Sunday, September 7, 2008

Master Poster Artist Drew Struzan Retires


For anyone that knows me personally, I'm a big fan of movie posters. And not just any movie posters- I'm a fan of classic, art driven movie posters. I currently have twenty posters hanging in my dorm room right now, most of which are of this variation. However, I am slightly ashamed to admit that, of those twenty posters, only one of them is a Drew Struzan.


For those who don't know (and if you don't, you should be ashamed of yourself), Drew Struzan is the master of poster artwork. This isn't a guy that just photoshops some floating heads of actors together for a poster. Struzan has made the poster a form of art over the many years he has been creating them. In his posters, Struzan was able to create the feel of movie magic that only filmmakers like Steven Spielberg were able to create. Over the years, he created classic posters for films such as The Star Wars Trilogy (old and new), The Indiana Jones Trilogy, The Thing, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Back to the Future Trilogy, The Goonies, An American Tail, Big Trouble in Little China, Adventures in Babysitting, Hook, Hocus Pocus, Mallrats, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Hellboy I and II, and many more.

As you can see from that list, Struzan has created a lot of posters, most of which are some of the greatest posters that you'll see in your life time.

Now, today, comes the news that he is hanging up his paint brushes and retiring from the movie poster making business. I cannot tell you how bummed I am to hear that he is retiring. Slowly, my favorite things about the movies and the magic that they can contain are being taken away from me. If you have the time, pick up the DVD of The Mist and watch the featurette on Struzan and his contributions not only to that film but to the movie industry as a whole.

Drew, you and your artwork will be missed. Be sure to check out some of Struzan's best posters below.











It doesn't get any better than this. Man, this is depressing news. Hopefully, it will be one of those retirements that only lasts a couple of months. I just can't see a world without Drew Struzan movie posters.

5 comments:

movie_fan225 said...

You really gotta stop staying in the past. Movies are growing and transforming. Be happy and not sad, Wesley. It's all good, baby.

Wesley said...

The fact that you don't admit that Struzan's retirement is sad is depressing. Just look at all the art he has created.

movie_fan225 said...

Hey I didn't say it wasn't sad. He has done some amazing artwork. Timeless and groundbreaking. But it'll be ok. There's other very talented artists out there. Don't lose hope.

Wesley said...

There aren't many. Most just use photoshop and floating heads. There will never be anyone like Struzan.

Jason said...

Man that artwork is awesome. Posters are lazy nowadays, and they are usually something I don't get very excited about.