Fans of Star Wars were saddened to learn today that the beloved director of The Empire Strikes Back, Irvin Kershner. Passed away today at his home at the age of 87.
Aside form Star Wars, Kershner had the distinction of being the only American to film a James Bond film. He directed Never Say Never Again. He also helmed another sequel in 1990, when he filmed Robocop 2.
It is for "Empire" that he is most known and most loved for. He spoke about the film in an interview and had this to say:
"I think it went beyond 'Star Wars'. You had some humor, you got to know the characters a little better. I saw it as the second movement in an opera. That's why I wanted some of the things slower. And it ends in a way that you can't wait to see or to hear the vivace, the allegretto. I didn't have a climax at the end. I had an emotional climax."
Kershner had been an instructor to George Lucas in school, and in 1980 reluctantly took the job to direct what would become one of the most beloved Sci-Fi films of all time, and as a testament to his character the cast of the film have stated numerous times that Kershner was their favorite Director, because "he was very helpful and supportive."
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