t change fuselage that bore a striking resemblance Johnston added twin mandibles to give much. The only real change Ron made to the early Falcon design. So on a fl ight the ship a forward-facing appearance was helping us fi gure out the color of the back home from London, Lucas made and ‘hot-rodded’ it out by expanding striping on the top exterior of the Falcon. It now has a little bit of an automotive a fateful decision that would change the rear engines. Lucas approved this paint quality to it, and refl ectivity. Ron movie miniatures forever. He chose to design within a week. To save time in was very happy with the design that we scrap the $25,000, seven-foot model his building, the model team sawed off had laid out beforehand, which was such team at Industrial Light & Magic had the cockpit from the previous ship a relief. A key moment Ron added to the built over several months, and began and attached it to the starboard side story was this The Fast and Furious-type brainstorming new ideas for the pirate of the new model. Then, in order to sequence where the camera went from ship’s look. Food provided welcome save costs, for any exterior shots that the initial spark and explosion inside the engine and then raced backward out of inspiration: “The fl ying hamburger was required actors, such as the scenes the Falcon. You saw it ignite and start up my favorite design,” the fi lm creator has in Docking Bay 94 or the Death Star the engines out of the back. It had a fun, been quoted as saying. berth, only a section of a life-sized “camera in the engine” kind of feel to it.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 55 UNDER THE HOOD

OWNERS AND Millennium Falcon set was constructed. But the original pirate ship model did the Millennium Falcon UPGRADES not go to waste. A hammerhead-shaped remains, by and large, In A New Hope, Han Solo and cockpit was placed on the front and the Chewbacca are the owners and operators miniature was reused as the rebel craft of the Millennium Falcon, but others have seen in the fi lm’s opening sequence, the same vessel she possessed the Falcon before and since: Lando Calrissian customized the otherwise known as Princess Leia’s was when audiences standard Corellian YT-1300 light freighter blockade runner, Tantive IV. into one very sleek and pleasant ride. He re-upholstered the lounge seats and first encountered cockpit chairs with expensive yellow All in a Name leather, decked out the captain’s quarters Lucas christened the spaceship the her in 1977. into a posh stateroom, and shifted about Millennium Falcon in his March 15, cargo space to install a closet to house 1976 draft of the Star Wars script—but his collection of capes. He also altered the front mandibles to fi t an advanced the origins of its name now seem lost event had reduced his beloved Falcon to auxiliary ship that he called an escape to history. Some believe it was inspired a shell of her previous self. pod. However, Lando’s fi nal upgrade was by the John Huston-directed fi lm The But Han Solo had dreamed of not one he ever wished to make. After his devoted droid L3-37 was blasted Maltese Falcon (1941), while others piloting a ship like the Falcon since apart, Lando uploaded the contents claim the name was a playful inversion his days as a scrumrat on Corellia and of her memory banks into the Falcon’s of Space: 1999’s Eagle, with 1999 saw her as his opportunity to make navigational system to assist Han and switched to “millennium” and “eagle” an independent living. After years of Chewbacca in their fl ight through the turbulent maelstrom around Kessel. morphed into another bird-of-prey—the death-defying adventures, risking their Han Solo and Chewbacca preferred “falcon.” However the cargo freighter lives on smuggling runs for Jabba the speed over style, and therefore did found her name, it suited her perfectly, Hutt or taking dangerous passengers little—if anything—to improve the interior or exterior of the Falcon. Their efforts proving to be an amalgam of words that to even more dangerous places, Han and credits were spent on everything could be a tongue-twister for kids and and Chewbacca came to know their “under the hood” so to speak—the actors alike, while inspiring thoughts of ship by another name. For them, the ship’s internal components. During their vast intergalactic speed. Millennium Falcon was home. tenure, the Falcon was jury-rigged with all sorts of black-market parts they could In the Star Wars universe, the Falcon get their hands and paws on to help in was fast—fast enough to outrace Imperial A Bird of Many Sizes their perilous smuggling ventures. They cruisers, or so claimed her braggadocious The Millennium Falcon took on an installed advanced—and often illegal— weaponry, re-routed the engine banks captain, Han Solo. But her speed came even larger role in subsequent Star Wars to push acceleration into overdrive, and at a price. Han and his co-pilot, the fi lms, necessitating models of many modifi ed the hyperdrive to perform Wookiee Chewbacca, put so much effort different scales. For The Empire Strikes beyond its safety measures. These changes, however, were always on the and credits into tricking out her engines, Back (1980), Industrial Light & Magic verge of causing the ship to break down, they neglected maintenance issues in constructed a two-foot model of the which could be particularly troublesome many other areas, such as repairing the Falcon to shoot her acrobatic maneuvers when the Falcon was being pursued by damage sustained while making the through the asteroid fi eld, and another bounty hunters and the Empire. Later, junk-dealer Unkar Plutt stole Kessel Run. In the eyes of the gambler the size of an American quarter for use the Falcon from the Irving Boys after they Lando Calrissian, who had owned the when she hid on the hull of the Super stole her from Ducain, who had previously freighter before Han, that particular Star Destroyer Executor. stolen her from Solo and Chewbacca. Plutt had attempted to get the freighter into working condition, but eventually abandoned his efforts and allowed the ship to rust among the rest of the derelict hulks in a Jakku junkyard. The Millennium Falcon made spacefall again when an orphan scavenger named Rey piloted her away from Jakku, and the Falcon was reunited with former owners Han and Chewie. Following the tragic demise of Solo, Rey ‘offi cially’ took the pilot’s seat, with Chewbaca at her side.

05

56 / STAR WARS INSIDER UNDER THE HOOD

06 07

For exterior scenes of the ship with 08 the cast, carpenters built a complete, full-scale Falcon around which the sets for the rebel base on Hoth, the space slug’s gullet, and the Cloud City landing platform were constructed. The crew on Return of the Jedi (1983) unpacked and re-used this Falcon set for the Tatooine sandstorm scene, which ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor in the final version of the film. Many years later, for the Star Wars trilogy Special Edition, the Millennium Falcon went digital. ILM rendered a three-dimensional asset of Han Solo’s ship that was deployed in additional flight scenes and in post-production remains a mystery as to who was at her (2015) were able to track down the ship’s corrections of old shots. Observant helm during this time. original blueprints and re-created both viewers might have also noticed that physical and digital replicas of the iconic a very Falcon-like ship made a brief Back to the Future vessel. This new, actor-sized set—built appearance in the third prequel film, Though almost four decades had lapsed to last—was used not only for The Force Revenge of the Sith (2005). This too was since the fi rst Falcon had been built, the Awakens, but also its sequel, The Last a computer-generated model, though it production team of The Force Awakens Jedi (2017), and again in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), where the huge prop was redressed to reflect the tastes of an 05 ILM film the original Falcon earlier, more sophisticated captain—the model for one and only Lando Calrissian. A New Hope. Despite slight differentiations that 06 The Falcon’s occur in every film, the Millennium main hold during Falcon remains, by and large, the same Lando’s tenure as captain. vessel she was when audiences first encountered her in 1977. Not even 07 After decades of Luke Skywalker, with all the foresight of Han Solo’s ownership, the a Jedi, could imagine that the ship he hold had seen called a “hunk of junk” would outlast better days. most of its owners and passengers. 08 The Falcon If anything, the Millennium Falcon flees Jakku. is a survivor—and will continue to be, 09 Rey (Daisy sailing the stars as long as pilots have Ridley) beside the skills to master her finicky controls the full-size and enough Spacer’s tape to seal her Falcon prop. leaking conduits. 09

STAR WARS INSIDER / 57 t’s well-known Star Wars lore that the original May The Furs I movies were supposed to end with the primitive Wookiees assisting Be With You in the downfall of the hi-tech Empire in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983). But, as George What were the Ewoks actually good for? Were Lucas explained in a 2004 they really only created in order to sell soft toys? DVD commentary, once it was established that Chewbacca was Crank up the Yub Nub song as Insider shakes a able to pilot a starship and repair spear at the diminutive critters’ critics… its technology, the Wookiees of Kashyyyk just didn’t seem WORDS: DARREN SCOTT suffi ciently Stone Age.

58 / STAR WARS INSIDER 01 C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) finds he’s unexpectedly become an Ewok deity, in Return of the Jedi (1983).

Leader Of The Pack *** icket W. Warrick became W the focal character for the entire Ewok species, and is the Ewok who has appeared the most across cinema, television, books, and comics. What’s more, the character would go on to change the life of the actor beneath the fur... It’s all thanks to his grandmother that Warwick Davis became linked to the greatest science-fantasy saga of all time. She heard an advert on the radio seeking short actors, and the 11-year-old was soon snapped up for Return of the Jedi. Initially, he was to play an unnamed Ewok, but when Star Wars legend Kenny Baker (R2-D2) took ill with food poisoning, Davis’ performance caught the eye of George Lucas, and he won the role of Wicket. He was paid the princely sum of £60 per day (around $90 at the time), but has since said he’d have done it for free. Let’s face it, what 11-year-old wouldn’t have—especially when Mark Hamill was on hand to give you every And yet, Lucas was still wedded Despite this simple origin story Star Wars action fi gure you didn’t to this idea of simple bravery for the Ewoks, rumors persist that already have. overcoming mechanical might, they were, in fact, conceived fi rst Davis went on to play Wicket in so he came up with a whole new and foremost for merchandising. two made-for-television Ewok movies, species. Using the Wookiees as a Lucas supposedly said that Jedi was Caravan of Courage (1984) and starting point, Lucas has said that “designed for kids,” but by 1983, Ewoks: The Battle For Endor (1985), he “basically cut ‘em in half and Star Wars was already a kid-friendly and the character gained the second called them Ewoks.” It sounds merchandising juggernaut. There’s name ‘Warrick’ in Davis’ honor. In brutal—or not, depending on how no reason why there couldn’t 1988, he also took the title role in you feel about Ewoks—but it’s have been a whole range of cuddly George Lucas’ Willow. To date, he has appeared in seven Star Wars movies, essentially true. Even the name is Wookiee toys and collectibles if the invariably playing characters with roughly half of the word “Wookiee” Ewoks had never been invented. names beginning with ‘W’, and also (though actually derived from the The fact of the matter is that the provided the voice of Rukh in Star Miwok tribe, a group of four Native Ewoks served a story purpose, and Wars Rebels. In 2011, he starred in his American subcultures indigenous to served it well. They aren’t simply own sitcom, Life’s Too Short, and he North California, where the Endor less technologically advanced than appears as Professor Filius Flitwick in scenes were fi lmed). Chewbacca, they are surprising all eight of the Harry Potter movies.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 59 MAY THE FURS BE WITH YOU

in a way that a Wookiee is not. 02 When you see Chewie for the first time, you immediately know that he is a powerful, potentially savage presence. You’re intimidated. Or at least you should be, if you have any sense. With a diminutive Ewok, not so much. Designed to look cute, they come across as halfway between a teddy bear and a pet, rather than the sentient equal that is a Wookiee. Though both the Ewoks and Chewbacca were based on Lucas’ own dogs, they channel very different qualities found in those pets. Chewie is the loyal, noble companion, while the Ewoks are the feral, probably not housebroken handfuls that we forgive because they are so darned sweet-looking. Because, of course, Ewoks are not really teddy bears at all. “Keep them a little cuddly, so we want to hug them,” Lucas reportedly said to Jedi director Richard Marquand, knowing full well that he was The Ewoks served inspired by his dogs (not pugs, but laying a trap for the audience Griffon Bruxellois, which sounds as effective as one of the Endor a story purpose like a Star Wars character in itself), native’s own nets. We are invited but for this scene, actor Warwick to underestimate the Ewoks just as and served it well. Davis based his head tilt on his the Empire does, which could never They aren’t simply own canine companion. Today, have been the case if the story was the inspiration has come full circle, set on Kashyyyk. less technologically with many a Star Wars fan using When Wicket and Leia first advanced than pet fancy dress to make their dogs meet, the smallest Ewok of all look more like Ewoks! doesn’t attack. He’s tentative but Chewbacca, they are inquisitive. Almost pug-like, he’s surprising in a way From beginning to Endor easily won over by food. We’ve Lucas developed the look of the already noted that Lucas was that a Wookiee is not. Ewoks with concept artist Joe Johnston, beginning with a design that looked somewhat like a top- 03 heavy, two-legged dog. Not entirely practical when winning a war, it’s also hard to imagine how these creatures would have been realized other than as puppets. However, Johnson and Lucas soon settled on a humanoid form that not only suited a costumed actor, but also invited more immediate trust from the audience. The intention was to create a species that couldn’t be more different from the familiar look of the Empire. And, though stormtroopers are also humanoid, nothing about their sterile armor and blank ‘faces’ conjures up a

