Star Wars Insider #193

THE SKYWALKER SAGA











“The L ast Jedi honors the fr anchise’s

chief values of idealism, loyalt y, and

self-sacrifice that made the original


Star Wars so beloved.”


Ann Hornaday, The washington post











FACTS & laustrophobic spot is living dangerously. The fact
FIGURES imagery of that Luke Skywalker, the optimist

Title / Star Wars: C sarcophagi of the original trilogy, is shrugging
The Last Jedi abound in The off his heroic duties—just like the
Episode / Eight Last Jedi. Finn farmboy who declined to join Obi-
Poster Tagline / Let the awakens in a Wan Kenobi and learn the ways of
past die. coffin-like medical cocoon having the Force—is a bit disconcerting.

Theatrical Release / recuperated from the wounds However, the reveal of the events
December 15, 2017
he suffered at the hands of Kylo that led Luke to this fatalistic,
Run time / 152 mins
Ren on Starkiller Base; Leia lies solitary life on Ahch-To are the
MPAA / “Rated PG-13”
unconscious in another after central element of the movie.
Budget / $317 Million
First Order missiles destroy the Unlike farmboy Luke, who still
Domestic Opening
Weekend / $220,009,584 Raddus’ bridge; and Rey is sealed believed Uncle Owen and Aunt
in a casket-like escape pod to Beru were waiting back at the
Domestic Box Offi ce /
$620,181,382 journey from the Millennium homestead when he refused his
Worldwide Box Offi ce / Falcon to Snoke’s fl agship. Even first call to adventure from Kenobi,

$1,332,539,889 the unarmed and unshielded Rey has no one, except for the new
Awards / Empire Awards transports that take what remains friends she has made aiding the
for Best Director - Rian
Johnson, Best Actress - of the Resistance to Crait’s surface Resistance. She wants to complete
Daisy Ridley, Best Film, are metaphorical caskets for their the mission entrusted to her by
Best Visual Effects, and doomed occupants. The watery General Leia Organa. She wants
Best Costume Design.
Nominated for four grave of Luke Skywalker’s X-wing Luke to teach her the ways of the
Academy Awards. in a cove on Ahch-To only adds Force so she can better understand
to this sense of fi nality. Yet The all this potential she has discovered
Last Jedi is emphatically about within herself. Leia is hopeful that
new beginnings, continuity, and Luke will be willing to resume his
moving forward, as told through duty of teaching apprentices with
the arcs of Luke, Leia, and Rey. a young woman who doesn’t come
with the same baggage as training
Return Of The Jedi your twin sister’s son.

Of all the characters, Luke is most When describing what went
plainly biding his time, waiting wrong with Ben Solo, Luke admits
for death to find him—perhaps a he was “no match for the darkness

little earlier than nature intends. rising in him.” But the wound runs
For someone who isn’t using so deep for the former Jedi Master
the Force, pole-vaulting across a that he doesn’t relate the whole

crevasse to your favorite fi shing story when Rey first asks what














STAR WARS INSIDER / 51

THE SKYWALKER SAGA






happened. He tells her, “I went 01
to confront him, and he turned
on me. He must’ve thought I was
dead. When I came to, the temple
was burning. He had vanished
with a handful of my students, and
slaughtered the rest. Leia blamed
Snoke, but it was me. I failed.”
Luke and Kylo Ren’s fateful
encounter is more fully fl eshed out
over the course of The Last Jedi’s
second act, told from alternative
perspectives. First, after suggesting
Rey ask her potential teacher about
their falling out, Kylo presents his
side of the clash with Skywalker
to Rey. When they speak, it has
only been a short time since Kylo
Ren killed his father, Han Solo—an
event that fits into the stage of

Acute Violence in the four-step
Cycle of Abuse fi rst identifi ed
by psychologist Lenore Walker,
explaining patterns of behavior in
an abusive relationship. During the
following stage, Reconciliation/
Honeymoon, the abuser will
express regret or ignore the
incident. The latter is Kylo’s route,
and he brushes off Rey’s insistent
questions about how he could 02
hate his father enough to kill him.
Instead, Kylo changes the subject,
relating his alternative description
of falling out with his former
master. Kylo says, “He’d sensed
my power, as he senses yours,
and he feared it.” The audience is
shown an image of Luke we barely
recognize, a bloodthirsty man fully
prepared to strike down his own
nephew. This version of the story
is clearly a narration by Kylo Ren,
and although Luke has obviously
become a different man to the
03
one we are familiar with from the


For someone who

isn’t using the


Force, pole-vaulting

across a crevasse

to your favorite

fishing spot is living

dangerously.







52 / STAR WARS INSIDER

THE SKYWALKER SAGA













































PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE

While we are used to Obi-Wan Kenobi relating galactic history from “a certain
point of view,” (see a feature exploring this on page 74), the Star Wars movies
have, as a whole, used the more traditional third-person narrative approach in
their storytelling.
Third-person point of view is by far the most common in Star Wars movies.
The camera represents a limited perspective on the story, but it can shift its
focus from character to character or location to location. In Star Wars movies,
third-person storytelling is importantly not omniscient or all knowing, but
rather the audience learns only what the camera shows them. Therefore, the
only reliable events are ones we witness directly on the screen, such as the
original trilogy, this imagery of
destruction of Alderaan or Kenobi’s slaying of General Grievous. Every other
Skywalker rings as false to what truth in which we are asked to believe, however, comes from dialogue spoken
we’ve seen previously and observe by the characters.
The Last Jedi plays with this storytelling perspective in a way no previous
subsequently in The Last Jedi.
Star Wars fi lm has, using fi rst-person and camera angles relating to a specifi c
Struggling with her own issues event, narrated from the perspectives of Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren’s points
of identity and helplessness, of view. Each of these on-screen retellings of their fateful encounter could be
Rey enters the Cycle of Abuse considered unreliable by the audience, or we could choose the one that suits
us best. Moreover, even the storyteller could choose to dismiss this narration,
stage known as Calm, where her
if it served their vision going forward.
relationship with Kylo Ren operates
in a seemingly normal fashion.
Luke stumbles into one of these
moments, a conversation about
loneliness and belonging
in which Rey is very much
01 Luke
seeking answers, and fi nding Skywalker’s
more of them from Ren response to
Rey’s arrival
than her mysterious mirror
on Ahch-To
cave vision or her reluctant was not what
mentor. Luke fears what Kylo she had
expected.
is doing, and what Rey might
become. He acts aggressively 02 “Rey from
to sever the Force bond, but nowhere”
encounters
Luke never becomes the man resistance
Kylo portrayed in his version from her Jedi
hero.
of events. Even as Rey attacks
Luke in the rain outside the 03 Skywalker
hut he acts only defensively, interupts
Rey’s Force
finally using the Force to break

connection
his fall while Rey towers over with Kylo Ren.




STAR WARS INSIDER / 53

THE SKYWALKER SAGA






him, lightsaber ignited. Almost light. Of Kylo Ren she says, “If he Ren quickly shifts back to the
unwittingly, instinctively, in would turn from the dark side, that fi rst phase, Escalating Tension. He
that moment Luke reopens his could shift the tide! This could be refuses to act to save the Resistance
connection with the Force, and how we win!” transports, and instead asks Rey
takes his first step back into a Luke, though, admonishes to join him. When she responds,

larger galaxy, a Jedi reborn. Rey, “This is not going to go the “Don’t do this, Ben. Please don’t
way you think.” Later, we learn go this way,” Kylo ignores Rey’s
Truth Be Told that Rey’s action is not merely pressing concern for the Resistance

“Tell me the truth,” Rey insists, optimism based on past events. and twists the conversation to the
confronting Luke after he Before reaching the Supremacy’s question that pushed her toward
interrupts her Force-connection throne room, Rey tells Kylo she him earlier: her identity. This is yet
with Kylo Ren. Rey has heard the has seen the “shape of his future.” another manipulation tactic, like
tales of the great Luke Skywalker, Having seen him turn against the one he has used previously to
to the point she thought they Snoke, she expects a similar turn divert the discussion from his act
must be myth. The young woman in his morality, too. Interestingly, of patricide. While Rey previously
shown in Star Wars: The Force this conversation happens in believed being a Jedi meant a

Awakens (2015) figures out Force an elevator, which is often used momentous act of heroism like
abilities like someone who already in cinema to denote a symbolic Luke’s role in drawing Vader back
has familiarity with what Jedi are conveyance of a character into to the light, she borrows a trick
capable of, and gives it a try herself. a new stage, such as Anakin from Kylo’s book and pretends to
In The Last Jedi, Rey believes Skywalker’s elevator ride to Senator be doing his bidding, just as he
she can repeat another of Luke’s Amidala’s penthouse in Star Wars: had done with Snoke before killing

legendary feats: standing firm as a Attack of the Clones (2002). In him. Her outstretched hand isn’t
Jedi to turn Darth Vader back to the The Last Jedi, the light and dark intended to recreate their Force-
manifestations of the Force in the bond finger-touching for real, and

sequel trilogy are heading toward Kylo is distracted enough that Rey 05
Rey has heard the Snoke’s chambers, an “underworld” manages to rip the lightsaber she

tales of the great where their relationship will be had thrown him back toward her.
reforged with blood-red imagery
Their Force tug-of-war ends with
Luke Skywalker, to and fire burning around them. the hilt and its kyber crystal torn

in two. Ren and Rey leave their
Although their side-by-side
the point she thought battle to defeat the Praetorian “underworld” recommitted to their
they must be myth. Guard takes place in the Calm separate paths: Supreme Leader and
Jedi Knight.
phase of the abuse cycle, Kylo



04















































54 / STAR WARS INSIDER

04 Rey is
determined to
alter Kylo Ren’s
destiny.

05 The Force isn’t
about lifting
rocks... or is it?
06 Supreme
Leader Snoke’s
last gasp.

07 His faith in the
Force restored,
Luke Skywalker
moves on to the
next phase of
his existence.




06 When Rey’s status as a Jedi is With Luke lost
ordained by Luke, it is while he
to the toll of his
is using a trick of his own: Force-
projecting from Ahch-To to Crait
to distract Kylo Ren from his “no grand Force ruse,
quarter, no prisoners” assault on Rey is seemingly
the Resistance base. Standing at
the barrier between herself and now a Jedi acolyte
her trapped friends, Rey can’t help with no teacher.
but grin when she must simply lift
rocks to save the Resistance.

Pass On What You unexpected near-death experience
Have Learned leads to a rebirth of her own on

With Luke lost to the toll of his screen. Her eyes flicker open, and

grand Force ruse, Rey is seemingly Leia flies back toward a new life as
07
now a Jedi acolyte with no teacher. a superhero. Leia intercedes when
In Luke’s frantic act to burn her pupil Poe Dameron missteps,
down the Jedi library, housed in but she never returns to an active
a hollowed-out tree trunk, Yoda command role. Ultimately, she
had intervened. He reminded his acts almost as a Jedi should—as
former apprentice what being a Jedi a guardian, willing to pass on
master required: “Pass on what you what she has learned, and, more
have learned. Strength, mastery. importantly, how she has failed.
But weakness, folly, failure also. As Rey holds her broken
Yes, failure most of all. The greatest lightsaber hilt in her hands and
teacher, failure is.” ponders, “How do we build a
While Luke and Rey’s stories Rebellion from this?” Leia, the
intertwine, Leia’s is subtly winding teacher Kylo Ren said she needed,
back toward her reunifi cation with passes on a first, valuable lesson:

Rey on the Millennium Falcon. Her “We have everything we need.”





STAR WARS INSIDER / 55

GIVEAWAY


































































No Such Thing as Luck?





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56 / STAR WARS INSIDER

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AD V E N T U R E S ON


AH C H -T O




FR O M TH E E M E R AL D I S L E T O
A G A L A X Y F A R , F A R A W A Y …


Having already toured the snowy wastes of Hoth for Star Wars Insider (via the
Norwegian village of Finse), well-travelled superfan James Floyd takes us on a
personal tour of Ahch-To, along the wild Atlantic coastline of Ireland.






W ORDS: J AME S FL O YD

ADVENTURES ON AHCH-TO






o fi nd tranquility Traveling with my folks (and
02
in exile, Luke Porgy—a porg plush who longed to
T Skywalker sought visit his home planet), we arrived
in the small town of Portmagee,
out “the most
unfi ndable place ready for our first stop. Sadly, the

in the galaxy.” Force wasn’t with us that day, and
Luckily for those of us on Earth, our boat trip to land on Skellig
the stunning seascapes and islands Michael was canceled due to high
of Ahch-To are actually really swells. My initial disappointment
easy to find, located at various soon evaporated when I befriended

points along the coastline of Éire, two fellow fans, Felicia and Elliot
otherwise known as the Republic Marsh, from London, who were
of Ireland. The Emerald Isle might 03 on their second trip to attempt a
be on the outer rim of Europe, but Skellig landing. I put my name on
for fans wanting a taste of one the cancellation list for the next day,
of the most beautiful and awe- despite a glum weather forecast. A
inspiring worlds of the galaxy far, wild hope but, hey, never tell me
far away, it’s well worth the trip. the odds!
Skellig Michael, an island just off Instead, we walked along the
the west coast of Ireland, was used nearby Kerry Cliffs and caught
as the location for Ahch-To in the a glimpse of Skellig Michael and
final scenes of Star Wars: The Force 04 Little Skellig through the fog. So

Awakens (2015). However, when it close and yet so far away. A drizzle
came to planning the shoot for The turned into a downpour, and we
Last Jedi (2017), which had many sought shelter in the upstairs guest
more scenes set on the planet, the lounge of the Moorings, a room
enormous logistical challenges of that served as the pre-production

filming on an island with no utilities offi ce for The Force Awakens.
and where everything had to be That evening, Gerald Kennedy,
brought in by boat or helicopter, who owns the Bridge Bar and
made it an impractical option. Moorings Guest House with his wife

Instead, the filmmakers knew that Pat, shared stories from the fi lming,
they needed to fi nd alternative including how he was surprised
locations on the mainland that the Millennium Falcon’s landing when one of the “movie people”—
would blend seamlessly with Skellig place, a natural formation near Loop none other than Mark Hamill (Luke
Michael. Location scouts scoured the Head was the ideal dark side cave Skywalker)—jumped behind the bar
Wild Atlantic Way, 1,500 miles of entrance, and a cliff near Ballyferriter at the wrap party to pour himself a

coastal roads covering the north-west was great for the first Jedi temple set. pint of Guinness.
coast of Ireland, looking for cliffs and Film crews also returned to Skellig

rocky shores that would be a perfect Michael to film for a few days in A Moment to Meditate
fit: a point near Malin Head became September 2015, at iconic points The next morning came with bad

such as the saddle where Luke and news—no landings. So, I spent some
Rey first meet, and at the Wailing time seeking out locals who had

01 Woman rock formation used by been involved with the fi lming.
Rey during her lightsaber practice. Aboard the Skellig Walker, tour boat
skippers Pat Joe Murphy and John
EPISODE I: “Cav” Sheehan recounted working
AHCH-TO OR BUST! on the two Skellig shoots, ferrying

In the summer of 2018, I found film equipment and crew back and

myself with a golden opportunity forth to the island from fi rst light
to visit Ireland’s Star Wars fi lming to late into the evening, radioing
locations, when my brother decided in crew dinner orders to the Bridge
to take my parents on a vacation Bar so that everyone could be fed as
to Ireland—a country my father soon as they docked. Seanie Murphy,
had always wanted to visit. While credited as the Lead Boatman in The
dad had a list of places he wanted Force Awakens, described his role
to see, I thought I’d take in a few organizing all the tour boat operators
intergalactic destinations of my with landing permits into a cohesive
01 (Left to right) Bryan Young, Holly Frey, James Floyd,

and their porgs, in suitable Ahch-To attire. own while we were there. fleet, to tackle the incredible logistics




60 / STAR WARS INSIDER

meditation rock 02 Luke’s island on
Ahch-To.
was perched
on a truck bed 03 Porgy and pals
backed over the recreate a
scene from The
cliff edge, but the
Last Jedi.
landowners have
added a stand-in 04 James Floyd
and Porgy near
rock for guests to Malin Head,
meditate on. Ireland.
The next
05 Luke Skywalker
morning, Breege goes fishing.
and I trekked up
06 A view across
to Ceann Sibéal,
Malin Head.
where the set
for the first Jedi 07 The site of Luke
Skywalker’s
temple—inspired submerged
by the ancient X-wing.
‘beehive huts’
common in the region—was built,
having been shipped over from
Pinewood Studios. Jutting out over
the lip of the cliff, it must have been
an impressive structure. Grabbing a
few more photos to mark our visit,
it was already time to go home. My
first visit to Ahch-to had been all too
brief, but, hope was not yet lost that
there would be another.

05
EPISODE II:
AHCH-TO-BERFEST

Some months later, I found
of transporting gear and crew for myself organizing a second trip to
06
the two shoots on Skellig. Bidding Ireland, only this time it would be
farewell to Portmagee, we drove specifically to visit all of Ireland’s
up the steep Geokaun Mountain, Star Wars filming locations, from
Valentia Island’s highest point. The Malin Head in the north to Mizen
summit treated Porgy to a final view Head in the south. As a bonus, we
of the Skelligs—maybe next time. planned to take part in the second
We reached Ballyferriter (locally annual May the 4th festivities in
signed as Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, since towns along the Wild Atlantic Way.
the west end of the Dingle Peninsula Accompanying Porgy and I
is an Irish language district) and would be friends Bryan Young
checked in with Breege Granville at and Holly Frey, their partners, and
her historic home, now a bed and a whole nest of porgs. Landing
breakfast. She guided at Shannon airport
us to the filming site of on May 1, I hit the
the sunset meditation The filmmakers motorway in my rental
07
in The Last Jedi, on a knew that they car, picking up Bryan
cliff near Fearann, just and Patty in Galway.
outside town. Hiking needed to find We drove north to
along the magnificent alternative meet Heidi Doherty,
cliffs, we were treated locations on the program manager of
to a stunning view the Inishowen Tourism
from the spot where mainland that Office, and coordinator
Luke Skywalker would blend of the May 4th events
became one with the seamlessly with in Malin Head and
Force in The Last Jedi. the greater Inishowen
During filming, Luke’s Skellig Michael. peninsula area.






STAR WARS INSIDER / 61

ADVENTURES ON AHCH-TO






She guided us through the hills 08 Loop Head,
County Clare. 10
to our accommodation outside
Ballygorman, in guest rooms at the 09 The Wailing
Seaview Tavern, where several of Woman Rock
on Skellig
The Last Jedi crew had also stayed
Michael.
during filming.
On the morning of the 2nd, we 10 Dunmore
Head (Left),
met with mountaineering expert home to the
Bren Whelan, our guide from thala-siren.
Donegal Climbing, who served
11 The
as a safety expert on the movie. Millennium
Starting our hike at the Malin Falcon’s
landing site
Head signal station, he shared
was built at
the history, geology, and ecology Malin Head.
of the area as he guided us along
several spectacular coastal features
until we reached the outcrop 11
of Prockagh, a jaw-droppingly
beautiful vista point with rugged
cliffs, pinnacles hosting nesting
seabirds, and, in the distance, a
view of the set location for the
Millennium Falcon landing spot.
Afterwards, we stopped at Farren’s
Bar: the northernmost pub in
Ireland, and locale of the Malin
Head wrap party, where the owner
proudly displays a stormtrooper
boot autographed by Mark Hamill.
We scrapped our lunch plan when
the landowners of the Malin Head
filming site called, inviting us over
to visit. That’s how the Force works!





Falcon Spotting to dismantle it all again without
08
After parking by Skildren Cottage, leaving a trace.
used as the cast’s green room Bren then showed us several
during filming, we hiked over other spots nearby that had been

to the outcropping used in the fi lm,
where a section of the Looking at the including the lip of the
Falcon had been built, cliff that Rey peers over,
and lined up movie sheer cliffs of and apologizes to the
shots with the rocks the island made irritated Caretakers after
and sea below us. The us marvel at the her errant lightsaber
construction team had practice. We also saw
09 erected a platform on generations of the rock from behind
the spit of land and monks who had which Luke emerges
dressed it as a large with a fl aming torch

flat rock face for the made this place as he prepares to burn
Falcon to rest on, while their home over down the tree library.
water jets were used to a thousand Bren was also behind
simulate ocean spray in that rock, keeping Mark
the background. Being years ago. Hamill attached to a
on the site gave us a safety cable to prevent
tangible sense of just how much him from tumbling off the cliff. Also
work it takes to prepare a movie located here is the inlet that serves

