The return of ‘Muggy’
One of the best things about the Original Trilogy, for me, is Master Yoda. I have no doubt that a part of what made Yoda so successful was the work of make up artist, Stuart Freeborn.
Sadly, Freeborn passed away this week on February 6, 2013. Freeborn’s own likeness is said to have been part of the inspiration for Yoda’s appearance and no doubt contributed to the development of the Jedi Master’s personality. Despite being a puppet, the original Yoda was tangible in a believable way that the later CGI versions were not. Proof that Frank Oz’s mannerisms along with his voice were part of what brought the character alive and endeared him to the audience.
Freeborn worked on one of my favorite films of all time, 2001: A Space Odyssey, where his work produced the primitive human ancestors who first discover tools. Honestly, I almost always skip this sequence of the film when I watch it. But don’t get me wrong. Freeborn’s work is amazing, particularly in the context of the late 1960s and 1970s. He also worked on Dr. Strangelove and the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, but he will always be remembered best for his wonderful aliens that helped make the Star Wars universe so popular with fans.
Freeborn’s talent and influence can be seen throughout the original trilogy, leading the makeup and creature effects that produced Chewbacca, Greedo and the cantina aliens, the tauntauns, wampa, ewoks and Jabba the Hutt. The Forciness was strong with Freeborn who was 98 years old. His work remains an enduring part of modern pop culture. He deserves recognition and remembrance, so take a moment to read the article on Star Wars.com and check out this Youtube video.
I was NOT expecting this joke. Awesomely clever!
Happy Birthday Kevin!
Rest in peace Stuart Freeborn. Yoda IS my favorite thing about Star Wars.
Now somebody get Vader a new straw! 😛
Miss you we will Freeborn Stuart. 🙁
Cooooooonnnnnnnn! Happy Birhtday! 🙂
Muggy is safe, all is well in the BMS Universe!
Aw, Vader lost his straw. I hope they bring him a new one quickly! He needs his caf, after all.
And MTFBW Stuart.
The return of “Muggy”! Thanks for the laugh on a dreary Friday morning, as Winter Storm Nemo approaches my area.
RIP Stuart Freeborn…thanks for your contributions over the years. Thanks for what you said about the puppet Yoda vs. CGI Yoda–I thought I was the only one who preferred puppet Yoda.
Finally, the mug is back! 😀
Grand joke indeed.
We can sleep again.
Chewbacca is still the best costume ever, and of course ahead of any CGI.
the wookies in ep3 weren’t cgi, just 4 actors in wookie-suits, just like mayhew. they jsut cloned them to make an army of wookie freedom fighters. same thing with the uruk hai in the two towers: weren’t more than 20-30 actors as the army against helms deep. just cloning, not cgi.
But all the CGI aliens were CGI. And not as good.
also, thank freeborn for this as well: you would not like how mcquarrie’s concept yoda looked like. he even got into a figure togheter with ben kenobi in the ralp macquarrie concept art line within the 30th anniversary line. and concept chewbacca? let’s not even mention that…
Happy birthday Kevin, it’s my birthday today too! Woo extra cake for everyone!
A red curly straw seems like a fitting replacement.
Darth is either using the force to grab that coffee cup, or else he’s really just itching to get to it! As a coffee drinker, I go with the latter.
That’s cute.
Great strip!
Do you know what else I like about people like Stuart Freeborn and Kersch?
They were mature, older men who by most people’s standards should have been doing more grown up, mature, sensible, adult things – noty wasting their time on sci-fi and making monsters. But they did it anyway; excelled at it; gained the respect of millions and enjoyed themselves. They worked at their passion without worrying what the dull ‘realists’ might have had to say.
John