Our favorite Star Wars actors and creators have other hidden talents, and some of those include being accomplished writers!
The Star Wars universe is filled with tons of talent. Over the course of the nine main Skywalker saga films, spinoff movies, TV shows, and more, we’ve seen that Lucasfilm brings out the best of the best talent.
Yes, the franchise pulls in good actors, directors, designers, and more — but did you know that some of those talented people have also doubled as writers? Yes, whether it be from autobiographies to comic books and even children’s books, the legends who make up the Star Wars universe have written all types of literature.
So, here for you, we have 21 Star Wars actors, directors and more who have penned their own work. And to start off, let’s take a look at the director behind the first and last sequel films in the Skywalker saga.
1. J. J. Abrams
J. J. Abrams has been both beloved for his contributions to television — including the multiple Emmy-winning Lost series — and derided for his less-than-stellar film record, Star Wars not excluded. That being so, it is likely that his handling of Marvel’s popular web-slinger, Spider-Man, is bound to draw both praise and criticism.
Working alongside his son Henry Abrams, both collaborated on the six-issue miniseries Spider-Man: Bloodline (2019). The plot of this series centers on Spider-Man and his sweetheart, Mary-Jane Watson, along with a new villain known as Cadaverous. Providing illustrations on this mini-series is the extremely-gifted, Sara Pichelli, whose breakout work on the Ultimate Spider-Man comics featuring Miles Morales put her at the top of the list of Spidey’s greatest artists.
2. Carrie Fisher
Although Carrie Fisher will always be associated with her Star Wars alter-ego, the not-your-average-princess Leia Organa Solo, her life outside of the immensely popular space opera wasn’t limited to just leading rebellions against evil Empires.
In fact, Fisher was quite the prolific writer, thus why she was the obvious choice for kick-starting this list. Her written work spanned some 30 years and included being a memoirist, novelist, and screenwriter. She also offered her services as a script doctor, which is someone that fixes other people’s scripts to make them better for the audience.
Her first novel was Postcards from the Edge published in 1987, about an actress who begins writing in a journal and sending postcards to her loved ones as part of her rehabilitation program from drug addiction. This novel set the tone for Fisher’s other subsequent work with its irreverent humor and semi-autobiographical nature.
Fisher’s other memoirs/novels included: Surrender the Pink (1990), Delusions of Grandma (1993), Wishful Drinking (2008), Shockaholic (2011), and The Princess Diarist (2016).
The Princess Diarist was notable for confirming a long-running rumor of an affair that she had while filming the original Star Wars film with her co-star Harrison Ford. It was also the last book that the actress/author wrote before her tragic death during the book’s promotional tour.
But – like all great artists – her work has been immortalized both on film and in the deeply personal, yet humorous writings (including a “death letter“) that she left behind for her fans to enjoy.
3. George Lucas
Next, the myth-maker himself, George Lucas. The director’s vision of a galaxy far, far away stands out as one of, if not the ultimate collaborations in world-building. Working together with some of the film industries most talented artisans, filmmakers, and a stellar cast, Lucas created a fictional galaxy that has both entertained and inspired a multitude. As a storyteller, not only did he gift movie-goers with a modern-day space-opera, but he also gave us the equally entertaining archaeologist/treasure hunter, Indiana Jones. One other lesser-known fantasy that Lucas created for his audience was Willow, featuring another one of his Star Wars alumni Warwick Davis.
It was with this latter property that Lucas dabbled into novel writing. His collaborator on the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy was famed X-Men scribe, Chris Claremont. The first of these novels was called Shadow Moon (1995). It was followed by Shadow Dawn and Shadow Star.
The plot of the series centers on the titular hero of the original film, Willow Ufgood, who is thrust into an all-encompassing war that begins with a devastating cataclysm that destroys twelve areas within his world including Tir Asleen. Willow must team up with new and old allies of his including, Elora Danan, the young girl whom he protected in the original film and helped guide her towards her destiny, as their world’s last great hope against the dark forces that want to rule it.
I hope that you all enjoyed reading about the hidden talents and literary excursions of Star Wars cast and crew. If you feel inclined to, please check out their work and let us know in the comments section below what you thought of them, or this article in general. Happy reading, and may the Force be with you.
4. Sir Alec Guinness
Next up on this list is the legendary British actor Sir Alec Guinness, best known to us fans as “Ben” Obi-Wan Kenobi, the wise Jedi Master that helped guide Luke Skywalker on his hero’s journey including later in using the Force to destroy the first Death Star.
Like his younger co-star Carrie Fisher, Guinness was a prolific writer as well. The esteemed actor’s bibliography consisted of several memoirs, the first of which was his autobiography/memoir Blessings in Disguise published circa 1986.
Rather than merely recounting his life story, Guinness was interested in expressing his opinions and reflections on art, books, other actors, and theater. My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor is one such example of what he liked to write about.
Originally, it was meant to be a diary that an editor named Charles Moore had approached Guinness to write so that he could publish a few excerpts inside his newspaper the Sunday Telegraph, but the muse had other plans.
This book-length diary was then followed up by the aptly named Positively Final Appearance: A Journal, 1996-1998 which like his other previous work contained both anecdotes and opinions on various topics of interest. While not his final written work, this book was the last to be published while the author – who was then in his late 80s – was living.
Guinness’s final written work, A Commonplace Book was published posthumously following the actor’s death at the age of 86 in August of 2000. The book consisted of an assortment of handwritten material that included two exercise books, favorite passages from poems and plays, stories that he had overheard, theatrical anecdotes, and other musings that covered whatever he considered worthy of commentary. It also included a type-written introduction that the actor left with his suggestions on how he hoped to share this final work of his.
5. Mark Hamill
Much like his co-star Carrie Fisher, actor Mark Hamill is inseparable from his iconic role of the young Jedi-rebel, Luke Skywalker. Although, it is worth mentioning that he has gone on to great success as a voice actor, with his best-known work being that of Batman’s nemesis, The Joker.
Showing that the Force – or at least the talent — is strong with him, Hamill also created his own original comic book character called the Black Pearl. Hamill, who is known as a huge comic book fan, co-wrote the limited series adapted from his original screenplay with Eric Johnson. The comic was illustrated by H.M. Baker with inking done by Bruce Patterson and Dan Schaeffer. It was published by Dark Horse comics in 1996.
The Black Pearl’s story centered on an average guy named Luther Drake who may have been stalking the woman he ended up saving from her would-be abductors. The media then takes the man’s act of heroism and turns him into an overnight sensation. The mystery surrounding this series is whether the man that the media has built-up as a hero is truly one or, something else entirely.
6. Billy Dee Williams
Best known to Star Wars fans as the smooth-talking, cape-wearing scoundrel, Lando Calrissian, Billy Dee Williams has collaborated on several novels across various genres including mystery, romance, science fiction, and suspense.
Billy Dee’s first collaboration was with Edgar Award winner Rob MacGregor on the futuristic psychic-suspense novels, Psi/Net (1999) and its sequel Just/In Time (2000). The novel’s African-American protagonist, Trent Calloway, is a former Air Force Major who was part of a special elite group of spies with psychic abilities. Calloway uses his extra-sensory gifts to spy on both global and national threats for the U. S. government.
Williams also collaborated on a romantic-thriller novel called Twilight (2003), that he co-wrote with bestselling author, Elizabeth Atkins Bowman. The novel’s main protagonist is a judge named Simone Thompson that specializes in child-welfare cases. In the novel, she is stalked by a serial killer known as Narcissus who not only has his sights set on her but several high-profile actors as well.
Her love interest in the novel is an actor named D. Anthony Whitaker a.k.a “Sweet Sonny”, but their relationship is complicated by her having to preside over his custody hearing for his two twin daughters. As you might expect this leads to conflict on both sides, both emotionally and physically. How does it end? Well, let me tell– [{LOBOT}//_override ] the end. Dang Lobot. Oh well, guess you’ll have to buy it.
Bonus fact # 1: Project Stargate was the name of a real program that used psychics for “remote viewing” or spying, both for intelligence and military services. The report issued by the CIA on Nov.12, 1995, about this formerly classified program was the basis for the Psi/Net novel and its sequel Just/In Time.
Bonus fact # 2: The multi-talented Billy Dee Williams isn’t just an accomplished actor and author but a painter as well, having his work exhibited in galleries around the world.
7. Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
Yes, it’s true, even the Wookie wrote a book. Actually, two. My Favorite Giant and Growing up Giant were both graphic novels published by Bluewater Productions that tells the life story of the late beloved actor who portrayed the fierce but loyal Wookie co-pilot of Han Solo in the Star Wars films.
Co-written with his wife, Angie Mayhew, both books explore the actor’s journey that tied into both his personal and professional life. Growing up Giant is specifically about the struggles that Mayhew had to endure in his early life before becoming Chewie, sort of like an origin story if you will. My Favorite Giant is intended for children as it teaches them how it is okay to be different and how such things can be turned into strengths, as it was for Mayhew himself. This latter book was illustrated by Terry Naughton, a former Disney-animator.
8. Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
In the autobiography Flying Solo: Tales of a Bounty Hunter the actor behind the beskar of the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett, in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi shares his actor’s journey, as well as his personal experiences both on-set and off as this fan-favorite character.
The autobiography was originally printed as a limited edition hardcover book with a personal inscription by the actor/author himself. Furthermore, it included a slip-case cover to protect the book. So, finding a copy might be like tracking down an elusive bounty, but persistence pays — this is the way.
9. Warwick Davis
Now moving on to the opposite side of the height spectrum we have the charismatic Warwick Davis, best known to fans as the fierce, but lovable Ewok Wicket.
In his aptly-named autobiography, Size Matters Not: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Warwick Davis, the actor reveals to fans his amazing life story, delving into his many experiences on the sets of various Star Wars films, beginning with his first major role as Wicket — at just 11 years old!
Bonus fact # 1: Besides playing multiple roles in several Star Wars films, Davis is also known as playing the titular character of another of George Lucas’ films, Willow. This movie was directed by Lucas’ friend and Solo: A Star Wars Story film director Ron Howard.
Bonus fact # 2: Another popular character that horror fans may recognize Davis as the darkly comic Leprechaun from the titular-named films he played in during the 1990s. Davis played this character with a wicked sense of humor that wasn’t above paying homage to the actor’s Star Wars roots. One memorable scene in L 4: Leprechaun in Space has the little imp’s cane emit an emerald green blade, much like Luke Skywalker’s second lightsaber in Return of the Jedi.
10. Anthony Daniels
If the Star Wars films were to have an ambassador, then Anthony Daniels would be its most qualified candidate. The reason for this vote of confidence comes from his distinction of being the only actor from the original trilogy to appear in the entire Skywalker saga, along with many other related projects tied to the films.
Daniels’ level of commitment to the franchise has no doubt given him a unique insider perspective more than any of the saga’s other casts, past or present. In his autobiography. I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story, the actor that brought the persnickety protocol droid to life gives the insider’s scoop as only he could.
Unlike his alter ego who suffered regular memory wipes and was unable to remember his role in important galactic events, Daniels’ own retention of his Star Wars experiences is both entertaining and informative as he recalls his many adventures during his decades-long service as the character.
11. Ashley Eckstein
Another Star Wars alumna with a unique place among her other cast members is Ashley Eckstein, best known to Star Wars fans as Anakin Skywalker’s snippy padawan Ahsoka Tano. Not only does Eckstein have experience bringing her character to life through her voice-over work but also through a children’s book she wrote, Star Wars: I Am a Padawan. This Little Golden Book written by Eckstein tells her character’s story as she trains with not only Anakin Skywalker, but Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi as well. Ashley also did an inspirational book titled It’s Your Universe: You Have the Power to Make it Happen. This book offers life lessons to young girls using not only Eckstein’s personal experiences but also drawing from Disney’s library of characters.
Thus far, Eckstein is the only Star Wars actor to write a story from her character’s perspective. Besides this distinction, Eckstein is also the only one among her peers to create her own Star Wars and fandom-themed fashion business, Her Universe, which provides fangirls and guys with their own accessories and clothes.
12. Ewan McGregor
Known to fans as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the upcoming Disney + series, Ewan McGregor is also an avid motorcycle enthusiast and adventure-seeker. Together with his close friend and fellow actor/adventurer-in-spirit, Charley Boorman, the two set out on an epic journey around the world on their bikes.
