Tales from The Star Wars Original Trilogy with ILM's Stuart Ziff

Tales from The Star Wars Original Trilogy with ILM's Stuart Ziff

Author: Star Wars November 8, 2025 Duration: 2:02:58

As Star Wars was being developed back in the mid-70s, the maverick special effects crew at ILM were pioneering new filmmaking technologies in often unconventional ways. In the early days, machinist Stuart Ziff found himself thrust into the action on day one. In the years that followed, Stuart used his skills in a variety of ways at ILM including working on Return of the Jedi creature costumes like Admiral Ackbar, Nein Nunb and Ree Yees, and on many projects from Dragonslayer to Ghostbusters to Jurassic Park. This week on RFR, Stuart joins us In The Cantina to share fascinating stories about working on the Star Wars Original Trilogy and beyond. Plus, our review of Star Wars Visions season 3 and Jimmy Mac had the opportunity to see a Star Wars Holiday Special legend perform live in Chicago. Listen to find out who it was!


For years, Rebel Force Radio: Star Wars Podcast has been a central hub for fans looking to dive deeper into that galaxy far, far away. Hosted by seasoned podcasters Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac, the show feels less like a formal broadcast and more like hanging out with friends who happen to have an encyclopedic knowledge of everything from the Classic Trilogy to the latest streaming series. Their long-running conversations cover the full spectrum-breaking news, thoughtful reviews, spirited debates, and a good dose of humor. What sets this podcast apart is its access; regular interviews with celebrity guests from across the Star Wars universe offer insider perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Whether it's analyzing a new film, celebrating an animated series, or running a fan contest, the hosts ensure every episode is both informative and genuinely entertaining. Tuning in means joining a community right on the front lines of fandom, where deep-cut references and genuine passion are always part of the discussion. This is the kind of comprehensive, veteran-led Star Wars audio experience that has kept listeners engaged for so many seasons.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Rebel Force Radio: Star Wars Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:08:48
Join us for a special event as we break down all the news coming out of Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025—from movie and TV show announcements to new games, merch, and more. We're talking all about the big announcements l…
Shawn Levy's STAR WARS Movie Updates and Rumors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:24:43
The next STAR WARS film to come through the pipeline following THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU will apparently be helmed by Deadpool and Wolverine director Shawn Levy. We look at some new casting rumors and gather up clues abo…
TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD and Star Wars Animation Rumors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:13:57
In a surprise announcement this week, we learned TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD will be the next STAR WARS animation event, launching this May the Fourth. We review the new trailer shot-by-shot and speculate. Veteran sit-com wr…
Mark Hamill, General Grievous, and The Dark Side of The Force [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:26:38
This week, we're raiding the RFR Vault to present you with a rare, professional-grade recording of Mark Hamill's full panel from Star Wars Celebration Japan 2008. Coverage from this event is sparce and this is the only o…
The Legacy of Colin Cantwell: The Original Star Wars Concept Artist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:51
If someone asked you who the artist was that originally conceived the iconic look of Star Wars vehicles like the TIE Fighter, The X-Wing, and The Death Star, you might think of famous names like Ralph McQuarrie and Joe J…
The STAR WARS That Never Was [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:06
As George Lucas was in his final years at Lucasfilm, he had some projects in the pipeline and on the verge of release, but they never happened. Via new interview highlights with producer Rick McCallum and writer Ronald D…
Kathleen Kennedy Strikes Back and a "Special Look" at ANDOR Season 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:08:13
We react to Kathleen Kennedy's response to last week's reports claiming she will be stepping down as president of Lucasfilm and clarifying what was true in the reports and what wasn't. Kathleen also discussed several STA…
Kathleen Kennedy Rumors and the ANDOR Season Two Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:49:46
NOTE: As we were prepping this podcast for release, Kathleen Kennedy responded to, but didn't deny, the reports about her stepping down as president of Lucasfilm. We will discuss her recent statements on next week's RFR.…
SNL50: The Best of STAR WARS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:19
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week, so we take a look back at several of the great STAR WARS celebrity cameos, jokes and sketches from the past five decades of SNL. Will Baby Yoda say his f…