The Making of The Empire Strikes Back, a book penned by J. W. Rinzler, meticulously documents the entire production process of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. This volume features an introductory piece written by Ridley Scott, the celebrated director behind cinematic masterpieces such as Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator. Officially launched by Del Rey on October 12, 2010, the book commemorates the film's 30th anniversary and boasts a wealth of previously unreleased material.
On October 22, 2013, an enhanced digital version of the book was made available, showcasing exclusive artwork and images not included in the physical print edition.
This lavish thirtieth-anniversary tribute to the blockbuster film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back sees New York Times bestselling author J. W. Rinzler pull back the curtain to show the intense drama and magnificent wizardry behind the hit movie—without doubt the fan favorite of the Star Wars saga.
Following his The Making of Star Wars, the author has once again made use of his unlimited access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its hidden treasures of previously unpublished interviews, photos, artwork, and production mementos. The result is a comprehensive behind-the-scenes, up-close-and-personal look at the trials and triumphs, risks and close calls, inspiration, perspiration, and imagination that went into every facet of this cinematic masterpiece. Here's the inside scoop on:
- the evolution of the script, from story conference and treatment to fifth draft, as conceived, written, and rewritten by George Lucas, famed science-fiction author Leigh Brackett, and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan
- the development of new key characters, including roguish hero Lando Calrissian, sinister bounty hunter Boba Fett, and iconic Jedi Master Yoda
- the challenges of shooting the epic ice planet battle in the frozen reaches of Norway and of conjuring up convincing creatures and craft—from tauntauns and snowspeeders to Imperial walkers
- the construction of a life-sized Millennium Falcon and the swamp planet Dagobah inside a specially built soundstage in Elstree Studios
- the technique behind master Muppeteer Frank Oz's breathing life into the breakthrough character Yoda
- the creation of the new, improved Industrial Light & Magic visual effects facility and the founding of the nowlegendary Skywalker Ranch
In addition, of course, are rare on-the-scene interviews with all the major players: actors Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and David Prowse; director Irvin Kershner; producer Gary Kurtz; effects specialists Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston, and Phil Tippett; composer John Williams; and many others. Punctuating the epic account is a bounty of drawings, storyboards, and paintings by Ralph McQuarrie, Joe Johnston, and Ivor Beddoes, along with classic and rare production photos. An added bonus is a Foreword by acclaimed director Ridley Scott.
_ The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a fittingly glorious celebration of an undisputed space-fantasy moviemilestone. Search your feelings, you know it to be true._
J. W. RINZLER, executive editor at Lucasfilm Ltd., is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Making of Star Wars, as well as the London Times bestseller The Complete Making of Indiana Jones. Rinzler lives in Petaluma, California.
- Find The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on Amazon.com (backup link)
- Locate The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back by J. W. Rinzler on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link)
- See the Full Cover Reveal: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back on StarWars.com (original site is defunct)
- View The Making of the Original Trilogy eBooks Video/Audio — Complete Contents Revealed on StarWars.com (backup link)