John Jagwani Interviews Michael Sheard
Special Thanks to John Jagwani. See his site HERE.

". . . Ozzel is an interesting complex character who probably got where he did by knowing the right people rather than on his skill as a Commander. Had he been a little less inept he could have talked his way to the very top . . ."

10 TIHNGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ADMIRAL OZZEL
Favourite colors: Brown, Red
Favourite foods: Pasta, A fry up - but my wife doesn't let me have them often!
Favourite drink: The heather! I'm a Scot!
Favourite movie: The Wooden Horse
Favourite actor/actress: Me!!
Favourite music: Oh heck - Mozart
Favourite sport: Golf
Favourite hobbies: Writing, Sleeping in front of the Tellie after a hard days work!
Favourite pets/animals: My dog Sophie and dear old cat Gilbert
Favourite idol: Me! Of if you prefer, I don't think we should have idols, do you?!

John: What made you audition for Empire Stirkes Back and is it true that LucasFilm asked the BBC's employees to play small roles and be extras?
Michael: I didn't audition, I was sent the script by the casting director. No, although I've never heard of it, I'm sure the Beeb was never asked. Why should they? There are and were masses of extras around!

John: Was there any competition for who was going to be Ozzel, Piett, Veers and Needa or did George Lucas and/or Irvin Kershner decide?
Michael: It can't be for me to comment on other actors and the parts they played. All I can say is that I was sent the script and, if I remember corectly, my name was up on the board before I returned from filming Escape to Athena.

John: I haved noticed that other Imperial officers over the years not only went by title and a Last name eg. Capt. Needa is officially named Lorth Needa. And Veers' called Maximilian. What about "Ozzel", have you ever had a First name?
Michael: There has been an article written for a new sci-fi mag - which has been passed by LucasFilm - about the early life of 'Kendel' Ozzel.

John: What about his past, before the movie(s), were you told anything we fans haven't heard by the people behind the Star Wars phenomenon?
Michael: No, nothing, although the above mentioned article sounds interesting.

John: Would you have wanted him to have a larger part in the ESB plot, instead of his unfortunate-but-cool end?
Michael: This time I will say, 'Read my book!' - If the part had been larger I couldn't have done it because I'd just finished a movie and was contracted to do a TV series. 'Empire' fitted in very nicely just as it was.

John: The "choking" of yourself, I read on the internet that that scene was shot in one take; is this true or did you practice at home in front of a mirror or your family before going to Elestree Studios that morning?
Michael: It is perfectly true. I used to be known as 'One take Mike', not in fact a particularly good title. There always comes the day when things go pear-shaped.

John: What about bloopers, surely somebody must have laughed when you hit the floor and Piett looks at his feet? What about a madras, you didn't hit the Star Destroyer's floor head on?
Michael: Of course I didn't - it's called acting! No, no laughs as I recall. Congratulations perhaps!

John: The plot of the movie, how much were you, Piett, Veers and Needa told and did you have to swear to keep it secret, before allowed on set?
Michael: Again, I really can't speak for others - ask them - but, again, as far as I remember, I had my pages and I went to do a job. Yes, I think I was asked not to divulge anything, but then that always happens! Why give away the plot before the film comes out.

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