Stunning concept drawings, character designs and unused ideas reveal the epic production design of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Now that The Force Awakens has been out for a few weeks I feel safe in my judgement, away from all the hype and hyperbole, to declare that it’s actually pretty good. It’s by no means perfect (I have my own little niggles about it basically being a reboot of A New Hope) but generally it’s great fun and an accomplished return to the Star Wars universe.
The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens offers fans a behind the scenes look at the production design of this epic movie, featuring work from familiar Star Wars illustrators Ralph McQuarrie and Doug Chaing alongside new artists tasked with introducing exotic locations, creatures and characters to an equally new generation of fans. Readers will recognise many of the films set-pieces among the sketches and digital paintings, as well as imagine what could have been through the (as yet) unused character designs.
Stand-out pieces for me are the haunting interpretations of an ageing Luke Skywalker (hinting to a darker Empire-like second act maybe?) and the exploration of the Anakin/Vader ghost. Concept drawings fulfilling their purpose by inspiring ideas and tickling the imagination about what might come next. Needless to say, it’s essential reading for fans.