CLASSIC IMAGE: TATOOINE TOURISTS!

Awaiting news from their scout team entering the wild confines of Mos Espa, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and Naboo Captain Panaka patrol the desert environs of Tatooine around their damaged, secretly landed Royal Cruiser in this scene from EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE.

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 4: "THE LOST TWENTY"

We'd all seen the pictures before the release of EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, where, within the vast interior of the Jedi Temple Archives, Obi-Wan Kenobi looks on at a bust (one of many showing other historically important Jedi), bearing the visage of Count Dooku, leading to Librarian Jocastu Nu recounting to him (and the audience) how the ex-Jedi Master has become one of the few of a group, intriguingly known as "the Lost Twenty", to have deliberately departed the Jedi Order of their own free will due to differing viewpoints with the colleagues. Sadly, the fascinating scene, which revealed how Dooku's then recent departure had proved a bitter blow to the Council (soon further surprised by his becoming the leader of the ever-growing Separatist Forces against the Republic), disappointingly never making it into the final film.

Here's hoping for either a re-insertion of the footage into the film on Blu-ray or, at least, a welcome appearance in the Deleted Scenes section...

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: EPISODE II BLU-RAY TASTER?

Click the pic to fully enjoy this great ultra high res image from ILM for EPISODE II, featuring Obi-Wan and the Kaminoans inspecting the early battalions of Clone Soldiers, which clearly shows the kind of picture quality improvements/difference we should get when the film makes it's debut on Blu-ray in September. Made on digital video from the outset, the Prequel should look even more incredible to look at than ever before and be the closest we'll ever get to seeing how it was meant to be watched from the outset...

CLASSIC IMAGE: CLONE TOUR

Within Tipoca city, on the secret storm laden world of Kamino, Prime Minister Lama Su proudly takes Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi on a tour of its highly successful cloning facilities. The Republics pre-order of Clone Trooper armies is well underway and on target for delivery in this all-important scene from EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, which celebrates it's ninth birthday this week.

IN CLASS WITH THE LIGHTSABER MASTER!

Kyle Rowling puts Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen through their paces for the lightsaber duels of EPISODE III.

Fans of the superb lightsaber choreography created by Nick Gillard for the STAR WARS Prequels will soon have their dreams come true and be able to participate in such action themselves with this great news from Jared Kirby at the US COMBAT CON event, taking place this Summer in Las Vegas.

Here’s the info:

Master of the craft. Stunt co-ordinator/director Nick Gillard will reveal all about his superb Prequel Trilogy lightsaber duels.

Nick Gillard (assisted by Kyle Rowling) will teach a lightsaber master class at Combat Con in Las Vegas June 24th, 2011 (http://thecombatcon.com/jedi-fighting). For the first time ever, you will have an opportunity to learn lightsaber fighting from the man who created it for Star Wars I, II and III.

In this master class Nick will teach a complicated run from Revenge Of The Sith which covers all of the Jedi moves while explaining the rules involved in Jedi fighting.  He will also teach how to write it yourself. This World Premiere master class will be the first time it's been taught since Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen learn it! 

This special master class will be a separate charge (TBD), but only participants registered for Combat Con will be able to attend so register now (http://thecombatcon.com/register).  Space is very limited to make sure participants get a lot of individual attention.  It will fill up quickly so don't miss this rare opportunity to be trained by the man who created all the fights for Star Wars I, II and III!

And, if you haven't already seen our terrific, and highly comprehensive, interview with Nick Gillard, check it out here: NICK GILLARD INTERVIEW

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE HIGHER GROUND!

Atop a hill overlooking a vast volcanic river on Mustafar, Obi-Wan Kenobi warns Darth Vader-the man/Jedi once known as Anakin Skywalker- to stop in his attempts at fighting him, and before he can initiate a dangerous move that will surely leave his opponent/once friend dead or disabled. It's that momentous scene from EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH.

CLASSIC IMAGE: "THE BOY'S DANGEROUS"

On Coruscant, before their return to Naboo and partaking in its liberation, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi has a frank and argumentative discussion with his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, about whether it is wise to look after and oversee the destiny of young Anakin Skywalker, a boy whose future is clouded with uncertainty and possible danger...

