ey Takeaways:
– Return of the Jedi Director Richard Marquand found it challenging to work with R2-D2.
– Mechanical issues and character direction were key concerns for Marquand.
– The director and actress Carrie Fisher reportedly had altercations during filming.
Getting To Know The Difficult Characters of Star Wars
The Star Wars universe has blessed us with captivating characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. These characters from the distant galaxy have etched a permanent place in the hearts of fans. But not all characters were a delight to create, according to Richard Marquand, the director of Return of the Jedi.
Jedi’s Worst Character: R2-D2
Marquand revealed in an interview that the robotic companion R2-D2 was grueling to work with. George Lucas, the pioneer who directed the first Star Wars film, passed the baton to other directors for the subsequent installments. Marquand took charge for Return of the Jedi, the end of the original trilogy.
The Downside of Directing Droids
In his conversation with Den of Geek, Marquand shed light on the hurdles he faced while filming. He particularly emphasized the layers of complexities wrapped around R2-D2’s character. There were lighter times when an actor donned the suit to play the droid. However, these moments were fleeting as Marquand heavily relied on the post-production process for the fine-tuning.
Navigating The Mechanic Mischiefs
Sadly, the mechanical instruments responsible for the puppeteering of R2-D2 were not always cooperative which made the job taxing. The R2-D2 prop was often unresponsive, leading Marquand to humorously compare it to an unruly actor. That said, the director confessed to being fond of the character despite the challenges.
The Leia-Marquand Feud
Not all was calm on the set during the filming of Return of the Jedi. The rivers of discord ran deep between Marquand and actress Carrie Fisher, famously known as Princess Leia. There were several reported bouts of disagreements between them.
Fisher remarked, in an interview with The Daily Beast, about a particular instance of Marquand yelling at her, leading her to tear up and thus damaging her makeup in the process. This heightened tensions and made the filming atmosphere rather tense.
Leaving Behind Legacy
Both Fisher and Marquand have since passed away- Marquand in 1987, just a few years after the release of Return of the Jedi, and Fisher in 2016. They have left an indelible imprint on the hearts of Star Wars fans with their work in the franchise, despite the on-set angst.
If you’re interested in visiting this galaxy far, far away, you can stream Return of the Jedi on Disney+. As we dive deeper into the Star Wars universe, it’s interesting to understand the challenges and efforts filmmakers faced while crafting our favorite characters and moments.
As the saying goes, the most difficult paths often lead to the most beautiful destinations. This certainly holds true for the creation of the thrilling and diverse Star Wars universe. Despite their struggles, Marquand and his team brought to life a movie saga that will continue to enthral audiences for generations to come.
