Drew Struzan and The Phantom Menace
A few weeks ago, we reported on the passing of movie poster legend Drew Struzan. Within the film fan world there has been an out-pouring of love for the man who created some of the most incredible movie posters of the twentieth century.
Signs of his wider cultural impact have been evident, with obituaries published in mainstream publications such as The Observer, The Guardian and The New York Times.
Within the world of film, tributes from major figures have been glowing. In a statement to The Hollywood Report, Stephen Spielberg said that…
Drew made event art. His posters made many of our movies into destinations … and the memory of those movies and the age we were when we saw them always comes flashing back just by glancing at his iconic photorealistic imagery. In his own invented style, nobody drew like Drew.
Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo Del Toro shared on BlueSky that…
The world lost a genial man, a genius communicator and a supreme artist. I lost a friend – beloved Drew.
Even the normally reclusive George Lucas wrote on the Star Wars website that...
Drew was an artist of the highest order. His illustrations fully captured the excitement, tone and spirit of each of my films his artwork represented. His creativity, through a single illustrated image, opened up a world full of life in vivid color… even at a glance. I was lucky to have worked with him time and time again.
Lucas turned to Drew for the Indiana Jones series and also for Star Wars. The 1997 special editions of the original trilogy received a special triptych of Struzan posters.
When Lucas revived the Star Wars story with 1999’s The Phantom Menace he turned once again to his trusted illustrator. The director insisted that Struzan’s imagery was used world-wide and Drew would go on produce posters for the whole trilogy.
Turning back the clock to 1999, it had been three years since a Struzan artwork had been used for a major movie (1996's Muppet Treasure Island). The Force Network captured Drew's feelings about the new Star Wars film and his eventual commission to produce the movie poster...
When the film was in production I was as excited about it as any fan could be. You know I've worked on the Star Wars artwork since the beginning in 1977. I wasn't hired until the last thing! I believed at that time that they must have decided to go with photography as this is a new series and a new generation of fans.
I was wrong! Thank George Lucas. In an interview I had with George he had said that he uses illustration for real specific reasons. Not the least of which is that he knows it touches the heart and imagination so much more readily that photography. When it came to the one sheet it was George that asked for artwork and requested my participation. What, was I going to turn him down?
Director Adrian Carr shared a wonderful video showing Drew creating this incredible piece of art. If you have any interest in the artistic process, settle down for three minutes and watch as the master uses pencil, paint and air brush (plus a little kitchen roll) to create magic.
The Force Network's interview proved that, as always, Drew was incredibly humble about his creation.
It's my job man. It's not to say that it is not extremely wonderful to have done the piece. The thing is, I try my best to be humble about the whole thing. That George lets a little of the light from Star Wars shine on me makes me truly blessed. I am grateful beyond measure for all that Star Wars has meant to me and I express my thanks to George every opportunity I get.
I only had two weeks in which to conceive, design, draw comprehensives and get them approved before I painted the finished picture which had to be done all within the deadline of two weeks.
Episode 1 must have gotten the most publicity of any film ever. I am glad that what I did came out so well since it is being seen literally everywhere. One of the extra blessings I got from this special project is that as it goes from country to country around the world, it does not change. Usually, when a film goes to other countries the poster changes. Sometimes different artwork all together from what we see here in the States. George it is that is making sure, out of some great respect I assume, that what is seen from country to country is the same icon everywhere. My art is getting some extraordinary coverage for which I am honored.
When I was creating the painting it was impossible to forget what I was working on. I must admit that this project and it's presence in the minds and lives of the people of the world made it much more present in my mind as I worked. I didn't get so overwhelmed that I couldn't work, however. Quite the opposite, I worked extra diligently which made the art all the better, I believe.
It sure did Drew.
For fan's of his work, here are all of the original Drew Struzan movie posters that we currently have available.
