Critical and easy-to-miss details in films reignite discussions and interest among dedicated fans. This applies to practically any moving image, yet the Star Wars universe mainly engages in extensive worldbuilding.
When George Lucas premiered his sci-fi epic in 1977, audiences entered a galaxy far, far away. However, with many initial creations, viewers quickly pinpointed essential details, and thus, the universe expanded. Sequels produced further tales that spun theories, questions, fun conversations, and other topics.
Many small film details were revealed as fans scoured the Star Wars saga. From the hilarious stormtrooper helmet whack in A New Hope to the Wilhelm screams, the details are plentiful and varied. With this in mind, no matter how many screenings the fans watch, some film aspects are easily missed.
Mark Hamill’s Personal Digits
Harrison Ford's Han Solo utters Mark Hamill's phone number during the trash compactor scene in Star Wars: A New Hope. When speaking with C-3PO, Hamill’s Luke Skywalker asks for the compactor’s unit number. Solo responds with, “3263827!”
The phone number belonged to Mark Hamill during filming of A New Hope. Hamill cooked up the scheme to cement his place in Star Wars history, and originally, he was to be the one to read aloud. However, a change in blocking put Ford at the compactor door.
Hamill ultimately badgered his costar to use his digits. Ford delivered the line, though he added, “Happy now, you big baby?” off-camera to a giggling Hamill.
May the Filmmaking Be With You
George Lucas relied heavily on practical effects and simple techniques to bring A New Hope to life. With limitations holding back some ideas, Lucas used a unique method to rev up Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder.
Though enhanced versions of the Star Wars original trilogy may exclude some movie magic, authentic cuts reveal some filmmaking expertise. Look specifically at the landspeeder sequences when Luke drives across the planet Tatooine. The space between the vehicle and the ground visibly moves and adjusts as the camera follows.
The production crew used mirrors and smudged Vaseline on the lens to obscure the vehicle's wheels and depict the landspeeder’s otherwise impossible movement.
When in Doubt, Use a Potato
Of all the memorable cameos in the Star Wars universe, a potato was the most outstanding appearance. While effects cameraman Ken Ralston put ideas together with his team, they discovered a cheap way to use potatoes in Star Wars. Specifically for The Empire Strikes Back, fans can spot some tasty-looking space rocks during the asteroid chase sequence.
With Industrial Light & Magic spearheading the special effects department, potatoes famously became a Star Wars legend without being too obvious. “You’re not actually going into an asteroid field?” Don't worry, Princess Leia. It's just a bunch of potatoes.
Burning Man in Space
Staying on the asteroid field, there's a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it death in The Empire Strikes Back. This moment involves a scorching Imperial pilot after an asteroid collides with their ship. It's a brief moment in the sequel, though it’s clear that a burning man is left flying through space.
On-screen deaths in the Star Wars original trilogy usually resulted in epic downfalls and emotional sendoffs. However, the burning man is surprisingly more violent than other deaths in George Lucas’ first trilogy.
Boba Fett’s Face? Where?
Boba Fett is a fan-favorite among Star Wars fans. In The Empire Strikes Back, Fett is an armored bounty hunter with only four lines of dialogue. It wouldn’t be until future expanded tales that the character is revived and further explored through creator Dave Filoni.
Though Fett remains masked in the movies, the actor beneath the iconic headgear does not. In the Star Wars sequel, Fett’s actor Jeremy Bulloch can be very briefly spotted as a helmet-free Imperial officer named Lieutenant Sheckil.
You can catch the unmasked Fett actor apprehending Leia on Bespin, the cloud city. Before you ask, no, this particular officer didn’t receive a spinoff series on Disney+.
The Case of Lando’s Missing Gloves
Han Solo is under Jabba the Hutt’s enslavement, and it’s up to our heroes to save the day. In Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, while on Tatooine, Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian nearly falls into the Sarlacc pit. In the process, Lando’s black gloves mysteriously disappear as he attempts to evade consumption.
