Star Wars fan rebuilds Luke Skywalker's home

[Hammock Parties]

Darth Spader to the rescue: Star Wars fan rebuilds Luke Skywalker's desert 'igloo' from 1977 film after it falls into disrepair

* Terry Cooper leads team of movie nuts in renovation of iconic building
* Sci-fi writer was shocked to find it falling to pieces in Tunisian desert

By Simon Tomlinson

PUBLISHED: 21:12 EST, 17 June 2012 | UPDATED: 03:30 EST, 18 June 2012

A movie fan has renovated one of the most famous buildings in Star Wars after it was in danger of being lost forever.

Terry Cooper led a team which has repaired the desert home of young hero Luke Skywalker featured in the first film of the series.

The 'igloo' was built in the Tunisian desert where many of the scenes were shot near the remote village of Tataouine.

Sci-fi fan Terry, 42, visited the desert to see the Skywalker house - but was horrified to see it was crumbling.

Terry said: 'It's such an iconic building to fantasy fans.

'It was going to waste for the sake of a relatively small amount of money and effort to save it.'

Terry raised cash to preserve the iconic building - and other film fans said: 'May the force be with you.'

Terry recruited other Star Wars fans to return the igloo to its original condition before it falls to pieces.

The fans from Europe and the US have re-plastered and repaired the plywood and chicken wire building working in blistering 115F heat.

Director George Lucas named the planet in a 'far far away galaxy' Tatooine after the dusty village in the Sahara.

He was one of millions across the world who watched the 1977 Star Wars movie - the first film in the original trilogy.

The igloo home of Luke and his foster family was destroyed by stormtroopers from the Galactic Empire.

Terry, of Cardiff, said: 'I last visited the set three years ago and it was sad to see the structure falling into disrepair.

'The degradation of the site was quite dramatic and without work on it could be lost forever.'

Terry is a keen sci-fi writer who has penned the Kangazang! novels - and his first book was narrated for audio by former Dr Who star Colin Baker.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2160869/Star-Wars-fan-rebuilds-Luke-Skywalkers-crumbling-igloo.html

Tatty-ooine: Luke Skywalker's crumbling 'igloo' as shocked Star Wars fan Terry Cooper found it when he visited the structure in the remote Tunisian desert
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0E0C000005DC-785_634x397.jpg


The light side: The finished article after Mr Cooper toiled in 115F heat to re-plaster and repair the plywood and chicken wire building used in the 1977 film
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139EFB5B000005DC-936_634x421.jpg

May the farce be with you: Mr Cooper was horrified to find that such an iconic film location was crumbling when it only required a reasonably modest sum to renovate
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139EFA46000005DC-742_634x379.jpg


Hut nut: Mr Cooper (pictured), a keen sci-fi writer, sought help from fellow Star Wars fans to return the igloo to its original condition
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0D50000005DC-357_634x463.jpg


Striking back: Cardiff man Mr Cooper said the degradation of the site was 'quite dramatic' and without work could have been lost forever
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0FFC000005DC-394_634x474.jpg

A New Hope: Proud Mr Copper outside the finished igloo, which in the film was destroyed by stormtroopers from the Galactic Empire
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0025000005DC-750_634x439.jpg

Iconic setting: Luke Skywalker emerges from his home in the 1977 Star Wars film
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-13A9686B000005DC-824_634x338.jpg

[Deberg_1990]

Why didnt Lucas pay to keep it up?

[Fire Me Boy!]

Why didnt Lucas pay to keep it up?

Because he's an asshole.

[blaise]

He better have those units in the South Ridge repaired by midday, or there'll be hell to pay.

[Saulbadguy]

I bet he went to the Tosche Station to pick up some power convertors.

[Bugeater]

The level of dorkassery displayed by Star Wars fans never ceases to amaze me.

[Frazod]

Why didnt Lucas pay to keep it up?

Why would he give a shit? Why should he?

I mean, I hate Darth Lucas as much as the next guy, but for pissing all over the first three movies with the last three, not worrying about some 35 year old set in the middle of the Sahara.

[Deberg_1990]

Why would he give a shit? Why should he?

I mean, I hate Darth Lucas as much as the next guy, but for pissing all over the first three movies with the last three, not worrying about some 35 year old set in the middle of the Sahara.

