Cloud City - The Empire Strikes Back Concept Art By Ralph McQuarrie (1978)

Concept Art of Darth Maul for Solo: A Star Wars Story by Jake Lunt Davies

According to early scripts, the original finale of “Return of the Jedi” would have been around the capital of the Empire, then named “Had Abbadon,” a planet that was one colossal city (an idea re-used in the prequels). The original threat was not one, but two death stars under construction in orbit around Had Abbadon, which also had a moon filled with life known as the Green Moon (which later on became Endor in the later drafts). Luke was taken by Vader to the Emperor’s palace and throne room on Had Abbadon, filled with lava. 

This was rewritten to streamline things and make the finale less ambitious, but Ralph McQuarrie did the art for the original concept.

The Star Wars: Concept Trailer Original Concept Art by Ralph McQuarrie Animation by The DAVE School

The amazing concept art of Ralph McQuarrie for Star Wars

Artbook: Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie

Ralph McQuarrie, “Hoth Shield Generator”

Death Star Assault - Star Wars Concept art (detail) by Ralph McQuarrie (1975)

Star Wars: The Art of The Force Awakens Concept Art

Concept Art by Terryl Whitlatch | Naboo & Tatooine

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - Padme Amidala Concept Art | by Sang Jun Lee