(Actress Carrie Fisher & Director Irvin Kershner)
words: Bonnie Burton
This week marks the sad passing of Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner. The beloved director not only inspired his former student filmmaker George Lucas, but also other future directors, actors, screenwriters and more, not to mention the millions of fans worldwide who still proudly comment that The Empire Strikes Back remains their favorite in the Star Wars film saga.
We asked some of our favorite celebrity fans what Kershner meant to them, as well as gathered the best celebs tweets that celebrated this one-of-a-kind director.
“He brought motion and maturity to the most grown up chapter of the Star Wars saga. His decisions are inextricably woven into its success.” – Simon Pegg, actor/author
“One of my earliest film memories is of The Empire Strikes back. Still one of my favorite movies. A truly sad day.” — Milo Ventimiglia, actor/director
“I heard just recently about Irvin Kersher’s passing. It’s hard to put into words how much the work he did on Empire meant to me. It’s not only my favorite film in the Star Wars universe hands down, but it’s one of my most favorite films of all time. The introductory shots of planet Hoth alone resonate so clearly in my mind, regardless of how long it’s been since I’ve seen TESB. In fact, there are so many iconic visuals in that movie it’s mind blowing. This was probably the darkest film of the original trilogy. It had crazy twists and finished with one of the best cliffhangers of any film I’ve ever seen. I know I will always remember and appreciate Kershner for making a film that shaped who I am today.” – Joe Trohman, Fallout Boy guitarist
“Since his passing I’ve been thinking what was the most masterful part of Empire Strikes Back? And it comes back to Yoda. He was funny then disturbing and scary and then wise. And it was a puppet. Irvin made less with more. He focused on the characters and less on the fact they were in space. Lawrence Kasdan and Frank Oz gave us Yoda but it was Kershner that made it so real, so frightening, so important. And again, it was just a puppet.” – mc chris, rapper
“Kersh was one of the lucky ones — he found his passion and followed it. He absolutely loved movies. He was an amazing mentor to my father, a great friend to our family, and an inspiration to fans all over the galaxy. I have absolute faith that his legacy will live on for centuries. He’ll be greatly missed.” – Katie Lucas, The Clone Wars writer
“Farewell to Irvin Kershner – a true cinema legend. With The Empire Strikes Back, Kersh took an absolute phenomenon and somehow made it even better, creating perhaps, the greatest film of all time. An incredible feat indeed… and one that we still feel the impact of today! His contributions to the Star Wars Saga will never be forgotten. May he be one with the Force!” – Kyle Newman, director of Fanboys
“Han shot FIRST, but Irvin shot BEST.” – Jane Wiedlin, The Go-Go’s guitarist/vocalist
“Firstly, most of us can only hope to live to the ripe age of 87. Irvin outlived most people in years. However, out living people is nothing compared to directing not only one of the greatest movies of all time, but in my opinion, the BEST Star Wars movie EVER made. Having experienced acting and being married to an actor, I know it is up to a director to coax emotions out of the cast. He did this splendidly, as we can all see (some of us over, and over and over!). Thank you Mr. Kershner, for helping deliver one of the greatest movies of all time for many generations to enjoy. gone, but never forgotten!” – Adrianne Curry, supermodel & reality TV star
“I had the honor of meeting Mr. Irvin Kershner at a few events we both attended. I was saddened to hear about his passing. Mr. Kershner helped bring to the screen one of the most beloved films of all times, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He will be missed, but through his work he will continue to entertain many generations to come. My thoughts are with his family at this time.” – Daniel Logan, Star Wars & The Clone Wars actor
“Empire Strikes Back is the first movie I ever saw in a theater. Nothing has quite lived up to the experience since. Irvin Kershner was a cinematic master and a huge reason why I do what I do for a living.” – Amy Berg, TV Writer/Exec Producer for Eureka
“Getting the ‘I love you / I know’ exchange out of those actors is one of the finest moments in the history of film direction, and Empire is still the most important movie in my life. Today I am going to make some tea, wrap myself up in a blanket, and revisit Robocop 2.” – MC Frontalot, rapper
“Empire Strikes Back was when I first got really excited about Star Wars. Took what was already great and made it a masterpiece….A great director, sadly missed.” – Jonathan Ross, UK TV show host
“Irvin Kershner’s contribution to Star Wars cannot be measured. If the second film in the saga had failed, we might never have seen the future of the galaxy that has become an integral part of our ongoing pop culture dialog. Kersh added humanity to characters we loved and helped us all believe a puppet could move a starship. His talents will long be missed.” – Chris Gore, G4TV Film Expert & Nerdlebrity
“By far, my favorite movie in the entire Star Wars pantheon is Empire and one of the main reasons was the direction of Irvin Kershner. His vision beautifully captured the darkness of the story he was telling and some of the greatest scenes of all-time were created under his watch-the Hoth battle, Yoda and Luke training in Dagobah, Bespin.
My biggest complaint about Irvin was that he didn’t direct one of the new trilogy movies as well.
