Check after the jump to see the designs that inspired generations of filmmakers.
11. Discovery One by Harry Lange
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark set out to make the most realistic science fiction movies ever made. The common stereotype of anti-gravity generators were thrown out in favor of the scientifically accurate centrifuge that created a type of gravity. Even today it's ground breaking on a science-fiction film to be so scientific.
10. Predator Alien by Stan Winston
Predator (1987)
The original design for the Predator (then called Hunter) was a bug like alien. Make up designer Stan Winston created the most unique looking alien ever. It was James Cameron that suggested the mandibles.
9. Star Trek Enterprise by Matt Jefferies
Star Trek (1966)
The design of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) broke all the rules. Roddenberry wanted to get away from the cigar shaped designs from 1950s science-fiction and Star Trek art director Matt Jefferies was the man to do it. With Jeffries' experience in aviation, he was able to design a ship that was unique, familiar and majestic. From the unique look of the engines, to it's unconventional design, it rewrote the book on spaceship design and ushered in a whole new world.
8. Machine Man (Maschinenmensch) by Walter Schulze-Mittendorff
Metropolis (1927)
The robot woman in the German film Metropolis has influenced designers for decades. Star Wars' C-3PO was heavily influenced by her design.
7. Delorean Time Machine by Ron Cobb and Andrew Probert
Back to the Future (1985)
Designed by Ron Cobb, and finished by Andrew Probert, the Delorean is the most unique time machine ever designed. The car company went bankrupt after a
6. Planet of the Apes Statue of Liberty by Don Peters
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The ending of the original 1963 novel, Planet of the Apes (La Planète des Singes) by Pierre Boulle,had a distant world taken over by apes. It was only when Don Peters drew the image of the State of Liberty buried in the sand that the greatest twist ending of all time was created. Several people, including screen-writer Rod Serling, took responsibility for the idea. Peters claims that it was his idea alone, from preliminary sketches for Arthur P. Jacobs when the film was in development at Warner Bros.
5. Robby the Robot by Robert Kinoshita.
Forbidden Planet (1955)
The initial design was sketched by Arnold "Buddy" Gillespie, refined by production illustrator Mentor Huebner, and then turned into reality under the direction of mechanical designer Robert Kinoshita. Multiple designs were created for the concept of Robby the Robot in the 1955 film Forbidden Planet, but Kinoshita did the final design that created the most iconic and popular robot ever.
4. "Spinner" Police Cars by Syd Mead
Blade Runner (1982)
The entire look of Blade Runner has set the standard for dystopian science-fiction. It's gritty style and futuristic designs has influenced science fiction films, anime, video games, and television programs like Battlestar Galactica. Syd Mead's car designs, known as "Spinners," that have set the standard for flying cars.
3. Xenomorph by H. R. Giger
Alien (1979)
The Alien design is credited to Swiss surrealist and artist H. R. Giger. It started in a lithograph called "Necronom IV", but was refined for the film Alien. The Alien design is the most effective biomechanical design ever. Not only is the design imitated in other sci-fi movies, but video games like Metroid and Contra have used it as well.
2. Darth Vader by Ralph Mc Quarrie
Star Wars (1977)
The most famous villain ever is known for his skull-like mask. While director George Lucas created the character, it was Ralph McQuarrie that came up with the idea of Vader wearing a gas mask to travel onto the ship. McQuarrie's done some amazing designs, but this one stand above them all.
1. Terminator by James Cameron
Terminator (1984)
2001: A Space Odyssey
 |
| Discovery One concept art by Harry Lange via Digititles |
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark set out to make the most realistic science fiction movies ever made. The common stereotype of anti-gravity generators were thrown out in favor of the scientifically accurate centrifuge that created a type of gravity. Even today it's ground breaking on a science-fiction film to be so scientific.
10. Predator Alien by Stan Winston
Predator (1987)
 |
| Predator concept design by Stan Winston |
The original design for the Predator (then called Hunter) was a bug like alien. Make up designer Stan Winston created the most unique looking alien ever. It was James Cameron that suggested the mandibles.
