Two war heros

Quote of today

"If they find us, they will crush us, grind us into tiny pieces and then blast us into oblivion."

Obi-Wan Kenobi explain what will happen if ”a thousand terrible things” find them.
The Phantom Menace

Today we celebrate...
Tony Cox at his 52nd birthday (born 1958)
Ewan McGregor at his 39th birthday (born 1971)

Tony Cox was born in Uniontown, Alabama, USA. He played an ewok in Return of the Jedi. He has made a lot of movies but I did recognize him as Shonte Jackson in Me, Myself & Irene.

Ewan Gordon McGregor was born in Perthshire, Scotland, UK. He is a big fan of Star Wars and played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Prequel Trilogy.

Read about what he felt to precede In the Footstep of Obi-Wan Kenobi and about Trading Lightsaber Blows with Obi-Wan Kenobi. More about Ewan McGregor and his other work will you find at the fansite ewanmcgregor.net.

The ewok Tony Cox played was later named Willy in the Battle for Endor, and Widdle in the Ewok Adventure. Willy has white (or very light) fur on the cheeks and according to EU he is the brother of Wicket W. Warrick.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is the Jedi we can watch mature from a fresh-faced Padawan learner to a seasoned General in the Clone Wars.

In early fiction spun-off from Return of the Jedi it was stated that Owen Lars was the brother of Obi-Wan Kenobi. In Attack of the Clones it conclusively establishes that these two characters have no blood relation at all.


Today…
year 1981 won The Empire Strikes Back an Oscar for Best Sound.

A drug dealer

Quote of today

"Wanna buy some death sticks?"

Elan Sleazebaggano picks the wrong buyer.
Attack of the Clones

Today we celebrate...
Matt Doran at his 34th birthday (born 1976)

Matt Doran, birth name Matthew J. Doran, was born in Sydney, Australia and he played Elan Sleazebaggano in Attack of the Clones. Among all other movies he has been in you may recognize him as Mouse in Matrix.

Elan Sleazebaggano is a slimy narcotics peddler, seen in the Outlander Club trying to sell death sticks to a Jedi.

In production photos you can see Elan Sleazebaggano having ears, but for the film they are removed by ILM and replaced by his alien features – antennae. It was done just prior to the film's release and as a result there are two versions of the action figure of Elan Sleazebaggano.

I think he lost some in the look of the hairstyle when they removed the ears.

General Veers

Quote of today

”Yes, Lord Vader. I've reached the main power generator. The shield will be down in moments. You may start your landing.”

General Veers will prepare for Darth Vader’s arrival.
The Empire Strikes Back

Today we celebrate...
Julian Glover at his 75th birthday (born 1935)

Julian Wyatt Glover was born in London, England, UK. He played General Veers in The Empire Strikes Back but you may also have seen him as Walter Donovan in Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade, as the central villain in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, and the voice of the spider Aragog in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

General Maximilian Veers is a stern and polished military man. It is Veers who lead the army of AT-AT and AT-ST in the invation of Hoth.

Today we remember…
Peter Diamond who deceased today 2004. He was the stunt coordinator for the Original Trilogy.

Loyal bodyguard

Quote of today

"I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo...I come before you in peace.”

Sabé, in disguise as the Queen, wants to cooperate with the Gungans.
The Phantom Menace

Today we celebrate...
Keira Knightley at her 25th birthday (born 1985)

Keira Christina Knightley was born in Middlesex, England, UK. She played handmaiden Sabé in The Phantom Menace. You may recognize her from Pirates of the Caribbean where she playes Elisabeth Swan.

Sabé is the handmaiden that becomes a decoy, disguised as the Queen, while Amidala adopts a simple gown of a handmaiden and goes by her name Padmé.

Today we remember…
Barry Gnome who deceased today 1988

Barry Gnome played the little Kabe in Mos Eisley Cantina.

Another Queen of Naboo

Quote of today

"We must keep our faith in the Republic. The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."

Queen Jamillia is a beliver.
Attack of the Clones

Did you know…
In some early sources her name was spelled Jamilla.

Ayesha Dharker was born during 1977 in Bombay, India. She played Queen Jamillia of Naboo in Attack of the Clones. Read more about her in The Dharker Side: An Audience with Queen Jamillia.

Queen Jamillia is the new monarch of Naboo after Queen Amidala.

A Queen of Naboo

Quote of today

"Anakin, this baby will change our lives. I doubt the Queen will continue to allow me to serve in the Senate, and if the Council discovers you are the father, you will be expelled from the Jedi Order."

