The most famous movie posters of Drew Struzan

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Drew Struzan, who He passed away this weekHe’s likely burned some of his artwork into your mind at some point. Over the past nearly forty years, Struzan’s timeless art He gave us some The most famous movie posters For all ages, explaining classic after classic.

To celebrate his legacy, we’re taking a walk down memory lane with a collection and reminder of the best of a career filled with the best of the best, but especially his works from across the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror (plus a few others we can’t resist).

Drew Struzan The Dark Tower
© Drew Struzan

Okay, so we’re cheating a little to begin with, but it’s best not to include it here. this Dark Tower Art was not for Dark Tower film but instead for use as the opening of King’s 2007 film Fog. Thomas Jane’s David Drayton, an illustrator, is seen working on this hypothetical movie poster before things get started.

Drew Struzan is a big problem in Little China
© Drew Struzan

Just another absolute icon of the 80s poster business – there’s a lot going on here, and it’s all good, but Kurt Russell’s Jack Burton standing tall above it all is priceless.

In many ways, Struzan is like that star wars As every concept artist or designer in the galaxy was far and wide: his poster work, from the reissue of the original all the way to the special poster he designed for it The force awakens Post-retirement, they are some of the most defining images of the entire franchise. We’re focusing on theatrical posters here, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the dozens of illustrations Struzan created for book covers star wars“The Expanded Universe (including this lavish cover of the infamous Wonderful Things Courting Princess Leia).

star wars 1978 “Circus Poster”

Drew Struzan Star Wars 1978
© Drew Struzan

Revenge of the Jedi

Drew Struzan Revenge of the Jedi
© Drew Struzan

star wars Special Editions

Prequel trilogy

power wakes up

Drew Struzan The Force Awakens
© Drew Struzan
Drew Struzan Blade Runner
© Drew Struzan

Struzan first began painting this work of art Blade RunnerIts original theatrical release was in 1982, but it was eventually overtaken, and the piece was left unfinished for nearly two decades. When Ridley Scott returned to… Blade Runner To release the director’s cut of the film, he returned to Struzan to ask if it would be possible to finally complete the piece, giving it the spotlight it deserved.

Drew Struzan Hocus Pocus
© Drew Struzan

Struzan also provided this classic portrait of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy for Hocus pocus1993 edition.

If Struzan becomes part of star wars Through his posters, then he He is the Indiana Jones series. Struzan’s style perfectly embodies Indy’s romantic adventure, and his poster work defined the visual language of the series for many people. Unfortunately, Struzan was nearing retirement and was unable to work Dial Destinybut like with star warsHe illustrated many additional works for the series, including book covers and artwork for the series Chronicles of Young Indiana Jones TV series. However, a special shout out must go to his famous poster for Disneyland’s famous Indy ride, Indiana Jones Adventure.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (international poster)

Raiderssofthelostark
© Drew Struzan

Temple of Doom

Drew Struzan Temple of Doom
© Drew Struzan

The last crusade

Drew Struzan The Last Crusade
© Drew Struzan

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Drew Struzan Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
© Drew Struzan

Struzan explained the posters to everyone Back to the future trilogy, cleverly builds on his idea for the first film to slowly incorporate more and more characters and details as the films progress – making a set that no poster collector simply can own one of.

Drew Struzan Hawk
© Drew Struzan

There are a lot of fun textural details to Struzan’s work on this early ’90s classic, which, like many of his best posters, draws on a lot of elements from the film itself – but this treasure map prop is absolutely perfect.

If Struzan was iconic for his ability to capture movie stars – real human beings – then seeing him transfer that craft to the Muppets across many of their beloved films has been a real treat.

Christmas Carol Dolls

Drew Struzan The Muppets A Christmas Carol
© Drew Struzan

The Muppets movie

Drew struzan puppet movie
© Drew Struzan

Treasure Island Dolls

Drew Struzan Muppets Treasure Island
© Drew Struzan

Big caper dolls

Drew Struzan is the great dummy
© Drew Struzan
Drew Struzan thing
© Drew Struzan

And once again, by playing against type – a unique personality that cannot be captured – Struzan ultimately created one of the most chilling and iconic horror film posters of all time.

Drew Struzan fools
© Drew Struzan

the Fools The poster, like the film itself, has grown in appreciation over time, especially with its very clever setting that conveys the usual Struzan montage of characters in a unique way.

Struzan became firm friends with Guillermo del Toro and star Ron Perlman and Hellboy Creator Mike Mignola after being commissioned to develop the original poster Hellboy The film, even if it’s never used. He came back in a roundabout way Golden armypresenting its stunning exclusive poster for SDCC in 2008.

Hellboy

Drew Struzan Hellboy
© Drew Struzan

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Drew Struzan Hellboy 2
© Drew Struzan
Drew Struzan Cowboys & Aliens
© Drew Struzan

Sure, say what you will about the movie. But if that’s not a good poster – here’s another SDCC exclusive, this time for 2011. Struzan can take over Harrison Ford at any age.

Drew Struzan returns to Oz
© Drew Struzan

Another case of Struzan making magic out of a film that didn’t have the best history in pop culture history. Back to Oz is another great example of Struzan turning his craft toward less human subjects and still delivering something incredible.

Drew Struzan et al
© Drew Struzan

Saving one of the best of all time for our latest walk through the Struzan archives, at The poster is one of the purest examples of what made the artist’s work timeless: it evokes that feeling of wanderlust and romantic nostalgia with every brushstroke.

Want more io9 news? Check when to expect the latest marvel, star warsand Star Trek Releases, what’s next for DC Universe in film and televisionAnd everything you want to know about the future Doctor Who.



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