You’d think I’d have been living in exile, in a cave on Tatooine but, I’ve only just now learned of this great mans passing.

Ralph McQuarrie literally designed the Star Wars universe, he brought Lucas’ scripts to life so that he was able to paint a better picture for studio bosses as he shopped his project around.

McQuarrie’s paintings were then used as the basis for for set designers, costumers, creature makers to bring Lucas’ vision alive on the big screen.

The Original Trilogy wouldn’t be what it is without McQuarrie’s work, he was as instrumental as Lucas in creating the Star Wars universe.

R.I.P. Ralph Angus McQuarrie (uJune 13, 1929 – March 3, 2012)

(Image via T-bone’s Star Wars Universe)