DIEHARD “Star Wars” fans insist they know everything about the red-hot sci-fi series. And with “Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” debuting on May 19, “Star Wars” trivia is growing fast and furious.
To add to the growing encyclopedia of “Star Wars” knowledge, the current issue of Gear magazine has come up with 20 facts it insists nobody knows about the series. So put on your thinking caps, “Star Wars” fans, and test your prowess.
Did you know? …
*When director George Lucas wrote “Star Wars,” he developed stomach and chest pains and would compulsively cut off patches of his hair with scissors. While directing the film, he suffered ulcers and bleeding feet.
*Actor Peter Mayhew was told never to wear his Chewbacca costume alone in the California Redwoods, where some of the movie was filmed. That’s because of Bigfoot sightings in the area and the film crew feared Mayhew might be shot.
*C-3PO – who speaks with a British accent – was originally supposed to have the voice of a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker.
*Harrison Ford initially made less playing Han Solo than he did as a carpenter.
*Between box office sales and merchandising, the first three “Star Wars” flicks have grossed more than $5 billion.
*The original “Star Wars,” which was made by 20th Century Fox, was initially rejected by the Universal and United Artists studios, which didn’t think it could make a profit.
*Lucas once referred to “Star Wars” as a cross between the bizarre Roald Dahl movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and the Disney flick “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,” with Kurt Russell.