Yea, i should have made my point more clear. If Lucas didnt give a crap, why should this guy?

[Hammock Parties]

He better have those units in the South Ridge repaired by midday, or there'll be hell to pay.

LMAO

Fuck, Star Wars is the best thing to come out of the last century.

[siberian khatru]

I'm just stunned that it was still there. I just assumed they tore it down when finished shooting. And having left it there, I can't believe ANYTHING is left ... that after 30+ years, people would've cannibalized it, leaving virtually nothing but a hole in the ground.

[tooge]

wonder if there is a pitcher of that blue milk in there.

[tomahawk kid]

I'm just stunned that it was still there. I just assumed they tore it down when finished shooting. And having left it there, I can't believe ANYTHING is left ... that after 30+ years, people would've cannibalized it, leaving virtually nothing but a hole in the ground.

I thought I read somewhere that they renovated it for the final scenes in Revenge of the Sith - not 100% positive though.

[Hammock Parties]

wonder if there is a pitcher of that blue milk in there.

I'm sure it's blue cheese by now.

[Bugeater]

I'm just stunned that it was still there. I just assumed they tore it down when finished shooting. And having left it there, I can't believe ANYTHING is left ... that after 30+ years, people would've cannibalized it, leaving virtually nothing but a hole in the ground.
I'm sure the fact that it's located in the middle of nowhere in the Sahara desert has something to do with that. If it was anywhere in the U.S. it would've been stolen and placed in the basement of some Star Wars dork's house years ago.

[Kylo Ren]

That doesn't really look big enough to live in comfortably.

[Hammock Parties]

That doesn't really look big enough to live in comfortably.

It has underground spaces.

[Kylo Ren]

Do movie fans regularly do this kind of thing for any other movie in history? Sure, Star Trek fans dress up and go to conventions, but the level of loyalty and love that the original Star Wars movies receive is unlike any other movie that I know of.

[Kylo Ren]

It has underground spaces. Oh right. Where was that hot tub for doids? I assume that was in another building.

[MIAdragon]

I thought I read somewhere that they renovated it for the final scenes in Revenge of the Sith - not 100% positive though.

The igloo was taken apart after the shooting of the first trilogy but was rebuilt for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Some memorable scenes were shot here, including Shmi Skywalker's funeral in Attack of the Clones, and the final shot of Revenge of the Sith. It's a good idea to visit this location near the evening. When the sun sets in the middle of the desert and with the little igloo as the only structure nearby, you'll get a spectacular view.

http://www.losapos.com/starwarstunisia

[Hammock Parties]

Oh right. Where was that hot tub for doids? I assume that was in another building.

http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/f/fc/ITW_Lars_Homestead.jpg

[Ace Gunner]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0025000005DC-750_634x439.jpg
That white is way way fugly. What a douche.

[Saulbadguy]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0025000005DC-750_634x439.jpg
That white is way way fugly. What a douche.

It will weather very quickly, I bet.

[Frankie]

Seems to me these fans would have done better spending their energy with Habitat For Humanity if they wanted to build/repair some home.

[jspchief]

Seems to me these fans would have done better spending their energy with Habitat For Humanity if they wanted to build/repair some home.As soon as a jedi needs habitat for humanity, I'm sure that'll happen.

[Saul Good]

Seems to me these fans would have done better spending their energy with Habitat For Humanity if they wanted to build/repair some home.

Your money would be better spent paying for vaccinations for third world children than on your internet connection, you hypocrite.

[Kylo Ren]

http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/f/fc/ITW_Lars_Homestead.jpg

Of course! I should have know there was an artists rendering of the entire complex.

[Frankie]

Your money would be better spent paying for vaccinations for third world children than on your internet connection, you hypocrite.

Good point.

(But I do pay enough to charities too.)

[blaise]

Seems to me these fans would have done better spending their energy with Habitat For Humanity if they wanted to build/repair some home.

Said the person posting on a message board.

[Cornstock]

Does anyone else find that England-English can lack flow? I thought that this article was an awkward read.

[Frankie]

Said the person posting on a message board.

I've already conceded the point. But I spend very little time on the message board compared to most posters.

[blaise]

I've already conceded the point. But I spend very little time on the message board compared to most posters.

And you don't know what these Star Wars fans do for charity. Really, Frankie, come on.

