Thanks to the generation-defying success of "Star Wars" and the obsessive passionate fanbase that followed, no stone has gone unturned in documenting the making of George Lucas' epic, fantastical space opera. Whether it's acknowledging how Lucas revived a 1950s form of filmmaking technology to pull off the effects or how Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund, helped Mark Hamill land the role of Luke Skywalker, you don't have to be a film historian to put together a timeline of how "Star Wars" came to be. As impressive as it is to hear all about the technical mastery that went into making spaceships, planets, alien creatures, and the iconic costume designs, there's also a lot of fun to be had to learn about the backstage hijinks the cast and crew got into.
Like the time Biggs Darklighter, Luke Skywalker, and Laze "Fixer" Loneozner went on an unsanctioned horse riding adventure.
If that...
Like the time Biggs Darklighter, Luke Skywalker, and Laze "Fixer" Loneozner went on an unsanctioned horse riding adventure.
If that...
- 3/3/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
With the notable exception of the beloved Carrie Fisher, many of the iconic lead actors in the "Star Wars" saga are still with us. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman are all going strong, and so are the stars of the space opera's most recent episodes. Some of the actors from the original film who were already veterans at the time, like Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing, died some years ago, but both enjoyed long lives beyond the average age.
Sadly, this cannot be said of numerous other actors involved in the big screen franchise and its recent TV spin-offs. Performers have died in their 70s, 60s, and 50s, many of them leaving us wishing we could have seen more years of great performances from them. Whether they had spotlight roles or were hidden behind alien masks, here are the "Star Wars" actors we lost too soon.
Sadly, this cannot be said of numerous other actors involved in the big screen franchise and its recent TV spin-offs. Performers have died in their 70s, 60s, and 50s, many of them leaving us wishing we could have seen more years of great performances from them. Whether they had spotlight roles or were hidden behind alien masks, here are the "Star Wars" actors we lost too soon.
- 9/2/2023
- by Jack Hawkins
- Slash Film
Terry Gilliam’s grandest, most joyful fantasy is still a marvel, a fully adult adventure that will equally spark younger imaginations. Creative tricks and eye-popping Italo designs bring us a magical, satirical world of absurd wars, sultan’s hareems and a flight of fancy to the moon. John Neville’s ideal Baron is abetted by spunky Sarah Polley and a gallery of winning characterizations, from Eric Idle, Oliver Reed, Jonathan Pryce, Uma Thurman, Jack Purvis, Robin Williams, Valentina Cortese, Sting. So what if the Baron is history’s most notorious liar: we understand his complaint when performing a technically preposterous trip through outer space: “This is Precisely the sort of thing nobody Ever believes.”
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen 4K
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1166
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 126 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date January 3, 2023 / 49.95
Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed, Charles McKeown,...
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen 4K
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1166
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 126 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date January 3, 2023 / 49.95
Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed, Charles McKeown,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
You just can’t get away from David Warner. Whether you’re watching an episode of Babylon 5 or hearing his voice as Ra’s al Ghul in Batman: The Animated Series, there’s a ubiquity to David Warner that all true fans of superheroes, science fiction, and fantasy know without thinking about it. Yes, Warner did a lot of work that wasn’t sci-fi or fantasy, but his omnipresence within those genres is partly what made him so beloved. Warner passed away recently at the age of 80, and because he’s been in soooo many things we’ve all loved, it feels difficult to accept that he’s gone.
It would be impossible to list every single one of Warner’s projects, so instead here is a curated David Warner movie marathon, highlighting some of his greatest sci-fi and fantasy hits, and a few deep cuts you may not have seen.
It would be impossible to list every single one of Warner’s projects, so instead here is a curated David Warner movie marathon, highlighting some of his greatest sci-fi and fantasy hits, and a few deep cuts you may not have seen.
- 7/29/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Willow is 30 years old this month! I remember seeing this movie in theaters when I was a kid and I absolutely loved it. It was such a fun and adventurous fantasy film that I will always enjoy. It's just one of those films that always makes me happy when I watch it.
In celebration of the film's 30th anniversary, I thought I'd put together a list of fun facts about the Ron Howard directed and George Lucas produced film that you may or may not have know thanks to IMdB.
You will find 25 fun facts below along with a great vintage behnd-the-scenes featurette for the film that you've got to watch!
George Lucas specifically wrote this film for Warwick Davis after meeting him on the set of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. He was only 17 years old.As Val Kilmer was getting out of his crow cage between takes,...
In celebration of the film's 30th anniversary, I thought I'd put together a list of fun facts about the Ron Howard directed and George Lucas produced film that you may or may not have know thanks to IMdB.
You will find 25 fun facts below along with a great vintage behnd-the-scenes featurette for the film that you've got to watch!
George Lucas specifically wrote this film for Warwick Davis after meeting him on the set of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. He was only 17 years old.As Val Kilmer was getting out of his crow cage between takes,...
- 5/24/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
It’s a sad day for “Star Wars” fans and those who have worked on the franchise. Today, news broke that Kenny Baker, the actor who portrayed the beloved character R2-D2 in six films, had passed away after a long illness. The British actor rose to fame after taking on the role of the droid in 1977, and has since been a key factor in the “Star Wars” universe.
Upon heading the news of his passing, Mark Hamill tweeted a special message in remembrance of his dear co-star. “A lifelong loyal friend. I loved his optimism and determination. He Was the droid I was looking for!” he wrote, quoting “Star Wars.”
Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-i loved his optimism & determination He Was the droid I was looking for! pic.twitter.com/rd94OEYaHi
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 13, 2016
Read More: Kenny Baker, ‘Star Wars’ R2-D2 Actor, Dies at 81
Ewan McGregor, who...
Upon heading the news of his passing, Mark Hamill tweeted a special message in remembrance of his dear co-star. “A lifelong loyal friend. I loved his optimism and determination. He Was the droid I was looking for!” he wrote, quoting “Star Wars.”
Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-i loved his optimism & determination He Was the droid I was looking for! pic.twitter.com/rd94OEYaHi
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 13, 2016
Read More: Kenny Baker, ‘Star Wars’ R2-D2 Actor, Dies at 81
Ewan McGregor, who...
- 8/13/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Kenny Baker, the man who gave physical presence to R2-D2, one of the most beloved robots in all of science-fiction, has died. According to Variety, Baker was 81, and had been suffering from chronic illnesses for some time.
Born in England, Baker worked for several years as a performer in circus acts, comedy troupes, and ice shows. During that period, he often collaborated with actor and performer Jack Purvis—who, like Baker, was of short stature—with the two eventually going on to work together on a number of projects, including Time Bandits, Willow, and the original Star Wars trilogy.
In 1976, Baker was hired by Star Wars director George Lucas, who needed someone to portray R2-D2 from within the film’s robot suit (constructed by toy designer Tony Dyson, who died earlier this year.) Although the production did have remote control versions of the character, they were prone to ...
Born in England, Baker worked for several years as a performer in circus acts, comedy troupes, and ice shows. During that period, he often collaborated with actor and performer Jack Purvis—who, like Baker, was of short stature—with the two eventually going on to work together on a number of projects, including Time Bandits, Willow, and the original Star Wars trilogy.
In 1976, Baker was hired by Star Wars director George Lucas, who needed someone to portray R2-D2 from within the film’s robot suit (constructed by toy designer Tony Dyson, who died earlier this year.) Although the production did have remote control versions of the character, they were prone to ...
- 8/13/2016
- by William Hughes
- avclub.com
I'm saddened to report today that Star Wars actor Kenny Baker, best known for playing R2-D2, has passed away. The Guardian reported the actor "has died at the age of 81 after a long illness." [Update: The Guardian previously stated he was 83] Baker, who also played Paploo the Ewok in the Star Wars franchise, also had roles in Labyrinth, Time Bandits, and Flash Gordon. His niece Abigail Shield told the Guardian, “It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life. He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.” Baker's wife Eileen passed away in 1993, they had two children. R2-D2 was created by George Lucas, designed by Ralph McQuarrie, co-developed by John Stears, built by Tony Dyson, and had vocal effects from Ben Burtt. Baker was...
- 8/13/2016
- by Jill Pantozzi
- Hitfix
Over the past half-century, Terry Gilliam has lived several lifetimes — first as the mastermind behind the surrealistically satirical animations on Monty Python's Flying Circus and then as a filmmaker with an unparalleled, singular imagination. His oeuvre contains everything from literary flights of fancy (Jabberwocky) and kid-friendly fantasies (Time Bandits) to dystopian epics (Brazil and Twelve Monkeys), kaleidoscopic romps (The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) and the occasional slightly warped drama (The Fisher King, Tideland).
Now 74, Gilliam looks back on his life achievements, as well as...
Now 74, Gilliam looks back on his life achievements, as well as...
- 11/9/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Stars: Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, Ralph Richardson, Peter Vaughan, David Warner, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, Jack Purvis, Tiny Ross | Written by Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin | Directed by Terry Gilliam
Time Bandits was first released in 1981. A family adventure film that sported a fantastic and massive cast of names, with the likes of Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm and Michael Palin, among others. It was like a fantastical family film with the cast of Monty Python.
Director and another former Python, Terry Gilliam, who went on to direct such incredible cinematic events as Brazil, Twelve Monkeys and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas was behind the camera here, much like he was in the Monty Python movies and it feels very similar to his previous work in many ways. Surreal and at times incredibly weird, Time Bandits just feels like a Gilliam film.
Time Bandits was first released in 1981. A family adventure film that sported a fantastic and massive cast of names, with the likes of Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Ian Holm and Michael Palin, among others. It was like a fantastical family film with the cast of Monty Python.
Director and another former Python, Terry Gilliam, who went on to direct such incredible cinematic events as Brazil, Twelve Monkeys and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas was behind the camera here, much like he was in the Monty Python movies and it feels very similar to his previous work in many ways. Surreal and at times incredibly weird, Time Bandits just feels like a Gilliam film.
- 9/16/2013
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
I have found few fantasy films that appeal both the children and adults as intelligently and successfully, with such creativity and flair as ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’. It is true, I am a devout follower of the cinematic God known as Terry Gilliam, but there’s a reason for that… he’s freaking brilliant. I have my own personal pantheon of filmmakers that I admire to the point of being borderline obsessive… Coen Brothers, Darren Aronofsky, Zhang Yimou and (of course) Terry Gilliam, to name a few.
But I digress. On with the show, a marvelous array of whimsical theatrics known as ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’. The film opens with an immediate dose of Gilliam’s own unique style and flair for the ironic and absurd. As the score by Eric idle and Michael Kamen throws us directly into the time and place of the film, white titles...
But I digress. On with the show, a marvelous array of whimsical theatrics known as ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’. The film opens with an immediate dose of Gilliam’s own unique style and flair for the ironic and absurd. As the score by Eric idle and Michael Kamen throws us directly into the time and place of the film, white titles...
- 7/23/2009
- by Travis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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