60 / STAR WARS INSIDER MAY THE FURS BE WITH YOU

02 Inquisitive Ewok Wicket (Warwick Davies) isn’t sure what to make of Leia.

03 The Ewok’s unkempt fur and rough clothing was a direct contrast to the sterility of the Empire. sense of living warmth. The Ewoks, We Are Family conversely, look warm in every sense. Their fur and rudimentary *** fabric hoods look tactile and here are 73 actors listed as wardrobe people were constantly unruly—the exact opposite of the T Ewoks in the cast of Return bringing us Gatorade.” After a identically outfi tted Imperials. of the Jedi. Five are named successful acting career that included characters (Wicket, Paploo, Teebo, the movies Total Recall (1990) and It isn’t just a look, either: Chief Chirpa, and Logray), two are Men in Black (1997), Carrington the Ewoks live a freewheeling, ‘Ewok Warriors,’ and the remaining passed away in March 2018. unpredictable life, driven by factors 66 are credited simply as ‘Ewoks’ Several of the other Ewoks were such as the changing seasons, their (though many have been named in Star Wars veterans by 1983. Jane mystical beliefs, and an innate other media, including the Kenner Busby, who played Chief Chirpa, animal playfulness. It’s a far cry toy range). and Mike Edmonds, who played from the regimented order of the According to Kevin Thompson, Logray, both had uncredited roles as Empire, where technology outranks who played the Ewok later identifi ed Ugnaughts in Star Wars: The Empire nature, and there is cachet in being as Chubbray, “Probably over 150 Strikes Back (1980), as did Jack Purvis, more machine than man. people tried out” for the chance who played Teebo. In fact, Purvis to be an Ewok. Speaking at Star appeared in Star Wars: A New Hope Even Ewok language resists the Wars Celebration in 2015, he (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back dull conformity of Galactic Basic— added that it was hard work for the as a variety of creatures, and is the as seemingly spoken everywhere successful applicants, with at least only actor to be credited as different else where the forces of Empire 10 actors quitting the fi lm along the characters in all three installments hold sway. Their comical babble way. Thompson stayed the course of the original trilogy. His teenage sounds hopelessly random (though however, performing a variety of daughter, Katie Purvis, also appeared it is very cleverly directed and stunts and returning to portray in Jedi as an Ewok mother, cradling performed to convey more than is Chukha-Trok in the TV movie Caravan her Wokling. immediately obvious), and, at fi rst, of Courage, as well as doing most of Jack Purvis died in 1997, having other characters—and much of the the stunts in its follow up, Ewoks: The been a lifelong friend of Kenny Baker Battle For Endor. (pictured above). Baker, of course, is audience—credit their voices as Debbie Lee Carrington played best known for playing R2-D2, but also having no more meaning than, for the Ewok now known as Romba played Paploo in Return of the Jedi. example, birdsong. in Return of the Jedi, and then Having been denied the chance to That everybody underestimates Weechee in Caravan of Courage. play Wicket owing to illness, he instead the Ewoks contributes to their She also did stunt work in The Battle got to pilot a speeder bike as Paploo, very survival and their eventual For Endor. “The costumes were like and inadvertently gave Warwick Davis victory against the Empire, but saunas,” she later commented. “The his big break. Baker died in 2016.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 61 MAY THE FURS BE WITH YOU

the difference between how the rebels and the Empire dismiss them is what makes all the difference to how the story plays out. For the Empire, the Ewoks are beneath contempt, and so do not even factor into their plans. But for the rebels on Endor, no creature is without value, however primitive it seems. Leia’s empathy, in particular, leads to a better understanding of the Ewoks than Imperial reconnaissance could ever provide, and a bond of trust is formed. In no time at all, this leads to an understanding—for the rebels and the viewer—that the Ewoks are not just pretty faces, after all. An Endoring Legacy High in the treetops, we get a *** glimpse of Ewok civilization: rich in the complex architecture of ladders, he demise of the Empire didn’t That TV series was entitled Ewoks, spell the end for the Ewoks on and ran for 13 22-minute episodes towers, and bridges, and with a T hierarchy that affords larger, more screen, and the small stars went in 1985, before being rebranded as on to appear in two TV movies and The All New Ewoks for a further 22 lavish huts to its leaders. Security an animated TV series, all set before 11-minute episodes in 1986. Made and defense are highly ordered the events of Return of the Jedi, as by Nelvana and Lucasfi lm, the show affairs, with patrols and traps well as in computer games, books, featured a large ensemble cast and that are regularly checked. By the and a minor chart hit by Meco, “Ewok ambitious stories that pitted the time that battle with the Empire Celebration,” which reached No. 60 in Ewoks against the Duloks. fi nally comes, we have been subtly the Billboard Hot 100 Tying in with the TV series was prepared for a vast Ewok arsenal First shown on U.S. television in 1984, a bi-monthly comic book, Ewoks, of gliders, catapults, and battering The Ewok Adventure was renamed published by Star Comics (an imprint Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure of Marvel Comics aimed at younger rams. Each new attack is delightful (pictured above) when it gained a readers), and a range of action fi gures and surprising, but they are never limited theatrical release in Europe and refl ecting the art style of the show. laughably unbelievable despite the U.K. A sequel, Ewoks: The Battle The comic ran for 14 issues between coming wholly out of left-fi eld. By For Endor, followed a year later. 1985 and 1987, while the toy line virtue of Leia’s empathy, we are Also dating from 1984, three featured just six fi gures (most of them, prepared where the Empire is not. children’s strorybooks published oddly, Duloks), all released in 1985. As the battle rages, we are by Random House expanded the More recently, Dark Horse Comics afforded further insights into Ewok mythos, most notably The sought to pull together the continuity the depth of Ewok intelligence. Adventures of Teebo: A Tale of Magic of the TV show and the movies in Star They adapt quickly to technology, and Suspense by Joe Johnston, the Wars: Ewoks – Shadows of Endor, concept artist who designed the a 2013 graphic novel written and taking over Imperial speeder bikes Ewoks for Return of the Jedi. This drawn by Zack Giallongo, while Chuck and a scout walker with relative book introduced elements that would Wendig introduced the concept of ease, and care about one another’s feature in the animated TV series, “therapy Ewoks” in his 2016 novel, wellbeing—as seen when Romba including the swamp-dwelling Duloks. Aftermath: Life Debt. reacts to the death of fallen

