Star Wars is one of the most popular movie in the history, with millions of fans worldwide. To be honest I’m one of them and since I was a child, one of my wishes was to have a lightsaber. The Star Wars saga is a masterpiece and its contribution in making movies is huge.  

As a matter of fact, getting a role in this movie can be compared with an astronaut job: everyone will tell you how lucky you are. Star Wars universe is extraordinary and thanks to George Lucas we grew up playing as stormtroopers or rebels fighting the Empire. Even if the first movie was launched many decades ago, it still make us shivers when Darth Vader comes into scene. As far as I know, he was voted the greatest negative movie character ever, and I strongly agree with it.

When I’m watching Star Wars I’m imagining huge galaxies populated with millions of species; I’m imagining a lot of interesting stories, heroes and intricate spaceships which are fighting at the speed of light. What is interesting is that I’m never thinking that this is only a movie and those are actors, fake monsters and movie sets. I like to remember the movie as a story which might be real.

Watching the Star Wars universe is great but isn’t is interesting to see how it was created? Remember that back in the old days they didn’t had state of the art computers to generate visual effects. They made almost everything by hand and this always makes the movie more interesting because despite the some funny visual effects, making everything manual means art. So, without any other introduction, let me show you 65 amazing behind the set Star Wars movie photos which I’m sure that any fan will appreciate. To be more specific, these photos are from the Empire Strikes Back.

Oh and don’t forget, may the Force be with you.

[clockwise from up left] Producer Gary Kurtz, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Director Irvin Kershner

[from left] Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill

[from left] ILM Visual Effects Legends Dennis Muren, Phil Tippett, Mike Pangrazio

Note Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) struts around in comfy pants

Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) watches in the background

ILM Visual Effects Legends Phil Tippett and Jon Berg

Cut scene of Wampa attacking Imperial Snowtroopers

“Giant” space slug

Producer George Lucas, David Prowse (Darth Vader), Director Irvin Kershner

Boba Fett’s armor/outfit pieces

Director Irvin Kershner and some bounty hunter scum

[from left] Yoda designer Stuart Freeborn, Yoda operator and voice Frank Oz, and Mr. Jim Henson

Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art

Meeting Mr. Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)

[from left] Director Irvin Kershner, Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett), David Prowse (Darth Vader)

Mark Hamill and Stunt Legend Bob Anderson

Mark Hamill in the process of molding his hand…

Note the mattresses below

Kenny Baker, aka in the man inside R2-D2

[from left] Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, producer Gary Kurtz, director Irvin Kershner