9. Star Trek Enterprise by Matt Jefferies
Star Trek (1966)
 |
| Star Trek Enterprise by Matt Jeffries source |
8. Machine Man (Maschinenmensch) by Walter Schulze-Mittendorff
Metropolis (1927)
 |
| Metropolis Machine Man by Walter Schulze-Mittendorff source |
The robot woman in the German film Metropolis has influenced designers for decades. Star Wars' C-3PO was heavily influenced by her design.
7. Delorean Time Machine by Ron Cobb and Andrew Probert
Back to the Future (1985)
 |
| Delorean designs by Ron Cobb source |
6. Planet of the Apes Statue of Liberty by Don Peters
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The ending of the original 1963 novel, Planet of the Apes (La Planète des Singes) by Pierre Boulle,had a distant world taken over by apes. It was only when Don Peters drew the image of the State of Liberty buried in the sand that the greatest twist ending of all time was created. Several people, including screen-writer Rod Serling, took responsibility for the idea. Peters claims that it was his idea alone, from preliminary sketches for Arthur P. Jacobs when the film was in development at Warner Bros.
5. Robby the Robot by Robert Kinoshita.
Forbidden Planet (1955)
The initial design was sketched by Arnold "Buddy" Gillespie, refined by production illustrator Mentor Huebner, and then turned into reality under the direction of mechanical designer Robert Kinoshita. Multiple designs were created for the concept of Robby the Robot in the 1955 film Forbidden Planet, but Kinoshita did the final design that created the most iconic and popular robot ever.
4. "Spinner" Police Cars by Syd Mead
Blade Runner (1982)
 |
| Blade Runner car designs by Syd Mead source |
3. Xenomorph by H. R. Giger
Alien (1979)
 |
| H.R. Giger Alien source |
2. Darth Vader by Ralph Mc Quarrie
Star Wars (1977)
 |
| Early Darth Vader sketch by Ralph McQuarrie source |
The most famous villain ever is known for his skull-like mask. While director George Lucas created the character, it was Ralph McQuarrie that came up with the idea of Vader wearing a gas mask to travel onto the ship. McQuarrie's done some amazing designs, but this one stand above them all.
1. Terminator by James Cameron
Terminator (1984)
Director James Cameron is also an accomplished artist. His drawing of the murderous Terminator robot with half his face missing has become the symbol of terror for decades. Every Terminator film has used it.
Cameron drew that? Impressive.
ReplyDeleteThe Enterprise is such an icon now. No other ship looks like her.
These are incredible artists. Thankfully Syd Mead is still visually futurising as strong as ever and inspiring the next generation of artists, filmmakers and animators (and hopefully a few heads at Toyota as well)
ReplyDeletethe Delorean flying was a tribute to Nick Fury,who had a flying sports car first in the pages of Marvels Shield.Dopes will think,the new Agents of Shield stold that from Back to the Future,but they took it from Marvel first.It just took Shield longer to get in film with idea,than that time travel movie.I got the joke in the end.Emit Brown was a Nick Fury fan obviously and built that ability into his time travelling Deloreon.
ReplyDeleteAlso,won wonders how the Statue of Liberty survived a nuclear war and time?I was up inside her,back the 80's.She was made to do one thing stand.She wouldn't able to walk like neither Ghost Busters 2 or Thundarr,even with the help from magic.And somehow,she survives being buried in sand in the Planet of the Apes or blown toward the Empire State Building-almost intact.I smell,help or preservation in the later cases and bs in the first two.So there Jack Kirby,Rod Serling,Dan Ackroyd.
The design of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) broke all the rules.by barrowing the saucer 57 d from Forbidden Planet and Metaluna saucer from This Island Earth.The drive section,was lifted from an old science fiction cover,Roddenberry liked.
ReplyDeleteIn an interview Lance Henriksen told how Cameron originally sought to cast him as the T-800. When Lance turned up for the initial meeting JC produced a painting he had done of the cyborg with Lance's face. Naturally, Lance was completely blown away. I think you just found that picture!
ReplyDelete