Padmé thinks the queen don’t want small child parent as representative in the Senate.
Revenge of the Sith

Today we celebrate...
Keisha Castle-Hughes at her 20th birthday (born 1990)

Keisha Castle-Hughes was born in Donnybrook, Western Australia and she played Queen Apailana of Naboo in Revenge of the Sith. She filmed all of her scenes in just one day.

Queen Apailana of Naboo is the new teenage monarch of Naboo after Queen Jamillia.

Someone have to draw them all

Quote of today

"Ouch time"

Tarpals understands what will happen
The Phantom Menace

Today we celebrate...
Philip Edward Alexy at his 41st birthday (born 1969)

Philip Edward Alexy was born in Vancouver, Canada and worked at ILM as a character animator for The Phantom Menace. He is nicknamed Harrold the Flying Sheep and you can read more about him and his work at his own website. Philip Alexy leaves ILM 1999 after nearly seven year.

First day in the desert

Quote of today

"Luke! Luke! Luke, tell uncle if he gets a translator be sure it speaks Bocce."

Aunt Beru wants to understand the language Bocce.
A New Hope

Today...
year 1976 was the first day of principal photography in Tozeur, Tunisia for Star Wars, A New Hope. Read here how Peter Shillingford thought it was.

He wasn't pleased with the first one

Quote of today

"Look, Jabba, next time you want to talk to me, come see me yourself. Don’t send one of these twerps."

Han Solo prefers to meet face to face.
A New Hope

Today...
year 1997 was the premiere of Special Edition, A New Hope, in Sweden. Among all the things that was change was the Dewbacks anatomy.

Dewbacks are big lizards living in the desert of Tatooine and used by the locals as mounts and beasts of burden

In 1995, additional footage for the scene of the sandtroopers searching for the droids was filmed in Yuma, Arizona for the 1997 Special Edition of A New Hope (Source: Wookiepeedia)

General Madine and Orn Free Taa's two aides

Quote of today

”We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle. Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Imperial code, a strike team will land on the moon and deactivate the shield generator.”

General Madine describes the plan.
Return of the Jedi

Today we celebrate...
Dermot Crowley at his 63th birthday (born 1947)
Iain McCaig at his 53th birthday (born 1957)

Dermot (Joseph) Crowley was born in Cork, Ireland and played General Crix Madine in Return of the Jedi.

General Crix Madine is a Rebel Alliance officer and advisor to Mon Mothma. He was responsible for capturing the Imperial shuttle Tydirium with which the rebels could infiltrate Imperial territory on the Sanctuary Moon of Endor. 

Iain McCaig was born in California, USA and Concept Artist for the Prequel Trilogy. Read more about him at his own website.

Iain McCaig played Orn Free Taa’s aide but so did Trisha Biggar, Chrissie England and Jim Morris too and also two extras.

Trisha Biggar was born in Glascow, Scotland, UK and was Costume Designer for the Prequel Trilogy.

Chrissie England was the President of Industrial Light and Magic during the production of The Phantom Menace.

Jim Morris was the President of Lucas Digital during the production of The Phantom Menace.

This is what happened with the aids of Senator Orn Free Taa in The Phantom Menace:

• During production, the two aides were the Lethan (red) Twi'lek female played by Trisha Biggar and a male Twi'lek, played by Iain McCaig. This male Twi’lek aide is not to be confused with the pasty-skinned male Twi'lek Senator played by Alan Ruscoe or with any other pasty-skinned male twilek.

• For the theatrical release, the two Twi'lek aides were replaced by two Human aides - cameo appearances by Chrissie England and Jim Morris.

• For the final DVD release, one Human aide was digitally replaced with Pampy, a Rutian (turquoise) Twi’lek female from Attack of the Clones played by an extra. The other aide was reverted back to the original Lethan Twi'lek played by Trisha Biggar.

• In Attack of the Clones a green female Twi’lek aide named Supi, played by an extra, replaced the Lethan Twilek as Orn Free Taa’s aide.

If the audience consciously notice the costumes he had gone wrong.

Quote of today

”No, Captain, they're alive. I want every ship available to sweep the asteroid field until they are found.”

Darth Vader doesn’t think the Millenium Falcon has been destroyed in the asteroid field.
The Empire Strikes Back

Today we celebrate...
John Mollo at his79th birthday (born 1931)

John Mollo was born in England, United Kingdom and is a Costume Designer for A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. Since very young age he has been interested in the history of military uniforms, which led him into working with costume design for movies. John Mollo even won an Oscar for Best Costume Design for A New Hope. Here is a short interview with him.

Today we remember...
Leigh Brackett who deceased today 1978. She was the co-writer for The Empire Strikes Back.

Double up

Quote of today

"He won't give up his power. I've just learned a terrible truth. I think Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord.”

Anakin confides Mace Windu his discovery.
Revenge of the Sith

Today we celebrate...
Ben Cooke at his 36th birthday (born 1974)

Ben Cooke was born in England, UK and was Hayden Christiensen stunt double in Revenge of the Sith. He also played Kit Fisto in the same movie.

Another who have played Kit Fisto is Zacharias Jensen. He played Kit Fisto in Attack of the Clones credit as Zac Jensen. Zacharias Jensen is the brother of Jesse Jensen who played Saesee Tiin in the same movie.

Kit Fisto is an alien Jedi Master with large, unblinking eyes and a gathered tengle of flexible tentacle-tresses extending from his head. He was one in the group of Jedi Masters that was to arrest Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

The design of Kit Fisto was first developed as a male Sith apprentice but that idea was abandoned.

It took three to play Saesee Tiin

Quote of today

"You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the history archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished. (pauses briefly) Surrender - and your lives will be spared."

Count Dooku scents victory
Attack of the Clones

Did you know...
You might find Saesee Tiin's bust in the Jedi Archives

Kahn Bonfils is a British actor and model who played Saesee Tiin in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Here is his presentation at MotModels.

Kenji Oates was a network assistant for Revenge of the Sith but he also got the opportunity to play Saesee Tiin in the same movie.

Jesse Jensen played Saesee Tiin in the Arena sequences in Attack of the Clones. He is the brother of Zachariah Jensen who played Kit Fisto in the same movie.

Saesee Tiin is a powerfully built humanoid with two down-sweeping horns and a member of the Jedi Council. He survived the battle in Geonosis arena and was one in the group of Jedi Masters that was to arrest Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

The end once more

Quote of today

"You already have, Luke. You were right about me. Tell your sister...you were right."

The dying Anakin Skywalker feels saved
Return of the Jedi

Today...
year 1997 was the premiere of Return of the Jedi, Special Edition, in USA. The rest of the world had to wait until the middle of April, or longer.

For the re-release George Lucas took the chance to improve the movie. Here you can read about what has been changed.

It begins and continue

Quote of today

"And you, young Skywalker, we will be watching your career with great interests."

Senator Palpatine sees a future for little Anakin.
The Phantom Menace

Today...
year 1999 was the release of the Swedish title for The Phantom Menace
year 2002 was the release of the official theatrical poster for Episode II, Attack of the Clones


The Phantom Menace is the first episode in the Star Wars saga. In Sweden it got the title "Det mörka hotet".  There is no perfect translation of the original title so if I translate the Swedish title back to English it means "The Dark Threat".


The poster for Attack of the Clones was illustrated by Drew Struzan. He illustrated all the official theatrical posters for the Special Edition and the Prequel Trilogy.

And it starts again

Quote of today

"I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee."

Queen Amidala desire some action
The Phantom Menace

Today...
year 1999 was the release of the trailer for Episode I, The Phatom Menace.

The trailer went into North America theatrical release on Friday, March 12, 1999. But it was available for viewing on www.starwars.com already the day before.

Poster Artist

Quote of today

"Something's happening, I'm not the Jedi I should be. I want more, and I know I shouldn't."

Anakin Skywalker straddle
Revenge of the Sith

This month we celebrate...
Drew Struzan who was born during March 1947 so he is, or will be, 63 years old.

Drew Struzan was born in Oregon, USA and is a retired Movie Poster Illustrator. He illustrated the posters for the Special Edition and the Prequel Trilogy.

Drew Struzan Struzan has painted album covers, advertising, collectibles, and book covers, but is best known for his extensive movie poster work.TIME has selected eleven of his more well-known pieces to discuss with the retired artist. Read and see more about his work at his own website.

Today...
year 2005 was the release of the official theatrical poster for Episode III, Revenge of the Sith. One day earlier was it possibly to see it on www.starwars.com.

The Jedi Archives archivist

Quote of today

"If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist!"

Madame Jocasta Nu fully rely on the information in the Jedi Archives.
Attack of the Clones

Did you know… Madame Jocasta Nu may have been in love with Count Dooku

Alethea McGrath is born in Australia and a veteran of stage, television and film. She played the Jedi Archivist Madame Jocasta Nu in Attack of the Clones. In Star Wars Insider Magazine #75, Alethea McGrath mentions that her character, Jocasta Nu, and Count Dooku were in love at one stage and that Jocasta Nu was sentimental about the whole thing.

