Summary
The making of the originalStar Warsfilm, later renamedA New Hope, is one of the most fascinating behind-the-scenes stories in cinema. Plagued by production problems at every turn and deemed a failure before release, it seemed thatStar Warswas destined to fail. Against all the odds.A New Hopebecame one of the most successful movies ever made, kicked off theStar Warsoriginal trilogy, inspired a generation of filmmakers, and launched a franchise that is still telling new stories almost five decades later.
Because ofStar Wars' success and continuing popularity, there are countless bits of trivia and hidden details about the film’s production. Books, cast interviews, documentaries, and deleted scenes all shed light on howStar Wars’first big screen outing became what it is. 15 things about the making ofA New Hopeare especially fascinating for those unfamiliar with them.
Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order, Chronologically & With The TV Shows
What’s the best way to watch Star Wars? Here’s everything you need to know to watch in release or timeline order, and how to include the TV shows.
15Grand Moff Tarkin Wore Slippers
TheStar Warscostumes may be iconic, but that doesn’t mean they were always comfortable for the actors.Grand Moff Tarkin actor Peter Cushing found his boots so uncomfortable that he asked to wear slipperswhenever they didn’t appear on-screen. It’s hilarious to imagine such an intimidating villain making threats and ordering the destruction of planets in the comfort of his slippers.
14Star Wars Almost Killed George Lucas
Directing a legendary movie is stressful work
George Lucas poured his heart and soul into the making ofStar Wars, which nearly cost him his life. Lucas was so stressed from everything going wrong with the production that he experienced severe chest pain and had to go to a local hospital. While not a heart attack,Lucas was exhibiting signs of hypertension and extreme stress, and he was warned that it could get much worse if he didn’t reduce his stress levels. Since this was not an option for Lucas, who was determined to finish the film, it’s a miracle that he made it to the end of post-production.
13George Lucas Didn’t Attend The Premiere
He went on vacation instead
TheStar Warspremiere in May 1977 became a legendary success, but Lucas was not present. After nearly dying of stress and believing the film would fail,Lucas instead went on vacation to Hawaii with his friend and fellow filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Much to his surprise, however, he received a call telling him to turn on the news, which is how he learnedStar Warshad become a massive hit. The movie was the highest-grossing film of all time, kicking off a franchise that would continue for several decades.
12Harrison Ford Wasn’t Supposed To Be Han Solo
Lucas initially wanted a fresh face in the role
It’s hard to imagine anyone but Harrison Ford playing Han Solo inA New Hope, but that’s exactly what Lucas did. He wanted theStar Warscharacters to be played by fresh, relatively unknown actors, and Ford had already starred in Lucas' previous filmAmerican Graffiti. However,Ford helped read lines for actors auditioning for Han Solo, and everyone agreed that he did the best job.
11Mark Hamill Popped A Blood Vessel From Holding His Breath
He hadn’t quite mastered the Force yet
While the characters may have survivedA New Hope’s trash compactor scene, not all the actors walked away unscathed. While filming the moment Luke Skywalker gets pulled underwater by a monster, Mark Hamill held his breath so long that he popped a blood vessel in his eye. He wanted to look as red-faced and strangled as possible, and while it was effective, it was likely not something he aimed to repeat.
10Three Actors Played Wedge Antilles
Recasting usually happens between films
Characters are sometimes recast between films, but it’s fascinating when it happens in the same movie.Wedge Antilles was originally played by Colin Higgins, appearing next to Luke Skywalker during the rebel briefing on the Death Star. However, Higgins was a TV actor and used to having more time to memorize lines, so after a frustrating day of shooting, he was fired from the production. Denis Lawson took over for all of Wedge’s remaining scenes and continued playing the character in every subsequent film appearance. Higgins and Lawson were both overdubbed by David Ankrum in the final cut.
Colin Higgins' Wedge Antilles was retconned as a different character, Col Takbright, in the 2017 short story “Duty Roster” by Jason Fry. It was featured in the anthologyStar Wars: From a Certain Point of View, released to celebrate the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
9Most Of The Budget Was Wasted On A Few Special Effects Shots
As if Lucas didn’t have enough to worry about
One of the biggest contributors to Lucas' extreme stress levels was the budget, and the special effects team didn’t help. After completing filming overseas,Lucas visited ILM and discovered that they had spent $1 million on seven special effects shots, only one of which he found acceptable. Lucas took a more direct role in overseeing the visual effects from then on, and the team produced groundbreaking work that defied expectations.
8The First Cut Of Star Wars Was “Unwatchable”
A far cry from the version that changed film history
The final cut ofA New Hopemay be a masterpiece, but Lucas' first crack at the film was apparently a disaster. Lucas screened the first cut for his friends and colleagues, and everyone except Steven Spielberg thought it was terrible. He saw the potential in Lucas' movie and believed it would be successful. Spielberg was proven right when the final edit was an exciting summer blockbuster that entertained and captured the imagination of audiences.
7Several Studios Rejected Star Wars
A decision they likely regret
Considering how successfulStar Warsbecame, it’s hard to believe anyone in their right mind would have turned it down. However, several studios rejected Lucas' pitch forStar Wars, including Universal, United Artists, and Disney. 20th Century Fox finally agreed to fund the film, and its unprecedented success proved wrong every studio who thought it wouldn’t work.
6The Word “Sith” Was Only Mentioned In A Deleted Scene
The Jedi’s ancient enemy was almost named onscreen from the beginning
Darth Vader was always known as the Dark Lord of the Sith, but the Sith weren’t named onscreen until theStar Warsprequel trilogy. However, a rare deleted scene fromA New Hopeshows one of the Imperials on Tarkin’s council referring to Vader as"This Sith Lord sent by the Emperor…“The scene was eventually shown atStar Wars Celebration 2017.
