Apparently, when Return of the Jedi was first on the drawing board, the geniuses of ILM attempted to create the Rancor as a full monster suit someone could wear. They did not succeed, and a puppet/model was used in the film. Do you see where this is going?
Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage’s crew from Tested and their posse hired effects artist Frank Ippolito to design and build a working Rancor costume that could be worn down the streets of San Diego during this year’s Comic-Con. The results speak for themselves—especially when you realize Ippolito and his people succeeded where Industrial Light & Magic failed. Sure, it was the ILM of 30-plus years ago, but still, impressive. Most impressive.
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