The Emperor failed to factor the Endor natives into his plan, and the cost is not just the second Death Star, but the The Ewoks starred in their own TV show (left), and returned in Forces of Destiny (right). whole Empire.

62 / STAR WARS INSIDER MAY THE FURS BE WITH YOU

04

05

compatriot Nanta. These are scenes friend, but the rebels must 04 Warwick but Lucas drew this element that could work with Wookiees, but feel a little queasy going into Davis based of the story from reality. The Wicket’s we would take them in our stride. battle with beings that, in other mannerisms effectiveness of the Ewoks—who In our fast-flowing relationship circumstances, would very on those of lack heavy fi repower but know his pet dog. with the Ewoks, they are thrilling happily cook them over a fire. their territory and are willing to and touching by turn. By catching The fact that this very nearly 05 Rebels and fi ght for it tooth and nail—closely us out, they challenge us: were we happens to Han is perhaps the Ewoks dance mirrors the guerilla tactics of the for joy at as quick to dismiss the Ewoks as the strongest argument that these the Empire’s Viet Cong, who brought the U.S. Empire had? complex characters weren’t destruction. Army to a standstill at the end of The other shocking thing conceived to sell cuddly toys. the Vietnam War, despite being about the Ewoks, of course, is Yet, by the end of the fi lm, vastly outmatched in military their savagery. These teddy bears the rebels and the Ewoks are fi rm might. That’s not to say the Ewoks have claws, and they are not only friends. The Emperor failed to are intended to make an expressly willing to fi ght against evil: they factor the Endor natives into his political point—they are not—but are also carnivores, with no qualms plan, and the cost is not just the it again goes to show that they are about eating other sentient beings. second Death Star, but the whole more than just kids’ stuff. One’s enemy’s enemy may be a Empire. It may sound far-fetched, Whichever way you look at it, the Ewoks really do offer something for everyone: Cuteness! Savagery! Silly noises! Heroics! Allegory! Take what you will and allow others the Dates With Destiny rest. It’s not worth getting your yub nubs in a twist over. *** So if you’re a lover of our furry fter The All New Ewoks TV the fan theory that the Ewoks feasted friends, then know that it was the Aseries came to an end, it was on roast stormtrooper. In Season 2, Ewoks that saved the galaxy. And 31 years before the Ewoks “Chopper and Friends” sees the Star if you’re still a hater, take comfort graced screens once again, in the Wars Rebels droid crew the Ghost in the pernicious online theory animated microseries, Star Wars: with a pair of Ewoks, while “Traps and Forces of Destiny. In Season 1, “Ewok Tribulations” sees Kneesaa and Wicket that the nuclear fallout from the Escape” tells the story of how the take on a rampaging Gorax! Shelby destruction of the Death Star would Ewoks came to give Leia the dress she Young performs the voice of Kneesaa, have rapidly rendered them all wears at the end of Return of the Jedi, while Dee Bradley Baker is the voice extinct. Those of us on team Endor while “An Imperial Feast” debunks of Wicket. know that isn’t true.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 63 CANTO BIGHT A Galaxy in Microcosm

Canto Bight, the casino city on the shores of desert planet Cantonica, is more than the location of a fast-paced side-adventure in Star Wars: The Last Jedi—it reveals the fractured soul of a galaxy that has been at war with itself for a long time…

WORDS: MEGAN CROUSE

CANTO BIGHT

hen Rose Tico gazes 01 across the cityscape of Canto Bight and W says, “I wish I could put my fi st through this whole lousy, beautiful town,” she sums up the contrasting opulence and oppression 01 The glitz of of the casino city. While rich tourists the casino congregate to enjoy their ill-gotten city hides the dark heart of credits with hedonistic abandon, local Canto Bight. workers in low-paid jobs struggle to 02 Canto Bight’s make it through each dusty day. glamorous Unlike most visitors, Finn and Rose and rich have an opportunity to see both sides patrons are indifferent to of this dazzling city, witnessing the the world kind of inequality that has plagued they can’t the galaxy for generations, even see... during periods of peace and justice. 03 ...while If Rose had been able to hit back at others face a harsh Canto Bight—to shatter the city like existence in the freed fathiers smash through its the shadows. casino windows—the shards that scattered would have refl ected 02 similarities between the eras of the Empire, the First Order, and of the old Republic… Gleaming on the shores of an ocean crisscrossed by luxury yachts, Canto Bight offers high-class indulgence for those who can afford it. Much of its glamor and wealth comes via weapons dealers, military-industrial barons, and the criminal underworld that operates behind the scenes of the casino tables. The kind of inequality found here can also be found throughout the galaxy, from the high-rise towers of Coruscant in the waning days of the Republic, to the Empire’s predations just before the Galactic Civil War. Canto Bight is a microcosm for what the saga has to say about fairness, coexistence, and and oppression of the First Order that Bight beyond the razzle and dazzle equality by uncovering the inequality the Resistance is fi ghting against, even which keeps the city’s lower classes when the enemy is diffi cult to identify. hidden away from view. He has to But it is not as simple to fi x a broken witness the cruelty of the fathier races system as it is to take on a single fi rst-hand—where animals are abused stormtrooper, and The Last Jedi and children live alongside them in examines this diffi cult confl ict through dirty stables—before he can believe it. the lens of Rose and Finn. But when Rose has already experienced such The dazzling planet, the pair fi rst arrive in Canto Bight with inequality and exploitation. Her home and the refined life of BB-8, they each have very different planet, Hays Minor, was taken over by its guests, is built upon reactions to the contrasts of the city. the First Order, its valuable natural Because he was raised by the First resources mined to make weapons. It the continuing existence Order, Finn has a military perspective drove her and her sister Paige to seek of war itself. on privilege—offi cers receive benefi ts out the Resistance, and she sees it due to their rank; lowly troopers again on Canto Bight. merely receive their orders. It’s diffi cult This point is underlined further for him to see the inequality of Canto when the duplicitous thief DJ shows

