X

Spectacular 'Return of the Jedi' concept art (pictures)

Happy May the Fourth! Take a look back at Ralph McQuarrie's incredible concept art for the 1983 sci-fi epic "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Christopher MacManus
Crave contributor Christopher MacManus regularly spends his time exploring the latest in science, gaming, and geek culture -- aiming to provide a fun and informative look at some of the most marvelous subjects from around the world.
Christopher MacManus
017.jpg
1 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Jabba's Palace

Nearly 30 years ago, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" lit up the screen and concluded one of the most successful science fiction movie trilogies ever created. As geeks around the world celebrate May the Fourth (Star Wars Day) on May 4, we thought it would be fitting to look back at a collection of Ralph McQuarrie's original "Return of the Jedi" concept art from a portfolio released by Ballantine Books in 1983.

In the beginning scenes of "Return of the Jedi," C-3PO and R2-D2 return to Tatooine to deliver a holographic message from Luke Skywalker to the crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Within the halls of the palace lie a vast assortment of scum and villainy -- and Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

016.jpg
2 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Grand entrance

After entering the Palace, C-3PO and R2-D2 meet Jabba the Hutt's majordomo, Bib Fortuna, a Twi'lek male with a pair of tentacles dangling off his head. As the conversation passes, shadowy figures move about in the background while the entrance to the Palace slides shut.

Artist Ralph McQuarrie primarily used opaque gouache and acrylic on illustration board to create genre-defining artwork that influenced the look of many of the iconic scenes, characters, and vehicles seen throughout the original "Star Wars" trilogy.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

015.jpg
3 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Ho ho ho

Jabba the Hutt's opulence (and obesity) greatly stands out in this concept drawing of the main throne room. As the mysterious bounty hunter Boba Fett stands near Jabba's side, Luke Skywalker attempts to bargain with the crime lord for the release of Han Solo. Ralph McQuarrie's imagination runs wild with the various aliens seen in this picture.

Shortly after McQuarrie's passing in March 2012, director George Lucas issued a sentimental statement about the legendary artist on the official "Star Wars" Web site. "Ralph McQuarrie was the first person I hired to help me envision Star Wars," Lucas said. "His genial contribution, in the form of unequaled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy. When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point to one of Ralph's fabulous illustrations and say, 'Do it like this.'"

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

014.jpg
4 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Max Rebo Band

It's not all doom and gloom at Jabba's Palace. In fact, the Max Rebo Band -- consisting of Max Rebo, Droopy McCool, and Sy Snootles -- routinely perform jazzy songs for the collection of misfits and criminals who occupy the Palace. In the distance, a disguised Lando Calrissian, posing as the guard Tamtel Skreej, observes the band.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

013.jpg
5 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

New jobs

After Luke Skywalker barters his faithful droids, Jabba sends the robots down to droid supervisor EV-9D9, who assigns the duo new jobs at the Palace. Ralph McQuarrie's color schemes for the Jabba's Palace scenes really emphasize the gloominess of the environment.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

012.jpg
6 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Fateful moment

Jabba tricks Luke Skywalker into standing on a false door, which ends up dropping the Jedi into a cell containing a carnivorous Rancor. While Jabba and his minions observe from 25 feet above, Luke must think quickly before he meets the fate of the freshly killed guard held by the colossal beast.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

011.jpg
7 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Pure chaos

In just the blink of an eye, what was once an execution becomes a liberation as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian fight off their captors aboard the skiff. Jabba and his barge full of onlookers can only watch as the madness unfolds, while guards atop the vehicle scramble to lay down suppressive fire.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

010.jpg
8 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Farewell, Jabba

The heroes make an escape just as Jabba's Sail Barge explodes nearby. Ralph McQuarrie's incredible attention to detail seen in the barge and the eye-catching explosion really stand out here.

Aside from his legendary artistic influence on "Star Wars," McQuarrie was also responsible for concept drawings that influenced the "Battlestar Galactica" TV series, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and "Cocoon" (which netted him an Academy Award).

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

009.jpg
9 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Fleeing in the forest

After reaching the forest moon of Endor to deactivate the shield that protects the Death Star II, Luke Skywalker digs up trouble with some Imperial Scout Troopers who ride a very fast vehicle called a speeder bike. Ralph McQuarrie's blurred lines and nearly missed laser beam really deliver a sense of the adrenaline rush intended for this scene.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

008.jpg
10 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Behind schedule

With construction of the second Death Star falling behind schedule, Darth Vader makes a visit to inform Moff Jerjerrod, the manager of the massive killing machine, that the Emperor will arrive soon to oversee the final stage of construction. The Emperor's guards, clad in red, overlook the arrival of the Sith Lord and his master’s dignitaries.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

007.jpg
11 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Golden god

Thinking the droid is a god, the wild Ewoks of Endor carry the golden C-3PO upon a makeshift throne while Han Solo gets a much less favorable treatment.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

006.jpg
12 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

High-rise city

Wicket and the Ewoks befriend Leia and take her to an impressive village suspended in enormous trees high above the ground.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

005.jpg
13 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Calm before the storm

Dark tones return as Imperial officers deliver Luke Skywalker to Darth Vader.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

004_11.jpg
14 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Sticks and stones

As the assault on the Death Star's shield generator commences, Ewoks fight the Empire's cutting-edge weaponry with catapults and other archaic devices.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

003.jpg
15 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

The final confrontation

Aboard the Death Star II, a father and son clash sabers to determine their respective fates. Like many of the other drawings seen in this gallery, the movie set used for this epic "Return of the Jedi" scene only slightly differed from Ralph McQuarrie's conceptual drawing.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

002.jpg
16 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Shocking situation

In this concept piece, McQuarrie perfectly illustrates the sheer terror of the Emperor's electrifying attack on Luke Skywalker. A starship, nearing destruction, streaks by in the background.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

001.jpg
17 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

A-Wing assault

The fate of the Rebellion rests upon ships such as this A-Wing, which must face an endless barrage of Imperial Star Destroyers, TIE Fighters, and other deadly spaceships in the Empire's arsenal -- including the Death Star II. Allow yourself a moment to marvel at Ralph McQuarrie's penchant and incredible ability to draw sensational spaceships.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

018.jpg
18 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

A great loss

An explosion ripples through a Rebel cruiser as the momentous space battle commences near the second Death Star. The rounded shape of the Mon Calamari cruisers, inspired by their aqueous world of origin, also appeared in the film -– some of the first ships in the movie to feature such curvy aesthetics. Admiral Ackbar, who led the Rebel attack, would famously utter, "It's a trap!" as the Rebels realize that fleets of deadly Star Destroyers await the Rebellion.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

019.jpg
19 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Payback

The B-Wing fighter, a ship making its first appearance (along with the A-Wing) in the saga, flees after taking down a Star Destroyer. The reflection of the mega explosion off the ships looks truly amazing.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

020.jpg
20 of 20 Ralph McQuarrie/Lucasfilm/Eric Carl

Wrecking the reactor

Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Lando Calrissian and Nien Numb join ace X-Wing pilot Wedge Antilles to destroy the second Death Star. Calrissian and Antilles successfully fire off missiles and destroy the reactors contained within the hallowed core of the superweapon. We'll find out what happens next when "Star Wars: Episode VII" hits theaters in 2015. "Star Wars" fans can get even more behind-the-scenes action in the upcoming J.W. Rinzler megabook "The Making of The Return of the Jedi," which arrives at stores in October.

(Click here for a larger version of this picture.)

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos