Joseph Eggleston Johnston III, known as "Joe", is an American director in the film industry. He is also an artist and author, and is most recognized for his contributions to the Star Wars original trilogy.
Joe Johnston's education includes attendance at California State University, Long Beach, and the Art Center College of Design. His involvement with George Lucas's Lucasfilm Ltd. began when he responded to a college advertisement seeking a storyboard artist. He was hired by Lucasfilm, and his career advanced to a head storyboard artist position, where he frequently collaborated with Lucas during the editing process. Johnston has expressed that his experience working with Lucas was the equivalent of an exceptional film school education, particularly observing Lucas's editing techniques for the original trilogy. Later, Johnston grew dissatisfied and planned to use his earnings to travel, leaving Lucasfilm. However, upon receiving Johnston's notice, Lucas proposed an alternative. Lucas offered to place Johnston at the top of the applicant list for the University of Southern California's Film School, covering his tuition and maintaining half of his salary. Johnston accepted this offer without hesitation in 1984.
During the pre-production phase of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Johnston was in charge of creating the design for Boba Fett's unique armor and equipment. He collaborated with artist Ralph McQuarrie to develop the bounty hunter's distinctive appearance, which was based on initial concepts for Darth Vader.
In Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Johnston appeared as an Imperial gunner and a backpacked spacetrooper. A Hasbro action figure of him in the spacetrooper costume was released in 2009.
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope ( 1977 ) (He played an uncredited role as an Imperial gunner , and was an effects illustrator and designer for the miniature and optical effects unit)
- Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back ( 1980 ) (He played an uncredited role as Shawn Valdez , and was the art director for visual effects)
- Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi ( 1983 ) (art director for visual effects)
- Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure ( 1984 ) (production designer)
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor ( 1985 ) (production designer)
- Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO — " Coby and the Starhunters " (1985) (co-writer)
- From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga (1985) (interviewee)
- Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO — " The Great Heep " ( 1986 ) (design consultant)
- Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy ( 2004 ) (interviewee)
- The 100 Greatest Family Films ( 2005 ) (interviewee)
- Official website
- Joe Johnston on Wikipedia
- Joe Johnston at the Internet Movie Database