The case of Lando Calrissian’s missing black gloves is a continuity error in Return of the Jedi. One moment, Lando is dangling with the gloves attached. The next, Lando is reaching for help with an exposed hand.
Where did the gloves go? How is this possible? We're not sure, but this is definitely something only the editors and any eagle-eyed viewers know about.
Kubrick: A 1999 Space Cameo
Worlds collide in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace with a unique appearance from the EVA Pod. The EVA Pod may resemble just another piece of junk to an unknown fanatic, but to Stanley Kubrick enthusiasts, it’s the “Extravehicular Activity” pod from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The inclusion of the EVA Pod serves as a homage to the late The Shining director and his 1968 space epic. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the EVA Pod worked as a transporter, though it’s far past its glory days when we see it in 1999's The Phantom Menace.
Keep an eye out in Watto’s shop on Tatooine when our main characters look to repair their ship for the visual Easter egg.
A Bonk on the Head
Star Wars fans (and perhaps casual audiences) are familiar with A New Hope‘s hilarious stormtrooper head bump. However, some may not realize that creator George Lucas inserted a callback to this moment in another Star Wars film.
For Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan chases after Jango Fett upon suspecting he's a bounty hunter. The latter escapes as Obi-Wan follows Fett onto a platform on the planet Kamino. The elder Fett evades the Jedi, but not without knocking his head on the closing door.
Ahmed Does His Best
Actor Ahmed Best is known as the voice and performer of Jar Jar Binks across the Star Wars media. Critics and viewers negatively criticized the character, though Best’s legacy has been cemented in Star Wars history on several occasions.
The actor went on to portray a Jedi in the Disney+ Mandalorian series, yet he’s appeared elsewhere in George Lucas’ space opera.
As Anakin (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) track down a bounty hunter, they arrive at the Coruscant Outlander Club. This occurs in Attack of the Clones, and fans can spot an unmasked Ahmed Best in the crowd of patrons.
Additionally, Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO, is seen conversing with some ladies at the same club.
The Skywalker Sound Logo Appears
Before Anakin and Obi-Wan successfully apprehend the above-mentioned bounty hunter, a symphony of vibrant lights illuminates Coruscant. Yes, it is a fictional ecumenopolis, though George Lucas found ways to instill bits of our reality into his.
Right before Anakin and Obi-Wan enter the aforementioned Outlander Club, a particular logo shines in the distance. The Skywalker Sound logo is hovering in blue, twirling amid other advertisem*nts and lights. Pay attention during the sequence when Obi-Wan parks the yellow aerial vehicle for a wide shot.
Skywalker Sound is George Lucas’ sound production company located in his historical Skywalker Ranch in California.
Darth Vader: Live on Opera
George Lucas had fun with bumping helmets, yet he took serious strides to showcase Vader’s villainy. The rise of Darth Vader is often studied in film, with only some discussions pointing toward the water opera scene from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
During this scene from Episode 3, depictions of Vader’s helmet are magically outlined during a particular arrangement.
Many fans enjoy the opera scene from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It shows Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) showing interest in the dark side of the Force. When Palpatine (portrayed by Ian McDiarmid) begins to share the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise, illuminations from the opera outline Vader’s iconic helmet.
Is That George Lucas?
Star Wars creator George Lucas loves to make surprise appearances in some of his films. He even randomly popped up in Bruce Hoglund’s documentary on molten salt reactors. While Lucas’ cameo in Hoglund’s footage happened by accident, the father of the Force shows up in his own galaxy.
Before meeting with Palpatine in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker runs to the opera house. As he ignores the opera house’s attendees, viewers can spot a blue George Lucas standing near an entrance.
The writer/director is dressed in alien attire, talking with his real-life daughter, Katie. While the Lucas family sticks together, the same can't apply to the Skywalkers.
