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| Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back teaser trailer by Ralph McQuarrie Source |
Every Friday I feature artwork from a classic of science fiction cinema. This week's "Flashback Friday" post is on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Lucasfilm rereleased The Empire Strikes Back: Teaser Trailer last week and described it this way:
"Watch the original teaser trailer for The Empire Strikes Back, which is notable for featuring solely concept art by Ralph McQuarrie but no film footage. Among the McQuarrie paintings seen are the Rebel hangar on Hoth, Luke on a tauntaun, Darth Vader aboard a Star Destroyer, Cloud City, an Imperial probe droid, and Luke's final duel with Darth Vader."
Back in 1979, before the second Star Wars movie opened, the studio created an early teaser trailer. Since the live-action sequences weren't ready they used pre-production artwork from McQuarrie. This was before the first Empire Strikes Back Trailer was released on August 15, 1979.
Ralph McQuarrie was a professional illustrator who worked on Hollywood films and television like Battlestar Galactica (1978), Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).
Check out the video after the jump.
BleedingCool speculated that this could be leading up to the first teaser trailer for Star Wars Episode VII. I've heard there are a lot of concept artists working hard on it, so they could be getting us ready for a teaser made of concept art.
See more of Ralph McQuarrie's work (for sale) at http://dreamsandvisionspress.com (formerly RalphMcQuarrie.com)
Click on the links if you want to see more of Ralph McQuarrie's workand Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back on my blog.
What do you think of the concept art? What do you think of the trailer? If you've seen Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, what did you think?
Official Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Synopsis:
After the destruction of the Death Star, Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion's defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin. In the midst of a fierce lightsaber duel with the Sith Lord, Luke faces the startling revelation that the evil Vader is in fact his father, Anakin Skywalker.
Directed by Irvin Kershner
Cinematography by Peter Suschitzky, BSC
Production design by Norman Reynolds
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz
Release date: May 21, 1980
Official Site: http://www.starwars.com/explore/the-movies/episode-v
© Copyright 1980 LucasFilm. All rights reserved
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In Simpsons Comic Book Guy voice:
ReplyDelete"Best Star Wars movie ever."
I remember waiting soooo long for this movie to come out, and it's really cool to see this trailer. The art and the work that put into the concepts is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe artwork is amazing. Laughing at the 70's style voice-over though. And yes, best Star Wars movie ever.
ReplyDeleteI was excited too Tyrean! It seemed like it took forever. When I went with my mom there was a guy dressed like Darth Vader. LOL
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Yes indeed Alex. I laughed how the guy kept calling her Princess "Lee-yah."
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