THE COMPLETE ALEX TAVOULARIS STORYBOARDS

George Lucas’s second draft, Adventures of the Starkiller, Episode I: The Star Wars, is dated January 28, 1975. In mid-February of that year, Lucas hired Alex Tavoularis to begin storyboarding. Following Lucas’s written and oral descriptions of the scenes, Tavoularis sketched only a few panels from the second draft before Lucas finished his third draft, The Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Starkiller, in August 1975. The majority of Tavoularis’s storyboards depict moments from this version. Because the scenes in both of Lucas’s drafts are substantially different from the final ones, or do not exist at all in the movie, descriptive excerpts from the respective drafts accompany the storyboards—however, some storyboards are slightly different from the script, as Lucas was constantly experimenting with new ideas.

Second Draft Storyboards

The small rebel spacefighter is being chased by four giant Imperial stardestroyers. Every few moments, the little rebel ship returns the fire, until one of the Imperial battlewagons explodes, causing it to fall out of formation. The two elaborate laser gun turrets belch a smoky exhaust as the gun crews, wearing heat-protective suits, goggles and breath masks, cheer and congratulate each other on the direct hit.

An explosion rocks the ship, and two construction robots, ARTOO DETOO (R2-D2) and SEE THREEPIO (C-3PO) struggle to make their way through the shaking, bouncing passageway. One of the giant Imperial stardestroyers breaks formation and surges ahead of the others, closing on the tiny rebel spacecraft. The main battery of laser cannons on the huge Imperial warship directs an overwhelming concentration of laser fire at the main solar fin on the rebel ship. Artoo and Threepio are blown, slipping and sliding across the hallway floor into a stack of freight canisters. The lanky Threepio becomes lodged under a computer console.

Little Artoo waddles over to his trapped companion. The robots can only see the humans’ legs as they pass to and fro in front of the desk-like console. The captain’s FIRST OFFICER pops his head under the console and sees Artoo straining to free Threepio.

Artoo goes back to his pulling and pushing as the officer is joined by the sturdier legs of Captain Starkiller. DEAK STARKILLER: “The shields are down. They’ll be boarding in no time. There is a Sith knight among them. I can feel his para-force. Hurry, secure your assault positions. The BOGAN force is strong with the enemy.”

Three fearsome stormtroopers armed with chrome multi-laser rifles make their way through the smoking debris into the padded hallway. The [rebel] troops sling the rifles over their shoulders and take a small baton from their belts, which instantly ignites into a long glowing laser sword. In one amazing movement, DEAK spins around, replacing his laser sword to his belt, and draws his deadly laser pistol, blasting out four shots that rip through the soldiers. In a few moments, the entire passageway blazes with laser fire. The troops scramble away from the sub-hallway entrance, as something unspeakably evil and terrifying approaches the cabin.

Third Draft Storyboards

A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the MAIN TITLE, which is followed by a ROLL UP. The awesome yellow planet of Utapau emerges from total eclipse. A tiny silver spacecraft races into view, followed by a giant Imperial stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly laser bolts streak from the Imperial warship as it dives on the smaller craft. The overwhelming concentration of laser fire causes the main solar fin of the rebel craft to disintegrate, creating a spectacular heavenly display.

The smoldering rebel ship is quickly overtaken by the giant Imperial warship. The chaos of battle echoes through the narrow, main corridor of the starfighter. Rebel troops rush past the robots, and take up positions in the main passageway. Everything is suddenly still and quiet. The scraping screams of heavy equipment being dragged across the metal skin of the starship run chills up Threepio’s bronze spine. He huddles in a small alcove with little Artoo watching the passageway ceiling.

A tremendous blast opens up a hole six feet wide in the side of the main passageway and a score of fearsome stormtroopers, armed with powerful multi-laser rifles, make their way into the smoking corridor. The rebel warriors draw their chrome laser pistols, and blast out several shots that rip through the Imperial stormtroopers. Stormtroopers scatter and duck behind storage lockers. Laser bolts hit several stormtroopers who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered arms and faces.

In the confusion, Artoo and Threepio are blown slipping and sliding into a power canister, but rushing gas from a broken pipe keeps knocking them over. The battle rages around the two hapless robots.

An awesome, seven-foot-tall DARK LORD OF THE SITH makes his way into the blinding light of the main passageway. Darth Vader raises his arms and objects that aren't bolted down, including the rebel warriors, are picked up by an invisible force and hurled to the end of the passageway. In the excitement, Artoo and Threepio have fled down a sub-hallway

A death white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon. The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settles on a lone figure, LUKE STARKILLER, a farm-boy with heroic aspirations.

Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod. He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light begins to flash. The stubby, dwarf-robot works his way into the cramped four-man pod.
THREEPIO: “I’m not getting in there. No more adventures. It’s too dangerous. I’m not that desperate.”
Artoo isn’t happy with Threepio’s stubbornness and he beeps and twangs angrily. A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris through the narrow sub-hallway. Flames Lick at Threepio, and the lanky robot jumps into the lifepod.

The safety door snaps shut, and with the thunder of exploding Latches, the tiny lifepod ejects from the disabled starfighter. THREEPIO: “That’s funny. The damage doesn’t look as bad from out here. Are you sure this thing is safe?”

The rebel cries out as the spooky looking Sith Lord begins to twist his arm, creating a gruesome snapping and popping of broken bones.

A beautiful young girl about sixteen years old huddles in a small alcove as the stormtroopers search through the ship. She is LEIA ORGANA, a rebel princess. The fear in her eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. She steps from her hiding place and blasts two troopers with her laser pistol, but she is greatly outnumbered and quickly captured.

JUNDLAND, or “No Man’s Land,” where the rugged desert mesas meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-robots leave the lifepod and clumsily work their way across the desert coastline. Suddenly Artoo makes a sharp right turn and starts off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio stops and yells at him. THREEPIO: “Where do you think you’re going?!?”
A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small robot. THREEPIO: “Well, I’m not going that way. It’s too rocky. This way is much easier. What makes you think there are settlements that way?” Artoo counters with a long whistle. He shoves Artoo and the tiny robot tumbles down a small dune. Threepio starts off in the direction of the vast dune sea as little Artoo struggles to his feet and shakes a metallic claw at his ex-partner. THREEPIO: “… and don’t let me catch you following me, begging for help … because you won’t get it!”
Artoo’s reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges off in the direction of the towering mesas.

The long ornate pirate starship approached the gray gaseous planet of Alderaan. The ship is not propelled, but simply drifts crab-like toward the planet. As it approaches the surface, huge billowing clouds extend out like menacing tentacles. The peacefulness of this nebulous idyll is broken by the increasing wail of ion engines. Suddenly four sleek spacefighters from the Imperial third fleet burst from the huge cumulus range. The craft are small cylindrical power shells dominated by two huge solar fins. They are flying in a tight formation. Then two bank steeply and head toward the drifting starship.

PILOT: “No life forms appear on the scanner. Escape pods four, seven, and oh-three have been jettisoned. Life systems are still functioning. It appears to be in good shape … Should we destroy it, or attempt salvage?”
COMMANDER: “We don’t get many visitors. Let’s take a look at it.” The towering white oxide clouds pass, revealing the Imperial city of Alderaan. The magnificent domed and gleaming city is perched, mushroom-like, on a tall spire which disappears deep into the misty surface of the planet. The little procession of Imperial “tie” fighters follows the larger pirate ship toward the city. The Imperial Officer guides the ship toward one of the numerous huge open bays that ring the spectacular city. The pirate starship rests in a huge hangar bay.