CLASSIC IMAGE: RE-UNITED IN A TIME OF CRISIS

Within her triple-protected apartment on Coruscant, ex-Queen now senator, Padme Amidala, flanked by her aides Captain Typho and Handmaiden, Dorme, is re-united with her old friend, and new protector, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his "grown-up" Padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker, in this intriguing green screen scene filmed at the FOX STUDIOS in 2000 for EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SPRINGING THE TRAP!

On the top level observation spire of General Grievous's command warship, The Invisible Hand, which is immersed in a huge orbital battle above the Republic homeworld of Coruscant, legendary Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker engage in their final (all too brief on screen) lightsaber duel with the evil Count Dooku, so as to rescue the captured Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

It will be a conflict with tremendous consequences for young Anakin Skywalker...

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE CLUE!

In the dark alleyways and side streets of Coruscant's lower levels, the EPISODE II detective spree continues for Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, as he discovers the poisonous dart used by an unknown flying assailant to kill the bounty hunter Zam Wesell just as she/it is about to provide him and Anakin with critical information on who's behind the assassination attempt on Senator Amidala.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TWO JEDI - ONE ARMY!

One of the very first images released by LUCASFILM in their then 1998/1999 press promotion of EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE, and its still one of my favourites. In this nicely framed shot showing lots of detail and very scene evocative of the Jedi action to come, Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson have never looked better or formidably heroic in the film than as they are here as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, surviving a sneaky assassination attempt on their lives by the the once cowardly Neimoidians and now trying to break through to the bridge of their shield door protected Trade Federation cruiser, though their noble attempts, almost unstoppable, are ultimately interrupted by the notorious Droidekas, soon rolling onto the scene and unleashing their heavy laser artillery against them. Its all a great action packed start to the first chronological movie of the STAR WARS saga, and the invasion of the friendly and beautiful world of Naboo is just one portent of worse things yet to come...

I can't wait to see the epic adventure and grandeur of the Prequel Trilogy films, as well as their Classic counter-parts, back on the big screen again, starting next year, where they belong!

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH...

Still in hiding on Coruscant, Obi-Wan Kenobi, now aware of Padme's pregnancy by Anakin, also knows that she's hiding the truth about Darth Vader's location on Mustafar, in this nicely played scene between Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman from EPISODE III.

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: CREEPY OBSERVER!

Pursuing the Bounty Hunter Jango Fett to the desert world of Geonosis, Obi-Wan Kenobi lands his Jedi starfighter unaware that his craft is being watched by the planets gruesome primary life-forms, in this great visual from EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

CLASSIC IMAGE: "COMING IN HOT!"

From EPISODE III, a tense time for our Republic Heroes as they try to regain flight control of the surviving section of General Grievous's warship The Invivible Hand for a safe (ish) landing on Coruscant.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FATEFUL FOES

A classic posed image of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader, their lightsabers locked for the final battle of the Prequel Trilogy movies. Modern series Stunt Co-ordinator Nick Gillard was responsible for many of the choreographed lightsaber moves initiated for the photo sessions (like the one of Kenobi, Windu and Skywalker on the cover of AFICIONADO double issue 8/9).

CLASSIC IMAGE: A LITTLE HELP FOR A JEDI

Two technicians make some adjustments to Ewan McGregor's make-up and costume during shooting of EPISODE II at the FOX STUDIOS in Australia in 2000. Note the lady on the right wearing a ribbed dark leather outfit that could be something worn by Darth Vader!

Additionally, here's a little bit of Ewan/ STAR WARS related news from the DAILY MAIL website (17/10/2010):

Ewan McGregor stars alongside his uncle Denis Lawson in his latest movie.

Ewan, 39, plays the head chef of a posh restaurant, while Local Hero star Denis is the owner in Perfect Sense.

‘It was strange sitting together in the make-up trailer,’ recalled Denis at the ITV3 Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards. ‘Ewan would say, ‘‘Morning, Uncle Denis.’’ 'I’ve directed him twice before but we’ve never acted together. It was great and I’m pleased to say he didn’t offer any constructive criticism on my acting.’

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: BEING OBI-WAN, AND LOVING IT!

At LEAVESDEN Studios in 1997, during the filming of EPISODE ONE's intense finale lightsaber duel between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, a giddily excited and enthusiastic Ewan McGregor, having been stunt kicked onto a safety mat, turns round and happily exclaims to Stunt Co-ordinator Nick Gillard, and all within earshot...

"They said, "Do you wanna be in STAR WARS?" I said, "Too f+++ing right!""

Classic behind the scenes STAR WARS history, and classic Ewan McGregor!