location for filming, and then as Luke’s underwater parking lot





62 / STAR WARS INSIDER

ADVENTURES ON AHCH-TO













































ÉIRE: A GALACTIC GUIDE



The stunning locales used by Lucasfi lm to Loop Head, County Clare Skellig Michael via Portmagee,
depict Ahch-To are more readily accessible Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry
than the likes of Tikal in Guatemala, or some The entrance to Rey’s mirror cave is located in
of the more remote Tunisian locations from a natural feature known as the Amphitheatre Skellig Michael is only accessible by authorized
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). Dotted along at Loop Head, the southwesternmost tip of boat tours – only 180 people, on 15 boats, are
the coastline of Eire, they can mostly be County Clare, where the River Shannon meets allowed to land on the island per day during
reached by car, although those making a Jedi the Atlantic. From the car park at the Loop the mid-May to early October landing season.
pilgrimage to Skellig Michael will need to pack Head lighthouse, it’s a short walk down a steep Most boat tours leave from the nearest town,
their sea legs. hill south until you reach the cliffs. Climbing Portmagee.
Since all of The Last Jedi fi lming locations down into the Amphitheatre is dangerous and is Once there, you’ll recognize the saddle area
involve a cliff of some kind, visitors should employ strongly discouraged. where Rey meets Luke for the fi rst time, the steps
their common sense regarding personal safety that Rey climbs, beehive huts, and a local rock
when navigating steep areas, and those with feature known as the Wailing Woman, which Rey
loose rocks or soil. It’s also advisable to dress Ballyferriter area, Dingle slices in half during her lightsaber practice.
appropriately for changeable weather – many of Peninsula, County Kerry The island has no public restrooms or shops,
these spots can get breezy, and the weather in Three separate locations used in fi lming The Last and landings may be canceled by inclement
Ireland can shift from sunshine to storms pretty Jedi are located at the western tip of the Dingle weather preventing disembarkation as late as
quickly. And just as the fi lm crews did, leave Peninsula, close to the town of Ballyferriter. the morning of your departure, with weather
each site as you found it – take only photos and Dunmore Head, at the westernmost tip of canceling about one-quarter to one-third of
leave only footprints, so that others after you can Ireland, is home to the thala-siren milking scene. landing days in the season. However, many
continue to enjoy these gorgeous locations. From the car park at the Coumeenoole Beach, hike operators also offer “eco tours,” which do not
onto private land (donations accepted) and along land on Skellig Michael but instead circle the
the coast for almost half a mile. Climbing down to island.
Malin Head, Inishowen Peninsula, the thala-siren rocks is nearly impossible, but there’s
County Donegal. a great view of the location from the headland, Also check out: Portmagee is home to the Bridge
Malin Head, located at the northernmost tip of downhill of the ruins of a British lookout post. Bar and Moorings Guest House, which was home
Ireland, was used for numerous shots in The Last The privately owned Ceann Sibéal to The Force Awakens pre-production offi ce as
Jedi, including Rey’s dash to save the caretaker’s (pronounced Coun Shi-BALE), or Sibyl Head, saw well as the movie’s wrap party. To the west are
village seen only in the movie’s trailer. The full-size the construction of the cliffside hut set replicating the breathtaking Cliffs of Kerry, with a fi ne view
Millennium Falcon prop landed on a rocky crag the real monk dwellings found on Skellig Michael. of the Skellig Islands.
here, and the bay where Luke Skywalker’s X-wing Roughly a mile east, near Fearann (pronounced
was submerged is nearby. FAIR-ren), is Luke’s Sunset Meditation Rock. Also
While the land is privately owned and not on private land but open to visitors (donations Brow Head, near Mizen Head,
accessible to the general public, visitors can rent welcomed), it is just a half mile hike from the car County Cork
the 1960s-era hexagonal building on the site park to the cliff where they fi lmed Luke’s fi nal Brow Head, at the southernmost tip of Ireland,
that was used as the green rooms for the actors. moments. A replica rock and a commemorative was where Luke Skywalker went spearfi shing –
The alternative is to visit Banba’s Crown on the plaque now occupy the site. and pole vaulting! Located near Mizen Head,
adjacent property, where you’ll fi nd awesome the actual fi lming location is on private land. The
vistas and a view of the Falcon landing spot. Also check out: Visit an Ahch-To-like stone nearest publicly accessible spot is near the ruins
beehive huts and other historical sites near Slea of a Napoleonic-era British lookout tower, also
Also check out: Farren’s, the tavern that held Head; and Foxy Jon’s, a tavern and hardware used as a signal station by Marconi’s Telegraph
the Malin Head shoot wrap party, where locals store in the town of Dingle, where the Dingle company, although the fi lming site is not visible
happily share stories of their fi lming experience. area fi lming wrap party was held. from that summit.






STAR WARS INSIDER / 63

ADVENTURES ON AHCH-TO






for his X-wing, and another where 12 Rey (Daisy
Ridley) on
Luke and Rey climb down toward
Ahch-To.
the thala-siren rocks. At Malin Head
it was literally a case of turning a 13 Filming
The Last

corner to find yet another place
Jedi near
where a scene from The Last Jedi Loop Head.
was fi lmed.
14 The set for
the cliffside
Mirror Mirror huts at Ceann
Sibéal.
The next day, we took a lengthy
drive southward toward Loop Head, 15 James
where the mirror cave entrance was Floyd and
Porgy explore
filmed, then onto Ballyferriter. At

a beehive
the Kilbaha Gallery near Loop Head, hut near
we met with Ian Glendinning, the Slea Head.
chair of Loop Head Tourism. We
12
took a tour of the active Loop Head
lighthouse before Ian led us to the
filming site, a natural feature known

as the Amphitheatre, further along leeward side of the Dunmore Head Fearann. Tara Fitzgerald, daughter
the cliffs. Though in the fi lm, Rey and reached a spot at the tip with a of the landowners, led us to the
stands one tier above the dark side clear view of the rocks stretching out bluff where the sunset meditation
cave entrance, the Amphitheatre below, where the thala-siren milking scene had been filmed and detailed

really has two tiers below the cliff scene was filmed. While it’s not safe the filming story. Porgy knew this

top, and it’s an unsafe drop to the to climb down to the rocks from place from our previous trip and was
first level where Rey stands. Still, there, we had a magnificent view. excited to show it off to the porgs

you get a sense of the raw power After a quick drive to Ceann accompanying Holly and Patty.
of nature, if not the dark side of Sibéal, we started the ascent up the That evening, we enjoyed a
the Force, from the mesmerizing cliffs to where the beehive hut set unique combination of Star Wars
crashing of waves against the rocks. had been. This time, with printed and Ireland: a performance of Star
Deciding that the thala-siren stills from The Last Jedi in hand, Wars music by a quartet from the
rocks at Dunmore Head would be Nolan and I were able to line up the Kerry School of Music, and a tap

our first port of call on May 4—Star exact location of Luke’s hut based and Irish dance show by Velocity,
Wars day—our caravan parked at on the angle of the background a Broadway show featuring world
Coumeenoole, and we caught our cliffs. No guesswork for me and champion Irish dancer David
first sight of the Skellig islands, way Porgy this time! Completing the Geaney and James Devine, the

off to the south. We hiked along the trifecta of sites, we headed over to world record holder for fastest tap
dancing. Velocity added a Star
Wars dance set to their show, with
dancers and musicians rocking
13
out in stormtrooper costumes,
before the night fi nished outside
with a laser light show set to John
Williams’ score.

In Ahch-To’s Orbit

As landing season wouldn’t begin for
another three weeks, the next day a
specially chartered boat from Dingle
took us out to circle the Skellig
Islands. Even though we weren’t
making landfall, the view of Skellig
Michael was utterly breathtaking.
We could clearly see the zigzagging
staircases, the monastery at the top
of one of the island’s two peaks, and
the Wailing Woman rock formation.
Everywhere we looked, there were

birds—not just puffins, but gannets





64 / STAR WARS INSIDER

14





After disembarking in Dingle, begin your research, but our visit
15
we stopped for a pint at Foxy Jon’s, was sadly coming to an end. We
a pub and hardware store that The hit the road for our last Star Wars

Last Jedi director Rian Johnson had location: Luke’s spearfishing cliffs at
recommended. Bryan, Patty, and I Brow Head, the southernmost point
headed west to visit a set of ancient of the island, only to encounter a
beehive huts, at a farm on the road locked gate and “No Trespassing”
to Slea Head. Made of stone, beehive sign blocking our path. Despite
huts—also known as clocháns— following a trail that led to the ruins
were in use as recently as the 19th of a lookout tower and telegraph
Century, and are very station near Brow Head,
similar to the monastery we couldn’t see the cliff
buildings found on we were faces where the scenes
Skellig Michael. treated to a were filmed. Still, we

Returning to stunning view were presented with a
Portmagee, we found gorgeous, if blustery, view,
the town filled with Star from the spot and it was a fi ne location
Wars fans visiting for the where Luke for our fi nal destination.
May 4th festival, and I Skywalker It’s clear that Ahch-To
ran into an old friend, is so much more than
Gary O’Toole, a member became one just Skellig Michael—a
and other seabirds. As we circled of the Ireland Garrison with the Force. composite of so many
the island, we noted how it differed of the 501st Legion, wonderful parts of Ireland.
from Luke’s island in the movies: who had been trooping When Rey touches the
the carved-out roadway, coast guard in costume at various May 4th Force on the island, she feels all the
and guide quarters, the heliport, and weekend activities around town. life around her, and I felt that at so
the historic lighthouses. Looking at many points too. Whether it was
the sheer cliffs of the island made us Striking Back to the watching dolphins play near our
marvel at the generations of monks Emerald Isle boat, hiking across a bush-covered
who had made this place their home On our final day, we met with cliff top, or in the warm hospitality
over a thousand years ago, on an Vincent, a Portmagee native who of the people I met, I felt the living
island at the edge of civilization. runs SkelligMichael.com, a one- Force all around me. Perhaps I won’t
On the way back to the mainland, a stop resource for all things related go into total exile quite like Luke
group of dolphins joined us, surfi ng to visiting the Skelligs. If you’re Skywalker, but a return to Ireland
in the wake alongside our boat. planning a trip, it’s a fine site to feels like I’d be going home.






STAR WARS INSIDER / 65

INTERVIEW: TERRYL WHITLATCH




































TER R YL W H I T L A T C H
































Creature concept designer Terryl Whitlatch reveals the

dedication and detail required to make the wildlife of the
Star Wars galaxy so believable.



W ORDS: BR YAN Y OUNG






































66 / STAR WARS INSIDER

“JAR JAR

BINKS TOOK
A YEAR AND
A HALF TO

DEVELOP TO

THE POINT
WHERE

GEORGE SAID,
‘THAT’S HIM.’

SEBULBA
TOOK AN

AFTERNOON.”

