It's not often you get to meet most of your childhood movie idols under one roof but at the
Starmania 2010 convention in Swansea's Maritime Quarter that unique opportunity was fulfilled. No less than 26 actors, who have appeared in such iconic movie productions as
'Star Wars',
'James Bond',
'Indiana Jones' and
'Lord of the Rings' attended the event which was held on the grounds of the National Waterfront Museum over a pleasingly radiant weekend. The stars took pleasure in introducing themselves to fans, signing glossy picture cards and memorabilia and divulging their own unique experiences of working on both the small and large screen. And it was a literal who's who of cinematic 'Star Wars' talent. From established stars like
Kenny Baker (R2D2) and
Dave Prowse (Darth Vader) recognisable scene stealers
Richard LeParmentier (Vader's first force choke victim in 'A New Hope'),
Mike Edmonds (Ewok character Logray in 'Return of the Jedi') and
Alan Harris (slimy Bounty Hunter 'Bossk' in 'The Empire Strikes Back') to memorable talking part players including
Alan Flyng (the imperial officer of the ill-fated Executor Star Destroyer in 'Return of the Jedi').
While others present simply fleshed out the scenery in key scenes including
Pam Rose (playing one of the aliens at the bar in the famous cantina scene),
Stephanie English (a Hoth rebel base technical controller),
Derek Lyons (who trained as an actor and made several appearances in '
A New Hope' as The Rebel Honour Guard and Medal Bearer) and
Peter Roy (who appeared in the rebel base control room during the climatic Darth Star invasion). Also present was
Brian Muir: sculptor of the infamous Vader mask and modeller of many more Hollywood hits including work on the mysterious Space Jockey in
'Alien', the first three 'Indiana Jones' films, numerous Bond pictures and the
'Harry Potter' series. Having worked on practically all of my childhood favourite films, (including such cult classics as 'The Dark Crystal', 'Young Sherlock Holmes' and
'Return to Oz') conversations with Brian provided particularly riveting and insightful.
However it wasn't an exclusively 'Star Wars' affair. Also in attendance was beaming 7"1 Predator performer
Ian Whyte who lent his towering frame to
'AVP' and it's direct sequel plus starred as
Sam Worthington's subhuman sidekick in the more recent
'Clash of the Titans'. There was
'Little Kiran' Shah, who was immortalised as the servant carrying a poisonous tray of dates in
'Raiders of the Lost Ark' amongst many other roles including recently teaming up in the likes of
'The Chronicles ofNarnia', 'Lord of the Rings' and the up and coming
'The Hobbit'. And then there was the instantly recognisable veteran character actor
Shane Rimmer who played sub commander Carter in '
The Spy Who Loved Me', lent his distinctive vocals to
Scott Tracey in '
Thunderbirds' and more recently played a pivotal role during the climatic train sequence in
'Batman Begins'. "I love doing these events, it takes me all around the world and I really enjoy meeting the fans." gleamed
Dave Prowse who was clearly relishing the opportunity to chat Vader to old and new fans alike.
Chris Muncke, former actor and retired English teacher said "I have been doing these events for a couple of years now and really enjoy speaking to people about the films I have popped up in." Those films have included a speaking role in
Star Wars as the Millennium Falcon scanning crew leader Captain Khurgee and as the man who helps Bond deactivate a nuclear bomb in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Equally enjoyable was sharing the experiences these performers had in their sometimes small but crucial parts. 'AVP'
actor Whyte told me about how he studied the distinct movements from the first two
'Predator' films to bridge realistic character continuity. He also mentioned how he was attracted to his role in
'Clash of the Titans' due to the interesting way the character evolved mid way through the movie. Kenny Baker mused comically about how he never knew what R2D2 was beeping on about beneath the metal exterior, while
Shane Rimmer recalled his sheer delight with working with British director
Christopher Nolan, who he dubbed 'a really nice guy'
. It was also good to get a geeky take on Admiral Motti's infamous choking scene in
Star Wars from the man himself:
Richard LeParmentier. The actor explained to me how it is still one of the most parodied scenes in the movie and how it set a prescient for all the other strangulation scenes in the series. He also put me straight with a particular detail in the film: "No, that wasn't my tongue sticking out at the end of the sequence - it was a reflection. I am often asked about that particular detail...sadly it wasn't improvised"
Besides the actors other characters joined in the spirited fun of the convention. Han Solo and Princess Leia were present (courtesy of the Sci-Fi South Collectors team) while convincing
Jack Nicholson and
Sean Connery look-alikes were pleased to tease fans with goofy one-liners and pose for pics. Inside the Museum a host of actual size replicas from 'Star Wars' were scattered around: the famous mould of Han Solo frozen-in-carbonate, a mounted death droid and several Empire helmets including a freaky look at the scorched facial features beneath a damaged Storm Trooper head (see pic). Outside there were Storm Troopers, Scout Troopers, Imperial Commanders and an Imperial Royal Guard patrolling the area while Ewoks danced about to the catchy 'Jive Jedi'
'Star Wars' theme. You couldn't help but be star-struck by the whole intergalactic affair and, to coin a familiar 'Star Wars' phrase, it really was like taking your first step into a larger world.