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The Lightsabre Interview
Richard LeParmentier
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Welcome to
Lightsabre. He was Darth Vaders victim in A
New Hope and helped introduce us to that ancient religion and hes
here. Please welcome Richard
LeParmentier.
Q -Richard, welcome
to Lightsabre.
A - Thanks.
Q Youve been in
numerous productions, from Rollerball
and Reds to Capital City and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and yet you are
probably most widely remembered as Admiral Motti in A New Hope. How do you feel about that?
A I love it. There are
a few films I've done that I'd rather not be remembered for. So being
part of a film that has had such an effect on millions of people is
pretty fantastic. When I walked onstage at
Celebration III and five hundred fans started chanting, Motti,
Motti! it was one of the best moments of my life.
Q - Tell us something
of your career. How did you begin in
entertainment and what led you to where you are today?
A I started in High School in Florida. Our drama teacher told
three of us that we had what it takes to be professionals so we went for it
and oddly enough all three of us were successful.
Q What has it been
like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon?
A- Unbelievable. I
missed the cast and crew screening because I was filming in France so i saw
it first with a paying audience and that opening shot blew us all
away. I kept thinking to myself, "I'm in this movie!!"
Over the years as I
started doing conventions and events and met so many great fans I feel
humbled at times. Considering I turned down a two line part that was
cut and was then offered Motti a month later, Star Wars was my best
career move.
Q We often hear
funny stories from the sets of the movies.
What memories do you have of working with Lucas and the great Don
Henderson, as well as the legendary Peter Cushing?
A Peter was very reserved, almost taciturn off camera. He smoked handmade cigarettes and would put on a linen glove to smoke them. I remember this glove was stained yellow and he'd change it every two or three cigarettes. He remarked that he was waiting too meet his wife who had died three years earlier. All in all a strange and charismatic man. But on set he was amazing to watch. When he threatened Leia by raising his hand, she was taken aback. He was a fabulous actor. Don Henderson was a rogue, he was out clubbing every night during the week we shot and his driver would get a message at two am giving him the address where to pick up at six for the ride to Elstree Studios. Another great actor and funny man. We both lived in Stratford upon Avon for a while and he and his wife and I became great friends.
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tarkin, motti, vader and tagge discuss tactics aboard the death star |
Q Did you have any
idea that your choking scene would turn out to be so popular? After all, its not often an actor chokes
on set and gets plaudits for it.
A In a way I
did. When I read the script I knew it would be a hit. It just
worked in spite of being overwritten and overlong, the story just
worked. I didn't know what Darth would look like and I didn't know what
the Death Star looked like until I saw the movie but the whole thing worked
for me on the page and I felt they wouldn't be making it unless they could do
all those SFX. I knew my scene set up the Darkside
so it was important. I can't tell you how many time adult fans have
come up to me and said how much Vader choking me scared them when they were
eight years old.
Q You have
developed another career as a writer, with work on the much-loved Boon, the
hugely popular Love Hurts and Solano Grove. How satisfying has that career turn been
for you?
A More than I could
have ever imagined. I started writing like most actors do - because you
get sick of being sent bad scripts but now I'd rather write but I have to
admit that I'm missing acting somewhat. I've been asked to do a
short film with a director and we'll start writing it in January and I'll
play the lead. That's the first time I've done that, act in my own
work. I'm also turning Solano Grove into a novel, very taxing but rewarding. I
have a wonderful editor though.
Q What would you
change about your Star Wars experience if you could go back and do it again?
A If I knew then what I know now I'd have gotten more money and secured my image rights. We all would have done that.
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the infamous choke scene from a new hope |
Q As we know,
Admiral Motti met his demise in the original Star Wars, but if hed managed
to get on board that ship waiting for Tarkin and blast off, what do you think
the future would have held for Motti?
A That will be the subject of a fan film I've
written and will be directing next year.
You'll choke with laughter, believe me. I'm putting up half the
budget myself so if any fans want to pick up the remainder I can guarantee
them a great time and a part in a fan epic. Contact me at
www.admiralmotti.com.
Thanks in advance for the plug.
Q We now know the
Star Wars TV series is on its way.
Would you be interested in a role, maybe as a relative of Motti?
A Sure. But as a relative of Motti I don't know. Perhaps as
a guest alien but not as a genial rebel general, thats for sure.
Q - What do you foresee
for yourself in the future?
A I'm setting up a
hotel which is very like producing which I love to do and then my three
writing/acting projects over the next year. I don't do that many
conventions anymore only the ones that appeal to me and provide an
opportunity to travel like Panama which was fabulous.
Q A quick question
about our site, Lightsabre. Any
comments?
A You boys have one helluva site; I've never seen such a comprehensive
site. I am truly impressed. The sheer work and the imagination
you all bring to it is wonderful.
Q - It's been a great
interview, and thanks for being our guest on Lightsabre. Just one final question. Admiral Motti has a vision through the
Force of Vaders intention to throttle him in the briefing room. Motti knows it will happen, so what does he
do to protect himself? Learn the ways
of the Force In twenty minutes, wear a neck collar or get a fast ship to
Coruscant?
A Motti being resourceful and loyal to the Empire would have read The Force for Dummies.