In his first travel book, Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World, McGregor was inspired by a daydream he had while looking over a map of the world and the possibility of traveling across it on his motorcycle. He and Boorman began their adventure in London and from there rode across Eastern Europe, Mongolia, Russia, and then over the Bering Strait to Alaska, before continuing on through Canada, the U.S., and beyond.
In the sequel to his first travel book, Long Way Down: An Epic Journey From Scotland to South Africa, McGregor and Boorman set out on the road again, this time beginning at the northernmost tip of Scotland and ending their journey at the southernmost tip of South Africa. The inspiration for this second trip came from McGregor’s UNICEF visits to Africa. Along the 15,000 mile trek to their destination, McGregor and Boorman find some time to pay homage to Star Wars by stopping in Tunisia, the film location used for Tatooine.
13. Ray Park
Best known to Star Wars fans as, Darth Maul, the demonic-looking Zabrak apprentice of Darth Sidious and nemesis of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ray Park wowed audiences back in 1999 with his acrobatic moves and lethal skill with a double-bladed, red lightsaber.
Despite being split-in half by Kenobi’s lightsaber, Maul would go on to terrorize the galaxy once again thanks to the creative teamwork of George Lucas and Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Rebels’ showrunner Dave Filoni. Park even reprised his iconic role once again in a memorable cameo shown in Solo: A Star Wars Story as the head of the criminal syndicate known as Crimson Dawn.
Besides being recognized as one of Star Wars deadliest Sith apprentices, Park is also known for portraying the equally deadly but heroic ninja Snake Eyes in the G. I. Joe films. It’s in connection to this character that Park got his writing credentials as a co-author of the comic book limited series G. I. Joe: Snake Eyes #1-4. The series itself is based in the G. I. Joe film universe and the plot has Snake Eyes being dispatched to Japan in order to uncover the identity of an impostor that is trying to frame him for a series of murders.
As cool as it is to see the actor do a comic book on Snake Eyes, it would be infinitely more awesome if we could get Park to craft a story for his more iconic role as Darth Maul. That would likely be an instant hit for Marvel on the same level as Keanu Reeves’ recent announcement of doing the BRZRKR comic for Boom! Studios. Man, now I really want it. Get to it, Ray. Us Darth Maul fans have spoken!
14. Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid, better known to Star Wars fans as Emperor Palpatine made his contribution a playwright with the stage adaption of Be Near Me, which was based on the novel by Andrew O’Hagan.
The story revolves around a priest named Father David Anderton who is assigned to a new parish along the Ayrshire coast in Scottland that seems rife with narrow-mindedness. Father Anderton is ill-suited to his new assignment and ends up drifting away from his peers to being drawn to a young couple that is diametrically opposed to the very things which his faith and congregation finds acceptable. Things take a particularly dark turn for the priest after he makes the mistake of kissing the young man, Mark, and word gets out into the community who labels him as a pedophile.
15. James Earl Jones
Although David Prowse embodied the physical presence of Darth Vader onscreen, the actor most recognized as the man behind the iconic mask is James Earl Jones. The actor’s booming voice matched well with the character’s already imposing appearance and elevated him to the status of a cultural icon.
Jones has also contributed to literature like his fellow Star Wars alumni, first with his Actors on Shakespear: Othello book, a couple of introductions in Muhammad Ali: Ringside and Poetry Out Loud, along with the autobiographical/inspirational book James Earl Jones: Voices and Silences co-written with Penelope Niven. Jones has also provided narration for several audio-books including James Earl Jones Reads the Bible. This latter contribution was something that was impressive, most impressive.
16. David Prowse
Following in the footsteps of his insidious master, comes this autobiography by the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader — or rather the actor who portrayed him in the original Star Wars trilogy, David Prowse. Straight From the Force’s Mouth: The Autobiography of David Prowse MBE (2011) gives the life story, along with a detailed account of the actor’s experience as Star Wars imperious villain.
Prowse’s autobiography covers his early career as an accomplished bodybuilder moving onto his transition into films such as Clockwork Orange starring Malcolm McDonald. Prowse’s bodybuilding background combined with his acting experience made him well-suited to fill the menacing armor of the original Star Wars trilogy.