Rest in peace Commander.” – Chris Jericho, wrestler/actor“It takes guts of steel to enter another man’s empire and demand improvement — Irvin Kreshner had those guts. He expanded George Lucas’s ground-breaking vision, navigated the rough waters of audience expectation, complicated production and financial strife and propelled a narrative that had already become the face of popular culture into a new order of artistic magnitude. Also, he loved ‘the puppet,’ and that makes him a hero in my book.” – Javier Grillo-Marxuach, writer/producer of The Middleman and Lost
“I’ll never forget and always be thankful to him for exploding my young mind for my first epic battle scene. The battle of Hoth will stay with me always.” – Ben Templesmith, comic book artist/writer
“My favorite thing about Empire are the performances. The actors inhabit that extraordinary story with a relatable subtlety that borders on naturalism. I attribute this to Kersh’s deft and confident directing on the set and imagine he must’ve held sway in the cutting room. Kersh + Kasdan+ Lucas = best Star Wars ever. ” – Jesse Alexander, TV writer/producer
From Twitter:
Anthony Daniels, C-3PO actor
Seth Green, actor/Robot Chicken co-creator
Edgar Wright, writer/director
Elijah Wood, actor
Colin Hanks, actor
Liz Lee, MTV’s My Life As Liz
Adam Green, Hatchet 1 & 2 director
Donald Faison, actor
Kyle Newman, Fanboys director
Kevin Smith, writer/director
Javier Grillo-Marxuach, TV writer/producer
Richard Roeper, film critic
John Hodgman, humorist/author
Frank Conniff, Mystery Science Theater 3000
Adam Savage, MythBusters
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Article roundup:
- Remembering Irvin Kershner, Director Of The Empire Strikes Back, A.K.A. The Best Star Wars Movie Ever — via MTV.com
- Irvin Kershner, Empire Strikes Back Director, Dies at 87 — via New York Times
- Farewell To Empire Strikes Back Director Irvin Kershner — via Wired/Geek Dad blog
- Irvin Kershner, Empire Strikes Back Director, Dies at 87 — via The Wall Street Journal
- Empire Strikes Back Director Irvin Kershner Dies — via Hollywood Reporter.
- Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner dead at 87 — via Variety
- Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner dead at 87 – via LA Hero Complex
- Kershner, filmmaker of Empire Strikes Back, dead at 87 — via CNN
- Why Irvin Kershner Mattered — via Movieline
After finishing ‘The Making of TESB’ last week, it took me by surprise to learn that Mr. Kershner had passed away. I had the honor of meeting him briefly during a convention and he looked like a very friendly person.
I guess we all know what he did for Star Wars and I really hope that future generations of fans will never forget what he did for TESB & SW.
I just wanted to give my farewall to a great director, who made TESB become a very good movie for many many many fans to enjoy throught time.
Mr. Kershner, my best wishes for you from Argentina: Rest in peace.
RIP Irvin Kershner. You will be missed by star wars fans of all ages. You did a amazing job on empire thank you. May you be one with the force.
I shed a tear this morning at the passing of Irvin Kershner. I guess I am only sad for selfish reasons. But his film, The Empire Strikes Back means so much to me. It has driven me to spend years of my life creating fan documentaries and continues to inspire me in so many ways, both professionally an personally.
May the Force be with you, Irvin! R.I.P.
I send my condolances to the family, friends, and fans of Mr. Kershner. He truly created an incredible work of art that is still being celebrated today.
It’s also great seeing celebrities, Star Wars or otherwise, comment and share their sympathies for this tragic loss, although I didn’t care for @OKBJGM’s comment.
After watching Empire of Dreams last night I went to the internet only to find out that Irwin Kershner had died. Very sad day. RIP Mr.Kershner , have a great time in paradise.
Lucas created Star Wars, Kershner perfected it.
There really are no words to express how saddened I am to hear about Irvin Kershner’s passing. He helped bring a remarkable story to life, and gave it a depth that few ever thought possible. How lucky for us all.
My condolences to his family. May Mr. Kershner rest in peace.
Thank you, Mr Kershner, for the happiness you brought us through your movies. Thank you for believing in your student Mr Lucas. You touched all of us and all of us are with you now. Your body left us, but you are here, happily, with us for the eternity.
Hilli Nourri, Belgium
Well, Mr Kershner did what was necessary and not only made a great film but also the best sequel ever. It is the reason why the whole world still enjoys the SW universe and so many talented artists get their break in this expanding universe.
NOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!
Master Irvin,May the force be with you……
R.I.P. Irvin and Leslie.
Mr Kershner. You are the Obi Wan to George Lucas, and the Yoda to us all. The force is with you now.
To equal or better Star Wars is an impossible task, and you did it. And I speak on behalf of millions when I say Thank You! RIP
I remember standing outside of a crowded theater as a boy gazing at the poster for Empire, holding my fathers hand as we prepared to go in and watch it for a second time! After many years and over a hundred views later, the film still takes me back to that little boy and the day I discovered the magic of the cinema. Thank you sir for that small contribution you made in my life and the inspiration that continues to this day. God bless you and your family.
