logo Sign In

Return of the Jedi: The "Lightman" Mystery — Page 2

Author
Time

I think CGI in a scene of costumes and puppets would have stuck out like a sore thumb, whether it was 80s special effects or 2000s special effects. Also it seems like the lightman would have guided 3P0 and R2 down the hallway for some reason, in a deleted or alternate scene. Not much room to add that in - I’ve a feeling if George had done that, it would have become another widely hated special edition change.

“Remember, the Force will be with you. Always.”

Author
Time

I’m kind of glad it didn’t make it into the film, TBH. It would likely have looked quite dated compared to everything else.

Author
Time

Probably would’ve looked pretty rough. Still an interesting little detail. Another to add to the list of Star Wars triva!

Use the Force, Joh Yowza.

Author
Time

Even after four decades, Star Wars continues to be a source of fascination and discovery.

Author
Time

Lightman

Lightman 2

I can’t help myself, but these long arms and the light bulbs attached all over the body are kinda creepy and uncomforting.

There is some, if you know video games, Silent Hill-ish or The Evil Within japanese body horror type going on in it’s (on set) visual aesthtics.

Rogue One is redundant. Just play the first mission of DARK FORCES.
The hallmark of a corrupt leader: Being surrounded by yes men.
‘The best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly.’ - V.E.S.
‘Star Wars is a buffet, enjoy the stuff you want, and leave the rest.’ - SilverWook

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I’ve been thinking about it and wonder if they were the original guide who took 3PO and R2 into the chambers of Jabba’s Palace instead of the Gamorrean. That’s the only place within footage we know of that I could see a place within the narrative that they’d serve a purpose.

“Heroes come in all sizes, and you don’t have to be a giant hero. You can be a very small hero. It’s just as important to understand that accepting self-responsibility for the things you do, having good manners, caring about other people - these are heroic acts. Everybody has the choice of being a hero or not being a hero every day of their lives.” - George Lucas

Author
Time

So film historian (and maker of an original trilogy doc, I think - definitely heard his name before) Jamie Benning has been tweeting about our mysterious lava man today, saying it’s been 40 years today since it was filmed before quickly being abandoned. Here’s the initial tweet, and I’l copy and paste from another below:

https://twitter.com/jamieswb/status/1485939204391587845?s=20

“For the role, stunt coord Peter Diamond was dressed in a racing driver’s jumpsuit rigged up with a plethora of
lighbulbs and plugged into the electricity supply. The suit and the glow of the bulbs made it difficult for him to manouevre.”

Here is some concept art somebody found:

I don’t have the sources for these but they seem accurate to me.

“Remember, the Force will be with you. Always.”

Author
Time
 (Edited)

jedi_bendu said:

So film historian (and maker of an original trilogy doc, I think - definitely heard his name before) Jamie Benning has been tweeting about our mysterious lava man today, saying it’s been 40 years today since it was filmed before quickly being abandoned. Here’s the initial tweet, and I’l copy and paste from another below:

https://twitter.com/jamieswb/status/1485939204391587845?s=20

“For the role, stunt coord Peter Diamond was dressed in a racing driver’s jumpsuit rigged up with a plethora of
lighbulbs and plugged into the electricity supply. The suit and the glow of the bulbs made it difficult for him to manouevre.”

Here is some concept art somebody found:

I don’t have the sources for these but they seem accurate to me.

Great find. Here’s some further information I just found from searching your image. The image is included here too.

Interview with Peter Diamond.

Interviewer: What’s the most dangerous stunt you yourself performed in a Star Wars film? How about the most dangerous stunt by anyone on your team on a Star Wars film?

Peter Diamond: My most dangerous stunt wasn’t even in the Return of the Jedi final cut – Jabba’s palace, I was dressed as a “Lightman.” I had over 100 electric bulbs attached to my body and had to walk across set. The heat was unbearable and I always had the problem of tripping up over the many wires attached to me as I could not see. The most dangerous stunt by any crew was in Return of the Jedi – the double for Han Solo fell off of Jabba’s barge and his harness snapped breaking his legs as he fell into the pit.

And to follow up he also said …

All I can say is that I remember wearing a racing drivers jumpsuit, getting covered in hundreds of tiny light bulbs and plugged into the electricity supply. I had my face covered in them too so I didn’t need special creature make-up because the glow blocked out my face. I was then told to walk past the camera as it pans around Jabba’s palace which I found very difficult to do because of the heat and the cables hanging off the back of me.

Source: https://starwarz.com/tbone/inside-jabbas-palace/

So many great tidbits here on the behind the scenes at Jabba’s Palace.

“Heroes come in all sizes, and you don’t have to be a giant hero. You can be a very small hero. It’s just as important to understand that accepting self-responsibility for the things you do, having good manners, caring about other people - these are heroic acts. Everybody has the choice of being a hero or not being a hero every day of their lives.” - George Lucas

Author
Time
 (Edited)

jedi_bendu said:

So film historian (and maker of an original trilogy doc, I think - definitely heard his name before) Jamie Benning has been tweeting about our mysterious lava man today, saying it’s been 40 years today since it was filmed before quickly being abandoned. Here’s the initial tweet, and I’l copy and paste from another below:

https://twitter.com/jamieswb/status/1485939204391587845?s=20

“For the role, stunt coord Peter Diamond was dressed in a racing driver’s jumpsuit rigged up with a plethora of
lighbulbs and plugged into the electricity supply. The suit and the glow of the bulbs made it difficult for him to manouevre.”

So cool! The legendary Phil Tippett replied to Jamie Benning on twitter:

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi VFX Artist Reflects on Abandoned “Lightman” Creature

 

Peter Diamond has his own website and talks about Lightman and his other work:

https://www.peterdiamond.co.uk/chase-1.htm

 

Jamie Benning is a member on here, and made the “Star Wars Begins”, “Building Empire” and “Returning To Jedi” documentaries (or “Filmumentaries”) on here years ago:

https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Some-info-and-help-for-Jambe-Davdars-Filmumentaries-of-the-Original-Trilogy-and-more/id/61399

He also has done many more documentaries, shorts, interviews, and is now doing an awesome podcast interviewing many people in film and in the Original Trilogy (which oojason recommended and switched me on to).
 

“Lightman: a Star Wars Story”, not coming anytime soon! But would be awesome to see in the background at Jabba’s Palace in BoBF.