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IMDbPro

Norman Reynolds(1934-2023)

  • Production Designer
  • Art Director
  • Art Department
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Norman Reynolds in Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (2003)
Oscar-winning British art director and production designer, most famous for being the creative genius behind the look of the original Star Wars trilogy. Reynolds also worked on many other blockbusters like Kadonneen aarteen metsästäjät (1981), Superman (1978), Auringon valtakunta (1987) and Bicentennial Man (1999). While brilliantly inventive in his chosen field, he remained consistently self-effacing in private life. Many a famous prop had a modest beginning. The golden idol used in the opening scene of 'Raiders', for example, began life as a 'fertility figure', originally purchased by Reynolds at a Mexican airport as a "tacky tourist souvenir". His creations for Star Wars have included Yoda's swamp planet of Dagobah, Han Solo's carbon freezing chamber, Jabba the Hutt's sail barge and the Ewok village (respectively, for Imperiumin vastaisku (1980) and Jedin paluu (1983)). The look of most subsequent entries in the Star Wars franchise continues to remain greatly influenced by the earlier conceptual work of Reynolds.

Reynolds began his career in advertising, among other things creating illuminated signs. During a trip to Shepperton Studios in the early 60s, he was able visit multiple sets, including one for the Bing Crosby/Bob Hope classic Lentäjinä vastoin tahtoaan (1962). From that moment on, Reynolds was hooked on the film industry and determined to become a part of it. He began his career by serving a two year long apprenticeship in production design at the old Elstree studios in Borehamwood, near London, plying his trade on episodes of Pyhimys (1962). He was to later revisit this location to create such iconic sets as Jabba's Palace for Star Wars, or set pieces like the opening scene of the rolling boulder for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Norman Reynolds died on April 6 2023 at the age of 89.
BornMarch 26, 1934
DiedApril 6, 2023(89)
BornMarch 26, 1934
DiedApril 6, 2023(89)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Won 2 Oscars
    • 4 wins & 8 nominations total

Known for:

Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, and Kenny Baker in Tähtien sota (1977)
Tähtien sota
8.6
  • Art Director
  • 1977
Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Wolf Kahler, Ronald Lacey, and Terry Richards in Kadonneen aarteen metsästäjät (1981)
Kadonneen aarteen metsästäjät
8.4
  • Production Designer
  • 1981
Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, and Peter Mayhew in Imperiumin vastaisku (1980)
Imperiumin vastaisku
8.7
  • Production Designer
  • 1980
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Warwick Davis, David Prowse, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Carter, and Larry Ward in Jedin paluu (1983)
Jedin paluu
8.3
  • Production Designer
  • 1983

Credits

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IMDbPro

Production Designer

  • Robin Williams in Bicentennial Man (1999)
    Bicentennial Man
    6.9
    • Production Designer
    • 1999
  • Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sharon Stone in Vieras tulevaisuudesta (1998)
    Vieras tulevaisuudesta
    6.1
    • Production Designer
    • 1998
  • Vaarallinen tehtävä (1996)
    Vaarallinen tehtävä
    7.2
    • Production Designer
    • 1996
  • Valeria Golino and Dana Carvey in Blackout (1994)
    Blackout
    5.7
    • Production Designer
    • 1994
  • Elossa (1993)
    Elossa
    7.1
    • Production Designer
    • 1993
  • Alien³ (1992)
    Alien³
    6.4
    • Production Designer
    • 1992
  • Avalon (1990)
    Avalon
    7.2
    • Production Designer (production designed by)
    • 1990
  • Kaukaiset vuoret (1990)
    Kaukaiset vuoret
    7.1
    • Production Designer
    • 1990
  • Auringon valtakunta (1987)
    Auringon valtakunta
    7.7
    • Production Designer
    • 1987
  • Sophie Ward, Alan Cox, and Nicholas Rowe in Pelon pyramidi (1985)
    Pelon pyramidi
    6.8
    • Production Designer
    • 1985
  • Fairuza Balk in Return to Oz (1985)
    Return to Oz
    6.7
    • Production Designer
    • 1985
  • Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Warwick Davis, David Prowse, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Carter, and Larry Ward in Jedin paluu (1983)
    Jedin paluu
    8.3
    • Production Designer
    • 1983
  • Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Wolf Kahler, Ronald Lacey, and Terry Richards in Kadonneen aarteen metsästäjät (1981)
    Kadonneen aarteen metsästäjät
    8.4
    • Production Designer
    • 1981
  • Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, and Peter Mayhew in Imperiumin vastaisku (1980)
    Imperiumin vastaisku
    8.7
    • Production Designer
    • 1980

Art Director

  • Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in Teräsmies II (1980)
    Teräsmies II
    6.8
    • Art Director
    • 1980
  • Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas, Jeff East, Margot Kidder, Jack O'Halloran, Valerie Perrine, and Susannah York in Superman (1978)
    Superman
    7.4
    • Art Director
    • 1978
  • Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, and Kenny Baker in Tähtien sota (1977)
    Tähtien sota
    8.6
    • Art Director
    • 1977
  • The Incredible Sarah (1976)
    The Incredible Sarah
    5.5
    • Art Director
    • 1976
  • Gene Hackman, Burt Reynolds, and Liza Minnelli in Viskiseikkailu Lucky Ladyllä (1975)
    Viskiseikkailu Lucky Ladyllä
    5.3
    • Art Director
    • 1975
  • The Old Curiosity Shop (1975)
    The Old Curiosity Shop
    6.7
    • Art Director
    • 1975
  • Steven Warner in Pikku prinssi (1974)
    Pikku prinssi
    6.4
    • Art Director
    • 1974

Art Department

  • The Fifth Musketeer (1979)
    The Fifth Musketeer
    5.3
    • assistant art director
    • 1979
  • Vaihe IV (1974)
    Vaihe IV
    6.4
    • assistant art director
    • 1974
  • Sidney Poitier and Ester Anderson in Lämmin syksy (1973)
    Lämmin syksy
    6.1
    • set dresser (uncredited)
    • 1973
  • Zeppelin - ilmojen jättiläinen (1971)
    Zeppelin - ilmojen jättiläinen
    6.1
    • draughtsman (uncredited)
    • 1971
  • Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw, Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews, Curd Jürgens, Ian McShane, Kenneth More, Nigel Patrick, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Patrick Wymark, and Susannah York in Battle of Britain (1969)
    Battle of Britain
    6.9
    • assistant art director (uncredited)
    • 1969

Personal details

Edit
  • Official site
    • BFI
  • Born
    • March 26, 1934
    • Willesden, London, England, UK
  • Died
    • April 6, 2023
  • Spouse
    • Ann? - April 6, 2023 (his death, 3 children)
  • Children
    • Suzanne Reynolds
  • Relatives
    • Jessica Medlycott(Grandchild)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Interview

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    [2021] Now retired, he is based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.

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