Norman Reynolds, the production designer responsible for the original Star Wars trilogy and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, has died. Reports confirm that Reynolds, who director Steven Spielberg once called the “creative core” of both Lucasfilm franchises, passed away today, aged 89, with his wife Ann and their three daughters by his side. His death was first reported by BBC, and later confirmed by Lucasfilm LTD.
Despite being a behind-the-scenes contributor to the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, Norman Reynold’s work is arguably just as iconic as anything done by Mark Hamil or Harrison Ford, with one of Reynold’s many projects including the sculpting of the golden idol Ford’s Indiana Jones uses for the now-classic quick-swap during Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. His other designs include the swamp planet Dagobah and the carbonite freezing chamber from The Empire Strikes Back, as well as the boulder chase scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Some of Norman Reynold’s work has since been reimaged for later Star Wars works like The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and The Mandalorian (2019), showcasing the lasting talent of one man who designed sets that came to define generations of movie fans.
Norman Reynolds would go on to win multiple Oscars for his design work, with the first of these being awards for Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, where Reynolds served as art director and shared the trophy with fellow designers John Barry, Leslie Dilley, and Roger Christian, according to Deadline. He would win a second Oscar for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), where he served as the film’s production designer. Reynolds would also take over as production designer for Star Wars episodes five and six, completing the original trilogy.
Norman Reynolds Was an ‘Exceptional Person’ and ‘Massive Talent’
Norman Reynold’s cause of death has not been revealed, but all reports state that the designer passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his wife and daughters; in an official statement released by Lucasfilm, president Kathleen Kennedy stated that the company is “deeply saddened” by his loss, stating that “Norman was an exceptional person to work with…Our thoughts are with his family.”
Steven Spielberg, longtime director of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films and a friend and coworker of Reynolds, also added that “Norman was always smiling with enthusiasm, and there was nothing he couldn’t make work!” Spielberg, who once called Reynolds the “creative core” of Lucasfilm, also dubbed him, “Joyful and friendly and a massive talent.”
Following the official announcement of his death, Norman Reynolds’ family released the following statement to BBC:
“Norman was a cherished husband, father, father-in-law, granddad and great grandad. You would not know that behind his unassuming, funny and affable exterior lay an enormously talented production designer who brought so many of the films we all love to life through his iconic set designs. He was amazed at the fanbase his work created and how much his work meant to them. But above all, he loved and delighted in his large and growing family.”
Norman Reynolds, aged 86, is survived by his wife Ann, the couple’s three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. More information regarding his cause of death, funeral, or memorial service has yet to be announced but may become available soon.