INTERVIEW: TERRYL WHITLATCH






erryl Whitlatch from Doug Chiang at ILM, and 01 Ewoks beautiful art tables, they were just
has created a he needed someone who knew celebrate in lovely, and I felt so spoiled. Doug
T universe of Star animal anatomy. That’s how I storyboard art got a separate office, and the rest of
Whitlatch’s

for Star Wars:
Wars creatures,
was hired and that was my first
Return of the the place was this great big space. It
helping to shape feature. Then anything that had was a very small art department. For
Jedi Special

the anatomy of to do with animals or creatures Edition (1997). the first year, it was just Doug, an art
some of the most familiar life got handed to me. coordinator, and myself. Other artists
02 Mos Espa
forms to inhabit the fantastical I think I was working on came in much later, and we had a
creature
galaxy, both as a concept designer the very first Clydesdale Super designs for couple of production assistants, but
and head creature designer on Bowl commercial when Dennis The Phantom that was it. There were no more than
Menace.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Muren came by and said, “We’d seven people max at any time in the
(1999), and with her work as the like you to work up the concept 03 Anakin’s Star Wars art department.
podracing

artist behind the 2001 book, The of a dewback.” At first we worked on the
nemesis,
Wildlife of Star Wars, co-written I did a full body concept and Sebulba, Special Editions and The Phantom
with Bob Carrou. the dorsal view and gave it to was based Menace at the same time. What you
on a camel.
Joining LucasArts in the early them. About a week later they produced for one spilled over into
1990s, Whitlatch began working came back and said, “You know, the other. I drew so many Ewoks. I
in the worlds of George Lucas the Ranch really likes this.” storyboarded some of the new scenes
on the video game The Dig. A At first it didn’t compute in my for the 1997 rerelease of Star Wars:
year later she had graduated to head, because I knew it translated Return of the Jedi, where everyone
the movies, joining the team at into “George Lucas really liked it.” is celebrating. Anything that had
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). I was happy forever. Then a little creatures in them, I storyboarded.
rumor came by that George was
Star Wars Insider: You worked on going to be starting up the Star Wars How did you jump into The
The Phantom Menace, but your franchise again, and I submitted Phantom Menace?
work with Star Wars goes further my portfolio. I remember getting The first thing we had to think

back than that, doesn’t it? a phone call from Doug Chiang about were the worlds. George had
Terryl Whitlatch: I was working as saying that both he and I had been really thought them through, and
a conceptual artist at ILM. My first chosen as the beginning of the he knew what they looked like,
film was Jumanji (1995); I got a call art department for The Phantom particularly Naboo, which was
Menace. We were so excited. a very beautiful place with lush
swamps, flowers—all of it very rich

“WE WORKED ON What was your first order of for animal life. Verdant. Our fi rst

THE SPECIAL EDITIONS business there? assignment was to fill that world.
We had to resign from ILM and My assignment, of course, was to fi ll
AND THE PHANTOM Lucasfilm and then get rehired at it with creatures. Doug’s work, for

MENACE AT THE SAME Lucasfilm for JAK films to work on the most part—though he did some
TIME. WHAT YOU The Phantom Menace, for security creature work, too—was to design
reasons. Even though ILM was everything non-creature related and
PRODUCED FOR ONE pretty secure and hard to find, these beautiful vehicles. Absolutely

SPILLED OVER INTO George moved us to the Ranch. beautiful, splendid things that you’d
It was like you were working in like to own. Not a scratch or dent.
THE OTHER. I DREW
the inner sanctum at Disneyland, They didn’t look too used; they
SO MANY EWOKS.” or something like that. We had weren’t supposed to, because these
were royal, beautiful things. So that’s
what we did.
01
What was George’s approval
process like?
We would work from week to week,
but Fridays were George days. We put
our drawings on the wall and he had
two stamps—one was “Okay,” and
the other was “Fabulouso.” He used
to say he had a third stamp, which
was not so nice, called “deep regret,”
but he decided to be nice and not to
use it on us. It was very encouraging,
and George is a very nice man.






68 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INTERVIEW: TERRYL WHITLATCH






02

































































CREATING
03
CREATURES

With a career lasting over 25 years,
Terryl Whitlatch is widely regarded
as being one of the best creature
concept designers working in the
fi lm industry today. Having studied
Zoology at Sonoma State University
and graduating from San Francisco’s
Academy of Art University, Whitlatch
joined Lucasfi lm’s video-game
subsidiary, LucasArts, where she
worked until joining Industrial Light
& Magic to design animals for
Jumanji (1995). Whitlatch was the
lead creature designer for Star Wars:
The Phantom Menace (1999), and
has since forged a respected career
as a creature and concept designer
for companies such as Disney, Pixar,
Walt Disney Feature Animation, and
Chronicle Books. She has authored
several fi ctional books along with
several covering the science of
creature design. She currently
teaches Creature Design and Animal
Anatomy via online courses to the
next generation of artists.





STAR WARS INSIDER / 69

INTERVIEW: TERRYL WHITLATCH





04
05





































For the most part, he’s quiet and dinosaur head, and George liked
soft-spoken, but you could feel that direction and my little funny
his enthusiasm and excitement creature sketch, so he said, “Let’s
underneath about this property. work on these aspects here.”
That energized us. We wanted to I worked on variations of those
please our boss, too, and it was themes. Jar Jar looked like quite a
like trying to please Walt Disney. few different animals for a while,
George has that sort of presence. but pretty much kept that duck-
billed dinosaur feel. We just refined,
What was the most challenging refined, and refined it. And then at
creature for you to capture? a certain point, George said, “What
It was actually Jar Jar Binks. When if he had kind of long ears?” So
I was at ILM, I did just this doodle we put some long ears on him so
of a little creature, this little frog- that he could flap around to comic
like creature with big bubbly eyes effect. I shortened his thighs so
and features, and it looked worried. that he would walk like a bird, to
It had nothing to do with Star increase his non-human aspect, and
Wars. I had just come off a big that’s kind of how he evolved. His
job, working long hours, and I skin markings were derived from a
was really, really tired. I was just parrot fish. but he still has this attitude?” That’s
sketching kind of how I felt—so how Sebulba came about. If you
fried and glad it was done. I’d kept What was the easiest creature 04 The Hutt’s look at his head, it’s a camel. He’s
that little sketch and put it on my to create? luxury box, as this little guy, and he’s this purple
sketched by
bulletin board, and George saw it Jar Jar Binks took a year Whitlatch. Easter egg color with yellow dots
and said, “Yeah, that’s kind of what and a half to develop to the on him. Maybe if I looked like him
05 Whitlatch
I’m looking for, not quite, but kind point where George said, I’d have a bad attitude, too.
rates the
of that feeling.” “That’s him.” Sebulba took sando aqua I drew him in the morning,
Then Doug worked up an idea an afternoon. I was inspired monster as George came in on the same
her favorite
that had a kind of duck-billed by this camel that lived at the afternoon, and said, “Yep, that’s
design.
Oakland Zoo. I was always him.” I could have fallen off of my
going there and drawing the 06 “Tatooine chair, I was so happy.
Slum Scene”
“WE WANTED TO animals, and there was this by Terryl
camel. They are very large, and Whitlatch, Which is your favorite of the Star
PLEASE OUR BOSS, they’re very grounded. They 1996. Wars creatures you’ve worked on?

TOO, AND IT WAS LIKE look really proud and they have 07 Early concept The sando aqua monster. I really,
an attitude. I thought to myself, sketches of really like that one a lot. The
TRYING TO PLEASE the sando
“What if we take the face of aqua monster whole underwater sequence is just
WALT DISNEY.” that camel and shrink it down, had big eyes. thrilling. All of the fish were great.






70 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INTERVIEW: TERRYL WHITLATCH









































































06 07






That was me and Doug Chiang. go by so quickly. There are twenty a 10-hour movie.” So, I went and
He developed the opee sea killer, or more animals rushing by, but talked to Lucy Autrey Wilson,
and then he handed that to me to all their anatomies, everything, we who was in charge of LucasBooks
work up the anatomy. Then I did figured out very thoroughly. You at that time, about putting them

the kolo claw fish and most of the can only really see them close-up into a book, and she really liked

sando aqua monster. Doug tweaked when you look at The Wildlife of the idea. George really liked the
it a little bit, because I’d given it Star Wars book. idea too. So, immediately after my
larger eyes. You think big eyes on responsibilities for The Phantom
deep underwater creatures, but he How did The Wildlife of Star Menace came to an end, I started
felt it would look even larger if we Wars come about? working on it.
made the eyes really little. At fi rst Well, like all good things, every They wanted me to draw in
I was skeptical, but Doug told me movie comes to an end and I was the same way that I’d done for the
his reasoning, which made a lot of looking ahead to what I was going production drawings, so that’s how
sense. If you think about it, whales to do after The Phantom Menace. I approached the work I did for
are huge animals and have huge I remember thinking, “Isn’t it a the book. I had a whole year to do
eyes, but in comparison to their shame? We developed so many it, and it actually turned out to be
bodies they look small. animals for this movie that either more intense than working on the

I have some favorites from the fly by or didn’t make it onscreen, movie, because we had three years
swamp stampede scene, but they because that would have made it to do that!





STAR WARS INSIDER / 71

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A







CERTAIN Trust,


POINT Truth,


and
OF Little




White


VIEW Lies Words: jay stobie



Every story can be told from a different versions shared several general
perspective. So who do we trust, whose lies attributes, but the confl icting

can be justified, and which untruths had the elements far outweighed the
commonalities in scope and
biggest impact on the Star Wars saga? importance. The situation lent

both Skywalker and Solo unique
onesty and deception battle motivations to convey differing
with one another throughout accounts, just as the conditions
H the Star Wars films, with surrounding Obi-Wan Kenobi’s
carefully worded statements to
half-truths and lies coalescing
to create an atmosphere Luke concerning his father, and
where characters often fool Sheev Palpatine’s manipulative
themselves and those around them to varying murmurings to Anakin decades
extents. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) before, impacted the veracity
provided a rare circumstance for audiences of each participants’ words.
to witness Rey act as a third party and learn Let’s parse fact from fi ction
about the destruction of Luke’s Jedi temple and discern why these fi gures
from the perspectives of both the Jedi were driven to pursue their
Master and his apprentice, Ben Solo. The two particular points of view.

A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW





A TEMPLE ending his nephew’s life when
he’d realized the extent to which
Snoke had corrupted him, but that
IN FLAMES the thought had quickly passed.
However, no matter how fl eeting
the moment may have been, Ben
observed it, and in turn set the rest
of the night’s unfortunate events
Luke Skywalker & Ben Solo in motion.
The inconsistencies between
Skywalker and Ren’s accounts
stem from the ways in which
Encouraged by Kylo Ren sought to confront the boy, and their journeys infl uenced their
to investigate the events that subsequently murdered many of perspectives. Luke’s post-war

occurred during that fateful night his classmates, fleeing with those status as a hero of the Rebellion,
at Luke’s temple, Rey listened Ben had converted. Rey believed a respected Jedi Master, and the
as the Jedi Master recalled the Skywalker without hesitation, person responsible for rekindling
potential he saw in his nephew; until Kylo claimed that he had the Jedi Order, burdened the former
from his hopes to train Ben and awoken to find Luke preparing to farmhand with a responsibility

pass on his strengths, to the plan strike him down with an ignited and an image to uphold. From
to train the next generation lightsaber as he slept. Skywalker’s standpoint, the respect
of Jedi, and the darkness he Of course, the truth revealed and admiration he had rightfully
later sensed within his star itself to exist somewhere between earned suddenly crumbled into
pupil. According to Skywalker, these two interpretations. Skywalker irrelevance during the split second
Ben turned on him when he admitted that he had considered he contemplated killing young Ben.
Haunted by the terror and betrayal

he saw reflected in his nephew’s

eyes, Luke lost confidence in himself
and sought seclusion on Ahch-To.
Skywalker’s shame ran so deep that,
even as he attempted to dissuade
Rey from idolizing him, he could
not bring himself to immediately
divulge the entire tale. Thus, Rey’s
perception of Luke as a legend only
poured salt into the wound that the
Jedi Master bore over failing Ben,
and the lives that cost.













































