Published: April 29, 2021
Publisher: Abrams Books
Author: Amy Ratcliffe
Foreword: Scott Trowbridge
Format: Hardback (256 pages)
RRP: £35 (UK), $50 (US), $63 (Canada)
The synopsis;
The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the only book to provide an inside look at the magic behind the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge themed lands at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, documenting the art and innovations that led to the creation of Galaxy’s Edge. Featuring hundreds of full-color concept artworks, sketches, blueprints, photographs, and more, the book will reveal Walt Disney Imagineering’s creative process.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge invites guests to explore Black Spire Outpost, located on the remote Outer Rim planet Batuu―a spaceport bustling with First Order and Resistance activity where guests can interact with droids, creatures, and fan-favorite characters. Alongside Black Spire Outpost’s vibrant cantina and marketplace, a new and original score composed by John Williams accompanies guests as they seek out the land’s two major attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which allows guests to commandeer the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, in which guests find themselves in the crossfire of a ferocious battle between the Resistance and the First Order.
Exclusive interviews with the key creative minds who shaped the lands’ design provide commentary on what it’s like to dream and then build a life-size Star Wars adventure.
Plus, the book offers an inside look at the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience, a first-of-its-kind immersive two-night adventure.
The review;
The ‘The Art of Star Wars’ series of books has another release to add to the ever-growing list and it is of the usual standard and quality. The illustration on the front of the dust jacket is the well-known image of the Millennium Falcon approaching a vibrant Black Spire Outpost on Batuu. On the rear, is the Millennium Falcon parked up in the centre of the outpost. When you take off that cover you are treated to a wraparound full illustration of the entrance to the outpost with familiar Star Wars characters going about their business. The illustration is both colourful and vibrant, showing off the atmosphere of what a visitor could expect.
Amy Ratcliffe has penned many books in recent years, and I absolutely adored her work on Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy a few years back. It was a nice surprise to see that Amy was writing the main bodies of text for this and not Phil Szostak. Szostak’s name has become synonymous with any The Art of Star Wars titles, that it was an automatic assumption when the release was announced. Joining Ratcliffe is Scott Trowbridge, Imagineering Creative Executive for Disney who led on the development of Galaxy’s Edge. His input is plain to see throughout the pages of the book.
Notes and anecdotes alongside handwritten memos on the amazing artwork gives so much insight into the thought processes involved to bring the place to life. It is clear to see that the core values of what we have seen on screen in the movies and TV series are replicated in the park.
We also get a look at the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience. The immersive experience will be a once in a lifetime event for so many of us. I am sure this will make many grownups just relapse into their childhood when submerged into a galaxy far, far away.
The book makes you really appreciate the work that was put in by so many insanely talented people to bring Black Spire Outpost to life. The illustrations show that not one thing in this development was just thrown together but has been a meticulous and pain staking process engulfed in thought for detail.
Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Galaxy’s Edge in person. I have read and watched pretty much every piece of promotional material that has been released and that has heightened my desire to get there. My good friend Roy accompanied his grandson Lucas on a trip to visit Galaxy’s Edge in late 2019 and they called me over FaceTime. Roy’s opening words were “Steve, you really need to see this place!”. Through this book I feel like I have seen it, but what I have not done is experience it in person. That will change and hopefully sooner rather than later.
Availability;
The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s by Amy Ratcliffe was published on April 29, 2021 by Abrams Books. It is available from all good high street bookstores and from online retailers, including Amazon UK and US.
