As a conceptual designer and illustrator, Ralph McQuarrie has worked on Battlestar Galactica, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Cocoon, but he is lauded most for Star Wars. He created the series’ “used futuristic” look. Prior to Star Wars, science fiction relied on a sterile, clean look for futuristic and otherworldly creatures, props, and designs. McQuarrie made futuristic technology and vehicles look used, even dirty and in need of repair, which gave a realistic appearance to the advanced galaxy.
McQuarrie and George Lucas met to discuss the idea for Star Wars, and in 1975, Lucas commissioned McQuarrie to illustrate scenes for the film. McQuarrie ended up designing some of the most notable characters, including Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Chewbacca, as well as drawing many concepts for the sets.
McQuarrie’s concept work was a crucial part of getting 20th Century Fox on board for the film. His concept paintings included scenes on Tatooine, inside the Mos Eisley cantina, inside the Death Star, and the moon of Yavin. Lucas made sure that scenes in the movie matched McQuarrie’s paintings.
When it came to the film’s main villain, Lucas wanted his costume to resemble the look of samurai armor. Since Darth Vader needed to travel between ships, McQuarrie was the first to suggest that Darth Vader should have a breathing device and be in a space suit. Lucas agreed with the suggestion, so McQuarrie blended the two concepts, giving him a breathing mask with a samurai helmet.
His painting of R2-D2 and C-3PO in the desert of Tatooine were the first to be completed. That early interpretation of C-3PO, which resembled the robot in Fritz Lang’s film Metropolis, inspired actor Anthony Daniels to take the part of the protocol droid.
McQuarrie continued working on Star Wars by designing cover art for the novelization, followed by concept designs for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
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