I was out of the office yesterday when the news hit that Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner had passed away at the age of 87.
In tribute today a statement was released from George Lucas himself paying tribute to the director.
“The world has lost a great director and one of the most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Irvin Kershner was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. When I think of Kersh, I think of his warmth, his thoughtfulness and his talent. I knew him from USC — I attended his lectures and he was actually on the festival panel that gave the prize to my THX short. I considered him a mentor.
Following Star Wars, I knew one thing for sure: I didn’t want to direct the second movie myself. I needed someone I could trust, someone I really admired and whose work had maturity and humor. That was Kersh all over. I didn’t want Empire to turn into just another sequel, another episode in a series of space adventures. I was trying to build something, and I knew Kersh was the guy to help me do it. He brought so much to the table. I am truly grateful to him.
He was a friend as well as a colleague. He will be missed.”
A fitting send off to a man who brought depth to otherwise campy sci-fi and will always be the man who brought us the bright spot of the Star Wars films.
Star Wars is deeply debated, but rarely do you find anyone directing fault at Empire. Of the things done right in the Star Wars films, Empire seems to have it all. I imagine this was in part due to this man.
