Drew Struzan, the legendary illustrator whose artwork defined an era of posters, has passed away, but left behind a beautiful legacy in cinematic art. Struzan’s work was much appreciated by George Lucas, as he made several posters for the movie, and when asked about his favorite film in the franchise (via SlashFilm), the artist said:
My favorite Star Wars movie is still the first one because of the storyline. When I saw the movie, and I saw what it was about, it became perfect for me to feel and paint. From the first movie all the way through episode seven. I was doing it the way I felt about the story and the photography. George really gave me freedom.
Struzan’s collaboration with Lucas was more than professional because the two shared a deep and creative bond. The illustrator also revealed how the Star Wars creator supported him, “George bought and owns every piece I ever painted for his films. That’s a wonderful thing that he did for me.”
So, let’s take a closer look at their shared interests, Struzan’s work for the franchise, and Lucas’ tribute.
Drew Struzan and George Lucas Shared More Than Just a Love for Star Wars
What many might not know is that George Lucas himself wanted to be an illustrator. Drew Struzan spoke about how Lucas had intentions of joining the same profession (via SlashFilm) and stated, “he loves illustration.” So, Lucas’ interest in being an artist explains the deep respect he had for Struzan.
Apart from their love for the visual arts, the two had other things in common, such as being introverted and having a love for storytelling. Struzan recalled an instance where both were present at a public event, and he described the ordeal, saying:
We had been standing out of the limelight in the back, leaning against the wall, shoulder to shoulder for like an hour while the pomp and circumstance was going on. This is not what either of us are about. We get together and we just click without even conversation. We’re just quiet people.
It seems their quiet synergy fueled decades of collaborations. They didn’t just like each other as artists, but also as people. So, no wonder their partnership went on for so long, and Lucas adapted Struzan’s artwork in almost all his film posters.
How Drew Struzan Translated George Lucas’ Star Wars Vision to Iconic Posters
Drew Struzan’s Star Wars poster seemed like an extension of the movies themselves. He captured the essence of George Lucas’ expansive universe with every brush stroke, and it looked like an old illustration, but futuristic at the same time! After the news of his Struzan’s passing, Lucas has paid his tribute to the artist with moving words (via LucasFilm):
Drew was an artist of the highest order. His illustrations fully captured the excitement, tone and spirit of each of my films his artwork represented. His creativity, through a single illustrated image, opened up a world full of life in vivid color…even at a glance. I was lucky to have worked with him time and time again.
Lucas certainly knows that Struzan just didn’t paint, but amplified the appeal with his movie posters. The impact of his artistry is enduring, and even today, people study his work to understand compositions, color choices, character portrayal, and more.
So, which of Struzan’s Star Wars posters is your favorite?
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