STAR WARS INSIDER / 75

A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW






For Ben Solo, the incident proved
mortifying enough to fully push
him into Snoke’s clutches, yet still
his glaring insecurities remained,
pervading the events of Star Wars:
The Force Awakens (2015) and The
Last Jedi; from his pleas for guidance
directed at Darth Vader’s charred
helmet to the doubt that Rey sensed
within him in the interrogation
chamber. Even Snoke saw the
turmoil that still lived within his
apprentice following Han Solo’s
murder, prompting the Supreme
Leader to likening Ren to a child
in a mask. Ben had donned his
signature headgear and adopted
the moniker of Kylo Ren to evoke
his grandfather’s spirit, but the new
wardrobe and name also delivered

the additional benefit of shrouding
the insecurities that continued to
plague him. If the mysterious and
powerful Master of the Knights of
Ren was susceptible to wallowing
in self-doubt, one can only imagine
Ben’s disposition as a mere student
torn between Luke’s teachings and
Snoke’s seduction.
Kylo Ren expressed his own
opinion of Ben Solo’s character
when he confronted his father and
stated, “Your son is gone. He was
weak and foolish like his father, so I
destroyed him.” In all her wisdom,
even General Leia Organa initially to Rey. In Kylo’s eyes, Luke sought
absolved her son of any blame, to snuff out Ben’s power while the
insisting to Han that Snoke caused boy remained weak. The apprentice
Ben’s turn. Were each of them countered by defeating his revered
telling themselves something they master and razing the temple, thus
knew, deep down, to be untrue? We taking a defi ant first step toward

all apply our own perspective to our becoming the mighty Kylo Ren. Of
life experiences, often to protect course, those who knew Ben best
ourselves from home truths we’d saw through this veil, as Lor San
rather ignore. Tekka, Leia, and Han all believed
Ben’s personality traits became he could be brought back. Snoke
ghosts that Kylo hoped to bury, as also comprehended the truth, using
demonstrated by the false sense it to manipulate Kylo during the
of confidence he projected when First Order’s search for Rey and

spinning the tale of the Jedi temple Skywalker. Despite his posturing,
Kylo remained well aware that Ben
Solo still lived within him, and even
Rey believed Skywalker without confessed to his father that he was
being torn apart. Snoke lashed out
hesitation, until Kylo claimed that he and chided his protégé for letting

Han’s death split him to the bone,

had awoken to find Luke preparing thus substantiating the notion that
to strike him down. while we may lie to ourselves, false
beliefs will always haunt us.






76 / STAR WARS INSIDER

A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW





A LEGACY




TO PROTECT




history and the Jedi’s legacy upon
Luke all at once.
Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi & Luke Skywalker Given how their iconic duel on
Mustafar ended, it is intriguing that
Kenobi kept Anakin’s lightsaber,
but keep it he did—until the day
The formative relationship Luke was barely able to cope with he was able to pass it on to his
between Obi-Wan Kenobi and the shattering revelation, validating former friend’s son. By telling Luke
Luke Skywalker existed under Obi-Wan’s choice to shield Luke that his father wanted him to take
vastly dissimilar conditions from that knowledge on Tatooine. possession of the weapon, Obi-Wan
to Luke’s time with Ben Solo. Additionally, Luke served as a established a Jedi lineage between
A Master of the Force and of living reminder of the good that Anakin and Luke that excluded
delicately phrased truths, Kenobi used to exist in Kenobi’s friend Darth Vader.
spoke honestly to the self-assured Anakin, and represented the Jedi From Luke’s point of view, the
Skywalker on the subject of his Order’s continuation. Shouldering conflict with the Empire and the

father’s heroic exploits as a pilot his personal ties with Anakin and galaxy at large were, “all such a long
and Jedi, but waxed lyrical when the prophecy related to one who way from here.” Skywalker’s wide-
it came to discussing Anakin’s would bring balance to the Force, eyed innocence left him susceptible
fate and the rise of Darth Vader. Obi-Wan elected to soften the blow to manipulation by Emperor
Casting Anakin as two separate and refrain from hefting Anakin’s Palpatine and Darth Vader, a
individuals, Obi-Wan bluntly
proclaimed, “A young Jedi named
Darth Vader, who was a pupil of
mine until he turned to evil, helped
the Empire hunt down and destroy
the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and
murdered your father.”
While Kylo Ren’s dissociation
from Ben Solo exhibited shades
of the separation Kenobi imposed
upon Anakin and Vader, the old
Jedi had nobler intentions. Tasked
with safeguarding the boy for
nearly two decades, it was his
compassion for his ward that
prompted Obi-Wan to massage
the truth in order to protect
young Skywalker from being
prematurely exposed to the
darkness of Anakin’s descent.
Later events justifi ed Kenobi’s
concerns, as Vader’s confession on
Bespin mortified his son. When


he finally returned to Dagobah,
Luke received confi rmation from
Yoda regarding his connection to
Vader. Nevertheless, the Jedi Master
expressed his agreement with Obi-
Wan’s assessment of the situation
when he chided, “Unfortunate
that you rushed to face him. That
incomplete was your training. That
not ready for the burden were you.”






STAR WARS INSIDER / 77

A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW





Obi-Wan

established A JEDI TO

a Jedi lineage


between CORRUPT

Anakin and


Luke that Sheev Palpatine & Anakin Skywalker

excluded


Darth Vader. The artful lies that Sheev

Palpatine spun to turn Anakin
Skywalker to the dark side stood
fate that Kenobi sought to avoid in stark contrast to those woven
at all costs. Luke’s optimism and by Obi-Wan on Tatooine and
habit of eyeing the future instilled Luke on Ahch-To. Palpatine’s

a confidence in him that Ben Solo life as a hidden Sith Lord and
never had, but that surefooted a subversive politician granted
outlook would have driven him to him unrivaled experience with
confront Vader on the Death Star deception. Skilled enough to
alongside Obi-Wan and left him betray Darth Plagueis, Palpatine
vulnerable to death or the dark side. recognized Anakin as the perfect
Leia’s heritage was another fact Jedi to target as a new apprentice.
conveniently omitted by Kenobi. Skywalker’s strength in the Force
Although concealing her identity benefited him, but the emotional
was initially a means of protecting baggage he carried over his
Luke’s sister, it subsequently mother’s death, his place in the
corroborated Obi-Wan’s decision to Jedi Order, and his apprehension
withhold certain details from Luke. concerning Padmé’s well-being
During the duel in the Emperor’s negatively influenced his logic,
chamber, Vader sensed his son’s and left him relatively defenseless
love for Leia and almost succeeded to the chancellor’s scheming.
in exploiting that compassion to Palpatine fed Anakin falsities
permanently ignite the fury of the cloaked with elements of the truth
dark side in the burgeoning Jedi.
However, Luke stuck to his training
and narrowly managed to overcome
his anger, once again reinforcing
Kenobi’s tactic of introducing
Skywalker to the truth gradually.




































78 / STAR WARS INSIDER

A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW













Anakin exactly what he wanted
to hear—namely that Padmé could
be saved—the Sith Lord placed
Skywalker in a position to overlook
the inconsistency. For Anakin to
be effective as Palpatine’s loyal
enforcer Darth Vader, Skywalker
needed to fully submit to the hatred
that resided within him. The new
emperor accomplished this by
fabricating the story that Anakin
had inadvertently murdered his wife
in a fit of rage. Aware of his assault

on Padmé, Vader effectively became
cut off from his former allies and
family, leaving Darth Sidious as his
only source of refuge and guidance.
While the comment that
the truth depends on one’s
viewpoint originated with Obi-
Wan Kenobi, both Palpatine and
Anakin presented their own takes
on the concept. The chancellor
conveniently opined, “Good is a
point of view, Anakin. The Sith
and the Jedi are similar in almost
every way, including their quest
for greater power.” Equating the
two groups appealed to Anakin’s
devotion to the Jedi’s ideals and set
the stage to ease his transition from
one faction to the other. Sidious’s
indoctrination worked perfectly, as
depicted on Mustafar when Anakin
bellowed at Kenobi, “From my
in order to confuse the young Jedi Palpatine point of view, the Jedi are evil!”
and steer him to the conclusions The Luke/Ben Solo, Obi-Wan/
that the chancellor coveted. When fed Anakin Luke, and Palpatine/Anakin pairings
Anakin confessed his belief that involved various motivations for
the Jedi Order did not have faith falsities deceit, from Luke’s regret for his
in Palpatine, the chancellor actions to Obi-Wan’s impulse to
quickly agreed and added the cloaked with protect his charge. However, Darth

fictitious charge that the Council’s Sidious’ willful manipulations for
mistrust extended to the Senate, elements of his own gains not only grade as the
to the Republic, and to democracy the truth. most devious ones, they also set
itself. Palpatine pounced on the events in motion that resulted in
opening created by the young further falsehoods. Darth Vader’s
Jedi, and Anakin allowed his own very existence caused the awkward
frustrations with the Council to all that he had discovered about situation between Kenobi and Luke,
convince himself that the rest of cheating death spoke to Anakin’s while Kylo Ren aspired to honor the
the chancellor’s claims against the wish to safeguard Padmé, but Sith Lord’s memory. Is it unfair to
Jedi made sense in conjunction with Palpatine later contradicted himself blame all three cases on Palpatine?
their dislike for Palpatine. when he declared that he needed We’ll heed Obi-Wan’s advice and
The chancellor’s assertion that Skywalker’s assistance to unlock simply say, “What I told you was
Darth Plagueis taught his apprentice the secret to immortality. By telling true. From a certain point of view.”






