'Star Wars' - Warwick Davis Q&A

Time Out catches up with the world's most famous Ewok to discuss the trilogy's DVD re-release.

Sep 11 2006

Before starring in the likes of 'Willow' and 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', Warwick Davis made his film debut playing the lovable Ewok Wicket in 'Return of the Jedi'. To celebrate the release of both the original versions and the special editions of episodes four, five and six on DVD, Chris Tilly caught up with Davis to discuss donning a furry suit to play one of the trilogy's most beloved characters.

So how do you feel about the films being released all over again?

Well what's good about this release is the bonus feature of the original versions of the films. The theatrical versions that have not been on DVD before, the ones you would have seen if you went to the cinema in '77, '80 or '83. It's a real nostalgia trip. When I watched the special edition versions, which are on the discs as well, they're actually very different films. I see the changes, because I'm so used to watching the films, but it's nice to be able to sit back and make comparisons. With the special editions, George [Lucas] has created the films that he couldn't have made back in the day. To him they are the definitive versions, but I think it's quite nice that he's actually said "Okay, let's give the fans what they've asked for, let's give them the original versions on DVD."

Are you sure he isn't just trying to get more money out of the fans?

No, everybody wanted them. Everybody wanted to see these versions.

Why didn’t he just put out both versions first time around?

Because he didn't see the original versions as being the films. For him, the special editions are the films, and he took a lot of convincing from fans saying "We want to see them!" But I think it says a lot that they are just bonus features.

So which versions do you prefer?

I don't know, that's a tricky question really, Which do I prefer? From a nostalgic point of view I'm going have to say the original versions. They're the ones I grew up with, they're the ones I remember and I'm pleased to see them back.

Are you amazed that people are still excited by the trilogy so many years on?

Yes and No. I'm amazed I'm still talking about it 25 years on, that there's still a huge amount of interest in these films, but I'm not amazed because the ideas, and the way that George made the films, are timeless. The simplicity of them is astounding in a way, because the basic story of 'Star Wars' is very, very simple – it's good versus evil. You've got fairly straightforward characters, and characters I think people can identify with. At the same time it was very well executed – the way it was put up on screen was just perfect – and that world of 'Star Wars' is as detailed as our world. You watch the films and you're immersed in them, and it feels so real and so tactile, unlike some other science fiction where it feels like the world has been created for a movie. 'Star Wars' now seems like another place that did exist, and I'm sure there are fans out there who think it really did.

So you're not sick and tired of talking about it yet?

No, because luckily I enjoy the films. Goodness knows what I'd do if I wasn't a fan! But I enjoy watching them, and I've enjoyed introducing my children to the world of 'Star Wars', the games and all that. That's how my nine-year-old was introduced to 'Star Wars', by playing 'Star Wars Lego' and 'Star Wars Battlefront'. She wanted to know more and I said "There are movies that go along with these, you should check them out" and that's what happened.

How old were you then when you did the films?

Eleven

That's a big thing for an eleven-year-old!

Yeah it is. I was in school one minute and on a film set the next. When you don't have any aspirations to be an actor, it's kind of cool.

So how did you get the part?

My grandmother heard a radio commercial on a London radio station and told my mum about it. She was a bit worried about it at first but said "They've advertised for short people to be in a 'Star Wars' movie, and I know Warwick loves 'Star Wars', but that's all I know. So my mum phoned them up and they said "We've got all the people we need, we don't need anyone else. We've been inundated with calls". My mum explained that I was a huge fan of the films and they asked how tall I was. She said "Two foot eleven" and they go "Oh, pop him in we'll meet him then". I met with the production assistant, didn't have to audition, and a couple of weeks later I'm on set and I'm an Ewok!

What's the strangest piece of Ewok merchandising you've come across?

A squeaky dog toy. It was an Ewok but the dog would chew on it. Some soap, I've still got the Wicket Soap, toothbrushes and underpants with Ewoks on. Literally, everything that you could do something to, it was done. There were cookies – I've still got some of those, best before 1982 or 1983, but I've still got them.

Did you get to keep any of the outfits?

No, after sweating in them for a few weeks you wouldn't want to keep them anyway. They're in the Lucas Film Archives, so I trust they're being looked after. I have the bolas, and some Ewok toes, but no foot or Ewok attached, just toes, three toes. And an Ewok arrow as well. I often reminisce with the bolas and the arrow!

'Star Wars' Episodes 4, 5 and 6 are available to buy as Special Edition DVDs on 11 September 2006 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Lucasfilm Ltd. Also releasing on September 11 is 'LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy'.

To find out more about Warwick Davis, head to his personal site at www.warwickdavis.com.

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