Update 16 December 2012:

I recently had the priviledge of speaking with John Simpkin, the actor who portrayed Klaatu in the Jabba's Palace scenes, and he was gracious enough to allow me to ask a few questions about his experiences during the making of the film.

- You played Klaatu in Jabba's Palace, but did you play any other parts in Return of the Jedi? What about A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back or the Prequels?

John Simpkin: I didn't work on any of the other Star Wars films ... I did, however, play a Stormtrooper in several scenes, including the one where (my old friend) Barrie Holland utters the immortal line "You Rebel scum!" I also once wore the Wooof costume.

- Were you a fan of the Star Wars films before getting the part of Klaatu and were you excited about being a part of the movie? Or was it just another job at the time?

JS: Well, I'm not sure that I could have been called a fan at the time, though I certainly enjoyed and admired the first two movies... I was definitely a Sci-Fi fanatic though, having grown up reading Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Heinlein etc... Watching Dr. Who and Star Trek on TV , and being blown away by 2001 A Space Odyssey. So, yes I was pretty damn excited when I got that job, and was very aware it would be something special. If I remember correctly, I was booked originally for four weeks, but it turned into seven or eight!

- We know that all of the interior scenes of Jabba's Palace and the interiors of the Sail Barge were filmed in London, but the exterior skiff battle scenes were filmed in Yuma, Arizona. So, is that a different actor under the mask for the exterior battle scenes atop the Sail Barge?

JS: Unfortunately they didn't take me to Arizona for the Sail Barge scene, much as I would have loved to have gone. In the Sail Barge sequence the Klaatu scenes were played by Billie Dee Williams's son Corrie (with the 'apron' part of the costume the wrong way round I should add! A 'mistake' that has been copied on to a lot of toys).

- I've always wondered about Klaatu's "apron" and why it appears one way in the Palace and another way on the deck of the Sail Barge. I guess the way it appeared in the Palace should be considered correct since that was filmed first. Any idea why the apron might have been reversed on the Sail Barge, or do you think that was just a mistake?

JS: I'm pretty sure the apron should really be worn to the front for these reasons: When I had my initial fitting, I remember the wardrobe team referring to some sketches (presumably by the designer) and taking numerous Polaroid pics. Also, Wooof wears an animal skin apron (think I was a bit envious of that at the time), also to the front!

- We've been hearing about the miserable conditions for the costumed actors during filming of ROTJ for decades now. So how bad was it compared to jobs you might have had before? What was your worst day like and what was your best day like while filming? Any funny stories to tell?

- "Wooof" was a nickname that eventually became the name for the other Klaatu in Jabba's Palace. So, was there a nickname for your character on set, or was he always called Klaatu?

JS: I don't remember hearing the name Klaatu to be honest, but I'm not sure. I do remember being given a brief lesson in how they wanted us to stand. Kind of leaning forward slightly with arms held highish, a little like a Praying Mantis!

I've included two photos to demonstrate this. In the photo below, Wooof is doing a great job of this, while I'm on the right looking far too relaxed!

Here you can see me, left of Jabba, walking The Klaatu Walk:

- Did you have any choice as to which character you would play in Jabba's Palace?

JS: I didn't have a choice. But I do remember when I saw the two very similar masks that became Klaatu and Wooof, I was strangely drawn to Klaatu... I thought it was an amazing piece of work. Even standing on a wig stand it had incredibly realistic eyes and looked... alive. So I was pretty happy with my part.

- I'm not sure if anyone really understood in those early days just how much of a lasting impact Star Wars would continue to have in the decades to follow. So when did it sink in that this was more than just another movie and that you had been a part of something special? Or has that really sunk in yet?

JS: As I said earlier, I was aware I was working on something special. If there was one time that I realised this was more than just a great movie, it was when my son, who was already a bit of a Sci-fi fan, started collecting Star Wars Lego and models, and I realised there were actually action figures of MY character! Then a couple of years ago I got a phone call from Dean Mitchell who organises conventions, and had a great day at a London show, signing alongside Dave Prowse and Jeremy Bulloch... I realised then that I'd been lucky enough to have been part of something awesome.

- Outside of the Star Wars movies, what other films have you worked on?

JS: Loads of stuff in my 20 year career! I guess some of the more interesting ones were Flash Gordon (Hawkman.. Now that was was a truly painful costume, I had to have days off for the welts on my shoulders to heal!), The Legend (Tom Cruise's stand-in), The French Lieutenant's Woman, The Lords of Discipline, Octopussy, Never Say Never Again, For Your Eyes Only, Goldeneye, Franco Zefferelli's Hamlet (action double for Mel Gibson) and many more.

- With the announcement of new Star Wars films coming up, do you have any interest in being a part of those movies as well?

JS: I think it's good news about Disney. I hope and believe they will uphold and continue the fine tradition of Star Wars. But I very much doubt I would get any offers these days! I made a conscious decision to get out of the film business while the going was good twelve years ago , and am very happy working as a personal trainer, and playing guitar in my band 'Peach'. However, in the fantasy situation of somebody asking me to wear the Klaatu costume in a new movie, would I say yes? Damn right I would!

- In closing, is there anything you would like to say to the fans?

JS: I seem to have met hundreds of Star Wars fans in the last couple of years, and I can honestly say they're some of the nicest people I've ever met... I like the way there's such a fantastic atmosphere of fun at the conventions. At the last convention I attended, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rick Stanley, who runs the excellent SciFi Signers Co-Operatitive and invited me to join ...Its been a great experience. I love hearing from people all over the world who make contact.. Usually for autographs, but sometimes just to ask a question about playing Klaatu, or R.O.T.J. Keep those emails coming guys, it's such a pleasure to hear from you!

If you would like to contact John directly, you can do so through the website below :