May the Fourth be with you! Here are ten things you definitely didn’t know about the world’s definitive space opera (that doesn’t have the word ‘Trek’) in the headline:
1. Yoda was almost played by a monkey.
George Lucas originally planned for Yoda to be played by an adorable monkey wearing a mask and carrying a cane.
2. ‘Ewok’ is never actually said in the original trilogy.
The name of the cuddliest species in the galaxy is never actually spoken by any character in the films. The species is only identified in the script and closing credits.
3. Return of the Jedi almost had a very different ending.
George Lucas toyed with the idea that after Luke removes a dying Vader’s helmet, he puts it on and proclaims, “Now I am Vader” and turns to the dark side.
4. Depending on the movie, Yoda has a different number of toes.
In The Phantom Menace, Yoda has three toes. But in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and the Sith, he has four.
5. Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey had the same production crew.
George Lucas admired Stanley Kubrick’s work so much that he hired as many people who worked on 2001 as he could. The group was referred to as ‘The Class of 2001’.
6. E.T. was in The Phantom Menace (kind of).
The alien race of E.T. makes an appearance in Episode 1, officially connecting the worlds of George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg sci-fi.
7. Chewbacca’s voice is a mix of other animals.
Chewbacca’s signature voice is a mix of bears, walruses, lions, badgers and – rather worryingly – a mixture of dying animal sounds.
8. Lightsaber noises came from an old television.
The trademark lightsabre sounds were created by combining the hum of an old television’s picture tube and the buzz of a film projector’s motor.
9. Harrison Ford almost wasn’t.
Han Solo, Burt Reynolds was a top contender to play Han Solo, along with Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Christopher Walken.
10. Darth Vader is banned from all official Star Wars parties.
David Prowse, the actor who portrayed Darth Vader (in form, not voice), is banned from attending Star Wars conventions and parties because George Lucas finds him annoying.
Get the Esquire Newsletter. Click here to sign up