66 / STAR WARS INSIDER 03

Finn that weapons dealers have no Remnants of the Empire the Empire has no need to deal with qualms about selling their wares to This example of control and supply, third-party suppliers for their weapons, both the Resistance and to the First illustrated by Finn and Rose’s Canto operating a command economy with Order. There is no profi t for them if Bight escapade, was writ large in the arms production under central one philosophy wins; far better to regime that held sway across the control—witness their domination of ensure that both are more than well galaxy before they were even born. Corellia’s manufacturing facilities. equipped to fi ght indefi nitely. The Palpatine’s Empire is an obvious Strip-mining on Lothal environmentally dazzling planet, and the refi ned life of example of an explicitly predatory devastates that planet, just as the First its guests, is built upon the continuing system—one which disguises its Order stripped Hays Minor. But the existence of war itself. Beyond depredations beneath the veneer criminal underworld—an essential straightforward, black and white of progress. element of Canto Bight’s success—is storytelling—Jedi versus Sith, rebels The Empire powers its war machine an equally important resource to the against the Empire—this is the grayest and maintains control through acts like Emperor’s regime. of gray areas, and underlines that the the enslavement of the Wookiees, or The Empire employs bounty Star Wars universe has an enormous sequestering resources from any hunters, who, like DJ, support the side potential to explore numerous and number of planets. Unlike the First of evil by allegedly choosing no side at complex narratives. Order, the rebellion, or the Resistance, all. In turn, the Empire looks the

STAR WARS INSIDER / 67 CANTO BIGHT

other way to the activities of the likes 04 of the Hutt Cartel, the Pyke Syndicate, and Crimson Dawn. With no political agenda, such criminal organizations serve another use to the Empire, in maintaining their own exploitative regimes over the galaxy’s population. The events at Canto Bight have other echoes in that earlier period. Just as Finn’s eyes were opened to the realities of the galaxy on Cantonica, and he accepted his role as a hero of the Resistance, another former trooper discovered a new path during the Palpatine era. Han Solo’s history in the underworld left him desperate to chase each job to pay off his debts, self-satisfi ed emblem of the inequities 04 The gaudy but his arc in Star Wars: A New Hope of the Empire, in Erso’s memories. wealth of Canto Bight is builds on the fact that he comes to This disconnect is further illustrated a mirror to understand money is not the most by the Holy City of Jedha. Long before the harsh realities important stimulus in the war. Instead the Death Star tests its awesome facing the of chasing the next gamble and fi repower, the Empire is already galaxy. profiting from the violence of the devastating the planet on a day-by- 05 During the underworld, Han joins the Rebellion’s day basis. Baze Malbus and Chirrut rule of cause through friendship, even though Îmwe see some of the effects of Jedha Palpatine’s he still has a bounty on his head. As City’s poverty in the orphanage where Empire, the military Princess Leia said, she always knew they work. More war means more crushed all “there was more to [Han] than money.” orphaned children, and more hardship resistance while turning The connection between the for the children who already live there. a blind eye to high-rollers of Canto Bight and the The Star Destroyer looming over the the exploits economic predations of the Empire are temples represents the size and scope of crime lords like Jabba as apparent in Rogue One: A Star of the Empire in contrast to Jedha’s the Hutt. Wars Story. As a young child, Jyn Erso relatively fragile stone walls, reminding lived a life of privilege on Coruscant, people of an inferiority that never her father a respected scientist, but existed before the Imperial forces she is thrown into a world of have-nots arrived. This was a world that thrived after her parents flee the Empire. Later, on being spiritually rich during the her parents gone and deserted by her Republic era, but became prized solely guardian Saw Gerrera, Erso struggles for its mineral wealth after falling to find her place in the galaxy. In under Imperial rule. contrast, Orson Krennic presents himself as a man of sophistication, The Gilded Republic and of great power—an aloof and Going back further in galactic history, galactic scale for their own gain. It is the gradual downfall of the Republic interesting to note that Palpatine was reveals how corporate greed and born into privilege on Naboo, and that regional interests chipped away at the his wealth and position made it much ideal of galactic equality. Although the easier for him to hide his true—and far Republic strove to give every society more insidious —motivations. This was a world an equal voice by offering member Similarly, Count Dooku forgoes his that thrived on being star systems a place in the Senate, it riches to become a Jedi, but reclaims spiritually rich during also indirectly fostered inequality his noble title as a Separatist (while the Republic era, but within and beyond its borders. adopting the secret title Darth Tyranus The Republic’s eventual failure also as Palpatine’s apprentice). This is became prized solely shows how corrupt individuals at the symbolic of Dooku’s move from for its mineral wealth top of the economic food chain can selfl essness to celebration of the self under the Empire. create large-scale disorder and over all else, and would no doubt fi t in suffering for others—not dissimilar to very well on Canto Bight. how wealthy individuals in the First Palpatine and Dooku’s machinations Order era propagate disorder on a lead to the creation of the Grand

