NEW BLU-RAY DELETED SCENE CLIP: CHASM CLASH!

Another welcome little deleted scene snippet from the upcoming Blu-rays has turned up online: this time its a slightly different version of the chasm battle from STAR WARS (Episode IV), incorporating the famous, for years debated, was it or wasn't it filmed moment in which Luke throws the grappling hook and misses the first time around.

Here it is:  STAR WARS Blu-Ray New Deleted Scene‬‏ - YouTube

We're sure there will be more hotly debated scenes like this to come on those shiny discs!!

UPDATE 2/8/2011: Turns out it was all just a clever hoax from the YOUTUBE poster. But, I'm sure you'll agree a nicely done one at that!

Also, here's an apparent Russian trailer for the Blu-rays. We don't think it's the real deal, though it's well put together: ‪Star Wars Blu Ray HD [Russian]‬‏ - YouTube

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: REBEL CAPTURE!

Feisty heroine Princess Leia finds herself in a tough spot with some Imperial Stormtroopers in this specially posed publicity image for Carrie Fisher from 1979 (probably April, during the first batch of filming of Bespin scenes) for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

For more info on the making of the classic film, check out our comprehensive Behind the Scenes issues from 2006 and 2010, containing much behind the scenes information not available within the pages of the recent Rinzler book.

2010 ESB Behind the Scenes companion.

Exhaustive Making of ESB Special Issue from 2006.

Available here: BACK ISSUE PDF CATALOG

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

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

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

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

CLASSIC IMAGE: BATTLE READY REBELS!

A group of loyal Rebel soldiers prepare to meet heavy Imperial resistance cutting its way into the Blockade Runner in search of the stolen data tapes of the Death Star. In the original script (and comic book), the Stormtroopers blast downwards from the ceiling and into battle-an intriguing image. Though what was finally seen on screen in 1977 with their explosive entrance would prove more than exemplary!

SATURDAY NIGHT LEIA!

As part of their SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE 70's weekend, SKY ARTS Channel One HD in the UK are showing tomorrow night (Sunday) at 9.10pm the famous 1978 Carrie Fisher edition (originally airing in the US, I believe, a week prior to another STAR WARS comedy event: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL!), which saw her in character as Princess Leia for several classic sequences/sketches (including her opening audience monologue pictured above) with the likes of comedy greats like Bill Murray and the late Gilda Radner.

Though it's been commercially available on Region One DVD as part of an expensive series box set, it will finally be nice to see the programme in the best quality possible on regular TV, and, if anyone out there can correct me on this please get in touch, I don't recall that episode actually being shown by the UK's ITV channel when it had seventies repeats very late at night in the early eighties...

SCENES WE WANT ON BLU-RAY 3: THE SANDSTORM

This has to be the most famous and most desired deleted sequence shot for RETURN OF THE JEDI that fans worldwide want to see-in fact, this scene was the first sequence captured on film for the movie in January 1982 and one of the most difficult to realise at ELSTREE studio, as the STAR WARS actors, braving unfriendly conditions, were re-united for the first time in three years for their final Classic Trilogy movie.

For my thoughts on the famous sequence, head over to the main site: REQUIEM FOR A SANDSTORM

And don't forget, the exhaustive AFICIONADO back issue devoted to the making of the film is still available on PDF here: BACK ISSUE PDF CATALOG

CLASSIC IMAGE: JABBA IN DA HOUSE!

Here's another classic B/W image sent by LUCASFILM to KENNER for reference use in 1982/83, this time of Jabba and friends from RETURN OF THE JEDI, inside the palace throne room on Tatooine. If ever there was a great image that should be released via OFFICIAL PIXS, this is certainly one worthy for consideration.

C'mon, OP, release more rare JEDI pics please!

And, check out this great and highly informative web feature from John Coppinger going behind the scenes at Jabba's creation : Star Wars - Passion4Makeup Magazine

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.


And, linked to JEDI, check out this rare interview material (including Richard Marquand conversation)/behind the scenes footage that has returned to YOUTUBE about the making of JEDI, and most importantly, the creation of Jabba's Palace creatures/ Sail Barge.

YouTube - mrjohnavery's Channel
YouTube - ROTJ Richard Marquand, Anthony Daniels

With thanks to the YOUTUBE posters for these great TV finds.

CLASSIC IMAGE: REBEL ESCAPE- STAGE ONE

As the Imperial Death Fleet begins to blockade their Rebel hideaway on the planet Hoth, Princess Leia Organa and General Rieekan, working quickly within their command centre: Echo Base, initiate a daring escape plan for their forces.

A FINE VINTAGE: CARRIE FISHER'S "WISHFUL DRINKING"!

The best and worst of Carrie Fisher. It can only be WISHFUL DRINKING. Image: HBO.

Don't forget, in the UK tonight on SKY ATLANTIC HD at 10.15pm is the first screening of Carrie Fisher's hilarious HBO show of her acclaimed stage tour/book: WISHFUL DRINKING.

Check out the KOOL TV review here: KOOL TV: LIFE WITH LEIA! CARRIE FISHER'S "WISHFUL DRINKING"

CLASSIC IMAGE: HIGH SPIRITED REBELS!