Star Wars and 2187
Before Star Wars, George Lucas gave filmgoers THX 1138. The Star Wars universe (including the television shows) continuously references this film’s name and number. THX is also responsible for Star Wars’ audiovisual reproduction in theaters and homes.
However, another Lucasfilm reference appears in the sequel trilogy via Finn (portrayed by John Boyega). The character’s stormtrooper designation is FN-2187, a callback to Princess Leia’s cell number from A New Hope.
Moreover, the number “21-87” is actually an homage to a 1963 short film of the same title. The film discussed “The Force,” which inspired George Lucas to interpret the concept for his Star Wars creation.
Also, if you subtract 87 from 21, you get 66, a possible reference to Order 66.
Harrison Ford’s CGI Hair
Actor Harrison Ford is done with the Star Wars franchise, not merely in terms of his character but also his patience. Time and time again, Ford proved he wasn’t the biggest Star Wars supporter. With this attribute in mind, Ford sported a unique look for The Force Awakens.
When Harrison Ford broke his leg while filming The Force Awakens, he spent some time away from the set. During this period, Ford's hair grew, and he went back into acting without getting a trim. Instead of going to a barber, the special effects team made adjustments and digitized the actor's locks for his initial scene in the film.
The Name’s Trooper, Stormtrooper
Actor Daniel Craig is known to many as the modern incarnation of Agent James Bond 007. To some, he’s a charming detective in Rian Johnson’s world of mystery and death in Knives Out. However, many Star Wars fans failed to notice Craig's appearance in the sequel trilogy.
While Daisy Ridley’s Rey is trapped during an interrogation process in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a stormtrooper stands guard. The First Order’s pet is none other than Daniel Craig, who is masked with stormtrooper armor.
An amusing scene follows where Rey demonstrates her Force abilities by commanding the trooper to set her free.
The Room Where It Happens
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning musical Hamilton made itself at home as one of Broadway’s biggest hits. The actor has achieved stardom and various opportunities to participate in other music-related projects. Miranda frequently collaborates with the Walt Disney Company, with Moana and Encanto on his résumé.
Even if Disney fans familiarize themselves with Miranda’s style, some might not know of his Star Wars contribution. He worked on several films, including some involvement in the scene set in Maz Kanata's castle for The Force Awakens.
Among other appearances in The Rise of Skywalker, viewers can spot Miranda hugging a fellow rebel near the film's conclusion.
Swapping Skywalker for Scay
Mark Hamill plays Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga. This fact alone solidified Hamill’s celebrity status and inspired countless fans to look up to Luke as a role model. When he’s not saving the galaxy, Hamill embraces the gambling scene, though not as the famous Jedi.
For the Canto Bight scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Mark Hamill voiced the character Dobbu Scay. This Scay player sports a monocle and is big on debauchery, inserting coins into BB-8 like a slot machine.
Scay makes a fool of himself, and fans can indulge in the moment, knowing it’s Hamill behind the character’s buffoonery.
An Ewok and His Son
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a polarizing film some fans look down on when referencing the Skywalker Saga. While it did see J. J. Abrams retaking the directorial reins, the film failed to replicate the familiar Star Wars magic the older films achieved. Despite its mixed reception, though, The Rise of Skywalker included a few well-known names.
One of these names involved Star Wars alumni Warwick Davis. The actor famously portrayed several characters in the Star Wars galaxy, including the Ewok Wicket W. Warrick.
Warrick previously fought alongside the rebels in Return of the Jedi. Near The Rise of Skywalker’s ending, Warrick is celebrating the war’s end with his son Pommet, played by Warwick’s son, Harrison Davis.
Bad Robot!
J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot production banner strolls onto the silver screen before or after many of the director's projects. Everything from the Cloverfield franchise and Super 8 to the Star Trek trilogy, the little red droid is popular among fans. While it's famous for serving as a logo, this robot once appeared in a Star Wars flick.