68 / STAR WARS INSIDER GLAMOR AND PERIL IN CANTO BIGHT

Beyond the events of The Last Jedi, we learned more about the city in the Canto Bight novella anthology, which showed how the casino city can turn from a dream into a labyrinthine trap for visitors and residents alike. An unsuspecting vacationing salesperson, Kedpin Shoklop, isn’t prepared for the array of people who try to con him as soon as he arrives in the city, in Saladin Ahmed’s “Rules of the Game.” Wide- eyed innocence is a liability on Canto Bight. However, it transpires that Kedpin is just as ruthless as the scam artists, in his own way: he hacked into his employer’s computer system to turn a rigged competition in his favor so that he would win the vacation. In Rae Carson’s “Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing,” a gangster spots a potential motherlode of information at the fi ngertips of an elite hotel’s top masseuse, and attempts to exploit him by kidnapping his daughter. Advancement in Canto Bight can be as big a gamble for the locals as it is for visitors to the gaming tables. In “The Wine in Dreams” by Mira Grant, two alien sommeliers—the Grammus sisters—demand the services of a clerk named Calla, “part of the faceless mass that keeps Canto Bight alive, the beating heart of the city the tourists constantly see but barely remember.” Calla is a drug addict who feels like her life is headed up a dead-end street, yet still she cannot muster a reason to leave and gambles with her own life by playing by the sisters’ eccentric social rules. The story shows the Grammus sisters as glamorous and alien, so strong as to resist the danger of Canto Bight simply because they act as if the danger does not apply to them. And in “The Ride,” John Jackson Miller relates the tale of a gambler with a clever statistical system that means he can’t lose, until the prospect of losing everything—including his 05 life—becomes very real. CANTTO BIGHT

06 Army of the Republic, a military force in which its ranks of cloned troopers are commanded to do the bidding of the state without any freedom of choice. The Republic forbids slavery, but under the guise of protecting the morally superior Republic from the conniving Separatist army, it in effect creates an army of indentured slaves. A further example of commerce driving war can be found in the actions of the InterGalactic Banking Clan which, encouraged by its inadvertent part in Palpatine’s plans, allies with the Separatists as the Clone War begins. Like the warmongers in the Canto Bight casinos, the Banking Clan plays both sides during wartime, supporting the Confederacy at the same time as it conducts business within the Republic. Strength of the Resistance While Canto Bight isn’t exactly liberated by the end of the The Last Jedi, there are two major changes to the status quo that show what the Resistance is fi ghting for, what the Rebellion stood for, and what the Republic aspired to. A herd of fathiers run free through open fi elds, and a group of children have been inspired by tales of heroism, including one boy who seems to have accessed latent Force powers. In both cases, people or creatures who previously had no choice in how to live their lives are now presented with options: freedom or servitude. Their lives may not be immediately or irreversibly changed, but they now see the chance for greater possibilities. The children who hear stories of Luke Skywalker and the Resistance also gain an understanding that someone is out there who will fi ght for them. Even if Luke Skywalker himself is absent (as much from their lives as he is from the lives of the Resistance), someone is rooting for people like him to succeed. Rose knows exactly how important support from others is, because she 06 Canto Bight’s had received it from her sister since high-rollers are enslaved childhood. Their bond only grew when by their own they went to war together, and as they greed and performed different roles within the vices, while on the fringes of Resistance fl eet they relied upon one that same another in concrete ways upon which society others face battles of their lives depended. When Rose gifts their own. her ring to the children of Canto Bight, CANTO BIGHT

07 07 During the Republic era, vested interests were pawns in a darker game.

08 Those who despaired as the Republic failed would later seek to reinstate its core values.

09 Slavery and corruption were as much a part of the Republic as they are of Canto Bight.

08

The gradual downfall of the Republic shows how corporate greed and regional interests chipped away at the ideal of galactic equality. 09

they learn that they can be part of a larger galactic family, bound to the Resistance by their desire for freedom, and empowered to follow others’ examples of helping those in need. Rose is also empowered, moving from mourning her sister’s death to having the strength of purpose to save Finn from sacrifi cing himself to the First Order’s siege cannon. As for Finn, in Canto Bight he recognizes the consequences of not taking a side. Not for the fi rst time he considers running away and fi nding a new life for himself, having consequences of DJ’s “don’t join” Resistance as a result of what they experienced both the regimented philosophy, Finn recommits to the learn on Canto Bight. cruelty of the First Order and the Resistance to the extent that he is The dice may be loaded in the ragged but seemingly doomed nobility willing to die for it at the Battle of casino city, the odds stacked in the of the Resistance. DJ offers him a Crait. In turn, this allows Rose to act favor of oppression and greed, but glimpse of a third way, as well as a to save him, having been denied such Canto Bight has one more lesson to chance to cut his losses and join the agency when Paige died. Both of them teach us: that small acts of kindness underworld. However, after seeing the solidify their commitment to the and kinship reap greater rewards.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 71 WORLDWIDE

CELEBRATING THE SAGA Photo: Rob Corpuz Rob Photo:

genuine emotion, whether they’re a fan of Star Wars or not.” BRINGING BALANCE Kidd’s unicycling alter ego—the Unipiper—has been entertaining the TO THE FORCE residents of Portland, Oregon for over ten years, but which came fi rst: Unicycling Sith pipes his way around Portland the unicycling, the piping, or his love for a galaxy far, far away? rian Kidd is a man on a smile while your brain tries to make “I was taking lessons from a local mission that involves a sense of it all!” Kidd suggests when pipe band when I found a unicycle B Darth Vader costume, a asked why a unicycle, fl aming in a dumpster, so I taught myself to unicycle, and a set of bagpipes bagpipes, and the Dark Lord of ride and the rest is history,” explains with some special modifi cations… the Sith make for a perfect match. Kidd. “I’m a huge Star Wars fan and “There’s something so “It’s about authenticity and have been my entire life! It struck a unexpected about seeing Darth being true to yourself,” adds Kidd. chord with me from an early age, Vader riding a unicycle while “What I am doing is combining and I’ve stuck with it ever since. So playing fi re-breathing bagpipes. things that I have a true passion for, it’s all about making the most with Your body has no choice but to and people respond favorably to what you have.”

72 / STAR WARS INSIDER INSIDER NEEDS YOU! We want to hear from you! Tell us about your Star Wars experience. What made you want to become a fan? What have you done in the name of Star Wars? Tell us your Star Wars story by sending your photos, art, and letters here: ARTISTS’ ALLEY [email protected] Talented Star Wars fans share their amazing Or via regular post: UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM drawings inspired by the galaxy far, far away... Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider, Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark 2819 Rosehall Lane, Street Aurora, IL, 60503, London, SE1 0UP, U.S.A. U.K.

