Ralph McQuarrie has passed away.

[Enterprise is Great]

Yeah, they're both desert planets.... other than that?

Fremen=Sand People

Both are centers of the spice trade.

I don't recall anything linking Sand People to the spice trade.

 

[Yevetha]

No, sandpeople did not equal Fremen. The sandpeople were exactly on par with just generic desert bandits. So what?

They arent, they live on Tatooine and rarely leave.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

So what?

 

[Turtletrekker]

I don't recall Sandpeople having anything to do with the spice trade, either.

 

[Set Harth]

The Sandpeople have a Fremen-like historical migration backstory, but this wasn't introduced until 2003.

 

[Yevetha]

Pobably Biowares idea.

 

[I Grok Spock]

Apparently, there was some borrowing involved in the design evolution of the Wookiees. But that's how art works, it is inspired by what has come before and inspires what comes after.

The original Art of Star Wars series books are among my favorite Star Wars items and I spent many hours poring over them as a kid. Lots of great McQuarrie art in there. His direct presence was missed in the prequels.

 

[TrickyDickie]

Just in case there are those who have not seen Ralph's art on the Star Wars cover, here it is. He was an awesome artist:

 

[Set Harth]

Pobably Biowares idea.

As far as I know.