I pride myself in containing a massive wealth of obscure “Star Wars” trivia facts in my mind, and over the years have discovered that they make for great conversation starters or icebreakers at parties. So I thought, in my bountiful generosity, I would share some of these fun tidbits with you all.
You’re welcome.
####Keira Knightley was in “The Phantom Menace”
Before she was Elizabeth Swann or Elizabeth Bennett, 12-year-old Knightley had a supporting role in “The Phantom Menace” as Sabe, Padme Amidala’s (Natalie Portman) decoy. For a majority of the film, it was Sabe, not Amidala herself, staring down senators and fighting in full royal attire. It wasn’t until the final act of the film that Portman’s character was revealed to be the real queen.
Knightley had no idea what her role was, really, while filming.
“Nobody gives you scripts, it’s all very secret,” she says in an interview on “The Graham Norton Show” about the role.
Knightley wasn’t the only young actress to serve as a guardian of Portman’s character. Director Sofia Coppola and actress Rose Byrne also portrayed handmaidens in the prequel trilogy.
####The original name of “Return of the Jedi” was darker
The name of the final installment in the Original Trilogy was changed quite late in the process of post-production. A teaser trailer had even already made its way into theaters before George Lucas changed the film’s name from “Revenge of the Jedi” to “Return of the Jedi.”
The title switched several times before finally settling on the final name. In facet, “Return of the Jedi” was the original name, but Lawrence Kasdan thought it was too weak, so Lucas replaced it with “Revenge of the Jedi.” However, Lucas never felt comfortable with that monicker. Revenge isn’t exactly a Jedi-esque concept. So the title changed back to Lucas’ first choice. For particularly nostalgic fans, the teaser with the “Revenge” name is available on Youtube and posters are sold on Amazon and eBay.
####Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote cantina music for “The Force Awakens”
This isn’t obscure, really, since J.J. Abrams revealed this on “The Tonight Show,” but it’s still a fun tidbit of information concerning 2015’s biggest blockbuster.
According to Abrams, composer John Williams didn’t want to write any more cantina music, and when Abrams met Miranda while seeing his musical “Hamilton,” Miranda joked that he would love to write cantina music.
“Does he know (that we need it)?” Abrams says he wondered, before immediately offering the gig to Miranda.
“I’ll drop everything,” Miranda says, and the rest is history.
Miranda’s composition is not available on “The Force Awakens” soundtrack, but can be heard when the film is released on DVD/Blu-ray in April.
####Han shot first
This isn’t obscure. In fact, it’s well-known.
I just had to make sure it was clear to everyone, no matter what George Lucas claims.
###Yoda’s original name wasn’t Yoda
It’s hard to imagine the enigmatic, iconic, little green Grand Master of the Jedi Order was anything but what we first met in “The Empire Strikes Back.” But his name wasn’t always Yoda. In fact, a lot of you might be familiar with one of the names in early drafts of “The Empire Strikes Back:”
Buffy.
Yup, Yoda might have shared a name with the Vampire Slayer herself.
Luckily, screenwriter Leigh Brackett changed the name to Minch Yoda in a later draft before it was finally shortened to its final version: Yoda.
####Lightsaber colors carry meaning
Yeah, it’s not just an aesthetic thing. The video game “Knights of the Old Republic” revealed the symbolism behind the colors of Jedi’s lightsabers.
Green lightsabers are wielded by Jedi Consulars, peaceful Jedi who focus on diplomacy and use of the Force. Blue lightsabers are carried by Jedi Guardians, or combat-force warriors, who are most prominent in the “Star Wars” universe.
And though we have yet to see one in the movies, Jedi Sentinels (the middle ground between Consulars and Guardians) traditionally carry yellow lightsabers.
There’s no real explanation for Mace Windu’s purple weapon. That’s all Samuel L. Jackson.
