“Star Wars”: Personal Episodes

USA Today, May, 18, 2005

The Star Wars saga ay be coming to close with the release of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith tonight at midnight. But for those who participated in the making of the six-film franchise, the Force of such an era-spanning cultural phenomenon will be with them for a long time to come. USA Today’s Mike Snider, Cesar G. Soriano and Susan Wloszczyna asked some the alumni of the series to share their thoughts as the story concludes.

Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker in Episodes IV (1977), V (1980), and VI (1983)
How he feels as the series is about to end: “I have high expectations for this installment, mostly due to the fact that the Wookiees are back, which, in my view, is a surefire way to improve any film. Perhaps, had Martin Scorsese realized this fundamental fact, The Aviator would have prevailed over Million Dollar Baby.

“It will never come to an end in the hearts and minds of the ultra-passionate fans. In fact, George has already announced his intention to rerelease the films in 3-D, although I personally am looking forward to the Smell-O-Vision version, have firsthand knowledge of just how pungent a wet Wookiee smells.”

What is the best part of being part of such a phenomenon? “It was becoming: A. Wealthy. B. A Pez dispenser. C. A pair of underoos. D. A beloved pop-culture icon.”

What he remembers most: “How I much preferred George’s fantasy universe to real life. And I instantly regretted turning down the role of Chewbacca in favor of Luke.”

After Return of the Jedi, he became best known as the voice of the Joker in the animated Batman movie and TV series. Why did he embrace his dark side? “Embracing (or rejecting) the dark side is the central theme of the film I will be directing later this year (my second, by the way), the movie version of my comic book, The Black Pearl, which, regrettably, contains not a single Wookiee.”

Kenny Baker: R2-D2 in Episodes I (1999), II (2002), III-VI
How he feels as the series is about to end: “Well, everything comes to an end eventually. But this could go on. The interest is still there, and now there are three, four, five generations of fans, from 2- to 82-year-olds. It’s sad that the films are coming to an end. But I should think that George Lucas has had enough of Star Wars by now.”

Warwick Davis: Wicket, the lead Ewok, in Episode VI
How he feels as the series is about to end: “It’s sad in a way, but it will live on in comic books, novels, and it also opens up George to create other wonderful things beyond Star Wars.”

How he feels about being part of such a phenomenon: “I was only 11 when the film was made. But after you’ve started way up here, it’s hard to continue at that level and get back to that point. But it got me into the industry.”

What he remembers most about making the movie: “My memories of Return of the Jedi was as an 11-year-old. I knew Harrison Ford as Han Solo, not Harrison Ford. Carrie Fisher used to bring me mild and cookies. She was like a mother figure to me, though my own mother was on the set as a chaperone. Mark Hamill used to give all the toys I wanted. I look at the film now and I see myself doing things, I had no idea why I did them. There was a scene where I was inspecting R2-D2, sort of looking into his eye. And George loved it.”

There seems to be a lot of negativity toward Ewoks. Why should we respect them? “Some of the fans think George just made the Ewoks so he could have some cute and cuddly toys to sell. George doesn’t operate like that. He set out to make a primitive race that took on and conquered a technologically advanced, superior force. It said to me that you can accomplish anything if your heart is in it.”

Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca the Wookiee in Episodes III, IV, V, VI
How he feels as the series is about to end: “The Star Wars universe won’t actually leave us after this film, but I think that it will be changing in the next few years. The friendships that have come about due to my participation will continue for the rest of my life, and I am very grateful to be here at this time and to have been included in the beginning and end.”

What he remembers most about making the films: “The amazement of seeing the finished product after we had done the filming. We were working a lot of blue screen, and the special effects were being done in other studios after we did our bits. I know it’s quite common today, but during the original filming, it was all new to us. I think it turned out smashing, don’t you?”

What was it like wearing the fur suit again for Episode III? “It was a wonderful experience getting Chewie back together. The day we got the costume finished in Australia, Dave and Lou Elsey of the Creature Shop were playing the song Chewbacca (What a Wookiee!) from Clerks in the background, and we all had a little tear in our eyes. When we drove through the studio to show the new creation to George, there were lots of people lining the streets to get a glimpse, and I hope no one was disappointed.”

David Prowse: Darth Vader (inside the black suit) in Episodes IV, V, VI
How he feels as the series is about to end: “It’s come to a logical end, but I think fans are going to be very, very disappointed now that they haven’t got another Star Wars film to look forward to.”

The best part of being involved in such a phenomenon: “Being regarded as the ultimate screen villain of all time gives you respect within your business from your fellow actors and your peers.”

What he remembers most about making the films: “Working with (Empire Strikes Back director) Irvin Kershner was one of the nicest experiences I ever had. He was one of the most feeling directors I’ve ever worked with. I say this kind of joking, but it’s true, really, that my most memorable moment of working on the movies was when my first residual check arrived.”

What was wearing Darth Vader’s mask like? “The suit was made of quilted leather and fiberglass, and all the heat would rise up into the mask and you couldn’t see where you were going. You would do a scene and take the mask and helmet off, and then put it on and start all over again.”

Is black his favorite color? “No, not really. I like navy blue.”

Liam Neeson: Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn in Episode I
How he feels as the series is about to end: “I had a great experience shooting Star Wars. It was a very definite acting challenge given that so much of the sets and characters were blue screen. I had the coolest costume I’ve ever worn in any movie. And I’ll never forget the day just prior to the start of shooting. George walking up with this velvet-lined box, which he opened and inside were five beautiful lightsabers. He asked me to pick whatever lightsaber I wanted for my character. I now have it proudly mounted in my office.”

“Sith” secrets already on sale

By Scott Bowles, USA Today, May 18, 2005

No ticket to tonight’s opening of Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith? Need to know the fates of Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan?

Just head to your local book or toy store.

There was a time when George Lucas fought to protect the plot twists in his films. Movie critics were begged not to reveal that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father when The Empire Strikes Back hit screens in 1980.

But that was a long time ago. Last month, Sith books and toys arrived, many of them containing key plot elements to Sith:

Call Upon Yoda, an electronic doll of the green Jedi master, tells the story of every Star Wars installment, including the fate of characters in Sith.

The script, novelization and graphic novel of Sith hit bookstores more than a month ago.

The video game Revenge of the Sith let players progress through plot developments from the movie, down to the climactic battle.

Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing, says the film experience “stands so far apart from the experience of reading about it in a book that the two things won’t compete.”

But fans wonder whether Lucas is assuming that devotees want to know more than they do.

“I can’t go anywhere without a toy or a book trying to spoil the movie for me,” says Daniel Gold, 19, who walked out of a KB Toys in Sherman Oaks, Calif., after looking for action figures. “I don’t feel like I can go on the Internet until after the movie comes out.”