Star Wars News

Today launched the beginning of the Star Wars Identities exhibition at London's O2. After tickets went on sale at the end of September, the excitement has only intensified.

The incredible exhibition not only show cases some of the best and greatest of props, costumes, and art designs from the Star Wars cinematic universe, but also gives visitors their own personal Star Wars character.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors are invited to take part in a questionnaire. By the end of the exhibition, these series of questions determine exactly who you would be in the Star Wars universe; a unique character created with your personal identity and characteristics.

This character- focused aspect of the exhibition gives not only a very personal and exciting atmosphere to the exhibit, it also dives deep into the characters we know and love, including original storyboard plans and idea from Lucas himself.

Digital Spy.com has given us the low down of some juicy secrets revealed at the exhibition.

1. Luke could have been a woman...

Yes! Our beloved male protagonist was originally planned to be replaced by a certain female character, Digital spy has revealed. Apparently, the original Star Wars story was very different from our beloved Episode 4, including its leading role!

Various changes were made when plans were finally brought together, and rather than replacing Luke Skywalker, this mysterious female character became one of his most famous supporting roles, Princess Leia.

But as so rightly fit, 38 years later we did in fact get our leading female role, with Daisy Ridley's incredible portrayal of Rey.

2. Were Luke and Leia always destined to be twins?

The answer.... we have no idea. Digital Spy have discovered that from the Lucas Archives at Skywalker ranch, original drawings recognised 'similarities' between the characters that could 'suggest' they were related. But whether or not they were ever in fact meant to be brother and sister is unknown. Interesting. It looks like many secrets of almost 40 years ago will be left unhinged.

3. Yoda was not at all who we recognise him as

Original drawings of our favourite Jedi master reveal the end result was unrecognisable from the original plan. The drawings discovered Yoda to be very 'gnome-like' in appearance. Final changes made to the character were not revealed until the shooting of the Dagobah scenes in The Empire Strikes Back.

4. C3PO's walk wasn't the only thing that was restricted

The costume, as you could imagine, was one of many Star Wars costumes that was ridiculously uncomfortable and restricting. Anthony Daniels struggled so much during takes, that he was provided with a leaning board to relieve him between takes. Ouch!

5. Original props experienced an apocalypse

As Digital spy.com so wittily called it, an apropalypse occurred with many of the original props and costumes ceasing to exist. This surprising fact (since Star Wars is infamous for its collectors) runs true for many of the original costumes, with very little remains. If it wasn't for George Lucas' driving determination for Star Wars sequels, it is believed no props or costumes would longer exist. Jabba's eyes are one of few remaining artefacts.

6. Alec Guinness wasn't so anti-Star Wars

Although famously against Lucas' vison; calling it 'fairytale rubbish', it has been revealed that it was actually under his influence that Obi-Wan made spirit appearances in the last two films of the original trilogy. According to Digital Spy.com, Guinness was disheartened by Obi-Wan's premature death, as were we all.

7. A Shapeshifting Sith Lord?

Digital Spy have discovered that illustrator Ralph McQuarrie, a concept artist for Star Wars, considered the idea of allowing the Emperor to appear to Darth Vader in various forms, transforming from a beautiful woman to a monster at will.

8. X-Wing Cowboys

The opening and closing of the X-Wing fighter's wings were somewhat inspired by the idea that the X-Wing was drawing its guns, like cowboys in a Western.

9. "Judge me by my size, do you?”

The fearsome Star Destroyer is one of the most recognisable icons of Star Wars, as it appears in the memorable first scene of A New Hope. Digital Spy have found that the Star Destroyer's original model had been replaced by a more detailed and larger version by The Empire Strikes Back.

10. All Terrain Armoured Elephants

The designers of the mighty AT-ATs, the vehicles which were instrumental in the invasion of Hoth, studied the movement of elephants when considering how the vehicle should walk across the battlefield.

11. The Empire Strikes Bacca

Digital Spy have discovered that an early idea for The Empire Strikes Back was to explore Chewbacca’s backstory on Kashyyyk.

12. Rouge Squadron

The actors for the Rebel Pilots in the Original Trilogy sweated so much during filming, that they were given yellow visors for their helmets to hide their running makeup.

Star Wars Identities will be on display in The 02's Brooklyn Bowl from November 18 to September 3, 2017.