It turned out that there was a little confusion over the submission rules for lists here and this was originally submitted as a copy from a non-open-source book. Therefore we have had to remove the original list (sent in by aprilweather) and replace it with one that was put together in the comments by Lyrebyrd (many thanks and I hope you don’t object!). The original intro is intact but the remainder of the list (with the exception of the order) has changed.
In July 1973, George Lucas was an unknown director working on a low budget 1960s nostalgia film called “American Graffiti”. He approached Universal studios to see if they were interested in a film called, “Star Wars”. Universal turned him down in one of the biggest mistakes ever made by a studio.
While Lucas was influenced by the huge number of “Buck Rogers” reruns he watched while developing Star Wars, a much bigger influence comes from work of Akira Kurosawa. Much influence comes from the film, Hidden Fortress, as well as many of the characters from Seven Samurai. Just about every character Toshiro Mifune plays is Han Solo, and check out the little Yoda-looking dude!
Lots of unknown actors were used for the younger characters. In addition to Carrie Fisher, Sissy Spacek and Cindy Williams also auditioned for Leia. The film, “Carrie” was also auditioning, and both Fisher and Spacek auditioned for both. Imagine that flip-flop, or having “Shirley” from Laverne and Shirley as Leia!
John Dykstra and the FX team invented a great deal of technology including the now vastly used, motion-control camera to match motion of object to camera. Also used were traditional stop motion techniques, as well as rotoscoping (using mattes). In particular, if you have an old copy of the film on VHS, you can see the traveling mattes around the ships.
Not only was the studio unsure about the film, most of the cast was thrown by the strange dialogue and story, often leading to tension or awkwardness while filming. (Leia half-british, half-american accent!) No one had any inkling it would be such a smash hit.
In addition to the name change from Luke Starkiller, in earlier drafts of the script, there are the characters of Biggs and Camie, Luke’s friends who have gone to the Academy. In the film, Biggs is one of the rebel pilots in the end sequence.
After the trilogy came out, and years before Parts 1-3, there was an allegedly accurate treatment for what the next film would be, floating around. It detailed how Vader became Vader, as well as the events leading up to “A New Hope”. One of the minor elements, was the “13 year old Correllian Cabin Boy” on Captain Antilles’ ship. This alluded to Han Solo being there before the events of “A New Hope”, which luckily did not get included in the new films, as it really wouldn’t have made sense. Too much coincidence – does everyone have to know everyone?
Not only did they force Carried Fisher to strap down her boobs, poor thing, just look at her dress. Every inch of skin is covered, and they couldn’t have made her look more frumpy. However, she does get to show a bit of skin in the last sequence, which is the outfit used for the representation of Leia in the original poster – scoop neck, not turtleneck.
While unknowns were used for the leads, Lucas was able to get some of his faves and also heavier hitters/character actors in there in the roles of Obi-Wan (Guinness), and Tarkin (Peter Cushing). This continued in the new films with the always classically cheesy Christopher Lee, as Dooku.
David Prowse, a weightlifter from Bristol, played the role on screen but the voice was that of James Earl Jones. He was so convinced the film would be a flop, he refused to allow his name in the original credits.
Lucas got the idea for Chewbacca one morning in the early ’70s while watching his wife, Marcia, drive off in her car. She had their Alaskan malamute, Indiana, (the name sake for Indiana Jones) with her. Lucas liked the way the large shaggy dog looked in the passenger seat so he decided to create a character in the film that was a cross between Indiana, a bear, and a monkey.
Both Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker, the actors that play Threepio and Artoo, respectively, had issues with the head in Tunisia. Although they piped in cool air and kept them hydrated, Daniels in particular frequently passed out from heat stroke in the outfit. Also, while both actors have come back to continue their roles, Baker is much more private and less comforatable with the fame, fan mania, etc. While, Daniels, has embraced more of the fandom, even appearing in a cameo, without the gold suit, in Ep. 2.
Due to the limited budget the American cast members and crew (including George Lucas) all decided to fly coach class to England, rather than first class. When Carrie Fisher’s mother Debbie Reynolds heard about this she called George Lucas, complaining about how insulting it was for her daughter to be flying coach. Carrie Fisher was in the room with George Lucas when he took the call, and after a few minutes asked if she could talk to her mother. When George Lucas handed her the phone she simply said, “Mother, I want to fly coach, will you fuck off?!” and hung up. [IMDB]
You didn’t anything that even the casual Star Wars fan didn’t know. It’s a shame too because there is a lot more interesting stuff about this film that you didn’t mention.
My dad is a big Star Wars fan, he wanted to call me Leia but my mother said no. Can you imagine how many nerds would be worshipping me right now if he'd gotten his way?
“Say…Vader! What is it…with you…and that pretty…pretty sword?”
