15 INTRIGUING FACTS ABOUT STAR WARS ORIGINAL TRILOGY
Despite immense challenges, Star Wars emerged as a massive success, birthing an expansive franchise that continues to grow through upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.
Actors, writers, and directors involved in Star Wars have also shared captivating behind-the-scenes anecdotes that provide fresh perspectives on the films. These revelations invite viewers to revisit the series and foster a deeper appreciation for the immense effort invested in crafting one of the greatest sagas in cinematic history.
Among the numerous details surrounding the making of the original trilogy, 15 stand out as particularly memorable and instrumental in shaping the Star Wars franchise.
15. Yoda Nearly Had a Monkey Actor
When it came to bringing Yoda to life in "The Empire Strikes Back," various approaches were considered, one of which involved the possibility of casting a monkey to portray the Jedi master.
This concept involved the monkey wearing a Yoda mask and carrying a cane, with a monkey trainer present on set. Fortunately, George Lucas and the production team recognized the impracticality of this idea, ultimately leading to the creation of the iconic Yoda puppet operated by Frank Oz.
14. Darth Vader Had Four Different Actors (From a Certain Point of View)
Darth Vader considered himself and Anakin Skywalker as distinct individuals, and interestingly, four different actors contributed to his portrayal. David Prowse primarily inhabited the Vader suit throughout the original trilogy, while James Earl Jones lent his iconic voice to the character.
In "Return of the Jedi," when Vader was unmasked, Sebastian Shaw portrayed Anakin. However, for the 2004 DVD release, Hayden Christensen replaced Shaw as Anakin's Force Ghost, aligning the original trilogy with the prequel trilogy.
13. Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford Engaged in a Romantic Affair
The on-screen romantic chemistry between Leia Organa and Han Solo in the original trilogy was undeniable, but what many didn't realize was the real-life connection between the actors. In her 2016 memoir, "The Princess Diarist," Carrie Fisher candidly disclosed that she and Harrison Ford had a romantic affair while filming Star Wars in 1976. She humorously described it as "Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend."
Despite the age difference (Fisher was 19, Ford was 33 and a married father of two), Fisher expressed her trust in him and fondly remembered his kindness during their time together.
12. Carrie Fisher Battled with Substance Abuse
Carrie Fisher bravely shared her ongoing battle with drug use, which extended to her time working on Star Wars. She openly admitted to using drugs while filming "The Empire Strikes Back," and this continued during the production of "Return of the Jedi."
It's important to note that drug use, particularly cocaine, was a prevalent issue in Hollywood during that era, with Fisher being just one of many individuals in the industry dealing with this challenge on set.
11. George Lucas's Near-Death Experience Caused by the Stress of Creating Star Wars
The stress that accompanies creative endeavors is a common plight for many artists, but in George Lucas's case, it took a perilous turn while he was working on the initial Star Wars film. Lucas began experiencing intense chest pain, prompting him to admit himself to a hospital out of concern that he might be having a heart attack. Fortunately, it was diagnosed as hypertension resulting from extreme stress.
However, had he persisted under such pressure, the consequences could have been far graver. Lucas's unwavering commitment to bringing the film to fruition, despite the tremendous stress that endangered his life, is truly commendable.
10. A Nearly Unrecognizable Alternate Ending for Star Wars
It might be surprising, especially given the happy ending of "Return of the Jedi," but the original trilogy came close to having a dramatically different conclusion. An early script envisioned Luke killing Vader, donning his mask, and declaring, "Now I am Vader," subsequently becoming the universe's new ruler.
While this ending appears bold, George Lucas recognized that Luke's turn to the dark side would have had a profound and distressing impact on the children who regarded him as a hero.
9. Initial Star Wars Cut Received Widespread Disapproval (Except from Steven Spielberg)
The early version of Star Wars was widely considered terrible by most who saw it, causing George Lucas to have serious doubts about its success. However, Steven Spielberg saw the film's potential and had faith that his friend would create a blockbuster.
Although Spielberg's belief in Star Wars appeared eccentric at the time, upon their return from a vacation in Hawaii, he and Lucas realized that the film had left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, forever altering its course.
