With almost 50 years of existence, Star Wars has become a true religion, whose sacred relics are celebrated and coveted by fans around the world. But not everyone always knows the origins of these cult objects and details. Through their origins, both in canon and in our very real world, a look back at the little-known history of 10 iconic objects from Star Wars
#10 Luke's first lightsaber (making of)
Luke Skywalker's very first lightsaber hides a surprising secret: it was made from an old camera flash! More precisely, it's a Graflex flash, designed in the 1940s for the famous Speed Graphic cameras, popular with press reporters like Weegee. This flash, scavenged for just $15 by designer Roger Christian, served as the basis for the iconic sword handle in A New Hope. Its industrial design, with its metallic lines and unwillingly retro-futuristic look, instantly won over the art team. Some specialized workshops still manufacture faithful replicas from real Graflex cameras, sometimes resold to Disney for thousands of dollars. Today, this collector's item can be worth up to $250,000.
#9 The Padawans' braid (canon and Making of)
A discreet but meaningful symbol, the Padawans' braid intrigues fans of Star Wars. Worn by Jedi apprentices (with hair) behind their right ear, this braid marks their status in the Order. Introduced in the prequels, notably with Obi-Wan and then Anakin, it allows you to immediately identify a Padawan in training. If the student succeeds in their training, the braid is solemnly severed by a lightsaber when they become a Jedi Knight. On the other hand, a premature departure from the Order, like that of Ahsoka Tano, results in the braid being brutally torn off. Although no real inspiration lies behind this visual detail, George Lucas and his team imagined it as a strong aesthetic marker, allowing to quickly understand the social status of the character who wears it, and to simplify the narration.
#8 Han Solo's Weapon (Making of)
Han Solo's iconic weapon, the DL-44 blaster, hides a very earthly origin: it is designed from an old German Mauser C96 pistol, used during the two world wars. This uniquely designed model, nicknamed the “Broomhandle” for its rounded handle, sadly marked military history before landing in a distant galaxy. With a limited budget for A New Hope in 1977, George Lucas’s teams called on the gunsmith Bapty & Co. to create futuristic weapons from existing models. The Mauser C96, modified with salvaged parts (sight, conical tip, etc.), thus became Han's pistol.
The weapon, both brutal in its history and function and elegant in its design, is perfectly in line with Han Solo's cowboy/pirate/seducer image.During filming, some versions of the DL-44 used on screen were real modified weapons, others were simple replicas. In 2018, a copy used by Harrison Ford was sold at auction for $550,000!
#7 Darth Maul's Tattoos (Canon)
Darth Maul's demonic horns and red and black tattoos have made him one of the most memorable villains in the Star Wars saga. But few fans know the true origin of these markings. In The Clone Wars, we discover that these designs cover his entire body, suggesting a connection to his people of origin: the Zabraks of Dathomir. In this culture, tattoos mark the passage to adulthood or selection by witches called the Nightsisters.
However, according to the universe now considered Legends, these marks would be the result of a torture ritual imposed by Darth Sidious. The ink, mixed with venom, caused extreme pain, forging in Darth Maul the hatred necessary to embrace the Dark Side. Whether cultural or imposed, Maul had no tattoos as a child; these symbols therefore always embody the suffering and tragedy of a warrior shaped by pain.
#6 Leia's Haircut (making of)
Princess Leia's iconic macaron hairstyle in Star Wars: A New Hope is not just a fantasy of a galactic hairstylist. Although some have suggested other influences, such as the Hopi, none have proven to be so well-founded. Behind these two perfectly symmetrical buns lies a very real and historical inspiration. Indeed, George Lucas revealed in 2002 that he wanted a unique look, far removed from any contemporary fashion. He turned to Mexican revolutionary women of the early 20th century, notably Clara de la Rocha, a soldadera who fought in the Mexican Revolution.
A photo of her sporting a similar hairstyle, exhibited at the Denver Art Museum in 2016, confirms this explanation. Just as de la Rocha fought against an authoritarian regime, Leia fights against the Empire. Thus, well beyond aesthetics, Leia's hairstyle becomes a symbol of resistance, paying homage to the strong women who have marked history and to the revolutionary legacy carried by this princess who stands up against the imperial dictatorship.
#5 The little-known origins of Anakin's scar (canon)
Between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker sports a mysterious scar above his right eye. However, neither the films nor the official Star Wars series explain its origin. This silence has puzzled fans for years. The best explanation (so far) comes from an old Dark Horse comic, now not considered canon but classified in the Legends universe. In Star Wars: Republic #71, Anakin faces Asajj Ventress, a formidable apprentice of Dooku. The intense and personal duel leaves him with a facial injury. This scar symbolically marks his first steps towards the Dark Side: he is overcome by anger and seeks revenge. In the absence of a canonical explanation, this story remains the most credible interpretation of this iconic mark. However, George Lucas himself admitted that the wound had no specific history, but served as a symbol of maturity and transformation.
#4 Darth Maul's Double Sabers (Canon)
Darth Maul's iconic double-bladed lightsaber, from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, is not just a spectacular accessory. This unique weapon gives him a crucial strategic advantage: the ability to fight two Jedi at the same time. Darth Maul, as a lone Sith, is trained by Palpatine to face the traditional Jedi pairs – master and apprentice – who often fight in pairs. Unlike a conventional lightsaber, the double saber acts like a staff, providing Darth Maul with constant defense while launching swift and unexpected attacks. the isolated master. Symbolically, this double blade also illustrates the famous "rule of two" (which we discuss in detail here) of the Sith. Darth Maul and his weapon embody this duality: facing alone the combined strength of two Jedi with a weapon designed to break the bonds.
#3 The braids on Boba Fett's armor (canon)
Among the most intriguing details of Boba Fett's armor are the braids adorning his right shoulder. Long the subject of speculation, these braided locks were confirmed in the comic book War of the Bounty Hunters #3 to be Wookiee scalps. This gruesome detail reveals a dark side of the famous bounty hunter. Since his first appearance in The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett has fascinated with his mystery and efficiency. Yet, few knew that these trophies come from deadly duels against a representative of Chewbacca's species. When confronting Chewbacca, Boba points to his braids to remind him that he has already defeated his kind. While some sources have suggested they were Padawan braids or decorative ornaments, this revelation lifts the veil on Fett's brutality. These braids, far from trivial, embodied both his bloody past and his feared reputation throughout the galaxy.
#2 Boba Fett's Hump (Legends Universe)
The famous bump on Boba Fett's helmet has intrigued fans for decades. However, no official version has confirmed its origin, leaving room for several fascinating theories. The most popular comes from an unfinished episode of The Clone Wars, revealed at a convention: Boba would have faced the bounty hunter Cad Bane in a duel in the style of a Western. The two injured each other, and Bane's shot struck Boba's helmet, leaving the iconic dent. However, this episode was never aired and is therefore not part of the official canon. Other accounts from the Legends universe suggest the dent came from a clash with Darth Vader, who deflected a blaster bolt right back at him. In the absence of definitive confirmation, Boba Fett's hump remains a cult mystery in the Star Wars universe, fueling the bounty hunter's legendary aura.
#1 Princess Leia's Bikini (making of)
The famous golden bikini worn by Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi has become a pop culture icon. However, its origins are surprising. Inspired by some of the illustrations by renowned artist Frank Frazetta, the costume was designed by designer Nilo Rodis-Jamero and sculpted by Richard Miller. Made in wax to fit Carrie Fisher's body, it however had to be adjusted during filming, following the actress's significant weight loss.
George Lucas wasn't opposed to this daring outfit, but didn't know how Fisher would react. The actress, uncomfortable, never hid her dislike for this costume which she considered humiliating, a far cry from the royal gowns or combat outfits she preferred. Despite criticism—including from its own performer—the bikini remains a coveted collector's item, estimated at between $80,000 and $120,000 at auction in 2015.
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