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

CLASSIC IMAGE: CHASM CHALLENGED!

Here's a great shot from one of my favourite scenes of STAR WARS: the exciting, and classic, chasm swing with Luke and Leia. This image has an interesting composition, presumably taken during rehearsal, and, as you can see, it shows our heroes at the other end of the junction they've just swung to (or has photographer John Jay gone round the other side of the set so as to shoot from a differing angle?).

Though used for several pieces of pre-release promotion (including a lavish FOX colour brochure spread within their FILMS FOR 77 booklet (presumably, at the time the booklet was being formulated in mid to late 1976, this was one of the very first colour images released for the blockbuster that no one really saw coming), you don't really see this pic used much nowadays, and I'd like to see it appear in the future by way of an official magazine or book in a much higher res, and in a nice double page spread, too!

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.

CARRIE FISHER: MEMOIRS OF A HOLLYWOOD SURVIVOR IN "WISHFUL DRINKING'!

Carrie Fisher's acclaimed one-woman stage show about her life and family, through good times and bad, life affirming and disturbing in equal measure, and often presented with the blissful psychoanalytic raw-ness of a hunters blade: WISHFUL DRINKING, also based on her equally successful, and critically loved book, is coming to the UK's SKY ATLANTIC HD channel on Thursday April 21st 9pm, and will surely prove a real, and very adult, comedic hoot to anyone already within her legion of worldwide fans and to those who haven't yet experienced the wit and darkly absurd wisdom of Carrie's brilliant comedic flair. Oh, and I believe STAR WARS gets a little mention in there as well. She was in that, y'know...

CLASSIC IMAGE: BUNKER SNARE!

On the forest moon of Endor, captured by a legion of Imperial troops, Han, Leia, Chewie and the Rebel commando team are unable to carry out their destructive mission against the shield generator protecting the Death Star. Soon enough, though, the tide will turn...

RETURN OF THE JEDI is showing today on the UK's ITV 1 HD channel this mid-afternoon.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE THREE FACES OF PRINCESS LEIA

Here's a nice composite image that is on and off available from OFFICIALPIX, showing Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa in her acting and character journey across all three films, from captured but resolutely fiesty Princess in A NEW HOPE to lethal Hutt killer, maturing Rebel hero and Jedi-to-be in RETURN OF THE JEDI. Thirty four years on, both Fisher and Leia remain great screen icons for our time...

CLASSIC IMAGE: STAR WARRIORS!

One of British photographer David Steen's great four cast 1976 images of our classic, iconic heroes from the original STAR WARS, the movie that started it all, which showed yesterday afternoon on ITV 1 HD in the UK and looked great, even in pan and scan.

For more on the photographers and photography for the original film, head over to our exclusive feature: http://www.starwarsaficionado.com/photographersofstarwars.html

CLASSIC ART: TO SEDUCE A PRINCESS!

The evil head of the Black Sun criminal organisation, the reptilian Prince Xizor, prepares to use his natural pheromones to make Princess Leia (wearing her Boushh bounty hunter disguise) his next conquest, in this scene from the movie that sadly never was: SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE. This great art for the LUCASFILM marketing and merchandise campaign, created to test and generate fan interest for the soon to be re-released Classic Trilogy SPECIAL EDITION movies in 1997, was one of many pieces done in TOPPS card form back in 1995/6 by the esteemed Hildebrandt Brothers.

We've got THE CLONE WARS series and its great. Now, c'mon Mister Filoni and the gang, make SHADOWS an animated reality!

CLASSIC CONCEPTION: THE BEAUTY OF ALDERAAN

Here's some great conceptual art for EPISODE III of Bail Organa's home planet of Alderaan, an iconic world with strong ideals of peace and admired by many of the peoples living within the once noble Republic. Until its destruction by the first dreaded Death Star battle station, the snow capped mountain planet had been a beacon of hope for the Rebel Alliance and its galaxy wide supporters during the fight against the tyranny of the now established First Galactic Empire.

Recently shown in THE CLONE WARS episode ASSASSIN, we hope to see more of House Organa and its civilisation in later seasons...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARRIE FISHER!

Still the greatest as the Stormtrooper blasting, Rebel leading, Scoundrel loving, Wookiee hugging, medal giving, bun wearing, Bikini stunning babe of the Original STAR WARS saga.

With thanks to Chris Baker for the image.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A PRINCESS AND A SCOUNDREL!

An early version of Roger Kastel's 1979/80 art for the homage GONE WITH THE WIND style poster of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Its a wonderful, timeless piece, and works beautifully in summing up the more sophisticated nature of the first STAR WARS sequel within its black and white reproduction.

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (OF HOTH)

On the Hoth set at ELSTREE, Carrie Fisher plays with a more normal type of white powder!

Classic Carrie Fisher talks about being "out there" on the 1979 set of EMPIRE:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3175018/Carrie-Fisher-I-did-cocaine-on-The-Empire-Strikes-Back.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1319676/Carrie-Fishers-drug-shame-I-did-cocaine-set-Empire-Strikes-Back.html