Here Comes the Rancor.

star wars


Another great vintage video with Dennis Muren discussing how the Rancor evolved…




Source: StarWars.com

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Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.

Born on April 24, 1980.

Val Trichkov (Viral Hide)

Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

20 thoughts on “Here Comes the Rancor.

  • December 22, 2013 at 1:18 am
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    Aww,and I, who tough the Rancor monster was real. DarnIt!

  • December 23, 2013 at 4:18 am
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    Racor was very impressive…. for 1983. Hopefully, VII can put out something better in this day and age.

    • December 23, 2013 at 2:20 pm
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      In episode VII, I’m certain you will see very similar familiar effects using models and stop-motion (with the puppeteer and creature effects team as part of the crew), but with a modern, innovative twist. Not too much CGI, not too little; I think that’s really what Abrams is going for.

    • December 23, 2013 at 2:30 pm
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      At the time they had an awful budget, and didn’t even really know what they were doing, yet they always pulled it off. But in episode 7, they will have a huge budget, crew, even the puppets themselves will be better, and they will have a better understanding of the cameras, lighting, and techniques to get it to look great. Then they can always tweak certain things with cgi, maybe add blinking and subtle breathing motions or something. Or perhaps they could just do it with animatronics. Technology has evolved so much so I’m really excited to see what star wars would look like now-a-days.. provided they don’t clutter the screen with bad cgi instead..

    • December 23, 2013 at 3:02 pm
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      That’s exactly what I’m thinking as well. I’m very excited to see the OT film tactics recreated with the resources presently available, and we can be sure that Lucas isn’t going to go overboard like he did with the prequels, because he’s not in charge 😀
      I think JJ is really challenging his skills and knowledge as a director with this movie by giving the fans what they want, while also using CGI in necessary moderation. The goal: to bring back that elements used to establish a believable reality to Star Wars that was lost with Gungans, flippy-twirly saber battles and rather disappointing galactic dogfights. Don’t get me wrong; overall, the prequels did pretty well for themselves, but I expect episode VII to be all the better.
      We all know Disney will do everything they can to squeeze every little cent out of these movies with merchandising and publicity, but I won’t let that ruin it for me and it won’t stop these movies from being awesome anyway. Just wait, a month before episode VII comes out you’ll see all the little teenagers buying their terribly-designed episode VII shirts, belt buckels, hoodies, hats, shoes, shoe laces and key chains at Hot Topic; the store that’s famous for taking great things like Star Wars and the Ramones and turning them into brands to slap on every possible accessory and article of clothing with the most gut-wrenching designs, for their armies of wannabe-punk croanies to parade around and advertise like pathetic little walking billboards. Makes me sad for today’s younger generations, but like I said, even the hellhole that is Hot Topic can’t ruin something as supremely awesome as Episode VII will be!

    • December 23, 2013 at 3:43 pm
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      “At the time they had an awful budget, and didn’t even really know what they were doing.”
      Sorry Anon, but $32.5 Million in the 80’s was no small budget and after making 2 very well-made, highly-acclaimed films for that era, I’m sure by the time they made ROTJ they really knew what they were doing. Just Watch the documentary “From Star Wars to Jedi” if you haven’t already. It’ll fill you in on all those details.

    • December 23, 2013 at 6:10 pm
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      ..what?? Budgets for films were different back then. On the first star wars it was only 8m, and the crew didn’t have any faith in the film, yet all the effects were brilliant. Then the directors changed who had no idea how to do the effects, yet it still turned out great.
      “Watch the documentary “From Star Wars to Jedi” if you haven’t already. It’ll fill you in on all those details.”
      Sorry I have no idea what you’re talking about haha ..?

    • December 23, 2013 at 6:18 pm
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      No need to remind me of fan facts about the first film. I mistakingly thought you were referencing the articles topic, which was the Rancor’s effects in Return of the Jedi. I apologize for my misconstruing your comment.
      There was a documentary made in ’83 called “From Star Wars to Jedi” about the making of the saga. Check it out, it’s a really great movie.

    • December 23, 2013 at 6:27 pm
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      I’m not sure where you heard that Irvin Kirshner and Richard Marquand don’t know their way around special effects, but you’re sadly mistaken. Lucas was in charge of over-seeing all of the special effects and development for both Empire and Jedi, anyway.

