Movies News Talk
One of the most interesting hidden details from A New Hope involves the Stormtroopers. While the filmmakers intended for all the Stormtroopers to have identical helmets, the production process resulted in minor variations between the helmets worn by the Imperial Stormtroopers in the original movie. Some of the helmets feature shorter mouthpieces and narrower eyeholes. These variations likely resulted from the use of multiple plastic molds for the helmets, which were not entirely identical. Interestingly, as the Star Wars franchise progressed, Stormtroopers' helmets became much more standardized, reflecting a shift in the production process.
In A New Hope, C-3PO complains about his joints nearly freezing after he and R2-D2 crash land on Tatooine. This might seem strange considering Tatooine is known for its scorching heat due to its twin suns. However, the film's production provides a behind-the-scenes explanation for this detail. Several of the scenes set on Tatooine were filmed in the Sahara Desert in March. During this time of year, the desert can still be quite cool during the day, requiring the actor who played C-3PO, Anthony Daniels, to wear thermal leggings under his costume to stay warm. This detail implies that Tatooine, like a real desert, experiences a significant temperature drop at night.
C-3PO's fate in A New Hope relies heavily on a fortunate stroke of luck. Luke Skywalker's introduction to the galaxy far, far away is guided by his Aunt Beru, who instructs him to choose a droid that speaks Bocce, a language seemingly important for the Lars family. Luke and his Uncle Owen choose C-3PO because he claims to speak Bocce and the binary language of vaporators, ultimately leading to the purchase of R2-D2. This decision, in turn, sets Luke on the path to discovering Leia Organa's message and joining the Rebel Alliance. Despite the significance of Bocce in this sequence, C-3PO never actually speaks the language. This is because Owen and Beru are tragically killed before they have the opportunity to utilize C-3PO's language skills. Additionally, it's worth noting that Owen never actually verified C-3PO's claims of speaking Bocce or binary; he simply took the protocol droid at his word. This implies that the entire course of Star Wars hinged on Owen's trust in a protocol droid sold by Jawas, who had previously attempted to swindle him.
The concept of hell in Star Wars has a long and somewhat intricate history, but it finds its roots in the franchise's early days. The first mention of hell in Star Wars comes from Uncle Owen, who threatens Luke with "hell to pay" if he doesn't complete his chores by midday. This seemingly mundane reference marks the first appearance of the concept in the franchise. Han Solo later uses the term as an expletive in A New Hope when he asks Leia, "what the hell are you doing?" These early references to hell, while used as expletives, foreshadow its later development as a location in the Star Wars universe. While the concept of hell in Star Wars has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to the very first installment, highlighting a fascinating continuity in the franchise.
In A New Hope, Luke and Obi-Wan enter the bustling Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine, encountering a diverse array of alien species. Many of these aliens appear only briefly in the background, and their designs have undergone changes over the years. The cantina scene has been subject to various tweaks in the different versions of A New Hope, with some species even being removed from the final film. Despite these alterations, the cantina's diverse alien population has become an integral part of the Star Wars universe. For instance, the giant preying mantis species, identified as the Yam'rii, plays a crucial role in General Grievous's backstory. Other species, such as the Talz, Ithorians, and Devaronians, have also gained prominence in the Star Wars franchise, appearing in various films, shows, and stories. The brief glimpse of the Mos Eisley Cantina in A New Hope has proven to be a rich source of inspiration for the future of the franchise, serving as a testament to the enduring impact of A New Hope on the Star Wars universe.
One of the most memorable scenes in A New Hope involves the encounter between Han Solo and the Rodian bounty hunter, Greedo. While their exchange of insults and taunts is iconic, it also contains a hidden detail. Greedo speaks Huttese, an alien language, while interacting with Han, and some of his lines are memorable insults. A special edition of A New Hope introduced a new Huttese line for Greedo, where he exclaims "ma klounkee" just before firing at Han. This line roughly translates to "it'll be the end of you," but its inclusion without subtitles in the special edition has been a subject of controversy. Nevertheless, this detail highlights the ongoing changes made to A New Hope by George Lucas over the years, showcasing the ever-evolving nature of the Star Wars franchise.