An Interview With the Admiral

(10/04/00 by Bananapunk)

Admiral Motti is long remembered as the one Imperial Officer with enough moxy to stand up to Darth Vader. Sure he got the life almost choked out of him, but who amongst us can forget the classic lines he uttered questioning Vader's "sad devotion to an ancient religion" and his lack of "clairvoyance" to find the Rebel's hidden base.
Richard LeParmentier's memorable performance, although brief, added the right amount of bravado and tension to a scene that many fans will remember as the moment where Vader first exhibits his mastery of the dark side of the Force. Mr. LeParmentier is the last surviving Imperial Officer from the original Star Wars after the passing of Peter Cushing and Don Henderson. He now resides in Bath, U.K. and works as a screenwriter. CollectStarWars' Gary Mellar conducted this interview with Mr. LeParmentier after meeting the gracious actor/screenwriter in the Austin Sci-Fi Convention this past summer:

Q: You have been a pretty prolific writer over the past 15 years. How does writing (and being behind the scenes) compare with being an actor (in front of the camera)?

A: Writing is more exciting for me. It's like a drug at times. A film or any drama begins with an idea or a script. A writer is part of the engine. As an actor I often felt that we were the chrome that goes on to the final design.

Q: Do you consider yourself a "genre" actor? writer?

A: Not at all. As an actor I did a wide variety of roles, from sharp witted banker, adversarial lawyer to bovine mob hitman. As a writer I've written in all genres but sitcom.

Q: Do you enjoy being recognized for Your part in Star Wars as a popular film? Or would you rather be known as a writer first and Admiral Motti second?

A: I'd prefer writer, but you can't deny being part of the most popular and influential films of all time.

Q: What was it like in the scene when Vader was "choking" you , and if anything special was done to simulate it?

A: No, it was all me. George and Gil Taylor the cameraman were discussing how to set up the scene and I mentioned that I could flex my neck muscles. They loved it and, 'the rest,' as they say is a small part of Star Wars history.

Q: What was your initial reaction when you first found out your character would be immortalized in plastic?

A: What took you so long! I've heard that from most Star Wars fans as well. My kid's were amazed when they saw me. My son took one to school. His teacher remarked that he is always telling stories, like the one about his Dad being a Star Wars action figure. When I explained I was an action figure he was poleaxed.

Q: EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW THIS: How many figures do you have in your house hold?

A: None! Don't you know how hard they are to find? Seriously, I have two, one that was signed by the Hasbro designer who designed me and one that I've opened and play with.

Q: What were your first impressions of the (Star Wars)project? From my understanding you didn't know exactly what you were getting into, but did you have any sense it would be a good movie, or did you walk away scratching your head thinking, "What the hell is all this ridiculous sci-fi crap?? I gotta start getting some better roles!!!"

A: My agent in LA described it as "a space western" when I went to the first interview. When I did it, the project fit perfectly between two tv roles. We were bemused at first, but George obviously had a vision and hell, Alec Guinness was in it.

Q: What are your impressions of the die hard SW fan base (like us ) and our devotion to the sci fi franchise?

A: I think the fans are terrific. A waitress in Texas told me that she brought her children to the Bible through Star Wars. As far as deeply devoted fans are concerned they are imbued with a geniune love of the films. I can honestly say that in 23 years, I've only met half a dozen totally deranged fans. I can't elaborate - they're still out there,].

Q: What was it like on the set of Superman II?

A: The mid-west town I shot on was actually built in a lovely English park in in Surrey outside of London. It was fun working with my ex-wife, she played Ursa.

Q: Did you have the opportunity to work with Terrance Stamp?

A: Briefly. He's a class act all the way. A very nice man. I didn't have the chance to work with Gene Hackman then but I did Reds with him later. He's the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Q: Was the Superman II set just as technical as the Star Wars set?

A: Much more so, film making had moved on very quickly in five years. The Oval Office, the Metropolis streets were exact replicas built at Pinewood, it was amazing to watch the flying rig in operation.

Q: What was it like to work on the set of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

A: One of the best and most exhausting acting assignments I've ever had. We shot with four cameras to get the depth of field for the animators and it took six months. Hoskins is an old friend so we had a lot of laughs. Then of course there was the Big Z - Robert Zemeckis is one of the great directors.

Q: Are you Currently working on any film/TV Scripts?

A: Several, two scripts, one being rewritten, one being edited, a treatment and a fantastic idea that someone inspired me with a few months ago. It's beginning to burn in my brain. I can't wait to start working on it.

Q: Will we have the opportunity to see you in anything upcoming?

A: I don't really act anymore, but I have been tempted. I get strong urges to do a play from time to time. I will undoubtedly start thinking about playing Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman in a few years.

Q: Last question, What does it feel like to know you will live in infamy? And could you ever have fathomed, your character having such a profound impact on the Star Wars franchise?

A: Infamy!! Shouldn't your question be, "What does it feel like to be the only Imperial Officer to stand up to Darth Vader?" It's still an honor. So many fans have told me that the scene brought home the Dark Side of The Force so powerfully when they saw it at seven or eight years of age. It was and still is great.