EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Director Irvin Kershner Dead at 87

Though George Lucas received all the glory,  it was Irvin Kershner who actually directed THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, generally considered the best in the Star Wars series. Kershner was a skilled, workmanlike director who often helmed sequels or series (ROBOCOP 2, RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN) and was therefore a bit unheralded. His 1976 fact-based thriller RAID ON ENTEBBE starring Charles Bronson was one the most exciting TV movies of the 70′s.

From EMPIRE:

Irvin Kershner – the man who gave us some of the most indelible moments in cinema history with The Empire Strikes Back - has died. He was 87.

Kersh, as he was fondly known, died at his home following a long illness.

He was, of course, best known for directing The Empire Strikes Back, arguably the greatest chapter in the Star Wars saga (and which celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this year). But Kershner also made contributions to other franchises, directing RoboCop 2 and Sean Connery’s last appearance as James Bond in the ‘unofficial’ 007 flick, Never Say Never Again….

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