Star Wars defined the childhood of millions around the globe. You likely know the sound of a lightsaber, but the production secrets are wild. George Lucas created a universe that changed cinema forever with practical effects and distinct sounds. However, the path to the big screen faced many disasters. Consequently, the cast and crew had to improvise constantly to finish the masterpiece. Let’s explore the galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars
The sound designer created the iconic TIE fighter screech using a very strange method. Uniquely, he combined the scream of an elephant with the sound of a car driving on wet pavement.
Yoda originally possessed a normal first name in the very early draft scripts. Specifically, George Lucas planned to call the small Jedi master Buffy before changing his mind to just Yoda.
Surprisingly, the high-tech communicator used by Qui-Gon Jinn is actually a modified women’s razor. The prop department painted a Gillette razor silver to save money on the tight production budget.
Star Wars filming almost caused a real international conflict between Tunisia and Libya. Reportedly, the Libyan government thought the massive Sandcrawler vehicle was a military tank sitting on their border.
Furthermore, the Ewoks speak a language based on real Tibetan and Kalmyk dialects. The sound team sped up the voice recordings to make the small bears sound energetic and distinct.
Samuel L. Jackson specifically requested a purple lightsaber for a very practical reason. Essentially, he wanted to find himself easily on screen during the massive battle scene in the arena.
Interestingly, the chaotic asteroid field scene in The Empire Strikes Back contains a hidden shoe. A frustrated special effects artist threw a tennis shoe into the shot to protest the work.
Han Solo was originally a large green alien with gills in the first script drafts. Fortunately, George Lucas rewrote the Star Wars character into the human smuggler we cherish today.
Consequently, the towering suit of Darth Vader was played physically by bodybuilder David Prowse. However, the studio replaced his voice because his West Country accent sounded too friendly for a villain.
The trash compactor scene was a physical nightmare for actor Mark Hamill. In fact, he held his breath so long during the take that he burst a blood vessel in his face.
Amazingly, the Star Wars puppet Yoda has a different number of toes depending on the movie. He possesses three toes in The Phantom Menace but four toes in The Empire Strikes Back.
Star Wars stands as the first major Hollywood film to be translated into the Navajo language. Thus, the dubbing project helped preserve the native culture and language for future generations.
The famous opening text crawl was actually a physical model rather than digital effects. Specifically, the camera moved slowly along the floor over a 6-foot [1.8-meter] long black paper scroll.
Strangely, the iconic lightsaber noises are just the hum of an old television set. The sound designer discovered this distinct buzz by accident while walking near a film projector motor.
The Star Wars villain Jabba the Hutt required a massive team of seven puppeteers. Therefore, three people were inside the tail, while others operated the eyes and smoke machine.
Kevin Spacey is a celebrated and controversial figure in the entertainment world. He dazzled audiences as a versatile actor on stage and screen, earning numerous accolades. Explore the most interesting details about Kevin Spacey, from his award-winning roles to his unexpected career twists.
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey was born on July 26, 1959, in South Orange, New Jersey. He moved to California as a child and discovered acting early.
He began performing in high school and trained at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, although he left before graduating.
Spacey’s Broadway debut came in 1982, launching a celebrated stage career.
He won a Tony Award in 1991 for his role in Lost in Yonkers, demonstrating his theatrical talent.
Spacey earned his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in The Usual Suspects (1995), making a global impact.
His second Oscar came for Best Actor in American Beauty (1999), a performance that remains iconic today.
He took on diverse roles in films like Se7en, L.A. Confidential, and Superman Returns, showcasing his range.
As Frank Underwood in Netflix’s House of Cards, Spacey won a Golden Globe and received multiple Emmy nominations.
Spacey became the artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015, revitalizing the institution with his leadership.
He has directed movies, including Albino Alligator and the Bobby Darin biopic Beyond the Sea, even singing on the film’s soundtrack.
Kevin Spacey received an honorary knighthood (KBE) from the U.K. for his services to theatre.
He boasts over 60 awards, including two Academy Awards, a Tony, a BAFTA, and multiple Screen Actors Guild honors.
Spacey’s career faced major setbacks in 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations, leading to his removal from prominent roles and legal battles. He has been acquitted of charges in London and found not liable in a high-profile U.S. lawsuit.
Despite controversies, Spacey has slowly returned to acting, landing roles in independent films such as Peter Five Eight and The Awakening.
Throughout all highs and lows, Kevin Spacey’s talent and influence have fueled constant conversation in the entertainment industry.
Christina Hendricks commanded the screen as Joan Holloway in the hit series Mad Men. Her sharp wit and classic style made her an instant icon of sixties fashion. However, she struggled for years in Hollywood before landing her breakout role. Surprisingly, she worked as a model and a music video actress while waiting for her big chance. Today, she continues to dazzle audiences with her range in both comedy and drama. Prepare to meet the woman behind the red lipstick.
Christina HeChristina Hendricksndricks
Christina Hendricks served as the hand model for the American Beauty poster. She held the rose on the iconic stomach image. Therefore, her hand became famous long before her face did.
Naturally, she is actually a blonde, not a redhead. She began dyeing her hair at age ten after reading Anne of Green Gables. Consequently, she kept the fiery look for her entire career.
She plays the accordion in real life. The writers of Mad Men added this skill to her character, Joan. Thus, she performed the French song “C’est Magnifique” herself on the show.
Christina Hendricks went through a heavy goth phase in high school. She dyed her hair black and purple while wearing leather jackets. Unfortunately, other students bullied her relentlessly for her alternative style.
She holds dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom. Her father came from England, which gave her this status. Therefore, she feels a strong connection to British culture.
Professionally, she worked as a shampoo girl before she became a model. She washed hair in a salon during her teenage years. Eventually, she entered a cover contest for Seventeen magazine that launched her career.
She voiced the villain Gabby Gabby in Toy Story 4. Pixar cast her because they wanted a voice that sounded welcoming yet creepy. Thus, she brought the vintage doll character to life perfectly.
Christina Hendricks starred in the music video for “One Hit Wonder” by Everclear. She appeared as a game show contestant in the nineties clip. Consequently, rock fans recognized her long before she reached prime time.
She loves to knit on movie sets to pass the time. In fact, she often brings her needles and yarn to her trailer. This hobby helps her relax between intense scenes.
Interestingly, she was voted “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire magazine. The publication gave her the title in 2010 after a reader poll. However, she always focused more on her acting skills than her looks.
She played a con artist named Saffron in the sci-fi show Firefly. Fans loved her performance as the deceptive wife of Captain Mal. Therefore, the character returned for another episode due to popular demand.
Originally, her agency dropped her for taking the Mad Men role. They claimed a period piece about an ad agency would never succeed. Luckily, Christina Hendricks ignored their bad advice and took the job anyway.
She keeps a fully stocked bar in her home. She appreciates fine scotch and whiskey. Furthermore, she even served as a brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker.
She acted as a judge in the architecture movie The Neon Demon. She played a modeling agent who ruthlessly judged young girls. Thus, she channeled her own early experiences in the fashion industry.
Finally, she possesses a massive collection of hats. She loves to wear vintage headwear in her daily life. Consequently, her personal style often reflects the classic eras she portrays on screen.