Thank you for making my favourite movie of all,which I saw as a child and now get to share it with a child of my own.Empire isn’t just the greatest sequel of all it is the greatest movie of all.May the force be with you Master Kershner
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kershner at SWC IV. His good nature and humor was evident even in that short encounter, and I cannot stress his importance to the Star Wars legacy. He did what only the Godfather before had done with a sequel, he elevated the universe, and what a big universe it was. He added depth to characters and a painterly beauty to the frame. He helped assure that Star Wars was not a “one trick womp-rat”, and sealed my love of film and along with Lucas gave me a star to reach for. May the force be with you, Kersh.
If the original Star Wars hooked a generation of fans, it was Empire that reeled them in… and not just the sci-fi crowd. Our American culture is permeated with Star Wars references and homages. Few people around the world could say that they don’t recognize some part of Star Wars, whether it be the shiny golden ‘droid, the froglike mentor, or the rogue pilot and his shaggy companion. The heart, soul, and energy of the Star Wars universe came from Kershner’s sequel. A part of our heart and soul go with him into the force. My life and many others have been changed by a movie… as crazy as that sounds even to me. “Do or do not”, “Judge me by my size do you?”, “Never tell me the odds”.
If only my real life had R2 to save the day.
He was a good man.Any director for star wars has my gratitude.
His like will not pass this way again, but I’m grateful that he left such art as his legacy.
YOU MADE “EMPIRE” GREAT W/YOUR AWESOME DIRECTING, MR. KERSHNER. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. REST IN PEACE, AND BECOME ONE W/THE FORCE…
All I can say is thank you Kersh; thank you for giving us the most exceptional Star Wars material in the Empire Strikes Back, which has been forever memorialized as the epitome of Star Wars culture and fandom. Not only was it the greatest Star Wars film but most probably the greatest film of all time – something which is not only recognized by Star Wars fans, but also by people who generally just like cinematography. By the sounds of Lucas’ comments it seems that he was also a truly wonderful man, which when paired with the interviews and reports I have read, paints the picture of a man who was a genuinely kind person, who was incredibly humbled and greatly appreciative of every opportunity which life gave him, topped off with an undying sense of humor. Kersh, you took Star Wars and somehow made it an even greater phanonemen than it already was, and permanently engraved its immortal influence on not only film history, but also more widely the history of the world, in that it ensured that the change in culture which Star Wars brought was not lost, continuing the repair of western culture from the slump of the 60’s and 70’s. My heart, wishes and prayers go out to Kersh’s family, friends and fans in this their time a grief.
Thank You and Rest In Peace Kersh, you will be missed.
There have been a multitude of posts and blogs about Irvin this past couple of days, and much has been said about the impact of his key work on the imaginations of ‘kids of a certain age’ everywhere.
But more than that, not only has cinema lost a great talent, not only has Star Wars lost one of it’s greatest mentors but the world has lost a bloody brilliant bloke.
RIP Kersh – you’ll never be replaced, you’ll only be succeeded…
I didn’t particularly like Empire in 1980. As a ten-year-old, I wasn’t ready for a film with such depth, such emotion, and no happy ending. But as I got older, I understood and respected it, and even after Episode III it remained my favorite. Deep thanks to Irvin Kershner to elevating Star Wars to something much more than a repeat of the first film. Thirty years later, this movie holds true.
Irvin Kershner’s passing this weekend has prompted a lot of reflection on how much “Empire” impacted my life. Even 30 years later, as I still costume Star Wars for charity and have become inextricably connected with “the Puppet” (as Kersh called him when he met my Yoda character puppet and I at Celebration in 2007), I believe it’s Kershner’s practical and emotional influence over George’s Star Wars vision that has indelibly cemented it into my heart, film history, and pop culture. Thanks, Kersh- the Force was truly with you.
If ESB is my favourite film, then this guy is technically my favourite director…shame he’ll never do another Star Wars…RIP…
TESB was the first Star Wars movie I ever saw and is still my favorite. Everything was perfect; action, emotions, music and the dialogues («I am your father» and « I love you…I know»). I still remember the day I saw Bespin for the first time, a couple of decades ago and I already knew at that moment that I saw one of the most important film of my life. Thank you sir for making this movie, you will be truly missed.
It is not often when a celebrity death brings me to tears but the loss of the one responsible for one of the most treasured parts of my life has had a serious effect on me these past couple days. I truly wish I could have met him.
I Just wanted to say May the Force be with you..always. To Irvin Kershner. One of my favorite movies of the original saga, he will be dearly missed. His memory will live on in decades to come.
Mr. Kershner, you have become more powerful than we can possibly imagine! You ceratinly knew the Power of the Force, and gave us a movie that is irreplaceable! We love you, and .. you knew! Thank you, thank you, thank you! The Force will be with you, always.