Interview

Paul Blake: "Koona t'chuta, Solo?” as Told by Greedo, Himself

Brightly lit, well-organized and clean, Madness Comics in Plano, Texas doesn’t look a lot like Wuher’s Cantina. But, on a hot summer night in June, some of the patronage was similar. Thanks to our friends at Galactic Productions, we were able to catch up with one of the most infamous customers who ever entered the Mos Eisley watering hole: Paul Blake, who played everyone’s favorite Rodian, Greedo.

During our brief conversation (which was recorded, but rendered unusable for Talking Bay 94 because of some … passionate screams from the players of a Board Game Night occurring in the same area), we covered it all: Mr. Blake’s start as an actor, his adventures at Elstree during the filming of the original Star Wars and the experiences he has had since.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Talking Bay 94: Mr. Blake, thank you so much for taking the time with us today. It is a real thrill. Before we dive into your time in the Star Wars universe, let’s go back to the very beginning: what inspired you to explore acting?

Paul Blake: Well the need for cash, of course. From the 1970’s onward, it was always just the need to eat. I got very lucky … I initially just wanted to meet girls! It was the reason I got into it in the first place. I gravitated to England and the UK, when people came from everywhere to make music and do theatre. I was very much getting into that scene.

So, I went to University and learned drama, just like my dad. And then I got into it bad. With two of my friends, they gave me the thirst.

And then I went to London: I got a job in a touring theatre company and we want all over the city. It was actually just a tent that we put up before the shows. We would get audiences of all types: people who came in to yell at you, as well as the top critics of the day. It was great practice and learning.

There were no movies really being produced, besides at Pinewood, Elstree and some of the TV studios. But, really, there were just the stars of the day and then … everything else was just scraps. Really, there was just the movies in the States and that was it.

But then George came to England.

Talking Bay 94: So, let’s talk about Elstree … let’s talk about 1976. How did you get involved with George and with the production?

Paul Blake: Again, I was lucky. I was working with Anthony Daniels on a children’s TV series on the BBC. We had just finished a Christmas special and he actually rung me up one night and said, “I’ve been working on something and it’s looking for actors … cheap!” He wanted to know if I wanted to come in and check it out.

So I came in, met George and then a month later, I was back at Elstree getting a lifecast made and I got the job.

Talking Bay 94: Putting on that lifecast must not have been the most fun thing in the world. What was the process of getting the costume and seeing yourself as Greedo for the first time?

Paul Blake: I remember sitting in a chair for an hour and getting plaster of Paris in every hole of me face, as well as a gel that protects your entire face. But, I really don’t remember too much about the actual day. People tell me all about it. They come up to me and say “I was there!”

You must remember, we all just thought it was another job. We thought it was going to be a disaster! And then two years or a year later, we figured out that this little film might have a future!

Talking Bay 94: What was the process of getting into character as Greedo? How was his story set up to you?

Paul Blake: The full script was actually sent to me. I was actually very lucky that I got all the pages, not just my lines. I showed it to my girlfriend (now wife) at the time and she looked it through and was like, “Where are you?”

And I was like, “Oh, you know, a couple things here or there.”

When she finally found it, she was said, “Oh, this is actually good! It’s like a little cowboy scene. A shoot-out at the OK Corral”

Then I remember turning up at the first day of shooting. There was a little mock-up of the Millennium Falcon’s gun towers, which was fun to play with, much to the annoyance of the crew. It seemed very intense, compared to other productions. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing.

Talking Bay 94: Harrison Ford was your scene partner. What was it like working so closely with him at such an early stage of his career?

Paul Blake: The mask finished at my neck, so we could take it off between takes. I don’t speak much Huttese (I do now!) but we were able to practice all our lines in English with the mask off. But, yeah, he was charming. I would like to say he was a bastard, but he wasn’t! He was very charming but very serious … he was very young. And this was his first starring role. So he was very determined to do it right.

But I think it worked out for him! I much prefer the younger one now though!

Talking Bay 94: Did you see Solo yet?

Paul Blake: I loved it! I thought it was great

Talking Bay 94: But, of course, what was the one thing it was missing?

Paul Blake: It needed Greedo!

But, now, think back to it … it set up Jabba! Everyone’s going off to Tatooine and, I’m sure, Greedo will be there to get shot yet again! He can never get away from being shot!

I mean, Greedo is famous on his own! He’s been in Family Guy and The Simpsons and Jay and Silent Bob. And he’s going to get shot every time! And there’s no escaping that! He must have missed close-range shooting day at bounty hunter school.

Talking Bay 94: You mentioned the staying power of Star Wars. What has it been like since 1976, with the other actors and the conventions and the fans?

Paul Blake: What has been nice is getting to know the actors who were not on set at the same time!

I, for instance, did not get to meet Carrie on set, as she had left already. But I got to know her at conventions and got to know the enigma that she is: wonderful and terrible and charming.

It has been delightful to meet the other actors who contributed to the movie. Sadly, so many people have passed on, but over the years … it became a very exclusive social club. There is no other film that I have ever done that has this staying power.

Talking Bay 94: It definitely does. Thank you for talking with us!

Again, we would like to thank Mr. Blake for taking the time and sitting down with us! And, as always, a very special thanks to Zach at Galactic Productions for setting this up.

by Brandon Wainerdi