Check out Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan concept art by Ken Ralston!
Every Friday I try and feature artwork from a classic of science fiction cinema or television. This week's "Flashback Friday" post is on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
The most memorable scene in Wrath of Khan is when Khan puts a creature, known as a Ceti Eel, in Chekov's helmet to take control of his mind. Originally the mind-control creatures attached to the back of the neck, but producer Robert Sallin decided the creatures should borrow into the victim's ear. Ken Ralston was the visual effects supervisor on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and drew several designs for the creature. The designs worked and test audiences were so horrified that they had to cut the close-up shots out for the theatrical release.
Kenneth "Ken" Ralston is a professional concept\storyboard artist who's worked on major films like Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Men in Black II (2002) and Back to the Future (1985).
Here's the scene:
Here's a good shot of the final Ceti Eel prop:
See more of Ken Ralston's impressive portfolio at http://www.kenralston.com/
Click on the links if you want to see more of Ken Ralston's work or Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khanon my blog.
What do you think of the concept art? If you've seen Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan what did you think of the Ceti Eel?
Official Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Summary
In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, it is the 23rd century and aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) seems resigned to the fact that this may well be his last space mission. But Khan (Ricardo Montalban), a brilliant renegade of 20th century Earth, is back, and now schemes to set a most deadly trap for this old enemy Kirk - with the threat of universal Armageddon.
Directed by Nicholas Meyer
Cinematography by Gayne Rescher
Production Design by Joseph R. Jennings
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney
Release date: June 4, 1982
Official Site: startrek.com/page/star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan
© Copyright 1982 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved
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They were very effective. And creepy.
ReplyDeleteI recall seeing this at the theater and being totally creeped out then. I don't know what was cut, or inserted back later, but I did have nightmares about those things for a while. Ick.
ReplyDeleteGreat find, sir! It is a very creepy scene.
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