01. YOUNG HEROES

Wayne Barnes’ drawing of Star Wars creator George Lucas renders several of the fi lmmaker’s movie creations in the curls of his hair. Barnes also captures the wide-eyed innocence of Luke Skywalker and the cocky charm of young Han Solo—along with Lando Calrissian’s foul mood after the Kessel Run!—in a further two sketches. Photo: Bill Linn Photo:

The Unipiper’s motto is “Keeping Portland Weird.” Why is this so important to Kidd? “In today’s social media-driven world, people seem a little too preoccupied with fi tting in, and that 02. SEEING DOUBLE just makes things boring,” he answers. “Weird is about fi nding Inspired by Solo: A Star Wars yourself and being comfortable in Story, fan artist Chris Pawson your skin. That idea is something grabbed his pencil and drew worth celebrating, so I’ve made it two Hans for the price of one. my mission to encourage others to “I thought I would mix in the old with the new, mostly with explore their passions and not the eyes and the jawline, just worry about what other people to see how it turned out,” says think. It’s really cool that my love of Chris of his sketch, which artfully Star Wars helps me spread that combines Alden Ehrenreich’s message. When you’re happy it rubs features with those of screen off on others, and everybody wins.” legend Harrison Ford.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 73 WORLDWIDE All Photos: Alexandra Lee Studios JEDIMANDA’S AMIDALA A Senate gown fit for a cosplay queen

edimanda’s stunning recreation advanced, the Senate gown just research. I couldn’t fi nd a lot of of Queen Amidala’s Senate called to me, and seeing Natalie information about fabric type and J gown is a lesson in enthusiasm, Portman wearing it on screen spoke sewing techniques so I collected perseverance, and a quest for the to me too. She was powerful and swatches of a lot of different fabrics, perfect fabric. beautiful, in the most regal way you along with beads and wigs, to “I saw Star Wars: The Phantom can imagine.” recreate the look. It’s all about Menace when I was 11 years old, and Portman’s costumes as Amidala, research, and I needed to keep to a I was obsessed with both the movie designed by Tricia Biggar, featured tight budget—which is just as tough and Queen Amidala,” says the exotic fabrics using pioneering as fi nding the right fabric! I ended professional seamstress with a 3D-printing technology and up asking a lot of my amazing and passion for cosplay known as acid-etching, so sourcing accurate talented online friends whether a Jedimanda. “As my skills as a fabrics was a challenge in itself, as certain swatch was a good choice costume designer and seamstress Jedimanda explains. “I did a ton of or not, and that helped me make

74 / STAR WARS INSIDER WORLDWIDE

Amanda Dawn’s other creations have included Ahsoka Tano, Maul, and a burnt Anakin (pictured left and below).

“I started recreating recognizable characters for my portfolio and Maul was the first to pop in my head,” Dawn says. “I just love the look of the character.”

WORLD BUILDERS Making space for collectibles

hether you prefer your wall sections that match the action fi gures loose and detailing on the original, life-sized W playable or keep them sets, and are perfectly scaled to mint-in-box, there are many ways to Hasbro’s Black Series action fi gures display your collection—but it’s and Bandai’s kits. “I hand-paint them home-made dioramas that excite myself then add fi gures to create the maker in all of us. scenes,” says Johnson, who Fans Tony Johnson and Greg reconfi gures his walls to build Reeves have different approaches to different areas of the battle station. creating corners of the Star Wars Greg Reeves, a university lecturer galaxy for their action fi gures to from Louisiana, constructs his inhabit, with one using 3D printed dioramas to the regular 3 1/4 inch elements while the other employs action fi gure-scale, including his card, plaster, and even twigs and recreations of Dagobah and leaves in his creations. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s hut (below), Tony Johnson’s Death Star often adding special lighting and some tough decisions.” (above) is made up of 3D-printed photographic backgrounds. Amidala’s infamous headpiece also took some work. “I just kept working and working until I got the look I wanted without a lot of weight on my head,” she says, and admits that three hours is the maximum length of time she can wear it. “After the headpiece, the rest of the outfi t was much simpler to create. I played with a lot of techniques and custom embroidery to get the look I wanted. I think I achieved it pretty well.” Look out for Jedimanda at Star Wars Celebration Chicago next year, where she’s planning to dress as Battlefront II’s Iden Versio.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 75 The Invisible Hand: The art of editing Star Wars books

The relationship between author and reader has been much explored, but the journey from initial concept to book shelves requires the input of an often invisible creative: the editor. Star Wars Insider asked Jennifer Heddle, Executive Editor at Lucasa lm’s publishing division, to reveal her part in that process.

