Star Wars - the most successful movie franchises of all time, you'd think that fans know everything there is to know about Star Wars. With movies, television shows, comic books and a whole raft of merchandise, as well as one of the biggest universes to exist in pop culture, there is of course bound to be a whole bunch of trivia and facts that have slipped by. Here, we break down some of our favourites, so you can come in first place at that next big pub quiz!
7. E.T.'s species is a part of the series
Our favourite little brown alien may not be in the Star Wars films personally, but his race - that of the Asogians - are represented within the universe. The move came as part of a deal between Steven Spielberg (who directed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) and Star Wars creator George Lucas, who promised to include a cameo of the alien race in the next film he made following Spielberg's inclusion of Yoda and Star Wars toys in his movie. They can be seen in The Phantom Menace, as part of the Galactic Senate of the Republic at the time of Naboo's invasion.
6. Harrison Ford wasn't meant to be Han Solo
A bunch of young actors, including Kurt Russell, all auditioned for the role of Han Solo. The man who fed lines to them during their auditions? Harrison Ford! George Lucas realised during this procedure that Ford himself would be perfect for the role, and so the accidental casting of one of the franchise's fan-favourites was born!
5. A monkey screen-tested for the role of Yoda
George Lucas should be thanking his lucky stars that this idea never gained any ground. At one point, a monkey was screen-testing for the role of Yoda, even being taught to hold the cane of the famous green Jedi Master, and to wear a mask whenever he was in character.
4. Tupac Shakur was almost Mace Windu
Former chief engineer at Death Row Records, Rick Clifford, was reportedly told by the late Tupac Shakur that he was to audition for the role of Mace Windu, in front of George Lucas. Whilst it was ultimately a character Samuel L. Jackson would play, and Tupac would die before filming for The Phantom Menace began, it's interesting to think about what could have been, had Tupac survived assassination.
3. Porgs exist because of real-life puffins
The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson came up with the idea to bring Porgs into the Star Wars universe, because of the vast numbers of real-life puffins who make the filming location of Luke Skywalker's place of exile their home. Removing them physically wouldn't have worked, and digitally taking each of them out would have cost a tremendous amount. So, turning them into a brand new species was the smartest option!
2. Jar Jar Binks helped destroy the Jedi
It's something that a lot of people forget, because of the hatred they already harbour towards Jar Jar Binks, but the alien actually helped hand direct control to Palpatine after giving a speech to the Galactic Senate, which allowed the Chancellor the opportunity to execute Order 66. Given the power to overthrow the Senate, Palpatine took control and wiped out almost all of the Jedis with one move. Could Jar Jar have been working with Palpatine all along? Or was he simply the bumbling fool he presented?
1. Luke Skywalker almost turned to the Dark Side
George Lucas had some big decisions to make when writing Return of the Jedi. One of the largest was exactly what Luke Skywalker should do when he removed a dying Darth Vader's helmet. The filmmaker toyed with one idea that would have sent shockwaves rippling through the fandom - Luke could have removed the helmet, before placing it over his own head and saying, "Now I am Vader". Imagine that!
Most used Misquote
In the famous scene when the father and son relationship between Vader and Luke in The Empire Strikes Back is revealed more often than not misquoted as, “Luke, I am your father”. When in actual fact it is “No I am your father”.
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