From Droids to Dogs: 10 Odd Behind-the-Scenes Inspirations and Facts That Shaped a Galaxy

The Star Wars universe has captivated audiences for decades with its epic storytelling, iconic characters, and imaginative worlds. Yet, behind the dazzling lightsabers and alien landscapes lies a tapestry of fascinating behind-the-scenes details that have shaped this cultural phenomenon. From the influences of renowned filmmakers to the serendipitous origins of beloved characters and sound effects, each tidbit offers a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship and enduring legacy of Star Wars. Here are some intriguing facts that illuminate the depth and creativity behind George Lucas's galaxy far, far away. 

 1. The Influence of Akira Kurosawa: George Lucas drew significant inspiration from Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa for Star Wars. Kurosawa's films like The Hidden Fortress directly influenced Lucas's narrative style and character dynamics. In this film, Kurosawa employs a narrative structure that involves telling the story from the perspective of two bumbling peasants, which is similar to how C-3PO and R2-D2 function in Star Wars. Lucas adopted this technique to provide a relatable and often comedic viewpoint amidst grand and epic events. This influence is also evident in the themes of honour, loyalty, and the use of samurai-like characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Kurosawa was known for his meticulous framing and composition, which often emphasized the relationship between characters and their environment. Lucas, similarly, used visual storytelling techniques to convey information and emotion without relying solely on dialogue. The use of wide shots, close-ups, and dynamic camera movements in Star Wars can be traced back to Kurosawa's influence. 

 

2. David Prowse, the actor who physically portrayed Darth Vader, was unaware that his voice would be dubbed over by James Earl Jones: David Prowse was a bodybuilder and actor who was cast as Darth Vader primarily for his imposing physical presence. He performed all of Vader's scenes wearing the iconic black armour during filming. George Lucas decided that Vader's voice needed to have a deep, powerful quality that would match his intimidating appearance. James Earl Jones, a distinguished actor known for his deep voice and commanding presence, was chosen to provide the voice of Darth Vader. According to various sources, including interviews with David Prowse himself, Prowse was not informed during filming that his voice would be replaced. He heard James Earl Jones's voice as Darth Vader for the first time when he attended the premiere of Star Wars (later titled Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope). 

 

3. The Secret of R2-D2's Name: The name R2-D2 originated from a shorthand production phrase "Reel 2, Dialogue 2". During the post-production of George Lucas's film "American Graffiti" in 1973 Walter Murch, who was working on the film's sound, asked the machine room operator if he could retrieve "R2-D2", which stood for "Reel Two, Dialogue Two". This was a standard request in film editing to retrieve specific reels or sections. Lucas, who was already in the process of planning his next project, a space fantasy film that would eventually become "Star Wars", immediately took notice of the name "R2-D2" and remarked that it was a "great name". This momentary inspiration thus led to the creation of one of the most beloved and enduring characters in film history. 

 

4. Chewbacca was Inspired by George Lucas’s Dog: The character of Chewbacca, Han Solo's loyal Wookiee co-pilot, was inspired by George Lucas's own dog, an Alaskan Malamute named Indiana. The dog would often ride shotgun with Lucas in his car, providing a sense of companionship similar to the bond between Han and Chewbacca. This personal connection led Lucas to create a character who embodied loyalty, strength, and a unique alien charm. Indiana, also makes a cameo appearance in Star Wars: A New Hope and is the inspiration for the name of another iconic Lucas creation, Indiana Jones. 

 

5. Yoda's Unique Speech Pattern: The distinctive way Yoda speaks, with his inverted sentence structure and wise aphorisms, was inspired by the syntax of ancient and medieval literature. his includes texts such as the King James Bible and the works of William Shakespeare, which often feature sentence structures and word orders that differ from modern English. Additionally, Lucas was influenced by Eastern philosophies and martial arts films. The wise mentor figure in these stories often speaks in cryptic, profound ways, which contributed to the development of Yoda's character. George Lucas and the screenwriters deliberately crafted Yoda's speech to give him a sense of otherworldly wisdom and depth. This unique linguistic style has since become one of Yoda's most recognizable traits. 

 

6. The Inspiration for Yoda: Yoda's appearance and personality were inspired by several historical and fictional figures, including Albert Einstein and George Lucas's own mentor, USC professor Irvin Kershner. Yoda's appearance, as a diminutive and ancient Jedi Master, was primarily designed by Stuart Freeborn, the makeup artist responsible for many iconic characters in the original Star Wars trilogy. According to Freeborn he used his own face and combined it with the features of Albert Einstein to create Yoda's distinct look. This blend aimed to convey intelligence and wisdom through a physically unique character design. 

 

 7. The Birth of the Lightsaber and it’s hum: The iconic lightsaber, the weapon of choice for Jedi and Sith alike, has become synonymous with Star Wars. Its creation was a collaborative effort between George Lucas, conceptual designer Ralph McQuarrie, and special effects artist John Stears. Originally envisioned as a more traditional weapon, Lucas and his team sought a distinctive and futuristic alternative. The lightsaber's unique appearance and sound were achieved through innovative techniques; the hum of the lightsaber, for example, was created by mixing the buzzing of a film projector motor with the interference caused by a broken television set. 

 

8. The Serendipitous Creation of the Millennium Falcon's Design: The iconic design of the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo's beloved starship, was inspired by a hamburger with an olive on the side. While discussing spaceship designs with concept artist Joe Johnston, George Lucas mentioned wanting something unconventional and distinct. Johnston sketched a concept inspired by the shape of a hamburger, with the cockpit resembling the olive. This design evolved into the Millennium Falcon, which became one of the most recognizable spacecrafts in cinematic history. 

 

9. The Myth of Star Wars and Religion: Contrary to popular belief, George Lucas did not base the concept of the Force on any specific religion. Instead, he drew inspiration from various spiritual philosophies to create a universal and mystical energy that permeates the Star Wars galaxy. Lucas himself has discussed how he integrated ideas from Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism into the Force. These belief systems emphasize concepts such as interconnectedness, balance, and the existence of a unifying life force. Lucas stated in interviews that he wanted the Force to be something that people could relate to without associating it with any particular religious doctrine. By drawing on these diverse spiritual traditions, Lucas crafted a concept that resonates with audiences across different cultural backgrounds, adding depth and richness to the mythology of Star Wars. 

 

10. The Original Title and Opening Crawl: Originally conceived as "Star Wars," the film underwent a title change during post-production to "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope." This change was made to suggest a broader narrative scope and to align the film with George Lucas's vision of a larger saga unfolding over multiple episodes. The decision to add the subtitle was not initially part of the film's opening; it was included later in the post-production phase. The iconic opening crawl, which begins with the famous phrase "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." followed by a brief introduction to the film's context, was inspired by the classic Flash Gordon serials from the 1930s. These serialized adventures often began with an explanatory text scroll to set up the story for each episode. Lucas chose to incorporate this technique into Star Wars to establish the universe and provide essential background information for audiences, setting the stage for the epic space opera that follows.