Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our twelfth guest is best known in the GFFA as the face of Mara Jade – Shannon McRandle.
Lightsabre – Shannon, welcome to Lightsabre.
SM – Hi, Mark. Thanks for the interview!
Lightsabre – Anyone involved in Star Wars says that it is a life-altering experience, and I assume the same holds true for you. How much of a difference to your life has being a Star Wars celebrity made?
SM – I don’t think it’s really made a “difference” in my life, but it sure has been the most fun job I’ve ever had!!
Lightsabre – Mara Jade is an intense, strong woman and a definite fan favourite. What were your initial impressions of her when you first portrayed her?
SM – When I heard I had an appointment for the casting, I ran out and got a few of the comics and one of the first three novels. I loved her right away. Especially in the Zahn books. She’s just such an independent character. She is who she is whether you like it or not!!!
Lightsabre – When and where did you first see Star Wars?
SM – I saw it in 1977 with the rest of the world…I was seven and living in Norfolk, Virginia!
Lightsabre – Which of the Star Wars movies is your personal favourite?
SM – Empire. No doubt!
Lightsabre – Mixing in the sci-fi community at conventions and signings brings you into contact with other genre stars. Have you any other science fiction likes and dislikes?
SM – Oh, it’s terrible to say, but I like horror. Not really sci-fi, although you can’t beat a really well made sci-fi movie! It’s been real fun meeting characters from all the different genres. In Paris this past fall, I met Doug Bradley of Hellraiser. That was great. But I’ve also met Dirk Benedict from the original Battlestar. Wow, I used to have such a crush on him. And of course it has been wonderful to meet nearly the entire cast of all of the Star Wars movies!!!
Lightsabre – There is talk of a Star Wars television series coming in 2006. Would you be interested at portraying Mara on the small screen?
SM – Of course I would, so would every other red head in the world. I’m having a baby in August and don’t think I’ll be up for any audition…that’s if they even decide to write her in. The word is she’ll remain in the comics and novels.
Lightsabre – In your life outside of Star Wars you work in the modelling industry, so clearly you need to stay in tip-top shape. Do you work out at the gym, or does running around after two kids keep you fit enough?
SM – I usually spend about two hours a day five days a week in the gym. But since we moved to Maryland, I had my second child and got pregnant with my third, and had a spinal fusion, getting to the gym can sometimes be too hard. We have a great treadmill I walk on every other day, and yes! I do run around a great deal. Oh, and add the Doberman puppy to the mix. I also try very hard to eat well, although I do love pizza!
Lightsabre – And what do your kids think of their Mom being married to Dad as well as Luke Skywalker?
SM – My daughter has been going to cons with me since she was about a year old. She loves using me to meet the actors she likes from the movies!!! My son isn’t quit old enough to understand yet…but he does pick me out of the comics and posters we have.
Lightsabre – In Mara’s numerous appearances, what has been your favourite story so far?
SM – I like the original trilogy. When she was looking for Luke trying to kick his butt! I DID NOT like her trying to figure out what wedding dress she was going to wear in the Union comic. Ugh! That was so not Mara-like.
Lightsabre – Your association with Decipher has been a great success, taking both of you to the cover of the Insider and into the imaginations of the fans. Did you expect that when you signed on to be Mara?
SM – No, neither did they. No one realized what a wonderful fan base she already had. But that is due to how well Tim Zahn wrote her. I’m very happy that the majority of fans have supported me being cast as Mara. But for the ones who haven’t, I also understand that. You read a book and get a picture in your head of what the character looks and sounds like…I’m just not it for some people. I think Decipher was quite pleased with the results, as is Wizards of the Coast now that they have the license.
Lightsabre – Being Mara takes you all over the world to conventions and appearances. Do you have any humorous stories from one of these conventions?
SM – I don’t think really any humorous stories, but there are stories. There was a crazy kid in TX one time who got angry at me and told me if I couldn’t levitate the table I was sitting at or fight him with a lightsaber, I wasn’t really Mara Jade. In Japan, a young male fan was too shy to come up for an autograph and began sobbing uncontrollably. In Atlanta, Dragoncon, a man stopped me and said my costume was good but the real Mara’s was better. And there’s always the story of the fan who said something not very nice, or repeatable to me at a con in Wisconsin, who got thrown out for it and then decided to threaten my life on my website. Very memorable.
Lightsabre – You website is great to look at. How much input did you have on your websites design?
SM – I pretty much leave everything up to the designer, Alan Fore. He’s a wonderful artist. I send him pictures and write diary entries, but that’s about it. He does a great job, I don’t need to do or know how to do any more.
Lightsabre – What do you think of our site? We’d appreciate any comments good or bad…?
SM – I like it. I think as long as the website makes its members happy and is tasteful and fun, then it’s doing its job. If someone doesn’t like what you’re doing, they don’t have to pull you up.
Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview and we really appreciate your taking the time to talk to us. One final question. Mara Jade and Luke Skywalker are expecting another baby in the summer and they’ve just found out it’s a boy. Luke wants to call him Biggs and Mara wants to call him Talon. Who wins the argument?
SM – I’ve always liked the name Talon. It’s strong and sounds sharp to me, edgy. What better name. Personally, I’m going with Logan for my son due August 1st. My husband would never let me get away with Talon!
This interview was originally posted on lightsabre.co.uk on 2nd April 2005.
