News | Entertainment
3 Nov 2024 18:55
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Robert Watts was "one of five people" who got 'Star Wars' made

    The passing of the revered Hollywood production hero, renowned for collaborating with George Lucas to produce 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones', was announced on Tuesday (01.10.24), with Julian Owen at Alliance Agents confirming his death


    It prompted a string of heartfelt tributes from Robert's former colleagues.

    Among them was one from Roger Christian - a set decorator who won an Oscar for his work on 'Star Wars'.

    He said on Facebook Robert was "one of five people who really stood by George and our tiny art department to get 'Star Wars' made".

    Mr Owen told The Hollywood Reporter about British-born production titan Robert's death: "We were with him for a decade taking him to conventions all over the world, where he could connect with fans and talk about his career."

    Robert was said to have died on Monday (30.09.24) in his sleep at his home in East Sussex.

    Along with his work with director Steven Spielberg to produce 'Indiana Jones', Robert worked on pioneering live animation 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', which came out in 1988, as well as 'An American Tail: Fievel Goes West' three years later.

    He was production supervisor under the production designer John Barry on 'Star Wars', with the pair travelling to Morocco and Tunisia to scout locations, and he went on to do third unit directing.

    He said in a 2011 interview about the experience: "We were under a great deal of pressure from 20thCentury Fox.

    "They were under great financial problems themselves and did not believe in the movie.

    "At the time, we were the only Fox movie then shooting anywhere in the world. "Their eyes were focused on us, and George was under a great deal of pressure. As a result so were we all."

    Robert went on to become associate producer on 'Star Wars' sequel 'The Empire Strikes Back' in 1980, and was co-producer on its follow-up 'Return of the Jedi', which came out three years later. (1983).

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     02 Nov: Nina Dobrev and Shaun White are engaged
     02 Nov: Brooklyn Beckham feels like the "luckiest guy in the world" to be married to Nicola Peltz
     02 Nov: Lucas Bravo isn't sure if he'll return for season five of 'Emily in Paris'
     02 Nov: Jude Law thinks there's "something slightly powerless about being an actor"
     02 Nov: Ethan Slater has found it "really difficult" to have his private life discussed around the world
     02 Nov: Keke Palmer's relationship with Darius Jackson was "so out of control" before it ended
     02 Nov: Jason Earles wanted to create a "safe environment" for everyone when he was on Disney Channel
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen is singing praise of Damian McKenzie's match-winning sideline conversion against England at Twickenham, despite another close shave with the shot clock More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Trade Minister says New Zealand's footprint in China is increasing, as he prepares to lead a large delegation there More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    A crash on the Crown Range Road near Queenstown has killed one person and sent seven to hospital 18:47

    Law and Order:
    A number of rugby league fans will face charges after several serious incidents in South Auckland 18:37

    Law and Order:
    North Melbourne shooting victim was up-and-coming rapper known as Peezy 18:17

    Living & Travel:
    Two cats remain missing after a Wellington vet and cattery was gutted by fire 17:27

    Business:
    The Trade Minister says New Zealand's footprint in China is increasing, as he prepares to lead a large delegation there 17:06

    Cricket:
    New Zealand will look to scrap together as many runs as possible as they resume with the bat at 171 for nine on day three of the third test against India in Mumbai 16:57

    Law and Order:
    A large fight outside a Whangarei bar has put a man in hospital in a serious condition 16:57

    Lower South Island:
    Team Creation Signs MitoQ have won the Tour of Southland's prologue time trial at Feldwick Gates in Invercargill with a time of four minutes, 35 seconds 16:17

    International:
    Thousands join Women's March on Washington as US debates rights of women during presidential campaign 16:07

    Accident and Emergency:
    The bus that rolled on the road, between Rotorua and Taupo this morning, was carrying 30 Tongan seasonal workers, who'd freshly arrived in the country 14:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd