8 times real animals appeared in Star Wars movies

As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast who’s seen the saga more times than I care to admit, I must confess that I’ve come across some unexpected creatures in my virtual journey through the galaxy far, far away. One of the most surprising encounters, I have to say, was the appearance of real-life rats and other furry friends in Return of the Jedi. Now, I’ve dealt with my fair share of rodents back on Earth, but seeing them scurrying around Jabba’s Palace was a bit too much even for this galactic traveler!

As a gaming enthusiast, I never knew just how closely connected the Star Wars universe was to our own world until I started noticing the real-life animals sprinkled throughout the films. It’s fascinating to realize that there are so many creatures from Earth that can also be found in this galaxy far, far away! Here are five examples of real animals that made an appearance in the Star Wars saga – you might be surprised by how much our worlds overlap.

1. An elephant was used to portray the Banthas in A New Hope

In the iconic film “A New Hope,” an Indian elephant named Mardji was employed to depict two Banthas due to her authentic and lifelike movements. During filming, she wore a furry suit for her body and a light headpiece. Since the Banthas are rarely shown up close in the movie, it’s easy to believe they are alien creatures instead of Earth animals when watching them on screen. The Banthas, being some of the most recognizable non-sentient creatures in the Star Wars universe, owe much of their appeal to Mardji’s remarkable performance. Unfortunately, Mardji passed away in 1995, and her significant impact on the Star Wars franchise will always be remembered.

2. A monitor lizard was seen in The Empire Strikes Back

In the movie “The Empire Strikes Back,” when Luke Skywalker ventures into the ominous Dark Side Cave, an enormous Asian water monitor lizard is discovered lurking within. This reptile appears alarmed by Luke’s unexpected intrusion, swiftly moving its head toward him upon his entrance to the cave. In the Star Wars universe, this type of lizard is called a sleen, and it was infamous for carrying lethal oral bacteria that could prove fatal with a single bite. Given that the Asian water monitor is one of the largest species of lizards globally, Luke may have found himself in a precarious situation if the creature chose to attack him.

3. Snakes also appeared in The Empire Strikes Back

In the movie “The Empire Strikes Back”, a few types of real-world snakes made an appearance on Dagobah. Firstly, one snake was observed moving among Luke’s belongings while he attended to R2-D2, which Luke appeared not to notice. Later, another snake could be seen on Yoda’s table before Luke pushed it aside and took the bowl it had been crawling over, filling it with several portions of Yoda’s stew. It seems that cleanliness is not a top priority on Dagobah.

During Luke’s confrontation with Darth Vader’s apparition within Dark Side Cave, there was also a snake present. Later, as he prepared to depart from the swamp planet, Luke could be seen extracting a snake from one of his X-Wing’s power generators. In the Star Wars universe, these snakes are known as Dagobah Pythons and Vine snakes, crucial components of the ecosystem on the planet Dagobah. For filming purposes, various South American king snakes, a python named Peter, and an African boa constrictor called Basel were utilized, provided by Animal Actors. These fearsome reptiles undeniably left a lasting impression on viewers when they glided across the screen in one of the most iconic Star Wars films ever made.

4. Emperor Palpatine was played by a chimpanzee in The Empire Strikes Back (yes, really)

In the initial release of “The Empire Strikes Back,” a chimp’s eyes were added to the masked face of actress Elaine Baker in early film tests and later Marjorie Eaton in the final film, giving Emperor Palpatine a less human, more ominous appearance. Although chimps aren’t officially part of the Star Wars universe, this unusual detail about one of its most feared antagonists is an intriguing trivia that continues to puzzle fans.

5. Rats were spotted in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi

In any location you find yourself, it’s likely that rats are nearby – a common saying among us. It might not shock you then, to discover that these ubiquitous vermin also inhabit the universe of Star Wars. You can spot actual rats in the walls of Jabba’s Palace during ‘Return of the Jedi’, and for those who fear rats (Musophobes), this sight could be quite distressing. Being engrossed in his duties as one of the galaxy’s most notorious crime lords, it seems that Jabba neglected to hire an exterminator, which may explain why his grand palace was overrun with these disease-spreading rodents.

6. An iguana appeared in Return of the Jedi

In the movie “Return of the Jedi,” Chief Chirpa, the leader of Bright Tree Village on Endor’s Forest Moon, doesn’t have to face all tough choices alone. An iguana often perched on him is depicted as his faithful advisor. Though it hasn’t been confirmed whether iguanas in the Star Wars universe possess intelligence, it’s clear that this lizard was a trusted friend and ally for Chirpa. The exact advice provided by the iguana is unknown, but their bond appears strong.

7. Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor both featured real animals

In 1984, “Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure” was aired on US television and shown in certain foreign territories theatrically the next year. This film, rich with real-life creatures, featured goats, chickens, llamas, ferrets, rabbits, and horses. Due to its lower budget compared to other Star Wars films, it was necessary for the production team to use real animals rather than creating numerous expensive animal stand-ins. While “Caravan of Courage” did present some intriguing alien lifeforms, the majority of the creatures in the movie were shown using actual animals, making the Forest Moon of Endor feel a bit more like our own world.

In the sequel to the Legend continuity set in 1985, titled “Ewoks: The Battle for Endor,” horses were introduced alongside a character named Charal, who possessed the unique ability to transform into a raven. At the story’s end, Charal remains trapped as a raven, and the production team used a real raven to portray her bird form. It was later revealed that Charal is actually a Nightsister, a powerful witch who has mastered the supernatural. This means that anyone venturing to the Forest Moon of Endor should be aware that a raven with potentially harmful intentions resides within its rich habitat.

8. Ducks showed up in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones

In “The Phantom Menace,” as the Bongo carrying Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jar Jar Binks floats up from Theed’s Solleu River on Naboo, it disrupts a group of ducks peacefully paddling on the water. These surprised ducks take off in a hurry. You can spot more ducks swimming through rivers on Naboo in “Attack of the Clones,” which makes them a common sight in the Prequel Trilogy.

2024-08-11 22:22