The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge - Book Review

Ever since the opening of Galaxy’s Edge on both east and west sides of the States, Star Wars fans gathered from all over the world to finally become the heroes (or villains, if you wished so) of their own story, set in a galaxy far, far away. The planet Batuu with its imposing spires left the visitors in awe as each corner led to new, exciting adventures—from a daring escape from a First Order Star Destroyer to a smuggler run aboard the legendary Millennium Falcon. Two years later, the secrets to this enormously ambitious project have been (partially) revealed with The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge by Amy Ratcliffe (with foreword by Scott Trowbridge).

Readers familiar with Art of Star Wars books—which so far have only focused on the concept artwork and behind the scenes of the cinematic versions of the beloved galaxy—will find that The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge maintains the typical format. However, for those who have experienced the land either at Disneyland or Walt Disney World, the book will hold a much stronger and personal bond to its readers as it gradually unwraps the evolution of each location or attraction through the various concept artwork like unexpected birthday presents.

From Rise of the Resistance to Smuggler’s Run, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge delves into the conceptualization of the main attractions for the land. Composed of four ride systems, Rise of the Resistance (codenamed Alcatraz during the development process) was the most ambitious of the two, the ride focusing on compression and release as guests navigate through each section—emphasizing the emotional feel through scale and cinematic accuracy. The book showcases some stunning concepts by David Hobbins and Nick Gindraux for the familiar ancient ruins hallway section (as part of the ride’s queue), Hobbins’ studies for the various transports (the IT-S transport being the most fascinating with its design inspired by blockade runners with oversized X-wing engines), and Star Destroyer interior scenes—including the epic encounter with full scale AT-ATs.

While Rise of the Resistance provided a new adventure to Galaxy’s Edge’s visitors, Smuggler’s Run tried (and successfully achieved) the nostalgic feel as the first ever full scale Millennium Falcon was brought to life. The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge describes the challenges of creating “the ideal Falcon” (according to Lucasfilm creative executive Matt Martin)—which until now was only partially built for specific shots in its many movie appearances or merely just a scale model. Although this part of the behind the scenes was not visually included in the book (except for a few ship interior pieces), the showstopper of this chapter is the gorgeous artwork for the ride itself by Lucasfilm concept design supervisor Ryan Church, revealing parts of the train heist on Corellia. Not to mention the two-page section for the Smuggler’s Run ships—their designs likely to be missed due to the frantic nature of the ride.

The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge does not just cover the development process for what the guests have been able to experience. The book teases rides that never saw the light of the three bright suns of Batuu, including a fast-action speeder bike chase and even a bounty hunter chase ride—the two concepts materializing into what became Smuggler’s Run.

The book switches gears and dives into the development of Oga’s Cantina—its interior design inspired by an old Ralph McQuarrie concept sketch of Jabba’s palace. This section dedicated to the land’s infamous bar reveals the original idea of having alien bartenders through a fun set of concept sketches by ILM senior concept artist Andrew Domachowski while explaining the unfortunate limitations of reality—with costumed cast members and animatronics being impractical choices due to prep time and lack of physicality respectively. The limitations of technology and resources at the time of the development of Galaxy’s Edge also led to yet another idea of having a huge water tank with an animatronic creature right above the bar—inspired by a concept piece originally created for The Force Awakens by James Clyne and further explored by artists Luis Carrasco, Eduardo Pena, and Ric Lim.

The current food and drink options at Galaxy’s Edge are plentiful, but during the early stages of concept development the art team was exploring the possibilities for a table service restaurant named The Kalikori Club. The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge features quite a few pages of studies and full-fledged pieces by Erik Tiemens, Ric Lim, and other talented artists for the Twi’lek club and spice den—from bath house-style courtyards to extravagant and luxurious interiors, hinting at an area that was targeted towards the more adult visitors of the land. The club was supposed to be run by the gorgeous Twi’lek Gaya—her iconic look penciled by none other than Ian McCaig.

Author Amy Ratcliffe elegantly shifts the behind the scene stories to the collector’s shop: Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. Through plentiful artwork, including but not limited to notes by Tiemens and the dark toned concepts by Lim, the book explores the evolution of the unique shop. In this section, there is definitely an emphasis on trying to bring order to the visual chaos that was the 3000 or so treasures within the shop while defining the Ithorian’s personality. Another thing to point out is the effort of the team to bring the Den of Antiquities to a multi-story building (a concept that was also explored in other landmarks) and allow the guests to admire the myriad of items at different points of view, an idea that was later condensed to only a single, ground level view which definitely gave the shop the mysterious feel of the unreachable.

The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge continues the reader’s journey with the creation of the Droid Depot with recognizable artwork and also the inclusion of inspiring graphic design work by Joseph Acello while the author shines the light about the decision of not including an animatronic version of Mubo, the shop’s owner (very much like the absence of Oga in her own cantina). The book also covers the Black Spire Station and the lightsaber building experience of Savi’s Workshop, the latter with magical, candlelit artwork by Lim and Tiemens, and as the book later teases a smuggler/bounty hunter supply store, Amy Ratcliffe brings the reader into the bustling place of Black Spire Outpost.

The Outpost section truly shines through the artwork of once again Lim and Tiemens—the colorful streets (inspired by Jedha City from Rogue One) come to life as the various shops are showcased. One in particular that was never built was a full-service disguise makeover experience, which Walt Disney Imagineering managing story editor Margaret Kerrison called it their “own version of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.”

Galaxy’s Edge sparked the imagination of its creators, often pushing the boundaries of what can be done in reality. One part of the land that never came to fruition was the stables and Elee—an elephant-sized creature that was going to lumber through the land and also be its own ride. Although the gentle giant creature did not make it to the land, author Amy Ratcliffe was able to bring Elee to life with the children’s book Elee & Me!

As the journey to the making of Galaxy’s Edge comes to an end (and after a quick stop for some galactic snacking), the book gifts the readers with an exclusive look at the Halcyon—the upcoming fully immersive Star Wars experience featuring a stay at the most luxurious ship of the entire galaxy. Although some of the art was already revealed online, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge includes some never before seen droid, uniforms, and shuttlecraft concepts!

The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is truly an emotional trip down memory lane for the readers who have experienced the land while giving so much background to the ambitious ideas and concept artwork that visually brought this breathtaking experience to life. Author Amy Ratcliffe was able to make this Art of book not just a collection of incredible interviews by the creators, but taking the readers on a beautiful written journey that was perfectly paired with stunning visuals. Grab your copy today and let us know about your experience at Galaxy’s Edge and what were your favorite secrets found within the pages of this must read with a comment below or on our social media platforms.

‘Till the Spire!