One of the actor’s greatest feats showcasing his physical prowess came at the end of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi when he manhandled his co-star Ian McDiarmid and tossed the emperor over the balcony after other method’s failed to work out. Prowse also wrote two previous books prior to his autobiography, they were Fitness is Fun and Play Safe with the Stars: Child’s Guide to Safety, both of which were aimed at younger readers.
17. Christopher Lee
A legend within the horror/fantasy genre long before his notable role as Star Wars fallen Jedi, Count Dooku, Christopher Lee rekindled his career at a time when most people his age would have been retired, reflecting back on the good ol’ days.
Fortunately, Lee’s lengthy career proved advantageous when he chose to record his experiences in his two autobiographies: Christopher Lee, Tall, Dark, and Gruesome and Lord of Misrule: The Autobiography of Christopher Lee. Both books span several decades worth of storied events in the life of a man that many might have only thought of as the face of innumerable villains.
Among the myriad of anecdotes from his autobiographies, one of the earliest and most noteworthy came when he was among the final witnesses to the last execution by guillotine in Paris. Next, came his military service during WWII in the Royal Air Force Intelligence, which eventually led to his appointment to a task force that tracked down Nazi war criminals. After retiring from the RAF with the rank of flight lieutenant Lee followed his cousin, Nicolò Carandini’s, advice and pursued work as an actor. His film debut came in 1947 as the character Charles in the Gothic Romance film called Corridor of Mirrors.
After a decade spent in minor roles, Lee finally got his big break playing The Creature in the 1957 Hammer Films production The Curse of Frankenstein. This film was notable for many other reasons besides being Lee’s first major role. It was the first of the Hammer Films to be shot in color, one of the earliest to have gruesome blood and gore effects (intensified by its color presentation), and also the first lead role in a film for Peter Cushing, best known to Star Wars fans as Grand Moff Tarkin.
Besides having a long and illustrious career in films, not to diminish his impressive military service, Lee also lent his distinctively deep voice to audiobooks, games, voice-over work, and even music albums. And, get this, while his bass voice was naturally suited to opera-style music, Lee’s preferred performance was in heavy metal/symphonic music albums. Yup. Count Dooku was strong with the Metal.
In fact, he contributed his vocals to several collaborations with metal artists/bands including the Italian power metal band, Rhapsody of Fire. As mind-blowing as that is, Lee also won a “Spirit of Metal” award while in his ’80s for his first full album, Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross. This was later followed up by a sequel album called Charlemagne: The Omens of Death in which he shot a music video for one of its singles. And at the age of 91 years and 6 months, he became the oldest living performer to be entered into the music charts with his Christmas metal song, Jingle Hell, placing No. 22 in the Billboard Hot 100.
Finally, one other interesting fact that fans might not know about Christopher Lee was that he actually was descended from high-born blood — courtesy of his mother’s side of the family — the Carandinis. So, I suppose one could say that Count Dooku/Dracula wasn’t faking being aristocratic. Christopher Lee was without a doubt one of the most interesting people in Hollywood. That being said, it doesn’t take any special Jedi persuasions to see why his autobiographies would be worth reading to anyone.
18. Peter Cushing
A close friend and frequent collaborator of Christopher Lee’s, Peter Cushing is best known to Star Wars fans as Grand Moff Tarkin, the merciless tactician and co-antagonist of Episode IV: A New Hope. In real life, the Alderaanian annihilator was known conversely as the “gentleman of horror” with a witty sense of humor. He was a lover of animals, nature, and was a deeply devoted husband. The actor’s devotion to his wife Helen was so deep that after her unfortunate death he was quoted by an interviewer as considering his remaining existence on this Earth as “killing time.”
Fans and interested readers can learn more about this British film legend in Peter Cushing: The Complete Memoirs, a collection featuring the actor’s two previously released autobiographies combined into one volume. Like his friend and frequent co-star, Lee, Cushing was also a regular star for Hammer Films. As mentioned previously his first lead role in a film was The Curse of Frankenstein as the titular character. After several more sequels as the iconoclastic mad scientist Cushing took a heroic turn as Dr. Van Helsing in the Dracula film, again opposite of Christopher Lee.