Flo Di Re or Florence Dire, made the voice of the Jedi Archivist Madame Jocasta Nu in The Clone Wars, the TV-serie. So far it has been two episodes: Lightsaber Lost and Holocron Heist.

Madame Jocasta Nu is a Jedi academic and archivist of the Jedi Archives. Her appearance is frail but she possesses a sprightly demeanor and an abrupt temperament.

Madame Jocasta Nu is killed by Darth Vader during the raid on the Jedi Temple (according to Revenge of the Sith Video Game).

For you who like conspiration theory I recommend these blog entries:
My crazy Jocasta Nu theory
The One Who Nu

Today...
is the International Women's Day

Another childhood friend

Quote of today

"It's never gonna run."

Melee has no faith in Anakin’s new build Podracer.
The Phantom Menace

Did you know…
It's said to be that Melee had a hiddenly crush on Anakin.

Megan Udall played Melee in The Phantom Menace. Her mother, Jeannie (Jeanie) Udall was Unit Nurse on The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.

Melee is one of Anakins childhood friends in Mos Espas slave quarters.

melee, mêlée [ˈmɛleɪ] noun
a noisy riotous fight or brawl [from French mêlée. See medley]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 6th Edition 2003. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

Childhood friend

Quote of today

”Come on, let's go play ball. Keep it up, Annie, and you're gonna be bug squash.”

Seek isn’t interested in Podracing.
The Phantom Menace

Did you know…
One early rumor about The Phantom Menace was that Anakin would be involved in a fight with his friend Seek. The scene was filmed but not with Seek and is finally cut out from the final release.

Oliver Walpole was born during 1988 and played Seek in A Phantom Menace. His father, Peter Walpole, was set decorator for The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.

Seek is the red-headed one of Anakin’s friends in Mos Espa slave quarters.

Fatherless

Quote of today

"I am a person! And my name is Anakin."

Anakin Skywalker introduce him self to Padmé Naberrie.
The Phantom Menace

Today we celebrate...
Jake Lloyd at his 21th birthday (born 1989)

Jake Lloyd, birth name Jacob Christopher Flowers, was born in Colorado, USA. He played young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace. For this role he won the Young Artist Award 2000 in the category Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Actor Age Ten or Under.
For the casting of young Anakin Casting Director Robin Gurland interviewed over 3000 children from around the English-speaking world.

Anakin Skywalker is a kind young boy, brave, thoughtful, and selfless. A boy with great potential and a destiny as yet undefined. A child born of prophecy, possibly conceived by the will of the Force itself.

Initial concept sketches of young Anakin had him be a bit older -- around 12 years old -- until Lucas revised the storyline to be set during Anakin's ninth year. The gravity of Anakin's departure from his mother is made all the more powerful by his young age.

Today…
year 1979 was the first day of principal photography in Finse, Norway for The Empire Strikes Back.
The crew endures the subzero temperatures, frostbite, heavy winds and avalanches to pull off the first shot within 65 minutes of set-up.

Ben Kenobi in French

Quote of today

"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck."

Ben Kenobi make a response to Han Solo
A New Hope

Today we remember...
Philippe Dumat at his birthday (died 11th January 2006)
Claire Davenport who deceased today 2002

Philippe Dumat was born in Haut-de-Seine, France. He is known in France to be the dubbed voice of Alec Guiness/Ben Kenobi in the Original Trilogy.

Claire Davenport was born 24 April 1933 in UK and played the fat dancer at Jabbas palace.

Two pilots

Quote of today

"This little one isn't worth the effort. Come let me buy you something..."

Ben Kenobi tries a non-violence solution.
A New Hope

Today we celebrate...
John Altman at his 58th birthday (born 1952)

John Altman was born in Berkshire, England, UK. He played a rebel pilot during the final battle in Return of the Jedi.

Today we remember...
Anthony Lang who deceased today 1992

Anthony Lang played BoShek in A New Hope.

BoShek is a Corellian pilot and the first person Ben Kenobi talks to in the Mos Eisley Cantina. It is BoShek who redirect Ben Kenobi to Chewbacca.

The end of the saga

Quote of today

"You've failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi. Like my father before me."

Luke is confident
Return of the Jedi

Today...
year 1983 was the release of the 1-sheet 27 X 41 poster with white outlined border used to promote Return of the Jedi in U.S. theaters.