With the recent news announcing the cast of Star Wars Episode VII, and the fact that today is Star Wars Day, we here in the Angels Fancy Dress office have begun to slip back into good old Star Wars nostalgia. We loved the original movies (who didn’t?) and to celebrate May the Fourth (Be With You) we’re taking a look at the original Star Wars characters and the original concept art, as imagined by artist Ralph McQuarrie. McQuarrie was a conceptual designer and illustrator, and his work for the original trilogy is reminiscent of classic pulp fiction book covers. As to whether they look anything like the finished characters…
The original concept art of C-3PO is reminiscent of the robot from Fritz Lang’s Metropolis – a more androgynous, futuristic look than the film’s version. Certain changes to the design had to be implemented to make it practical for use as a costume, and to stop Anthony Daniel’s from overheating while performing.
As the two droids were designed as a comic duo, R2-D2 had to have a radically different look and silhouette from his partner. Originally intended to be an animatronic model, McQuarrie’s design had to be simplified during production, creating the character we know and love today.