[Rain Man]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0025000005DC-750_634x439.jpg
That white is way way fugly. What a douche.

Not to mention that the Sand People will be able to see it a parsec away.

[Frankie]

I've already conceded the point. But I spend very little time on the message board compared to most posters.

BTW, blaise, I've been posting at a 189posts/month clip throughout my membership here while your tally is 239/month. Just sayin'. ;)

[Frankie]

And you don't know what these Star Wars fans do for charity. Really, Frankie, come on.

No quarrels here. I'm being a bit ornery, 'tsall.

[Saul Good]

BTW, blaise, I've been posting at a 189posts/month clip throughout my membership here while your tally is 239/month. Just sayin'. ;)

He isn't the one bitching because someone chose to spend time and money on a non-charitable act.

[Bugeater]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/18/article-2160869-139F0025000005DC-750_634x439.jpg
That white is way way fugly. What a douche.
Yeah, not much curb appeal there. A warmer color and some shutters would make it much more homey. Bet it sits on the market for at least 180 days.

[Frankie]

He isn't the one bitching because someone chose to spend time and money on a non-charitable act.

I wasn't bitching. I was opining, and as you may have not noticed, I took it back when presented a good argument.

That particular response to blaise was tongue in cheek and only underlining that I don't spend most of my time here. You may now loosen your panties, my friend. ;)

[siberian khatru]

I'm sure the fact that it's located in the middle of nowhere in the Sahara desert has something to do with that. If it was anywhere in the U.S. it would've been stolen and placed in the basement of some Star Wars dork's house years ago.

I was thinking more along the lines of natives. Maybe nomads who over the years wandered by and picked the thing apart.

[Kylo Ren]

I really think this guy should go all the way and rebuild the ENTIRE underground complex. If he doesn't, he's not a TRUE Star Wars fan.

[Hammock Parties]

I really think this guy should go all the way and rebuild the ENTIRE underground complex. If he doesn't, he's not a TRUE Star Wars fan.

Pretty sure most of the "underground" stuff was shot on sound stages in England.

[Frazod]

Pretty sure most of the "underground" stuff was shot on sound stages in England.

No. It was in Tunisia as well.

http://goafrica.about.com/b/2007/11/21/star-wars-tours-in-tunisia.htm

[Graystoke]

Now it is ready for the US to get some practice drone strikes in.

[Hammock Parties]

Yeah, he shot more than just the one little hut, but I think the interiors, like the oil bath scene, were filmed elsewhere.

[Hammock Parties]

Man, this is cool as fuck:

http://www.losapos.com/starwarstunisia

So going to Tunisia one day.

[notorious]

http://www.losapos.com/pics/04/swtunis03.jpg


That is kind of cool.

[Bugeater]

I can't believe they went all the way to fucking Tunisia to film this when we have a perfectly good desert here in the United States.

[mikey23545]

Yeah, not much curb appeal there. A warmer color and some shutters would make it much more homey. Bet it sits on the market for at least 180 days.

Location, location, location.

[Kylo Ren]

Pretty sure most of the "underground" stuff was shot on sound stages in England. Yes, I know.

[BigChiefFan]

I hope they aren't planning on leaving it white. Sticks out like a sore thumb.

[Bugeater]

I hope they aren't planning on leaving it white. Sticks out like a sore thumb.
Yeah, it'll definitely drive the neighbors nuts.

[BigChiefFan]

Yeah, it'll definitely drive the neighbors nuts.

They need to pull the landspeeders in the garage, as well. No parking on the drive, people.

[Kylo Ren]

I hear this guy is taking donations to rebuild the Death Star too. Sounds like a worthy cause to me. I might PayPal him a few bucks.

[Frazod]

I hear this guy is taking donations to rebuild the Death Star too. Sounds like a worthy cause to me. I might PayPal him a few bucks.

Meh. Goddamn rebels always blow them up right after they become operational. What a money pit.

[Rain Man]

Yeah, not much curb appeal there. A warmer color and some shutters would make it much more homey. Bet it sits on the market for at least 180 days.

Some people really like a big lot, though.

[DJJasonp]

THis is all well and good.......but you know damn well, Lucas is going to come back every 10 years and make "adjustments" to it.

[Predarat]

Awesome stuff!