Last Friday, after racing home from work and finding my Ralph McQuarrie through-the-mail autograph success -- there see the Wattographs forum for details -- Matt Rowan, now ironically a true “boy-in-blue”…a policeman, sits down to sign for Wattographs.

Chris Walsh: Hi Matt, how are you?
Matt Rowan: Good.
CW: First time I’ve had a police officer to my house.
MR: (Laughing) It’s ok, I’m off duty.

After offering him a drink we sit down and get to work.

CW: So, you seen many of these images before?
MR: Yeah, I saw most of them after they were taken, but I haven’t seen them since then. I assumed they just vanished into an archive somewhere.
CW: And your action figure?
MR: My figure I’ve seen. When they first came out, I bought a trolley (shopping cart) worth of them from the shops. The checkout person probably thought I was mad.
CW: What have you done with a trolley of figures?
MR: I’ve signed a lot for my mates and family and stuff. Only problem is that figures are very hard to sign on the card.
CW: A lot of people find that, don’t worry.

CW: I take it given the amount of make-up, you don’t get much street recognition? You can go the shops easily?
MR: (Laughing) Definitely, it’s mostly my mates who give me a hard time about it from time to time. That’s it.
CW: What was it like wearing all the make-up?
MR: It wasn’t too bad. I didn’t suffocate or anything like that.
CW: How long did it take to put on?
MR: Just over three hours. They had to make the tentacles fresh each time…
CW: Really?
MR: … yep, just because each time they had to tear them from me to get them off.
CW: Did you face hold up alright having so much stuff applied to it?
MR: Yeah, the make-up guys were really good. It still took half an hour to get it off me, but I’d rather they be careful about it.
CW: Of course.
MR: It was funny, I’d be in make-up talking to other actors for many hours, then I’d get the make-up off, walk past and they’d not know me. I had to re-introduce myself, as the guy in blue.

CW: Are you friends with any of the make-up team or other actors?
MR: I still talk to Kenji (Oates) and Tux (Akindoyeni) from time to time. We all shared the trip across to the Ranch for Episode 3.
CW: What did you have to do?
MR: Not much, there was just a pick up scene. They just filmed me alone, and inserted me in. Digital filming…
CW: Yep, makes it easy for them (ILM) though.
MR: Definitely.
CW: Do you get to do any other cool stuff whilst over there?
MR: I went to the shop on the Ranch and bought a whole lot of exclusive goodies that you can only buy there. And of course Tux, Kenji and I went out a few times and had a few drinks.

CW: Any other stories from the set? What were the cast and crew like?
MR: They were all very nice. I got along with the Australian guys the best, because for us, we were just excited to be in Star Wars. I was always a big fan, and would have done it for free.
CW: I bet, would you go back for the TV series if invited?
MR: Probably. I’m not acting anymore, but if the opportunity arose I’d look at it.
CW: I remember you saying you’re a policeman now. How long have you been doing that for?
MR: Eight years.
CW: Wow, since the movies then?
MR: Pretty much. I had to leave the academy (training) to come to Sydney to film my scenes every couple of days. It was a good time.
CW: Did you training mates know what you were doing?
MR: Yeah I told them, I had to .
CW: What about your wife, what does she do?
MR: She’s a copper too.
CW: (Laughing) That worked well. I met my wife at work also.
MR: Yeah we went to the academy together. It worked really well. Our first date was a Star Wars cast and crew party. (Laughing) I got to walk to bar and say “There is George Lucas, there is Hayden Christensen.” It was cool.
CW: Not many people can claim to that. Better than dinner and a movie I’m sure.
MR: Indeed.
CW: Did you ask for any autographs or anything like that from the bigger names?
MR: I love autographs but I didn’t ask. There was someone who did ask George though …
CW: Oh, yes?
MR: One of the Wookiees in Episode 3. He got fired.
CW: What happened?
MR: From what I saw, he was in costume, preparing for a scene and very politely explained to George that he was a big fan of his work and if he could sometime get his autograph.
CW: Yeah…
MR: George just walked away, not saying a word. Next thing, someone walked up, tapped him on the shoulder and that was it, escorted out.
CW: Wow…first I’ve heard of that.
MR: From what I’ve heard George is very accommodating off set, but I was told very early on, “don’t get star struck, don’t ask for autographs on set.” I can see why. He likes to keep it very professional whilst working. I can understand that.
CW: Do you know which Wookiee it was? I might know him.
MR: I think it was a basketball player. But none of his scenes made the film and he didn’t get any credit for it either, sorry.
CW: That’s fine, interesting tale though.

CW: Did you have many scenes that were filmed but cut?
MR: In Episode 2 I did. I had this huge conversation with Natalie (Portman) about Palpatine’s rise in the senate and debating the merits, etc.
CW: All cut…
MR: Yep, that’s just the way it is I guess.
CW: You’re not the first person who it’s happened too and I’m sure not the last.
MR: I was very surprised when I saw the movie, but that’s the business.

CW: I see online it credits you as having done some stand-up comedy. Any truth in that or has the internet got it wrong?
MR: (Laughing) No, definitely wrong. I did some stand up as part of my acting training as most do, but that’s it. I’m not sure if my agent at the time used that to embellish my portfolio or not. Either way, not me.
CW: Did you get invited to any red-carpet screenings?
MR: (Laughing) Nope, just a cast and crew screening. Still, that was pretty cool, but I’m not in the level of the other actors that get invited to those things

CW: (Finishing up) That’s it, mate…
MR: Easy.
CW: Excellent. Thanks for signing this stuff for the fans.
MR: Not a problem. I just hope they like it.
CW: I’m sure they will, there isn’t much of your signature out there, so it will help fill out their collections I’m sure..
MR: Excellent. Thanks for having me over.
CW: Anytime, pleased to have you.

Again, we pose for a few more photos and then he leaves. Another signing done and dusted and another very humble and friendly person met who was more than happy to share some tales with us.