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Irvin Kershner. Director: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Irvin Kershner was born on April 29, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of Southern California film school, Kershner began his career in 1950, producing documentaries for the United States Information Service in the Middle East.
- January 1, 1
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- January 1, 1
- Los Angeles, California, USA
Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the sequel of the 1977 hit film Star Wars. [9] Writer-producer George Lucas knew Kershner as a teacher in the film program at USC School of Cinematic Arts. [10] Kershner was a surprising choice in directing the film.
- Overview
- Biography
- Sources
- Notes and references
- External links
"I look at a scene and think, 'Gee, I wouldn't have done it that way.' A lot of people have told me that The Empire is a better film than Star Wars, so whatever my disagreements were, well, Kershner was right."
―George Lucas in 1980
A film instructor and mentor of George Lucas at USC, Kershner summarized his interaction with Lucas when asked to direct The Empire Strikes Back:
"Of all the younger guys around, all the hot shots, why me? I remember he said, 'Well, because you know everything a Hollywood director is supposed to know, but you're not Hollywood.' I liked that."
Irvin Kershner originally turned down George Lucas's request to direct The Empire Strikes Back because he did not believe he could possibly improve upon A New Hope. Kershner agreed after Lucas told him he would concentrate on visual effects at the Skywalker Ranch and would leave directorial control to him; Kershner said Lucas told him it would be "[his] picture." Kershner wanted to take The Empire Strikes Back in a more serious direction than the first film, although he did not want to stray too far from what Lucas described as the "Saturday matinee, fun kind of film" it had been. Kershner later described directing the film as "one of the great experiences of my life." Kershner also had his funnier moments. For example, at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, Kershner wanted Luke to feel pain in his cybernetic hand, or the audience would find Luke putting his arm around Leia a little bit creepy.
Kershner did not return for Return of the Jedi, having spent almost three years on The Empire Strikes Back. However, he stated in retrospect he would have directed a film in the prequel trilogy had they been produced sooner. He was succeeded by Richard Marquand.
•••"Anthony Daniels: Remembering That Galaxy Far, Far Away" — The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 1
•"Mark Hamill: 10 Years Later" — The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 3
•"Irvin Kershner: Renaissance Director" — Star Wars Insider 27
•"Director: Irvin Kershner" — Star Wars Insider 49
•Directing a Scoundrel on Hyperspace (content removed from StarWars.com and unavailable)
•"Empire Builder" — Star Wars Insider 119
1.This Week! in Star Wars New Cassian Andor Series Cast Announced, Brand New Star Wars Day Merchandise, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
2.‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and So Does George Lucas by Jean Vallely on www.rollingstone.com (June 12, 1980) (archived from the original on March 30, 2022)
4.The Empire Strikes Back DVD Commentary
5.In Hindsight, Empire Strikes Back Director Irvin Kershner Would've Helmed One of the Prequels by Ryan, Mike on Vanity Fair (October 18, 2010) (archived from the original on July 28, 2017)
•Irvin Kershner on Wikipedia
•Irvin Kershner at the Internet Movie Database
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Apr 28, 2017 · The Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner was a true-life Obi-Wan Kenobi. The late filmmaker would be 94 on April 29. To him, the greatest 'Star Wars' movie ever made was endless...
The Empire Strikes Back (also known as Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back) is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas.
Sep 18, 2014 · Irvin Kershner Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Revisit highlights from a revealing interview with Irvin Kershner, director of The Empire Strikes Back.
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Dec 2, 2023 · George Lucas specifically courted Irvin Kershner for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, so why didn't he return for future films?
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