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The Empire Strikes Backremains one of the most iconic films of all time and arguably the bestStar Warsfilm. As a result, many fans might be surprised to learn that the film was shot simultaneously with another iconic horror film the Stanley Kubrick directedThe Shining. However, the latter was responsible for adversely affectingThe Empire Strikes Back.
The Empire Strikes BackandThe Shiningwere shot at the same studio, where they shared some studio space. However, after an unforeseen accident caused the decimation of the Kubrick film’s sets, George Lucas had to give up some of the studio space reserved for the production of his much-awaitedStar Warssequel. Here is howThe Shiningled to troubles forThe Empire Strikes Back‘s production.
Stanley Kubrick’sThe ShiningMessed Up George Lucas’ Schedule ForThe Empire Strikes Back
In 1979, directorStanley Kubrickwas gearing up to start the production of the psychological horror filmThe Shining,based on the Stephen King novelof the same name. For the movie’s interior scenes, depicting the labyrinthian insides of the Overlook Hotel, Kubrick’s team constructed massive sets at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England.
Meanwhile, filmmakerGeorge Lucaswas working on the follow-up to his 1977 space opera filmStar Wars, titledThe Empire Strikes Back. Filming of the much-awaited sequel was also expected to take place at Elstree Studios. According toreports, a fire broke out on the sets ofThe Shining, forcing Kubrick to push the production forward.
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After the fire almost completely burned down Stage 3, Lucas had to give up some of the space that was previously reserved forThe Empire Strikes Back.
Timewise, it is doubtful the picture will recover.
One crew memberreportedlymade the above statement addressing the impact of the fire onThe Empire Strikes Back. As per reports, production on theStar Warsfilm wasexpectedto start in March 1979 at Elstree Studios. However, the fire on Stage 3 forced Kubrick to revamp his set on a different soundstage, causing production delays forThe Empire Strikes Back.
The Empire Strikes BackCrew Had a Hard Time Filming in Norway
During an interview with the officialStar Warswebsite, associate producer Robert Watts spoke about how the burning down ofThe Shining‘s set adversely affected the production ofThe Empire Strikes Back. The film’s crew had settled upon Finse in Norway to film the scenes depicting the extremely low temperatures of the snow planet Hoth.
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However, Watts admitted that the delays in the film’s production caused by the fire at Elstree Studios combined with the harsh weather conditions in Finse, resulted in the crew facing severe challenges during production. Watts stated:
If we could get this sequence successfully in Norway, this would obviate us from having to go out to Leeds.
Watts made the above statement regarding an additional sequence the crew tried to film in Norway, because of the the lack of studio space at Elstree Studios and make up for some of the production time lost because of it. Nonetheless, the harsh weather in Norway ended up causing further delays, as it took the crew eight weeks to complete what was initially supposed to be a three-week schedule.
The Empire Strikes Backis streaming on Disney+.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1772
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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