STAR WARS INSIDER / 79

The First Order has
taken over the mantle of
the Empire in its pursuit of
galactic dominance. Can you
answer these questions to help
the Supreme Leader eradicate
the New Republic and
crush the Resistance?
Compiled by
Jay Stobie

“HOPE LIVES IN THE GALAXY.”


t
0
Asssist the Resiistance by supplying vital intelligence aabout these key worldds that appeared in Staar Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).
c
a
r
r
e
s
g
e
ANCIENT AHCH-TO TAKING FLIGHT TO CANTO BIGHT THE CLASH ON CRAIT
1: Who maintains Ahch-To’s 6:The city of Canto Bight is 11: Who operated the outpost on
Jedi structures? located on what planet? Crait before it was abandoned?
A/ Padawans A/ Cantooine A/ Jedi Order
B/ Jedi Temple Guards B/ Cantonica B/ Confederacy of Independent
C/ Caretakers C/ D’Qar Systems
D/ Force ghosts D/ Takodana C/ Galactic Empire
D/ Rebel Alliance
7:Which one of Canto Bight’s
recreational activities revolved
around fathiers?
A/ Swimming
B/ Playing sabacc
C/ Racing
D/ Fine dining 9: What type of product did the
2: What items did the Jedi intend majority of Casino Bight’s
to keep in the island’s old tree? wealthy patrons sell? 12: What animal species
A/ Lightsabers A/ Moisture vaporators infi ltrated the Resistance’s
B/ Jedi texts B/ Spice defensive perimeter?
C/ Kyber crystals C/ Clothing A/ Vulptex
D/ Jedi robes D/ Weapons B/ Rathtar
C/ Gundark
3: Where did Luke Skywalker 10: Who helped Rose and D/ Mynock
keep his legendary X-wing? 8:Where did Rose Tico and Finn Finn escape from Canto
A/ The first Jedi temple first encounter DJ? Bight’s stables? 13: Which substance covered the

B/ The mirror cave A/ The jail A/ The Master Codebreaker plains where the Battle
C/ An island clearing B/ The casino B/ BB-9E of Crait took place?
D/ The ocean C/ The racetrack C/ Maz Kanata A/ Sand
D/ The beach D/ Temiri Blagg B/ Glass
4: Which local creatures C/ Salt
produce green milk? D/ Mud
A/ Thala-sirens
B/ Porgs 14: What leftover vehicles did the
C/ Spetan channelfi sh Resistance fi nd inside the base?
D/ Twinfi n hyacanders A/ Speeder bikes
B/ X-wings
5: How many C/ Ski speeders
generations D/ TIE fi ghters
ago was
Ahch-To’s 15: Which weapon did the
Jedi library First Order deploy to breach
built? the outpost’s main door?
A/ 100 generations A/ Ion cannon
B/ 500 generations B/ Superlaser siege cannon
C/ 1,000 generations C/ Turbolaser
D/ 10,000 generations D/ Darksaber






80 / STAR WARS INSIDER

“I KNOW THIS PLACE.”

e
o
u
p
y
Conntact yoour allies iin the Outer Rim to see if they are aable to help you deteermine who said the folloowing:
O
“GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR COCKPIT.”
1.



2. 3.
“THE FIRST ORDER WILL “I wish I could


CONTROL ALL THE MAJOR put my fist



SYSTEMS WITHIN WEEKS.” through this

whole lousy



“DO YOU THINK THAT
4. beautiful town.”


I CAME TO THE MOST 5. “Someone needs




UNFINDABLE PLACE to stay behind



IN THE GALAXY FOR and pilot the



NO REASON AT ALL?” cruiser.”







“THE FIRST ORDER REIGNS.”

e
n
y
n
Identify these staunch servvants of Supreme Leadder Snoke:
e
S
n
s
1. 2. 3. 4.






























WERE YOU ABLE TO GUIDE THE RESISTANCE TO SAFETY?
4 Captain Peavey .
0-9:Where’sHan?You’dbetterrefineyourcalculationsbefore we make the jump to lightspeed.
“THE FIRST ORDER REIGNS. ” 1 General Hux, 2 Captain Canady , 3 Captain Phasma,
10-19:Keepstudyingyourstarchartsandyoumightmake R2-D2 proud... eventually.
5 Admiral Amilyn Holdo.
20-24:Happybeeps!Yourknowledgeofthegalaxyisunrivaled.
“I KNOW THIS PLACE. ” 1 General Leia Organa, 2 Rey , 3 Rose Tico, 4 Luke Skywalker,
QUIZ 1 C, 2 B, 3 D, 4 A, 5 C, 6 B, 7 C, 8 A, 9 D, 10 D, 11 D, 12 A, 13 C, 14 C, 15 B.




STAR WARS INSIDER / 81

WHAT’S IN A NAME?





What’s In 01






A Name?








Where did the imaginative names of our favorite

Star Wars characters come from? Insider undertakes
an etymological study of their varied origins.


W ORDS: MI CHAEL K OGGE



hen George Lucas At first glance, the names Lucas

first sat down to gave to his characters might seem

W start writing Star out of touch during the era in
which he made Star Wars. Film
Wars, he didn’t
go straight into audiences in the 1970s were used
a screenplay. He to gritty, realistic fare, and names
jotted down a list. And on this like “Luke Skywalker,” “Han Solo,”
list, scribbled in heavy pencil on or “R2-D2” could sound juvenile, if
a yellow legal pad, were names. not downright ridiculous—a point
“Emperor Ford Xerxes XII” topped that studio executives and fellow
the roster, and the list continued filmmaker friends made to Lucas

with “Xenos, Thorpe, Lars, Kane, at the time. Yet Lucas held fi rm
Hayden, Leila, Owen, Mace, Wan, because he believed those names
Bail, Biggs, Valorum” and others. best served the story. And he was
As documented in J.W. Rinzler’s right, in a way that he could never
The Making of Star Wars, Lucas have imagined.
found inspiration for these names Audiences found the simple,
from a variety of sources, including straightforward nature of those
the history books he was reading, names to be a refreshing break
his interest in mythology, fairy from the cynicism and irony
tales, and religions, the movies he of the period. They cheered for
adored, and, of course, his love of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia,
science fiction. Whenever he got snickered with the loner Han Solo,

stuck while writing the screenplay, and hissed at Darth Vader—heroes
he would return to generating these and villains who not only wore
lists, pulling names from his daily their allegiances on their sleeves,
life and research, recombining the but also in their names. And these
letters, spelling them in unique were names you couldn’t forget,
ways, or even inventing new words names that broke through the
entirely. “I would say the names zeitgeist and live on in popular
to myself, and if I had a hard time culture to this day. For as much as
dealing with a name phonetically, I Star Wars is hailed as a cinematic
would change it,” Lucas said in Star masterpiece, perhaps the heart of
Wars: The Annotated Screenplays. its longevity—and Lucas’ genius—
As the drafts multiplied and the is in the names.
story itself changed, iterations of So, let’s look at the origins of
these names remained throughout some of the most celebrated names
the revisions. One could venture in Star Wars, from the original
to say that the creation of the and prequel trilogies, and the new

Star Wars galaxy was actually an films that have continued Lucas’
exercise in nomenclature. Naming tradition of names that pack a
was the name of the game. simple, yet symbolic punch.






82 / STAR WARS INSIDER

WHAT’S IN A NAME?



































02




01 Luke
“Luke” is a name of ancient
origin, coming from the Greek
“Loukas”, which translates to a
man “from Luciana,” which is an
area in Italy. Then there are some
religious connotations, since Luke
is regarded as the evangelist who
wrote one of the four canonical
gospels of the New Testament.
Ironically, in Star Wars: The Last
Jedi (2017), it is Luke who has
collected the Jedi scriptures, only
to want to burn them to ashes.
Whether by coincidence or
by authorial intention, combining

Luke Skywalker’s first name with
the first initial of his last name

makes “Luke S,” phonetically not
a massive leap from the name of
the saga’s creator.

02 Han Solo
Han is a variant of the German
name “Hans,” which is an
equivalent to the English name
“John,” while Solo is an adjective
meaning “alone.” Lucas
conceived of Han as an orphan,
yet doesn’t remember exactly
how his last name came about,
commenting in The Making of
Star Wars that “it could have
been from some Solo cups,” the
famous red plastic cups made by
the Solo Cup Company. In any
event, as is clear to any Imperial
enlistment offi cer, the name
completely suits Han’s me-fi rst
brand of individualism.






STAR WARS INSIDER / 83

WHAT’S IN A NAME?





03 Jyn Erso 07 Lando Calrissian 03

The rebel rouser gained her name Identified as “Lando Karr” in

from the man who fi rst conceived Leigh Brackett’s first draft of
of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story The Empire Strikes Back, he
(2016), ILM chief creative offi cer was revealed as Han Solo’s
John Knoll. “It’s a mix up of a lot smuggler friend, a refugee from
of my favorite women in my life,” the Clone Wars who lives on
Knoll told Yahoo Movies. “My Hoth. Later described as a “slick,
youngest daughter is Jane, and riverboat gambler dude,” one
my wife is Jen, so Jyn is sort of unused backstory had Lando
a mashup of them. And, growing hailing from a planet of clones,
up, my aunt was Aunt Ginny, one of the last survivors after
short for Virginia, so there’s a a terrible war eradicated many
bit of that, too.” of his people. Solo: A Star Wars
Story screenwriter Jon Kasdan
04 Yoda embellished the charming


Identified as “Minch Yoda” in the gambler’s name to “Landonis
earliest drafts of Star Wars: The Balthazar Calrissian III,” but this
Empire Strikes Back (1980), there ended up on the movie’s cutting
are many possible etymologies room fl oor.
for Yoda’s name, from “yodha,” As for the name’s origin,
the Sanskrit word for fi ghter, Lando is fairly common in Italy
to the Hebrew עדוי (“Yode’a”), as both a personal and a family
which translates as “the one name, and is often the shortened
who knows.” form of Orlando, which translates
to “famous throughout the land.”
05 R2-D2
The little astromech’s designation 08 Anakin
started out as shorthand for Legend has it that Anakin
“Reel Two, Dialogue Two,” Skywalker was named after
04
during the sound mix of Lucas’ British director Ken Annakin,
fi rst feature, THX 1138. Lucas who helmed adventure fi lms like
and his creative partner, sound Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson,
mixer Walter Murch, joked that although Lucasfi lm revealed
R2-D2 might be a good name this wasn’t the case following

for something, and a few years the filmmaker’s death in 2009.
later Lucas put it to good use in Anakin, in fact, comes from
Star Wars. Lucas then took the Ananke, the Greek goddess of
alphanumeric convention for necessity and inevitability, also
R2-D2 to invent the designation known as the mother of the
for the droid’s more loquacious Fates. This proves to be rather
associate, C-3PO. symbolic with Anakin’s own fated
destiny in the Jedi prophecy of
06 Darth Vader the Chosen One.
05
Darth Vader is the name that
amateur etymologists often 09 Rey
suppose is derived from a Dutch Rey’s name was originally
transliteration of “Dark Father.” scripted as “Kira,” but during
However wonderfully that fi ts, shooting in Abu Dhabi, director
Lucas’ original name for the J.J. Abrams informed actress
character was “Dark Water.” Daisy Ridley that he had changed
He settled on “Darth” because it to Rey. A homophone of Rey
it sounded like an amalgam of is “ray,” a word often used to
“dark” and “death.” Lucas then describe a beam of sunlight.
proceeded to try out a host One should also not discount
of last names, astonishingly the Spanish word for king, ‘rey,’
including the likes of “Wilson” which is a homonym, meaning a
and “Smith,” until “Vader” fi nally word that sounds the same but
emerged from “invader.” has a diff erent meaning.






84 / STAR WARS INSIDER

WHAT’S IN A NAME?






06
WHO WAS
UBER?

Other Star Wars names and
their mysterious sources:












SNOKE

Possibly derived from
the words “smoke” and
“snake,” either of which
could be used to describe
Supreme Leader Snoke’s
personality traits, the
character was nicknamed
“Uber” during production.
07










KYLO REN
Early on in the production
08 of The Force Awakens, Kylo
Ren had no name, only
some placeholder initials
“J.K.,” which stood for Jedi
Killer.












POE DAMERON
Poe Dameron is a
combination of the moniker
J.J. Abrams’ daughter gave
to her stuffed polar bear,
“Poe,” and the last name of
Abrams’ assistant.












MAZ AND ROSE

Maz Kanata was originally
named “Rose,” in tribute
to Rose Gilbert, a teacher
who inspired director J.J.
Abrams. The name would
be redeployed to Resistance
maintenance worker Rose
Tico in The Last Jedi.
09






STAR WARS INSIDER / 85

WHAT’S IN A NAME?






10


































13

11
















12













14


































15






86 / STAR WARS INSIDER

WHAT’S IN A NAME?





10 Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi 13 Finn 16 Chewbacca
”
“
The subject of fan speculation Poe Dameron gives Finn his name Chewbacca sounds very much
for years prior to the release of in The Force Awakens, using the like the Russian word for dog,

Star Wars: The Phantom Menance first two letters of the young cobáka (“Sobáka”). This lineage
in 1999, some believed Kenobi’s man’s stormtrooper designation makes sense since the giant hairy

first name sounded like “OB-1,” “FN” as the basis. Finn’s operating character was inspired by Lucas’
and was a clue that he was the number, 2187, has a real-life Alaskan Malamute, who used to

first in a batch of clones. The source, however, referencing both ride shotgun in his car (and was
prequels proved this wasn’t the the cell block where Princess Leia also named “Indiana,” but that’s a
case. In fact, Lucas had arrived at was imprisoned on the Death story for another time.)
the name by marrying a number Star, and Arthur Lipsett’s 1963 Lucas, however, has said that
of foreign terms, most likely the Canadian montage fi lm 21-87, he coined the name Chewbacca

three Japanese words: “obi,” which influenced some of Lucas’ when making sounds for the
which is a kimono sash; “wan”, student fi lms. species and rearranging them
which might be re-spelling of the to form the character’s name.

honorific title “san”; and “ken,” 14 Grand Moff Tarkin
which translates to “sword” or Peter Cushing, the actor who 17 Skywalker
“saber.” His nickname “Ben,” portrayed Tarkin, himself Skywalker is perhaps the most
however, has Semitic roots, and questioned the meaning of his recognizable name in the Star

means “son” in Hebrew. This has honorific. “I’ve often wondered Wars lexicon, to the extent that

particular relevance later in the what a Grand Moff is,” he said in it is now the titular hook upon
saga, with Han and Leia’s son, an interview for Ted Newson’s which the climax of a 40-plus-
Ben Solo. documentary Flesh and Blood: year story hangs in Star Wars:
The Hammer Heritage of Horror. The Rise of Skywalker.
11 Wookiee “Sounds like something that came However, Lucas originally

While recording wild track voice- out of a clothes closet.” Lucas called his main character
overs for Lucas’ fi rst feature, THX claims he made the name up, “Starkiller,” a surname that
1138 (1971), actor Terry McGowan though some believe he may have remained in place well into
ad-libbed a line for a masked found inspiration in the ancient the production of A New Hope
policeman, saying “I think I just Roman king Tarquin, and the title until he decided to change it
ran over a Wookiee.” His weekend of a country’s leading jurist on to Skywalker, which had also
service in the Army Reserves Islamic law, the Grand Mufti. appeared on one of his earlier
16
had made McGowan late for the lists. “That I did because I felt
recording session, forcing him to 15 Palpatine a lot of people were confusing
leave his duty meeting early and The Emperor’s name fi rst him with someone like Charles
rush to the studio with buddy, emerged not in the movies, Manson,” Lucas said. “It had
Bill Wookey. His friend’s name but in print, specifically in the very unpleasant connotations.”

popped into his head when he prologue of the novelization of
was called upon to improvise Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). 18 Padmé
some dialogue. Not only did the It would be 22 years later before Padmé is derived from the
word “Wookiee” remain in THX, it film audiences finally heard the Sanskrit word for the lotus,


stayed in Lucas’ imagination for name of the villain portrayed by “padma.” Also known as the
years, re-emerging as the name Ian McDiarmid, previously only water lily, this aquatic fl ower
of Chewbacca’s furry race. known only as “the Emperor.” plants its roots in the mud of
17 Senator Palpatine’s name is ponds and rivers and blooms
12 Leia but one letter away from the above the water’s surface. The
Princess Leia Organa appears to name of Senator Palatine, a lotus is sacred in many religious
have been derived from “Leila” character in Martin Scorcese’s traditions, symbolizing individuals
on Lucas’ original list, which is 1976 movie, Taxi Driver. This who triumph over great suff ering
a Semitic name meaning “dark is more than coincidence—it’s on the path to enlightenment.
beauty” or “daughter of the night,” Lucas’ subtle homage to his Padmé’s adopted royal name,
followed by a word that ties in friend’s film. The senator’s given Amidala, shares similar fl oral


thematically to the main confl ict in name, Sheev, is a more recent significance in Italian, translating


the story, that of flesh and organs construction, also emerging fi rst to “beautiful flower.” Finally, her
versus machines and technology. in print in James Luceno’s novel family name, Naberrie, has an
“Organa” is also a re-purposing of Tarkin. Reminiscent of shiv, a Egyptian homophone Nabirye,
the name that Lucas initially gave slang term for a knife, Sheev also which carries all sorts of thematic
to the planet Alderaan in early brings the powerful Hindu god, implications in its meaning of
18
script drafts. Shiva the Destroyer, to mind. “mother of twins.”





STAR WARS INSIDER / 87

WORLDWIDE









CELEBR A TING THE S A G A



































































LEADING WITH LEIA take her project to the next level,
and since then has continuously
honed her craft and worked to
Endor-bound with camouflage cosplay fit for a Princess improve upon the ensemble that
Leia wore on the forest moon of
hen cosplayer Bekah made some of my own, then got Endor. “I made my fi rst non-stretch
learned that a life-sized together a bunch of my friends shirt, sewed my first zipper, and

W Endor bunker and an with Endor costumes, and made spray-painted a brand new poncho,”
AT-ST would be appearing at an it happen.” she tells us. “I learned a lot about
upcoming convention, she knew However, any cosplayer knows sewing and constructing patterns
that her next project would have to that a build is never truly done—as through Endor Leia.”
focus on Leia Organa’s commando Bekah discovered shortly before Of course, the costume itself is
gear from Star Wars: Return of the the event. “I ended up hand- only part of the cosplay experience.
Jedi (1983). stitching the hem of the pants in a “Through Leia and the Rebel Legion
“I was so excited, as the costume hotel room,” she laughs. After the I found the love of my life and
was always a favorite of mine,” says convention was over, the costumer friends who have become a second
Bekah. “I found a few patterns and considered ways in which she could family,” reveals Bekah. “Before this





88 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INSIDER NEEDS YOU!

We want to hear from you! Tell us about your
Star Wars experience. What made you want
to become a fan? What have you done in the
name of Star Wars? Tell us your Star Wars
story by sending your photos, art, and ARTISTS’ ALLEY
letters here:
[email protected]
Talented Star Wars fans share their amazing
Or via regular post:
UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM drawings inspired by the galaxy far, far away....
Star Wars Worldwide, Star Wars Worldwide,
Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Insider,
Titan Magazines, 144 Southwark
2819 Rosehall Lane, Street
Aurora, IL, 60503, London, SE1 0UP,
U.S.A. U.K.



































01. FAMILY PORTRAIT AND TWO TUBES

Jasmin Schröder combines her interest in Star Wars,
photography, costuming, and painting in a very unique
fashion, by reimagining pictures of cosplayers, either taken
by herself or given to her by the subjects, and turning them
into beautiful paintings. Using watercolors on watercolor
paper, Jasmin has painted a wide range of characters,
including Benthic Two Tubes (right) and a family posing
as a stormtrooper, a Jawa, and a Tusken Raider (above).














group, I dealt with lot of anxiety,
self-doubt, and depression,” she

confides. “While I’m still battling
with those, my friends and Leia
have helped me through.”
Knowing the extent to which
Carrie Fisher and Leia infl uenced
her own life, Bekah enjoys acting as
an informal ambassador to the next
generation of Star Wars fans.
“Whenever I see a little girl with
02. LAST FLIGHT OVER THE FOREST MOON
two buns in her hair, I’m reminded
that what I’m doing is making an
Inspired by a friend’s love for B-wings, Josh Ashley created this beautiful vista featuring
impact,” she beams. “It’s keeping


rebel fighters performing a flyover for local Ewoks. “The image began with a gradient
Carrie Fisher alive, and empowering sky, and I added layers of terrain, lakes, and foliage after that, from back to front,”
the next generation of heroines, so says the artist, who crafted the piece in Adobe Photoshop. The final touches included


I couldn’t be prouder.” sketching the B-wings, adding in engine flairs, and illuminating the Ewok campfi res.



STAR WARS INSIDER / 89

WORLDWIDE
BOUNTY HUNTERS

Scouring the galaxy for the

stars of Star Wars...






Meet the stars, show the evidence, win
the bounty! Bounty Hunters is sponsored
by Kotobukiya. Each issue's winner will
receive a fantastic Kotobukiya Star
Wars statue kit! To see more,
visit www.facebook.com/kotobukiya



ntroduced to Star Wars by his mother,
Sebastien Chiu credits the franchise with
I helping him through diffi cult times when
he was growing up. It was trooping with
the 501st Legion that ultimately led to his
encounter with Matthew Wood at Colorado
Springs Comic Con.
Wood, who is best known for voicing
General Grievous in Star Wars: Revenge of
the Sith (2005) and working in the sound A LOFT FIT FOR A MOFF
department on numerous Star Wars fi lms
and television shows, made quite the
impression on Sebastien. “The only way I Imperial interior design takes bedtime to another level
could possibly describe meeting Matt was

like the feeling one gets when seeing an old s one of their first dates back construct a loft that would supply
friend, despite never actually meeting him in 1999 included a trip to the the room with plenty of usable
before,” proclaims the fan. “What struck me A theater to see Star Wars: fl oor space.
was how humble he was. That’s what had a The Phantom Menace, the saga has The structure took about two
lasting effect on me.” always connected Danielle and her weekends to build, with walls
Sebastien, who hopes his keen interest in husband. So it’s no surprise that based upon a Star Destroyer’s
sound and music might land him a Lucasfi lm their two children have inherited a bridge. “We had to carefully
internship someday, added, “Matthew is truly love for the franchise. “My older son map out the unique shape of the
one of those people who simply never fails and I even ran a 5K race dressed like windows,” explains Danielle. “The
to inspire me and keeps me going daily.” Luke and Leia,” remembers Danielle. yellow and red rectangles are
When afforded the opportunity scraps of plywood, painted to
to design his own room, Danielle’s mimic the random lights and
01
youngest son elected to go for a control boxes on the bridge.” The
Star Wars motif. “We love creating rest of the bedroom’s walls were
places and spaces in our house painted black and adorned with a
that spark our kids’ imaginations variety of decals, glow in the dark
while bringing them joy,” affi rms stars, and Star Wars-themed art.
Danielle. Brainstorming sessions “My son’s favorite place to read is
narrowed the family’s options to the red hammock chair. We also
an Ewok village or an Imperial Star added LED lights under the loft,
Destroyer. Unlike at the Battle of just for fun,” says the mom of two.
Endor, however, on this occasion A hammock may not be regulation,
the Emperor’s forces prevailed, and but even a fleet admiral needs a

with an efficient design that would place to relax!

make even the great Grand Moff The effort was truly a family
Tarkin smile, the family set out to affair that brought the foursome
closer together. “Our son loves his
room,” declares Danielle, “and we
loved doing it.” Thanks to their
shared love for Star Wars, mom

Danielle confirms she and dad
enjoy a special bond with their
01 Sebastien Chiu poses for a picture after receiving children. “It is part of our story,
some invaluable career advice from Matthew
Wood, the prolific Star Wars sound editor and and now we are glad it is part of
voice of General Grievous. theirs,” she proudly concludes.





