20 Little Known Star Wars Facts

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3. Wookiees Have a Past

The first mention of a Wookiee is not in “Star Wars,” but in Lucas’ directing debut, “THX 1138.”

Lucas has gained such fame for “Star Wars,” many tend to forget it was not his first film. That was “THX 1138,” made in 1971.

This is a dark vision of a future where people are kept drugged to ensure their cooperation with the tyrannical government.

Robert Duvall plays a misfit who stops taking his drugs and eventually escapes from the prison-like city.

The film was unsuccessful at the time, but garnered some good reviews from the counterculture press because of its grim, anti-establishment attitude. It has gained more appreciation in later years and is now a cult gem.

In a scene from “THX 1138,” someone is heard yelling over the radio that they ran over a Wookiee. The name stuck in Lucas’ head, and the rest is history.

From that introduction, Wookiees have matured into detail-rich creatures with all the traits of real beings. They now have a home planet called Kashyyk, a densely forested place where they live in treetop cities. They are known for their loyalty and sense of honor, which make them good allies.