8. Grand Moff Tarkin's Footwear Secrecy
Peter Cushing delivered a remarkable performance as the imposing Grand Moff Tarkin, but there's a humorous twist to his portrayal. The boots in Tarkin's costume were so uncomfortable that Cushing opted to wear slippers when his feet weren't visible on camera. It's amusing to think about how audiences might have perceived the character had they caught a glimpse of Tarkin in cozy slippers.
7. Crew of "The Empire Strikes Back" Were Uninformed About The Film's Major Twist
The disclosure that Darth Vader was Luke's father in "The Empire Strikes Back" stands as one of the most astonishing plot twists in cinematic history. George Lucas was resolute about preserving the secrecy of this revelation.
Only three individuals were privy to this twist: Lucas himself, director Irvin Kershner, and Mark Hamill, the actor portraying Luke. Hamill uttered an alternative line during the scene's filming, ensuring that no one on set could accidentally divulge the twist. Consequently, the cast and crew were as astounded as the audience when the movie was eventually released.
6. Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett: A Casting of Convenience Due to Fitting Armor
Success often hinges on being in the right place at the right time, a truth that actor Jeremy Bulloch discovered when he secured the part of Boba Fett in "The Empire Strikes Back." It was his half-brother, Robert Watts, who was in need of someone capable of fitting into the Boba Fett costume and encouraged Jeremy to audition. When the wardrobe team realized that the suit was a perfect match, Bulloch became the physical performer for Boba Fett throughout the original trilogy.
5. George Lucas's Vision: Decades of Planned Sequels in the Works
Long before the first Star Wars film's performance was known, George Lucas was already formulating ideas for a vast series of Star Wars movies spanning decades. His original blueprint included a grand plan of 12 Star Wars films, encompassing three trilogies and three intermediary films designed to bridge gaps in the story.
Mark Hamill was approached in 2011 about potentially reprising his role as Luke Skywalker, with the prospect described as "just like a cameo" and drawing parallels to Obi-Wan Kenobi passing the lightsaber to the next generation of heroes.
Although Lucas didn't see most of these plans through, Disney's acquisition of the Star Wars franchise resulted in the production of 12 Star Wars films, with many of Lucas's concepts finding their way into the sequel trilogy.
4. Legendary Space Spuds and Shoe-shaped Rocks
A puzzling question that lingers from "The Empire Strikes Back" revolves around the use of potatoes and shoes to create asteroids. While it's challenging to pinpoint the exact truth, the prevailing notion suggests that the special effects team slyly introduced a potato into the scene as the Millennium Falcon soared through the asteroid field.
Nevertheless, the notion of a tennis shoe asteroid seems to be more myth than reality, possibly stemming from a shoe's appearance in the climactic space battle of "Return of the Jedi." Regardless of the specifics, it remains a captivating twist that visual effects artists managed to slip these peculiar details into the film without widespread recognition.
3. George Lucas' Contrarian Stance: The Desire for Han Solo's Demise
As "Return of the Jedi" drew to a close, Han Solo found his happiness with Leia, and it appeared that George Lucas was the sole advocate of this resolution. Co-writer Lawrence Kasdan and even Harrison Ford himself believed that Han's death would add emotional depth to the story, but Lucas ultimately dismissed the idea.
Although Harrison Ford's wish was eventually granted 32 years later in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," it remains uncertain how such a significant plot development in the original trilogy might have reshaped the Star Wars franchise.
2. David Prowse's Accidental Vader Spoiler in 1978
George Lucas made every effort to safeguard the secret of Darth Vader's true identity, but in an unforeseen turn of events, David Prowse inadvertently revealed it two years prior. In an interview with the San Francisco Examiner, Prowse disclosed, "Luke learns that Darth is, in fact, his long-lost father."
While this might have been mere speculation on his part, Prowse's inadvertent accuracy with regard to "The Empire Strikes Back" is noteworthy. Fortunately, in those days, the absence of the internet prevented the rapid dissemination of this information.
1. Addressing Mark Hamill's Car Crash
Mark Hamill's involvement in a car accident in 1977, a few months prior to the premiere of "Star Wars," necessitated surgery for his injuries. At the time, he was concerned about the possibility of having to give up acting. Thankfully, that didn't come to pass.
It's believed that Luke Skywalker's encounter with a Wampa on Hoth was a deliberate in-universe explanation for the character's altered appearance between the films. If true, it reflects an astonishing level of attention to detail by the production team, just one of many extraordinary anecdotes from the making of the original Star Wars trilogy.
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