FIVE* THINGS

by Drew Thompson

1. The most famous line from all of the Star Wars films is also the most misquoted. In Empire, Darth Vader never said, “Luke, I am your father.” He actually says, “No, I am your father.” Mandela effect in full effect!

2. Vader’s proud-papa revelation was kept secret by giving David Prowse— the actor who physically portrayed the Sith Lord—a fake line. With no knowledge of the ruse, Prowse said on set, “Obi-Wan killed your father,” which of course was replaced by the real line when his dialogue was dubbed by James Earl Jones.

3. In the original theatrical release, Emperor Palpatine was played by a woman—78-year-old actress Marjorie Eaton. In the subsequent sequels and prequels, the role was assumed by Ian McDiarmid. George Lucas even tinkered with the film’s 2004 re-release, replacing Eaton’s mug with McDiarmid’s.

4. Yoda was originally intended to be the surname of the legendary Jedi Master. In the beginning, “Minch” his first name was. Hmmm.

5. Empire is actually Boba Fett’s second on-screen appearance. The infamous bounty hunter previously appeared in 1978’s Star Wars Holiday Special, which was wisely prohibited by Lucas from ever being rebroadcast or officially released on home video. (Does anyone remember—or better yet, is anyone able to forget—Chewbacca’s son Lumpy?)

6. When Han Solo re-emerges as a Popsicle from the carbon-freezing chamber, he is wearing his V-necked shirt from A New Hope rather than the one he’s seen wearing throughout Empire.

7. Han Solo’s “I know” response to Leia saying “I love you” right before he was frozen in carbonite was ad-libbed by Harrison Ford. Lucas didn’t like the line, but Ford fought hard to keep it, insisting it be shown to a test audience. The audience loved it, and the line was left for generations to enjoy.

Re-enact iconic training scenes on planet Dagobah. There’s a Force jump function that can be attached to the front or back of the model.

Madeline Vega