90 / STAR WARS INSIDER

WORLDWIDE






































LIGHTS,CAMERA, troopers’ mundane downtime might
include a refreshing snack consisting

of fictional “Corellia Kreme” donuts
ACTIONFIGURES and a Star Wars galaxy coffee. “The
donuts are doll house pieces, while
the mug and box are custom built,”
Snap happy fan makes his own Star Wars toy stories he explains. “Big thanks to my sister

Faith for modeling the mug!”
oy photographer Isaiah That thrilling experience still Isaiah envisioned yet another
Takahashi was raised on the resonates with Takahashi, and the scenario in which some First Order
T original Star Wars trilogy, but California-based toy enthusiast stormtroopers stand idly by and
experiencing the theatrical release relives it by producing incredible pose for a selfie as Kylo Ren and

of The Phantom Menace holds a images based on characters from the Rey face off in a lightsaber duel
special place in his heart. beloved saga, utilizing action fi gures behind them. For other tableaus,
“It was seeing a new Star Wars from Hasbro’s Star Wars Black Series the imaginative photographer drew
film on the big screen,” he recalls range. One such photograph depicts inspiration from the most recent

with glee. “I clearly remember the an off duty moment for an Imperial Star Wars films, such as Supreme

text crawl, and hearing the music. It Patrol Trooper, as introduced in Solo: Leader Snoke’s Praetorian Guards
gives me chills just thinking about it, A Star Wars Story (2018). Isaiah and a courageous Enfys Nest. Isaiah
even today!” humorously imagined that the artfully poses his action fi gures to
capture just the right perspective
with his camera. The photographer
even added extra details to the
leader of the Cloud-Riders in
preparation for her photo shoot.
“Enfys Nest was customized with
paint, weathering effects, and new
custom soft goods,” he explains.
Photography serves as much
more than simply an enjoyable
hobby for Isaiah. “It has been an
incredible journey! I have made
close friends and met so many
amazing people from around the
world,” he exclaims. The growing toy
photography community continues
to welcome newcomers each day,
and the Californian is emphatic that
anyone can have a go. “I encourage
anyone who has any sort of camera

and any type of action figure or toy
to give it a try!” he suggests.





STAR WARS INSIDER / 91



INSIDE






THE





FALLEN






ORDER








After the execution of Order
66, the Jedi Order has been
extinguished, annihilated, with
the few remaining survivors

scattering, concealing their
abilities and forging new lives
as their only hope of survival.
Enter Cal Kestis, hero of Star

Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the
new action-adventure video
game from Lucasfi lm and
Respawn Entertainment.
Orion Kellogg, senior

producer for Lucasfi lm
Games, and Aaron Contreras,
the narrative lead at Respawn
Entertainment, take us behind

the scenes of the exciting new
third-person game.


W ORDS: KR I S TIN B AVER



tar Wars Insider:
How does Jedi:
S Fallen Order

employ the Star
Wars storytelling
tradition of the
hero’s journey, and the mythology
of the galaxy as we know it?
Orion Kellogg: Authenticity is our
north star. We know that where our
stories end, the fans’ stories begin,
so it’s important the world feels real
and the characters feel relatable.
Starting on his back foot, the call to
action for our underdog hero, Cal
Kestis, does feel similar to other great
heroes like Rey, Luke, Anakin,






STAR WARS INSIDER / 93

INSIDE THE FALLEN ORDER






or Ezra, but to meet the challenges When we first meet Cal, he’s a
of his time, Cal’s journey is bound to former Padawan who survived
take fundamentally different twists Order 66. How does that inform
and turns. What does it mean to the plot that unfolds?
be in the shadow of the strongest OK: From the day we started, the
Empire we’ve seen? How does it feel game’s director Stig Asmussen had
to be without mentors and labeled a clear vision. He wanted to tell
a traitor? Where do you turn when the story of an underdog, someone
you’re being hunted? And why do fighting against incredible odds,
you keep fi ghting? that could make the player feel in
lock-step with our character as they
Aaron Contreras: I’d also like to earned their victories.
point out that Cal is not a “chosen
one,” and his fate and fortune are AC: Cal’s background gives him
anything but certain. At the same a specific perspective on the Empire.
time, he is absolutely made from His whole world was torn apart 02
the stuff of heroes, and we’re very when Order 66 was issued, and the
excited to share his story, with our trauma and loss of that experience
own twist on the hero’s journey. informs his character. that Cal joins a mission to restore 03
The fact that his training the Jedi Order. He’s recruited by
How would you best describe the was incomplete is also a perfect a former Jedi Knight named Cere
journey that Jedi: Fallen Order fit for a game that features Junda, and her pilot, a cantankerous
takes us on? character progression. It allows alien named Greez Dritus.
AC: It’s the story of a young person us to introduce different skills,
living in dark times, who refuses to Force abilities, and equipment OK: All three of them aren’t buying
stop fighting for hope and justice, over the course of the story, the narrative peddled by the Empire,
even if that choice means standing which our protagonist and the that peace and military order are the
alone against tyrannical might. It’s players can learn together. same thing. They’re questioning the
an action-adventure game, full of way things are and the way things
exploration and wonder, set across What can you tell us about Cal’s might be, and they rely on each
multiple planets, and brought to life mission and his companions? other for the courage to ask those
by a diverse and delightful cast of AC: We don’t want to reveal too questions in a very dangerous time.
characters. And it’s a Jedi’s story. much about the plot, but I can say 04
BD-1 is the latest in a long
line of mechanical sidekicks.
“Watching Cal rise to fight alongside How would you describe Cal’s
relationship with the droid?
Saw Gerrera tells us so much about this OK: It takes Cal some time to warm

period in StarWars, but more importantly to the crew of the Stinger Mantis,
but with BD-1 it’s love at first sight.
about Cal’s journey.” On the run for most of his life, Cal
has been looking for someone to
Orion Kellogg, senior producer, Lucasfilm Games trust again, and who better to trust
than a loyal little droid? BD-1 is an
explorer’s droid, and in many ways
01
the hero of his own adventure—if
05
you ask him, anyway.


AC: Cal’s quest takes him all over
the galaxy, and BD-1 is by his side
every step of that journey. The

friendship he finds in BD-1 is the

first step in building a new family.

Cal visits familiar worlds like
Kashyyyk, as well as never-before-
seen planets. What’s the rationale
behind choosing such locations?
OK: Ultimately, planets are like






94 / STAR WARS INSIDER

INSIDE THE FALLEN ORDER







“Jedi: Fallen Order is the story of a young

person living in dark times, who refuses

to stop fighting for hope and justice.”


Aaron Contreras, narrative lead, Respawn Entertainment





supporting characters in Star Wars, clever, and strong 01 Cameron
Monaghan
characters that help our heroes tell in the Force.
plays Cal
the stories they were created to tell. Kestis.
It felt only natural that we’d AC: The
02 Former
meet Cal on a backwater planet Inquisitors are
Padawan
like Bracca, picking through his also anything Cal uses
memories and the bones of fallen but loyal to one the Force.
Republic cruisers. As he rises to tell another. They 03 Forest
his story, what better place to test view each other as Whitaker
again voices
his courage than in the jungles of threats and rivals,
Saw Gerrera.
Kashyyyk? Watching Cal rise to working together
fight alongside Saw Gerrera tells only when ordered 04 Jedi: Fallen

Order is set
us so much about this period in or when it serves
after the fall
Star Wars, but more importantly their own selfi sh of the
about Cal’s journey. We also knew goals. It also Republic.
that Cal would be wrestling with goes without 05 The game is
some questions about the Force. To saying that the packed with
lightsaber
have him digging through history Inquisitors hunt
action.
in uncharted territory, literally in Cal relentlessly
the ancient tombs of Zeffo, felt like throughout
exactly the path we needed for Cal’s his quest.
story to feel unique.  
Learning to understand the Many Star Wars fans grew up
Zeffo and their interpretation of dreaming about becoming a Jedi.
what we call the Force is the heart What do you hope they’ll get
of the game’s journey. I can tell you out of the game when they get
that their history brings to light to experience it for themselves,
some incredible locations that we fi rst-hand?
hope players will have a great time AC: My greatest hope is that we
exploring—and some technologies make that dream come true for all
that will challenge your perception of our players! I’m definitely one of

of what’s possible in Star Wars. those fans who grew up imagining
how amazing it would be to wield a
Fans of Star Wars Rebels and lightsaber and use the Force, as are
the Marvel comics are well- so many of the incredibly talented
acquainted with the deadly team at Respawn and Lucasfi lm.
Imperial Inquisitorius. How do
these dark side practitioners play OK: There isn’t a more satisfying
into the game’s narrative? feeling in video games than drawing
OK: The Inquisitors are so much a lightsaber. We hope they feel the
fun to work with. They’re the weight of the Empire, the call to
perfect antagonists for this time.  action to rise against it, and the
They’re motivated by fear and pull of the Force as they draw that
controlled by power. And the ones weapon. This is an experience

we have in the game— including made from start to finish to help
the Ninth Sister and the Second the players become a Jedi, to feel
Sister—are really, really scary. If the Force, and rise up against the
you’re going to hide from them, Empire. I really think Respawn is
you’re going to need to be fast, onto something amazing.






STAR WARS INSIDER / 95

The


Star Wars


Archive



Lights! Camera! Action!
Rare images from the
Star Wars photo archives.

































































































96 / STAR WARS INSIDER

During filming on the
island of Skellig Michael
for Star Wars: The Last
Jedi (2017), director
Rian Johnson positions
Rey’s staff to frame the
perfect shot of Daisy
Ridley’s young Jedi
in training.
Photo: Jules Heath







STAR WARS INSIDER / 97

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