Words: Christopher Cooper

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76 / STAR WARS INSIDER INTERVIEW: JENNIFER HEDDLE

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tar Wars Insider: those books I’m more of a How did you ‘traditional’ editor in that I do come to be everything I would have done at S editing books at my previous jobs as the editor of Lucasfi lm? a novel. For the licensed books, I Jennifer Heddle: read them and provide feedback, It was serendipitous. I’ve been an but those publishers have their editor at Penguin and at Simon & own editors who take the books Schuster, and always specialized through the publishing process. in science fi ction and fantasy. At In those cases I’m more of a my last job, with S&S, I also did a liaison and approvals person, lot of licensed editing, so I’ve helping them with whatever they worked on a lot of media tie-ins need to put together a great Star with various studios and I know Wars book. how that aspect of the business works. A publisher at Del Rey What are the main skills that a used to be my boss at S&S, and good editor needs? he knew that I was a Star Wars I think the most important thing the characters remain 01 Jennifer fan, so he recommended me for that an editor can do is to see ‘in-character,’ and that Heddle. the job when the position at what would improve the story everything makes sense 02 Star Wars Lucasfi lm came open. without interfering with the within the Star Wars galaxy. Bloodline by Claudia Gray writer’s mission, and the writer’s I guess that’s one of those is a favorite And you relocated from New voice. The author always needs to things where you know it of Heddle’s. York to take it? be the one who is driving the when you see it. I’m a native New Yorker. I’d story, and the editor is the person never lived anywhere else, so it who helps them get that story to Do you have a particular favorite was a big move to come out to the best place that it can be. So, in from the Star Wars books that California. It wasn’t something I’d effect, the best editor is invisible. you’ve edited? ever considered, and when I fi rst Another skill is communication, I feel bad picking favorites, but if heard that the job was in San being able to connect with writers pressed I’d have to say Bloodline Francisco my initial reaction was about how best to improve their by Claudia Gray. That was a book to turn it down. But it was such book. Sometimes that can be that I very much wanted Claudia an incredible opportunity, and through encouragement, when to write. Her schedule at the time Lucasfi lm felt that I would be writers aren’t sure they can do was very hectic, so I called her able to approach the program what you’re asking of them. It’s personally to let her know that with fresh eyes, so everything your job to be a cheerleader, so we wanted to do a political just fell into place. that they know you know they are drama starring Leia, and that capable of achieving it. I felt she was the person that Can you describe your role as In terms of what I do here at needed to write it. Thankfully, editor, and what it entails? Lucasfi lm, a big part of my job is Claudia came onboard and I’m part of the team here who making sure that a book ‘feels’ delivered an amazing book, works on Star Wars books, like Star Wars, making sure that and I was really gratifi ed with although my role is a little different from some of the other editors in that I deal with both “THE AUTHOR ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE THE ONE WHO IS our licensee publishers—like Del DRIVING THE STORY, AND THE EDITOR IS THE PERSON Rey and Scholastic—but I also acquire books directly for our WHO HELPS THEM GET THAT STORY TO THE BEST Disney Lucasfi lm Press imprint. I PLACE THAT IT CAN BE. SO, IN EFFECT, THE BEST work on middle grade and Young Adult novels for Disney, so for EDITOR IS INVISIBLE.”

STAR WARS INSIDER / 77 INTERVIEW: JENNIFER HEDDLE

the response it received. To be 03 able to show Han and Leia in a loving, trusting relationship—I know it helped a lot of fans with their grief after Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I heard from quite a few readers that it really helped with their healing, and it did the same for me, so in that sense I have a very personal connection to the book.

Looking back at the history of Star Wars publishing, are there any older books that you’ve found infl uential? When I fi rst started working at Lucasfi lm I threw myself into a crash course on the New Jedi Order. I read the whole series within a couple of months, and I was so impressed by what a proved me wrong, so I hope 04 storytelling achievement it was, that’s something that continues that so many authors participated to happen. We defi nitely like in this one, continuing story. It to take chances with different showed what could be done with kinds of authors, to see what Star Wars storytelling; thinking they bring to the table. I think big and being ambitious, and bringing in new voices is pulling it off. It set a standard, really important. moving forward. And I have a soft spot for Do book ideas generally come Barbara Hambly’s Planet of from within Lucasfi lm, or from Twilight, published by Bantam outside authors and publishers? Spectra. She’s one of my favorite Ideas are generated on both authors, period, and it’s a Leia sides—by Lucasfi lm and also by book, so how could I not love it? publishers. It just depends on the project! We always try to be as Do you feel there are any limits collaborative as possible. to the sort of stories that Star Wars can tell? How far can Are there any concepts you push its boundaries? 03 Carrie currently on the backburner, unfold, but we’re always thinking Fisher’s Leia I believe that Star Wars has long been waiting for the right time? in the long term. needs to grow to survive, Heddle’s We have at least a couple of which I think has been favorite things in mind that we know we You mentioned pursuing Claudia character. refl ected in the recent fi lms. can’t do right now, but maybe in Gray. Are there any other It’s certainly something that 04 Rae Carson’s the next couple of years. authors you dream of hiring but I like to see in our books as YA novel, Obviously, we don’t want to do know you’d probably never get? Most Wanted, well. I mean, there are authors also edited by anything that might interfere Any authors you would literally who have done things that I Heddle, tells with what’s going on over on the chase down the street to get an early tale didn’t think we could even do about Han film and TV side, so we have to them to write a Star Wars novel? in Star Wars, and they happily and Qi’ra. be patient as those stories Absolutely. There are a couple of authors—I don’t want to say who—that I’ve said to their “I BELIEVE THAT STAR WARS NEEDS TO GROW TO agents: ‘whatever they want to write, whenever they want to SURVIVE, WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN write it, they have an open THE RECENT FILMS. IT’S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT invitation to do so.’ But they’re very successful, which means I LIKE TO SEE IN OUR BOOKS AS WELL.” they are also very busy, so I just

78 / STAR WARS INSIDER INTERVIEW: JENNIFER HEDDLE

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05 A selection of recent books edited by Heddle: William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, Ahsoka, Thrawn, and Lando’s Luck.

have to hope that at some point book where Luke and Leia their schedules open up enough commandeer the Falcon, which for them to work with us. So yes, Han is not very happy about. It’s I defi nitely do have some dream nice to fi nd different ways to authors on my radar. explore these characters. Flight of the Falcon kicks off at the What is in the immediate beginning of October 2018 and future for Lucasfi lm’s runs into early 2019. publishing program? We’re really excited about Flight What has been the most of the Falcon. That’s a home- thrilling storytelling experience grown publishing initiative this you’ve had at Lucasfi lm so far? fall that follows the Millennium There have been plenty of those Falcon from the days of Lando’s kinds of moments. So many. One captaincy up until just after The that defi nitely comes to mind is Last Jedi. The story is not so a time when I was in a meeting much about the ship itself but with Story Group, where we about the people who fl y in it. were mapping out ideas about We have a great story coming up Leia’s childhood. It hit me that with Lando and L3-37, where we there I was, helping to construct get to see them interact a lot Leia’s canon background. As more; we’re going to fi nd out all someone who has been in love about Han and Chewie’s with that character for my entire encounters with Hondo Ohnaka, life, that was a completely which should be really funny; and mind-blowing experience for there’s a Choose Your Destiny me. That was really huge.

STAR WARS INSIDER / 79 The Star Wars Archive Lights! Camera! Action! Rare images from the Star Wars photo archives.

80 / STAR WARS INSIDER Extras playing stormtroopers rest between takes during the early morning location shoot for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, at London’s Canary Wharf tube station. Photo: John Wilson

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