I didnt read the list coz i dont wanna know,, ''then why the #$*@ did you comment?'' u might ask,, well i just wanted to say —————–GEEK ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!—————–
for all the cool ppl who might accidentially stumble upon this.
Who cares about what other people think? (Besides you.) Sooner or later, people grow up and stop careing about others and focus on self-happiness.
I love, and will always love Star Wars. If it makes people happy, why do you care so much how “nerdy” it may or my not be? Sounds like you have self-esteem issues.
David Prowse is from Bristol – not Wales. He also played the “Green Cross Man” in the 1970s.
i love George Lucas idea during that time!
cool list
Great list man – really interesting ( “,)
Good list
Great list! You can’t beat Star Wars.
as far as Han Solo goes, didn’t Christopher Walken read for the part? just imagine Walken sitting in that cantina with Greedo lol
@totalstranger (7): okay that would be so *****ing awesome!
this list is word for word ripped off from the uncle johns bathroom reader. BOOOOOOOO
Ewoks speak Tagalog. “Ayun ang maganda!” LOLs.
Knew a lot of these, but still awesome!
Be sure to check out the short film (8 minutes) George Lucas in Love
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5058529870025933880#
Fascinating list.
However, David Prowse is English, not Welsh. He was born in Bristol (near Wales) and his accent is distinctively West-Country.
wow, west country darth vader – terrifying!!
You can also see Prowse in the original BBC televised serial of “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. He plays Hotblack Desiato’s bodyguard.
The Buck Rogers photo should have been of the great Buster Crabbe, also the original Flash Gordon!
10 isn’t true. I remember seeing a behind-the-scenes documentary that showed the Millennium Falcon being mechanically moved into the Death Star hangar and models of X-Wings crashing into the Death Star’s surface during the attack at the end.
For the most part, it is true. Almost every shot of a moving vehicle is actually a camera move. There are a few exceptions where it was impractical or did not work at all (like the AT-ATs on Hoth, which were stop motion)
your nan is dead, i shot her last night get liad ur 52 year old virgin livin in ur mums basement
LOL
Go suck charlie estaphs dead nans rotten clit lips you moldy fug packer
Knew everthing on this list
.
@sayhuh78 (10):
THANK YOU! I remember reading all this somewhere else and I was going to comment on it. (I was thinking imdb)
I don’t like this lazy second facts lits
@IceKeyHunter (19): Yeah I’ve also seen the documentary. Some ships definitely moved during filming.
I remember that in one scene they placed a rebel ship on a wire with a small explosive on it and let it slide until it exploded. Laser effects were added later.
*sigh* /facepalm …. razor, ice… kinda weak criticism there. Yes, a ship or two moved, but these films changed EVERYTHING about how movies are made, not just one way to make ships fly.
but, haters gonna hate…
Knew these so didn’t learn anything new today. Also the corrections needed have already been mentioned in the comments. Interesting list either way. I would only recommend expanding a bit on write up for each.
For christmas last year, I got a friend a box kit of old Star Wars items. It came with a book that had a whole bunch of interesting info about the film, what went on during the shooting and the fame the movie got. The best picture, was of opening day where the crowds were so thick it shut down a major street in LA.
Re: “American Graffiti”: Always loved the license plate on Millner’s ’32 coupe: “THX138″! All you “Lucas Geeks” should check out “THX1138″!
It was a very interesting list. Even if I don’t like star wars much myself. I like Indiana jones better.
apepper and dave rattigan – right on guys – dave prowse is indeed English: he has also been both the Frankenstein Monster (three times), in Doctor Who, a strongman in Vampire Circus (with Lalla Ward – probably the cutest and *****iest Dr.Who assistant of all) as well as a part in Clockwork Orange
I saw a segment on tv about Darth Vader. They were talking about how they were deciding how his voice should sound. I saw footage of Darth Vader speaking in a normal voice. It was weird. Adding the breathing effect they did and in a very low voice was genius. When I compared there was no contest. Vader was not very menacing with normal speech.
Harrison Ford went to college in my hometown. He was kicked out just before he graduated for bad behavior. They’ve asked him to come back and be a keynote speaker many times but he always refuses.
@ Jfrater
have much to drink this mourning? your profanity is out of character, reading your comment made me laugh.
Lucas got just as much, probably more, from Akira Kurosawa as he did Buck Rogers. Star Wars is (by his own admission) a retelling of ‘The Hidden Fortress’, and C3P0 and R2D2 are retellings of the two main comedy foils in it. The Laurel and Hardy thing is usually just an explanation for the people who don’t know Kurosawa- his works have had major influence on Lucas (and many many others).
