Drew Struzan, legendary poster artist, dies

On Tuesday, it was announced on Instagram that Drew Struzan, a legendary Hollywood artist famous for his collaborations with directors George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws), has passed away at the age of 78.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th. I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art. - Greg, IG manager"

For generations of film fans (myself included), Struzan's iconic movie posters from Indiana Jones to Star Wars were woven into the fabric of popular culture. In the eighties, when I walked into a local video rental store owned by family friends in a pre-streaming world, I would look for his art on the cover of VHS cases. John Carpenter's The Thing always stood out, years before I saw it on ITV.

“Drew was an artist of the highest order,” says Star Wars creator George Lucas. “His illustrations fully captured the excitement, tone and spirit of each of my films his artwork represented. His creativity, through a single illustrated image, opened up a world full of life in vivid color…even at a glance. I was lucky to have worked with him time and time again.”

I may be misremembering, but I'm sure his unused poster art for Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi, before the final chapter in the original Star Wars trilogy was renamed at the last minute, was used on toy aisles to promote the latest merchandise. Certainly, it was somehow seared into my childhood memories.

“When one thinks of iconic movie poster artists, Drew Struzan is the first name that comes to mind,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “Drew’s unforgettable artwork has touched so many hearts throughout the years, and I have been thankful to have worked with him on films such as E.T., Back to the Future, Hook, and the Indiana Jones series. His artwork is so imaginative, so beautiful, it elevated the movie-going experience for those films before audiences even stepped foot into a theater. Drew’s work is timeless, and will undoubtedly inspire both artists and film lovers for generations to come.”

As I write this, I'm poignantly listening to The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration on Apple Music, featuring album art by Struzan.

RIP Drew Struzan.

Disney's Jungle Cruise channels Indiana Jones

The original Pirates of the Caribbean proved Disney could successfully transpose its theme park intellectual property (IP) to the big screen, combining critical and commercial success in the process.

Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji: The Next Level) and Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place), could repeat that trick during the pandemic as lockdowns ease and entertainment venues reopen worldwide. The upcoming action-adventure channels stablemate Indiana Jones even as far as the stunning Drew Struzan-inspired poster art.



Here’s the synopsis for Jungle Cruise:

"Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance."

Jungle Cruise is released in cinemas and on Disney+ with Premier Access on 30th July.

Are you looking forward to Jungle Cruise? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars Rebels poster art inspired by Drew Struzan

This shiny poster for Star Wars Rebels evokes artist Drew Struzan.

The new series follows on from The Clone Wars.

‘Star Wars Rebels’ continues the epic tradition of the legendary ‘Star Wars’ saga with all-new exciting, action-packed adventures. It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people.

But there are a select few who are brave enough to stand up against the endless Stormtroopers and TIE fighters of the Empire: the clever and motley crew of the starship “Ghost.” Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, have thrilling adventures, and become heroes.

Watching the series premiere on Disney Channel? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who's cinematic posters

Doctor Who returns, following a midseason break, this Easter. It would be remiss not to share this Drew Struzan (Indiana Jones and Star Wars) inspired poster for The Rings of Akhaten. You can read more at Entertainment Weekly.

This year marks the beloved show's 50th anniversary and a special commemorative story - reuniting the surviving actors who have played the time traveller - begins shooting in Cardiff, today.

Drew Struzan: Oeuvre

Struzan's movie posters informed, and embellished, my appreciation of movie making!

Drew Struzan has created some of the most iconic movie posters of the last 30 years, from Harry Potter to Hellboy, Raiders of the Lost Ark to Back to the Future. This extravagant hardcover edition of DREW STRUZAN: OEUVRE, with a Foreword by George Lucas, film producer, screen-writer, director and founder/chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd., features over 250 pieces of art, including all of Drew’s most iconic movie images, as well as other career highlights, from record album, book, and comic book covers, to stamps, trading cards, promotional artwork and very personal original works. —This right-up-to-date collection of Struzan’s work includes recent and never-before-published pieces including Star Wars: Episode III poster art; Indiana Jones 4 poster art; Walking Dead poster art; Hellboy 2 poster art; Pan’s Labyrinth poster art; Lord of the Rings trading cards; and never before published personal works.

This book is an essential purchase for any film fan. Pre-order from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.