Deactivated and worn robots are laid out when panning through Babu Frik’s workshop in The Rise of Skywalker. One particular robot is the red robotic mascot of J.J. Abrams’s Bad Robot production company. This poor bot has been through the wringer and then some, judging by its lifeless position in Frik’s shop.
Voices of the Force
Director J.J. Abrams compiled as many references, Easter eggs, and homages to the Star Wars universe as possible. We previously mentioned the director’s conceptual robot appearing on-screen and the Ewoks celebrating the war’s end. With all the glitz and glamour popping visually, an audio cue occurs during a pivotal moment in The Rise of Skywalker.
With Rey (Daisy Ridley) fighting against a somehow returned Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), several voice actors help Rey with the Force. These voices include Ashley Eckstein’s Ahsoka Tano, Angelique Perrin’s Adi Gallia, Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Kanan Jarrus, and more. If subtitles weren’t enabled, there’s a good chance these voices from the extended universe went in one ear and out the other.
Recycle and Reuse the Jedi
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a popular television series many fans adore and remember. When the show’s momentum slowed down in the 2010s, fans clamored for a proper conclusion. As such, the show became a massive hit, launched by the original 2008 animated film.
Animators for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie relied on reusable models for certain scenes. These models usually comprised Obi-Wan Kenobi’s and Chancellor Palpatine’s bodies for different aliens. One example involves Kenobi’s body recycled into two Gran (Ree-Yees) aliens in Ziro’s palace.
Rogue One’s Missing Features
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first film to deviate from the Skywalker Saga as a stand alone movie. Released in 2016, the initial trailer showcased a handful of impressive shots that didn’t appear in the final product. These include a few Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones) moments and lines, such as the “I rebel” response.
While it’s common to see big-budget films omit particular snippets from a trailer, few directors admit the reasoning. For Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, they couldn’t fit the scenes into the narrative. “It was just a way for the crew of understanding, for now, we're just going to do loads of random [expletive],” Edwards explained in The Director’s Cut podcast.
Help Me Wobani, You’re My Only Hope
The Star Wars lore thrives on fantastically-named lore, specifically regarding characters and planets across the stars. Notable names may include Naboo, Mustafar, Coruscant, and so on. Every once in a while, though, switching up an established name is a solution when fictional linguistics gets wild.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story uses a planet with Obi-Wan’s name without relying on a new faux word. During a Rebel Alliance mission, an extraction team infiltrates the planet Wobani while breaking Jyn Erso free. Wobani is an anagram of Obi-Wan.
Pretty nifty, huh?
Solo Dice, No Glory
Director Ron Howard’s 2018 spinoff in the Star Wars world highlights many aspects of the Han Solo character. Portrayed by Alden Ehrenreich, Solo centers on the galaxy’s smoothest smuggler and his companions, including Chewbacca. The flick touches on several hero characteristics and some unexplained props from the original trilogy.
Throughout Solo, Han treats a pair of gold dice like a lucky charm. This particular product first appeared in a single scene from A New Hope. It wasn’t until Solo’s cinematic origin that the dice received more background. Why Ron Howard chose to focus on these dice may be beyond some viewers, but eagle-eyed fans remember Luke Skywalker's Force ghost giving them to Leia in The Last Jedi.
A Nod to Doctor Jones
Harrison Ford portrayed not one hero under the Lucasfilm banner but two. There’s Han Solo from the Star Wars movies, and the other is Indiana Jones from Steven Spielberg’s action films. For the film Solo, Ron Howard planted an Easter egg connecting the two universes in a particular scene.
Several items stand out when one enters Dryden Vos’ (played by Paul Bettany) private yacht room in Solo. A set of Mandalorian armor sits in one corner, and a charmed Sith Holocron in another. Look a bit more, and you’ll spot a familiar-looking golden fertility idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite Indy’s efforts, it appears Vos evaded the boulder all along.