Whereas Christopher Lee was typecast as villains, Cushing was cast more often in protagonist roles. Among his most famous roles as the lead protagonist was his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the film The Hound of the Baskervilles and the later BBC series continuing the adventures of the world-renowned crime consultant. Cushing also played the Doctor in two films based off of the equally popular Doctor Who. His version of the Doctor was different from any other versions prior to or following his portrayal in that his Doctor was a human instead of an extraterrestrial. Therefore, his Doctor may not be considered as canon, but still pretty cool nonetheless.
One rather disturbing revelation that Cushing revealed in his autobiographies was his mother’s insistence on treating him as her daughter, instead of as her son. This bizarre treatment went as far as dressing him like a girl in dresses and long hair with bows until he was old enough to start school. Thankfully, his father stepped in and convinced his wife to begin dressing him properly for his gender so that he wouldn’t get picked on by his peers.
Something else that fans might not have known about Cushing was that he suffered from nyctophobia, or a fear of the dark. Also, like his fellow Star Wars alumni, Billy Dee Williams, Cushing was also an accomplished painter.
19. Ben Burtt
If you’ve ever been curious about who was the guy that created all of those awesome sound effects that Star Wars is famous for, then wonder no more. Ben Burtt worked as the foley artist for Lucasfilms’ original Star Wars trilogy as well as the prequel films crafting the beeps of droids like R2-D2, the hum and clashing of lightsabers, and the distinct whining sounds of ships like the Tie-Fighter. Burtt also helped to craft the alien languages used in Star Wars, most notably the growls and huffs of Chewbacca’s species, the Wookies.
In his book Star Wars: Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide (2001), Burtt teaches readers how to speak in the various alien tongues of the Star Wars films, including the aforementioned Shyriiwook.
More than just learning to insult someone in Huttese, this book also goes deeper into the culture and history that helped shape each of these fictional languages. Besides this, readers also learn the behind-the-scenes details of how some of these languages were created.
Furthermore, Burtt also includes a section at the end that translates what the aliens were saying in famous scenes from the Star Wars films, including the much-debated one between Greedo and Han Solo in the Mos Eisley Cantina. Finally, adding to the lighthearted nature of this book are the illustrations by legendary Mad magazine cartoonist Sergio Argonés.
20. Joe Johnston
Before becoming a well-respected director/filmmaker, Joe Johnston was a conceptional artist for George Lucas on the Star Wars original trilogy. He designed everything from the AT-AT in the Empire Strikes Back to the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. However, his most enduring contribution is perhaps that of being the one that visualized the look of Star Wars most popular bounty hunter, Boba Fett.
Outside of his duties as a concept artist, Joe Johnston published several sketchbooks showcasing his illustrations from the original trilogy and an Ewok children’s book that he both wrote and illustrated.
The children’s book titiled, The Adventures of Teebo: A Tale of Magic and Suspense (1984), follows the Ewok, Teebo, who sets out to rescue his wokling sister, Malani, who was supposedly kidnapped by a giant creature called a Grudakk.
It later turns out that this was a diversion purported by a band of Duloks so that they could raid the sparsely protected Ewok village and capture their woklings to be eaten. Teebo’s adventure serves as a rite of passage for the young Ewok, and during his journey, he is captured and later aided by an unexpected ally. In the end, the woklings are freed, and Teebo not only earns the respect of his tribe but is also rewarded with an apprenticeship to Logray, the village shaman.
21. Ralph McQuarrie
The late, great, Ralph McQuarrie was Star Wars’ original visionary artist that helped to establish the ideas swirling around George Lucas’ imagination into a coherent vision from which all other artists followed. While not all of his concepts were readily used in the first Star Wars films, such as his original take on Chewbacca, they were later recycled on Star Wars Rebels and other properties.
McQuarrie’s illustrations were integral in adding depth to films backdrops, visualizing the aliens, the planets, and helping make Star Wars into the pop culture phenom that it is. Among his many contributions, one of the most recognizable of his skills as a conceptual artist is Darth Vader. McQuarrie’s interpretation of the Dark Lord showed his ability to take the influences that inspired George Lucas — such as Japanese cinema and space serials like Flash Gordon — and distill it into the menacing vision of a bug-eyed, cyborg in samurai armor.
Fans looking to take full appreciation of McQuarrie’s many, many contributions to Star Wars and other properties he was a part of can do so by getting a copy of one of his art books, including this collection called Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie.
For more, keep up with the Books category on Dork Side of the Force.