Peter Cushing starred in countless horror films like "Dracula" and "Dr. Frankenstein," to name a few. His characters may sound gruesome, but there is more to that. The long dead actor will rise from the grave and reprise his role in the upcoming science fiction movie, "Star Wars: Rogue Nation."
Cushing will be relived via computer-generated imagery (CGI) in the upcoming spinoff, "Star Wars: Rogue One," to play Grand Moff Tarkin. "This is one of the most complex and costly CGI re-creations ever. Cushing is a pivotal plot line as he was the one to create Darth Vader and there's a whole back story that will come out," a source told Mail Online.
The same source revealed that when director George Lucas filmed the original "Star Wars," he provided Cushing and other Galactic Imperial officers ill-fitting leather riding boots. However, Cushing was not comfortable with his footwear and complained about it. Lucas eventually gave up and allowed him to wear slippers. He then ordered the cameramen to shoot Cushing from the knees up or let him stand behind the Death Star conference table.
The filming went through a painstaking edit to add feet to Cushing's character. "They are going through hours and hours of old footage from the horror movies to recreate his legs and feet to produce realistic movements," the source revealed. Aside from the anticipated labor in case the production pursues the CGI Tarkin, it's kind of weird to see Cushing alive on the big screen again. "It is eerie to see someone who has been dead for so long come to life on a screen," added the source.
There are no explicit details about the character relative to the plot. However, according to Collider, bringing back Tarkin as a key character makes sense because he is significant in the building of the Death Star. With Tarkin in the film, there's a chance for Darth Vader to come back.
However, the report suggests that it is impractical for the production to go through a painstaking digital resurrection for Tarkin, knowing that roles get recast from time to time, and there are a lot of talented British actor who can give justice to the character.
Although CGI tools can bring dead characters back, it is not the wisest choice all the time. However, there are instances when the technology is necessary. For instance, CGI was used to complete "Fast and Furious 7" after Paul Walker ran into a vehicular accident and die while they were still filming. The same tool was used when Oliver Reed suffered a fatal heart attack while filming "Gladiator."
"Star Wars: Rogue One" production has already begun and is scheduled for release in December 2016, according to CinemaBlend.
