Re: Early version
I agree, there will be a number of basic concepts before the final cut to 3 or 4 working concepts, then onto something closer to the final product.
Also, as far as am aware, concept designs, and even final ones do not have to credits info on them.
This is added as a seperate item during the preparation for print process I think.
Re: Early version
Its interesting you mentioned that, finti...I have seen a poster of that scene, in fact I saw a clip that was cut right after that where (after Luke falls) Vader uses the Force to raise him back up, then apparently changes his mind and lets Luke fall. Or, I guess George changed his mind. Now THAT would have been interesting....
Poster history
Finti,it is interesting to note that the poster that you mention was in fact a rush release due to the fact that the original poster, the one dubbed 'Gone with the wind', you know the one i mean, where Han is looking down lovingly at Leia, was pulled due to a contract disagreement with Billy Dee Williams, by that i mean he did not feature on the poster at all and he was not happy! The poster was later reissued with Lando down in the right hand corner firing a blaster, oh, and for good measure Boba Fett was thrown in as well.