Natalie Portman's Best Actress win at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards wasn't the only Star Wars connection to be found at Sunday night's ceremony. Here are a few other moments with ties to the GFFA!
Begun, The Oscars Have Fans of The Clone Wars and the Scrubbing Bubbles commercials will recognize the voice that was heard during the introduction, before each commercial, and every time a winner approached the stage.
George Lucas Talks Coppola Francis Ford Coppola received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, and George Lucas took part in a video montage that was shown during the ceremony. The clip below is only part of Lucas's remarks from an event in November 2010, as the rest was not shown at the Oscars. According to TV Guide, Lucas also quipped, "I've learned how to spend money, and Francis has learned how to make it." For reference, here is video of George Lucas receiving the same award back in 1992.
John Williams Musical Tribute Prior to the presentation of the Oscar for Best Original Score, the audience was treated to a selection of iconic film music. Kicking off the suite of famous themes was John Williams' Star Wars Main Theme.
Spielberg to Portman: You Made George Proud The LA Times was backstage during the Oscars and reports the following:
Best picture presenter Steven Spielberg joined [Portman and Firth backstage after their wins]. "I'm kvelling. You know who's kvelling right now? George," Spielberg said, referring to Portman's "Star Wars" director George Lucas.
THX-1138 Gets a Plug While reviewing the importance of live action short films, presenter Amy Adams name-checked George Lucas's early work about a dystopian future.
Elsey, Baker Win the Oscar for Best Makeup Episode IV makeup artist Rick Baker and Episode III creature shop supervisor Dave Elsey received the Oscar for Best Achievement in Makeup for their work on Joe Johnston's The Wolfman. Boba Fett fans may remember Johnston as the man who, along with Ralph McQuarrie, developed the bounty hunter's outfit for Episode V. Incidentally, Dave Elsey was nominated for this award in 2006 for his work on Episode III. (Thanks for the heads-up, Chris!)
Original Trilogy Alums Remembered The award show's In Memoriam segment paid tribute to The Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner, Episode IV chief modelmaker Grant McCune, and Episode VI cinematographer Alan Hume.
If nothing else, the Oscars were a testament to the impact of George Lucas and the whole Star Wars family on the entire film industry.