  • December 23, 2013 at 4:29 pm
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    Viral Hide,
    I just recently became aware of a rumor from a few days ago saying that Abrams would no longer be directing episode VII that was almost immediatly extinguished. Thought it was fishy as soon as I read it (partially because I didn’t see an update on such a rumor on this blog). I’m assuming you didn’t post about the topic because it wasn’t something to be taken seriously at all. If that is the case, bravo! I trust your judgement. You’re truly a great administrator for a site such as this. Thanks for all you’ve been doing and keep up the good work!

    • December 23, 2013 at 10:31 pm
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      If we’re talking about the same thing, it was more like a joke, not a rumor.

    • December 24, 2013 at 2:33 pm
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      Apparently lots of people took it very seriously, but I’m glad you have the sense to filter the bullshit out and leave only the real news.

  • December 23, 2013 at 6:48 pm
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    I’d not like to disappoint many people- when I heard about the engagement of pupeteer people to the production cast, I was sold and I started to believe that they really want to create another classic!
    But then I thought about it some more and I think they will use those pupeteers as sort of technical assisting guides. Maybe to create a technical “storyboard” or physical example, so the cgi people will then have a better template to work their way.
    By todays standard I simply cannot expect to see real puppets in a big AAA(A) franchise title. Maybe they will try something but ultimately cut it.
    Everything sounds too good on paper and I simply can’t believe to get another SW classic before I see it.
    So better take such news with a big grain of salt!
    For he will be disappoint afterward, trust me you will.

    • December 23, 2013 at 7:01 pm
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      Where did you get the idea that puppets are used for mapping CGI? There is far more developed technology surpassing such a tactic.
      Believe it, Anon: we truly have the makings for another Star Wars classic in our midst. I know it’s hard to believe because of the times we’re living in and all of the CGI in film making, but Abrams is a man who respects the past and the fans who have stayed true to Star Wars through it all. He himself is an OT fan and has said in many interviews that his goal is to utalize the same tips and tricks developed and mastered by George Lucas (along with his impecable crew), with an innovative twist to please today’s crowds.
      This movie is really going to be made by die-hard fans, for fans of all ages all over the world. He’s also said that he realizes the mistakes made in production of passed Star Wars movies (having lived through the disappointment of witnessing them all) and will do everything in his power to make these new installments everything we’ve been waiting for.
      Why not have faith in the evidence before you? You don’t have to be so pessimistic and try to bring others down with you, that’s not helping anyone. Instead, watch interviews, read articles like the ones posted on this blog and start to get excited because all you’ll hear, read and see for yourself will be nothing but good news about the current production of episode VII. Let me tell you, so far, it’s going very well. There’s really nothing to support your falsely-prophetic notions that episode VII will disappoint, so just quit being a downer or take your negativety elsewhere. We don’t need it here.

    • December 23, 2013 at 11:05 pm
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      I don’t know how big JJ Abrams creative freedom will be, but more often than one strives for, producers or other decision from a economy-market based perspective will blur the initial movie-makers vision.
      I know JJ Brahams is a very very big name at the moment. But I don’t know how big his creative freedom really is (will be) at Hollywoods current standing of decisions and financial crisis. Hopefully- NOT – will some last minute fear and angst destroy a great visionary piece of work. Just because the money is going haywire or some hollywood big boss has wet his trousers because there is so much at stake.
      Probably there is no way it can be worse than the Prequels.
      Despite all the love Star Trek 2009 and the others are getting, I do NOT like the ST reboot, I dislike the Prequels and I don’t like Indiana Jones and the new James Bond still leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
      There is a lot that can go wrong.

      I’m not negative, simply forced to be careful.

    • December 24, 2013 at 2:31 pm
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      As careful as you may be forcing yourself to be, it really can’t hurt to be at least a little excited. When weighing the pros and cons (if you really have been keeping up with all of the most recent news updates on the new movie), you’ll see that although the film industry is corrupt, there’s really not much that can stop this movie from being astounding, no matter how you choose to look at it.

  • December 23, 2013 at 8:58 pm
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    Viral, I have another problem… http://s21.postimg.org/scs3ow3jb/trekkie.jpg << why is there a Star Trek themed ad on here? Let’s get it together, man… I thought I’d forgive you after the terrible spelling error and give you a second chance, but now this? You must not care about Star Wars or the fans that much… Terrible, just terrible… =]

    • December 23, 2013 at 10:30 pm
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      Ha ha ha! Is this ad really from my blog? Google has a sick sense of humor. 🙂

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