AWESOME LIST! i didnt know any of these
your darth vader facts are all wrong. as others have said the man who played vader was from bristol NOT wales and also he HATED playing vader. he said the suit was horrible, he was badly paid and treated and it was the worst time of his life
Great list. Princess Leia is a babe.
@ robfl
@jfrater
It made me laugh, too! I’m proud of you, J
This site has beeen a favorite of mine for 6 months or so. I discovered it in the middle of the night (chronic insomnia) and I pretty routinely fall asleep reading lists and comments.
I’m a musician/songwriter and have gotten several song ideas from lists, too. (usually the darker-themed)
Anyway- I’m pleased that my first comment is (long overdue) in response to a badass star wars list.
<3 k
@ Jfrater,
10 and 21 are correct. this list is a complete rip off of uncle john’s bathroom reader. It should probably be taken down.
Knew most of them, but still an interisting list – Thanks.
@Jfrater(9) not a bit like you sir, feeling OK this morning ?
As for #4, I had read/seen somewhere that James Earl Jones was cast as the voice of Vader during post-production, when Lucas had the realization that there was no one of color actually in the film; so, in effect, Jones was his “token black” performer. This is also why he made certain to cast another black man–Billy Dee Williams–in the part of Lando Calrissian in the sequels.
Also, regarding #3, I read during the media blitz for the recent “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” that during development of the character for the first film, Lucas and Spielberg wanted something along the lines of an all-American, kitschy–even corny or “square”–name for protagonist, and “Indiana” was the one ultimately decided upon. I don’t know which story is closer to the truth, though.
I didnt know any of these at all. I got a homy whos still down with star wars im goin dazzle him with newfound knowledge.
Cool list. Oh, Harrison Ford… what a beautiful man!
Um… can you say plagiarism? I knew you could.
10, 21 and 34-glad to see fellow Uncle John fans. I kept reading hoping I was mistaken. I have no problem with sharing knowledge, but at least give credit where it is due. The Uncle John Bathroom Readers are my favorite source for trivia. (besides Listverse, naturally)
Yes, deepthinker (#38), he most certainly was, at least back in the day. Hasn’t aged all that well for a major Hollywood star, though. But maybe my expectations are too high these days.
Finally, a good list.
Some more star wars trivia
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/yakface/facts.html
I did have a vague Bathroom Reader spidey sense but wasn’t completely certain because I skimmed through this part when browsing through books. Finally did find the text online and although there’s a lot more facts in the original, this one pretty much took certain paragraphs word for word straight from the original Bathroom Reader article.
http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/12/no-jiggling-in-the-empire-fun-facts-about-star-wars/
@gabi319 (44): Many of the lists on this website takes the information straight from another website. (word for word). Especially Wikipedia. Almost everything is a copy and paste from Wikipedia. Hardly anything is original anymore.
Lucas got the idea for some of the main characters from Kurosawa’s “The Hidden Fortress” : C3PO, R2D2,Princess Leia,
Hans Solo. Ideas for the story as well.
I heard Lucas say it in the documentary for the film
i’m in total agreement with the company’s board of directors, i always sleep soundly when star wars is on
I like Star Wars but I have to say I´m not one of those die-hard fans. These facts were fun though, considering I had never heard of them. Now I´m thinking I should watch the original trilogy again…
@someone else (45):
From the submission page of LV:
You can include text quoted from Wikipedia or other open source documents, but please tell me if you have done so in the additional comments field.
Note that LV lists copying information from Wiki have an open source licensing disclaimer at the bottom of their lists. Wiki’s a community-edited website so the information belongs to everyone even though it is placed under the Wikipedia name (“all users…are required to grant broad permissions to the general public to re-distribute and re-use their contributions freely”). Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader is a published book (well, technically a series of books but according to Neatorama, this list in particular is from The Best of…) and violates copyrights if used without permission from the Bathroom Reader organization. Neatorama has connections to them so they have the ability to publish it on their website, but even so, they’ve noted where it came from and that they received permission to post it up.
I know this isn’t a paying gig and I know it’s not for a thesis paper so items on many lists aren’t as original as they could be. Simply giving credit where credit belongs and doing good by Jamie because even if he didn’t write this particular list, it’s his website so it’s his ass on the line if it had been plagiarized from another source.
Definitely taken from Bathroom Reader. Here’s another site that published the same thing:
http://www.zimbio.com/Star+Wars/articles/78/Fun+Facts+About+Star+Wars
So, being the big old Star Wars geek that I am, I’ve come up with an additional 12. Now, I don’t have my Star Wars books/memorabilia here (in storage – I moved), so these are off the top of my head, but I’ve tried to keep them on the same theme as this list. Here we go.
12. Buck Rogers – lots of influences. Kurosawa is alreaady mentioned – mainly the film, Hidden Fortress, as well as many of the characters from Seven Samurai. Just about every character Toshiro Mifune plays is Han Solo, and check out the little Yoda-looking dude!
