Star Wars fans, rejoice — today is the big day that Lucasfilm opens up the archives and bestows upon you Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy , a hardbound, coffee-table-style book collecting the complete storyboards for the first three films (in order of release, anyway) of George Lucas’ iconic space opera. And since we love seeing classic movies in their ink-and-paper form, the folks at Lucasfilm and Abrams Books were kind enough to share a few of the ‘boards with us (including a handful that are exclusive to this site). Check ‘em all out after the jump:
FLAVORWIRE EXCLUSIVE: The homestead on Tatooine, with its twin suns, where Luke Starkiller (later, Skywalker), lives. Artist credit: Joe Johnston
Fun fact: Storyboard artist Joe Johnston would go on to become a successful director in his own right, helming such films as Jumanji and Captain America: The First Avenger.
FLAVORWIRE EXCLUSIVE: Artist credit: Joe Johnston
FLAVORWIRE EXCLUSIVE: Another recently surfaced board echoes a Ralph McQuarrie painting and shows a Y-wing in a jungle clearing, as the rebel base was originally located outside until budget cuts moved it into an interior hangar. Artist credit: Alex Tavoularis
FLAVORWIRE EXCLUSIVE: The heroes enter the throne room, victorious. Artist credit: Joe Johnston
FLAVORWIRE EXCLUSIVE: Walkers tower over the now empty rebel trenches and fallen troops. Artist credit: Joe Johnston
“Construction robots” (per the second draft) R2-D2 and C-3P0 are rocked by an explosion, as rebels prepare to expel the invaders. Artist credit: Alex Tavoularis
A later iteration of the rebel attack of the Death Star begins. Artist credit: Joe Johnston
Han Solo emerges from carbon freeze. Artist credit: Dave Carson
In a later iteration, Johnston storyboarded the rancor’s entrance. Artist credit: Joe Johnston
Paploo the Ewok. Image credit: Nilo Rodis-Jamero
Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy is out today.