The use of working titles is common in the movie industry, especially for big-budget and highly-anticipated films. These movies often generate a lot of buzz and media attention, so the use of working titles helps to keep the production on track and avoid any unwanted distractions.
One of the most famous examples of a working title is "Blue Harvest," which was used during the production of the film "Return of the Jedi" in 1983.
"Blue Harvest" was a fake horror movie title that was used to disguise the production of the third installment in the Star Wars trilogy. The working title helped to keep the production under wraps, as fans and paparazzi would not have been interested in a fake horror movie.
"Blue Harvest" was also used as a way to control costs during production. The crew and cast members were given "Blue Harvest" hats and T-shirts, and the catering trucks were labeled with "Blue Harvest" logos to help disguise the production. By using a fake title and pretending to be filming a horror movie, the production team was able to keep costs down and avoid any unnecessary expenses.
The name became quite legendary - so much so the Family Guy Star Wars DVD was named for it.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) - The original working title for the film was "The Star Wars" and it was later changed to "A New Hope" when the prequels were released. The title refers to the idea of hope being rekindled in the galaxy after the destruction of the Death Star and the defeat of the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - The working title for this film was "The Empire Strikes" until it was changed to its final title. The title refers to the Empire launching a major assault against the Rebel Alliance and their subsequent defeat + the troubles foisted onto Luke Skywalker and his friends.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) - The original working title for this film was "Revenge of the Jedi," but it was changed to "Return of the Jedi" because George Lucas felt that revenge was not a fitting motivation for a Jedi. The title refers to the return of the Jedi Order to power after the fall of the Empire - that being in the form of Vader redeeming himself as The Chosen One and Luke, having faced Vader as his final training is now also a Jedi. A bokken Jedi at that!
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - The working title for this film was "The Beginning." The final title refers to the mysterious threat of the Sith and the emergence of Anakin Skywalker as a key player in the fate of the galaxy.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) - The working title for this film was "From the Darkness." The title refers to the start of the Clone Wars, which would engulf the galaxy in conflict for years to come.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) - The working title for this film was "The Creeping Fear." The title refers to the rise of the Sith to power and the elimination of the Jedi which began during the massacre conducted via Order 66.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - The working title for this film was "AVCO," named after the theater where A New Hope was first played in 1977. The title refers to the reawakening of the Force in the galaxy and the emergence of a new generation of heroes and villains.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) - The working title for this film was "Space Bear". The final title refers to Luke's role as the last Jedi and his passing of the torch to a new generation of Force users., in particular Rey Skywalker.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - The working title for this film was "Red Cup," named after the popular red 'solo' plastic cups used to drink beer from kegs at house parties. The title obviously refers to the origin story of the beloved smuggler Han Solo and his adventures with Chewbacca before joining the Rebel Alliance.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - The working title for this film was "Dark Times." The title refers to the desperate period of conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance leading up to the events of the original Star Wars film. More precisely, it's the call sign of the ship the Rebels used when landing on Scariff base.
"Blue Harvest" was also used as a way to control costs during production. The crew and cast members were given "Blue Harvest" hats and T-shirts, and the catering trucks were labeled with "Blue Harvest" logos to help disguise the production. By using a fake title and pretending to be filming a horror movie, the production team was able to keep costs down and avoid any unnecessary expenses.
The name became quite legendary - so much so the Family Guy Star Wars DVD was named for it.
Here are the working titles of all the Star Wars films, listed in order of release:
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) - The original working title for the film was "The Star Wars" and it was later changed to "A New Hope" when the prequels were released. The title refers to the idea of hope being rekindled in the galaxy after the destruction of the Death Star and the defeat of the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - The working title for this film was "The Empire Strikes" until it was changed to its final title. The title refers to the Empire launching a major assault against the Rebel Alliance and their subsequent defeat + the troubles foisted onto Luke Skywalker and his friends.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) - The original working title for this film was "Revenge of the Jedi," but it was changed to "Return of the Jedi" because George Lucas felt that revenge was not a fitting motivation for a Jedi. The title refers to the return of the Jedi Order to power after the fall of the Empire - that being in the form of Vader redeeming himself as The Chosen One and Luke, having faced Vader as his final training is now also a Jedi. A bokken Jedi at that!
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - The working title for this film was "The Beginning." The final title refers to the mysterious threat of the Sith and the emergence of Anakin Skywalker as a key player in the fate of the galaxy.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) - The working title for this film was "From the Darkness." The title refers to the start of the Clone Wars, which would engulf the galaxy in conflict for years to come.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) - The working title for this film was "The Creeping Fear." The title refers to the rise of the Sith to power and the elimination of the Jedi which began during the massacre conducted via Order 66.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - The working title for this film was "AVCO," named after the theater where A New Hope was first played in 1977. The title refers to the reawakening of the Force in the galaxy and the emergence of a new generation of heroes and villains.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) - The working title for this film was "Space Bear". The final title refers to Luke's role as the last Jedi and his passing of the torch to a new generation of Force users., in particular Rey Skywalker.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - The working title for this film was "Red Cup," named after the popular red 'solo' plastic cups used to drink beer from kegs at house parties. The title obviously refers to the origin story of the beloved smuggler Han Solo and his adventures with Chewbacca before joining the Rebel Alliance.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - The working title for this film was "Dark Times." The title refers to the desperate period of conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance leading up to the events of the original Star Wars film. More precisely, it's the call sign of the ship the Rebels used when landing on Scariff base.
The filming names for the following Star Wars television series are:
- The Mandalorian: "Huckleberry"
- Andor: "Pilgrim"
- The Book of Boba Fett: "Serape"
- Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Pilgrim 2"
- Ashoka: Stormcrow
0 comments:
Post a Comment