11. Unknown cast – Lots of unknowns for the younger characters. In addition to Carrie Fisher, Sissy Spacek and Cindy Williams also auditioned for Leia. The film, “Carrie” was also auditioning, and both Fisher and Spacek auditioned for both. Imagine that flip-flop, or having “Shirley” from Laverne and Shirley as Leia!
10. Motionless Models – John Dykstra and the FX team invented a great deal of technology including the now vastly used, motion-control camera to match motion of object to camera. Also used were traditional stop motion techniques, as well as rotoscoping (using mattes). In particular, if you have an old copy of the film on VHS, you can see the traveling mattes around the ships.
9. 20th Cent. Fox – Not only was the studio unsure, most of the cast was thrown by the strange dialogue and story, often leading to tension or awkwardness while filming. (Leia half-british, half-american accent!) No one had any inkling it would be such a smash hit.
8. Luke Skywalker – in addition to the name change, in earlier drafts of the script, there are the characters of Biggs and Camie, Luke’s friends who have gone to the Academy. In the film, Biggs is one of the rebel pilots in the end sequence.
7. Han Solo – After the trilogy came out, and years before Parts 1-3, there was an allegedly accurate treatment for what the next film would be, floating around. It detailed how Vader became Vader, as well as the events leading up to “A New Hope”. One of the minor elements, was the “13 year old Correllian Cabin Boy” on Captain Antilles’ ship. This alluded to Han Solo being there before the events of “A New Hope”, which luckily did not get included in the new films, as it really wouldn’t have made sense. Too much coincidence – does everyone have to know everyone???
6. Princess Leia – Not only did they strap them down, poor thing, just look at her dress. Every inch of skin is covered, and they couldn’t have made her look more frumpy. However, she does get to show a bit of skin in the last sequence, which is the outfit used for the representation of Leia in the original poster – scoop neck, not turtleneck.
5. Obi-Wan Kenobi – While unknowns were used for the leads, Lucas was able to get some of his faves and also heavier hitters/character actors in there in the roles of Obi-Wan (Guinness), and Tarkin (Peter Cushing). This continued in the new films with the always classically cheesy Christopher Lee, as Dooku.
4. Darth Vader – not only did Prowse take it very seriously – really method acting the role “becoming” Vader, as it were. However, James Earl Jones was so convinced the film would be a flop, he refused to allow his name in the original credits.
3. Chewbacca – The voice of Chewbacca isn’t a very talented voice actor, although I think that Jason Segel does a great job of mimicking. It is actually a composite of tigers, seals, bears and a few other things, by sound designer, Ben Burtt. Lucas wanted it to sound organic ie., like a real animal, but not be recognizable as anything in particular.
2 & 1. C3P0 and R2-D2 – combining these here. Both Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker, the actors that play Threepio and Artoo, respectively, had issues with the head in Tunisia. Although they piped in cool air and kept them hydrated, Daniels in particular frequently passed out from heat stroke in the outfit. Also, while both actors have come back to continue their roles, Baker is much more private and less comforatable with the fame, fan mania, etc. While, Daniels, has embraced more of the fandom, even appearing in a cameo, without the gold suit, in Ep. 2.
9 Jfrater
September 11th, 2009 at 2:27 am
@totalstranger (7): okay that would be so *****ing awesome!
yeah I checked wiki, it’s true. I just keep imagining the Walken from King Of New York or True Romance doing Han. Ford made it better though cause the ladies like him
did anyone mention that E.T. or his race of aliens were in Phantom Menace in the senate?
Your View: Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?
Your View: Are Ghosts Real?
Your View: Does God Exist?
Your View: Star Wars or Star Trek?
Let the lasers and phasers fly.
I don’t know why but I laughed when I first read this part…
“Lucas got the idea for Chewbacca one morning in the early ’70s while watching his wife, Marcia, drive off in her car.”
Yes
No
No
Lucas
@gabi319 (49): @gabi319 (49): Give credit where credit is due? It doesn’t take much to copy and paste a list from another source. Even if it is an open source. I know JFrater has to make sure he doesn’t violate any copyright laws but according to you this list may have slipped past him.
Imagine how much it hurt when they took off that electrical tape from Carrie’s boobs. Ouch, that just makes my boobs hurt thinking about it.
Return of the Jedi was orignally called Revenge of the Jedi but Lucas thought that the word “Revenge” was a strong word and didn’t coincide with the beliefs of the Jedi.
A friend of mine has a movie poster he got from the Star Wars Fan Club as a kid that says "Revenge of the Jedi".
What a dumb list. I saw all three Star Wars movies and all these human characters don’t even appear in the movie.