Star Wars’ Surprising Inspirations
The Real-World Basis for Lightsabers
The iconic lightsabers in “Star Wars” were inspired by traditional Japanese samurai swords. George Lucas, a fan of Akira Kurosawa’s films, wanted to incorporate the elegance and mystique of these ancient weapons into his space saga. The result was a futuristic twist on a classic weapon, becoming a staple of the “Star Wars” universe.
R2-D2’s Unusual Origins
R2-D2, the beloved droid, was partly inspired by a character from the 1972 sci-fi film “Silent Running” named Huey. Additionally, the beeps and boops that make up R2-D2’s language were created by sound designer Ben Burtt, who combined electronic sounds with his own vocalizations, giving the droid its unique and endearing personality.
