It is a period of great excitement. A group of talented sculptors and set designers are continuing work on a project of galactic importance, the recently announced, major new Star Wars experience at Madame Tussauds London. The multi-million pound expansion, being created in collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm, is due to open on Saturday May 16, 2015 and work is now well underway bringing to life 16 of the movie's favourite heroes and villains including Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker.   

 

As the first tickets for the new experience went on sale today, Madame Tussauds London released images of early work in progress of these three figures, revealing startlingly accurate, perfect clay sculptures of some of the best-loved characters in movie history. The clays will be used to make the moulds to create the figures' final wax heads and when complete the likenesses will feature in a series of atmospheric walk-in sets, inspired by iconic moments from Star Wars Episodes I-VI. 

 

Han Solo is portrayed in his trademark maverick style with a relaxed expression and lopsided grin. His finished figure will feature in a scene from the famous cantina bar as he faces down bounty hunter Greedo. Princess Leia is portrayed as Jabba the Hutt's prisoner, her head sculpted in accurate detail complete with massive gold hoop earrings, swept up hair and an expression of muted fury. Luke Skywalker's expression is one of intense concentration, as his figure will feature in the pivotal final battle scene with his father.

 

The team creating the experience understands they have a responsibility to get it right, and Senior Sculptor, Dave Burks, who is creating Luke Skywalker's figure is a massive Star Wars fan. “I know if I get any aspect of this figure wrong, a generation of fans will have a lot to say about it, so it is a huge responsibility,” Dave commented. He continued: “I have loved the films since I first saw them as a child and would certainly describe myself as a major fan. I was delighted to be asked to sculpt Luke and to be involved in such a unique project is awesome. Luke has a great face for a sculptor - big eyes and very expressive - but we are aiming to inject a sense of the character too, so I've got to ensure there's a certain intensity to him. His figure is featured in the final duel with Darth Vader when he's a bit older and battle worn.”      

 

These three heroes will be joined by many more including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Qui-Gon Jinn from Episodes I-III and villains like Darth Vader, Darth Maul and sinister Stormtroopers. Guests will be able to get close to their favourite film heroes as wax figures BUT they will also be able to star alongside them as the experience recreates some of the most iconic scenes from some of the most famous films ever made.  

 

The experience is a significant new expansion at Madame Tussauds London, opening up an entire new area across two floors of the iconic Baker Street site to provide a spectacular finale to the current visit. 

 

The experience is due to open on Saturday May 16, 2015 - tickets are now on sale at www.madametussauds.com/london, where you can also find all the latest news and updates.

 

A similar experience will also open at Madame Tussauds Berlin in May featuring 11 Star Wars characters, but in different specially recreated scenes.  

 

FACT BOX

Entry to Star Wars at Madame Tussauds is included in all tickets purchased from www.madametussauds.com/london - prices start from £24.75 for adults and £21.60 for children

 

For further information please contact Amy Sadler or Tansy Ratcliffe–James at freerange communications – amys@freerange.eu, 0207 402 9966

 

Notes to Editors

Madame Tussauds London and Merlin Entertainments plc

• Prices to Madame Tussauds London start from £24.75 for adults and £21.60 for children (May 16, 2015 onwards) when you pre-book at www.madametussauds.com/london

• Madame Tussauds London is located next to Baker Street tube station and open seven days a week – opening times vary, check the website for details before visiting, www.madametussauds.com/london

• Madame Tussauds Studios London has been making wax figures for over 150 years. Each masterpiece takes four months, and a team of 20 dedicated sculptors, to create. Over 500 precise body measurements are referenced, real head hairs are inserted one by one, and countless layers of paints and tints are applied to build up skin tones - all to achieve the kind of astonishing realism that has kept Madame Tussauds world renowned for over two centuries.

• Madame Tussauds has attractions in London, Hollywood,  Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai,  Singapore, Wuhan, Blackpool UK and Sydney, with interactive figures and experiences built around fame and celebrity.  In London, guests can get up close and personal with incredibly lifelike replicas of 21st century stars like Johnny Depp and Amy Winehouse, brave the scariest Chamber Of Horrors yet, complete with actors as bloodthirsty serial killers and take a time-travelling taxi ride through 400 years of amazing London history.

• MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 105 attractions, 11 hotels/3 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 60 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and c25,000 employees. 

• Among Merlin's attractions are - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Coca-Cola London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park Resort, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK.  All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.