Welcome to the Ask the Lucasfilm Jedi Council Archives. A feature of Star Wars. Com, no longer active. This is not a complete archive but have salvaged what I can.

January 2004

Q : Will there ever be an Episode II Insider’s Guide?

Steve Sansweet: I assume you’re talking about the great CD-ROMs that LucasArts did for both the classic trilogy (Star Wars: Behind the Magic) and the first prequel (Star Wars: Episode I Insider’s Guide). Both were chock full with exclusive interviews, rare footage, encyclopedia-like coverage, scene guides, still images, trivia, a look at characters, vehicles, the making of the films…and much, much more.

But basically two things have happened. First, the market has clearly moved away from such CD-ROMs; in fact, it had pretty much collapsed just as the Episode I Insider’s Guide was starting to ship. And that’s because the kinds of material that would be included on such CD-ROMs can be better placed on more interactive and updateable websites and richer DVDs — which is exactly what Lucasfilm did for Episode II.

Q : Why does there appear to be statues of horses in the scene where Jar Jar and his people are entering the city after defeating the droid army? Horses were never seen on any of the fantasy planets.

Jocasta Nu: Those are not horses. They are in fact statues of guarlaras, royal riding animals used only by the monarchy. The galaxy contains a number of species similar to the mundane equines you are familiar with. The forest moon of Endor has several such species, including bordoks and gaupas.

Q : Is that you in the tank in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?

Nick Gillard: Good eye. It most certainly is.

Q : What do you think are the chances of MGM’s Star Tours expanding or for Mr. Lucas to build a Star Wars theme park?

Steve Sansweet: As long ago as 1984, Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Co. began exploring the possibilities of theme park attractions based on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies. One early idea was an entire area at Disneyland with seven rides based on those films. Eventually, in 1987, Star Tours opened in Disneyland, and later in Disney parks in Orlando, Tokyo and Paris. Indiana Jones attractions followed. We continue to believe that the Disney environment is an excellent one for attractions based on Lucasfilm movies, and we are always looking at ways to either freshen or, if it makes sense, expand that presence.

Q : Stupid question but what are humans called in the Star Wars universe?

Jocasta Nu: Humans are simply identified as humans — notice when C-3PO remarks that Luke Skywalker is quite clever for a human being, or when Han Solo ironically calls Jabba the Hutt a wonderful human. The Podracer announcers also identify Anakin Skywalker as a human. Your confusion may stem from there not being a homeworld identified in the species name, but that is not uncommon. The species name “Wookiee,” for instance makes no reference to Kashyyyk.

The origins of humanity in this galaxy have been lost to time. There are several worlds that lay claim to the prehistoric birthplace of the human species — and in ancient times, wars were fought over such claims — but the truth remains a mystery. As such, many humans tend to refer to themselves with names that identify particular cultures or homeworld: for example, Corellians and Alderaanians.

Q : I saw your name when I was watching the BBC hit “Red Dwarf.” What was it like and how did Mr. Charles’ skills match to Star Wars?

Nick Gillard: Working on “Red Dwarf” was a lot of fun! I think Mr. Charles would make a good Sith.

Q : I’ve seen Star Wars wall art that is made up of small movie picture frames cut up to make an image. What are these type of pictures called and where can I buy them?

Steve Sansweet: There were two fantastic Star Wars images done by Robert Silvers, the creator of Photomosaics, a technology he invented at the age of 26 while a student at the MIT Media Lab. According to his company’s web site, Silvers’ proprietary software “expertly considers minute details in hundreds of individual images to create a beautiful mosaic arrangement.” A Photomosaic works by arranging hundreds or thousands of tiny photographs that, when viewed from a distance, combine to form a single larger image. In this case, many frames of film from the classic Star Wars trilogy created portraits of Darth Vader and of Yoda. Both are included in Silvers’ first book, “Photomosaics” (Henry Holt & Co., $12 soft cover). The Photomosaics were also printed as posters by Lucasfilm licensee Portal Publications in 1997, and are still available in some poster shops or at online sites.

February 2004

Q : In Episode V, Yoda acts like an idiot when Luke was visiting him. Yoda acted like he has never seen technology before. What happened to him? Did the swamp make him crazy?

Jocasta Nu: Yoda was hiding his identity and testing Luke’s patience and intentions. His behavior before revealing his true name and status as a Jedi Master is an act. You’ll note that once Luke realizes that it is in fact Yoda the Jedi Master, Yoda does not behave in this odd way.

Q : I heard that Natalie Portman is terrified of heights. Did she do the whole pole/nexu/chain thing in Episode II herself?

Nick Gillard: Yes Natalie did stand on the pole. She also jumped from it. I had to show her how to do it and I think I was more frightened than she was.

Q : How many bones have you broken?

Nick Gillard: Not as many as the hearts I have broken.

March 2004

Q : Why is Endor called the “centurian” moon?

Jocasta Nu: Your ears deceive you, young Padawan. The term used is “Sanctuary Moon,” which describes Endor’s role in generating the protective shield around a vulnerable second Death Star.

Just as a FYI, to avoid old posts becoming one with the Force, this post has been republished so it can be a blue glowy thing, it was Originally posted 2022-06-14 18:58:27.