Mark Hamill reveals Star Wars Death Star attackers didn't wear pants
Sweating bullets: A heatwave in England during filming of the original movie forced the actors to don shorts.
- Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga, let slip a tidbit of movie history.
In space, no one can hear you sweat.
Friday, apparently, was the little-known National Trivia Day, and when asked, Star Wars star Mark Hamill had a gem of movie trivia to share. When asked on Twitter by a fan for a bit of trivia, Hamill revealed, "Because of a record heatwave in England when we filmed the original #StarWars, most of the pilots wore only the top-half of their costume, attacking the Death Star wearing shorts."
He hashtagged the tweet #truestory.
Because of a record heatwave in England when we filmed the original #StarWars, most of the pilots wore only the top-half of their costume, attacking the Death Star wearing shorts. #TrueStory https://t.co/RSgZRneft9
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 5, 2019
And when a fan had a follow-up about how the actors managed not to look sweaty on stage, he added, "constant mop-downs between takes."
Constant mop-downs between takes.
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 5, 2019
The comments and jokes that resulted from Hamill's revelation were galactically good.
"I'm a military photographer and haven't been able to publish a lot of photos because our guys weren't wearing pants," Twitter user Tim Koster wrote. "I guess some things in war never change, no matter what galaxy you're in."
I'm a military photographer and haven't been able to publish a lot of photos because our guys weren't wearing pants. I guess some things in war never change, no matter what galaxy you're in ...
— Tim Koster (@authortimkoster) January 5, 2019
They were Winnie the Pooh-ing!?
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) January 5, 2019
Since when does Disney endorse military personnel serving without pants? pic.twitter.com/70xuMvNba0
— 🏳️🌈Demonac🏳️🌈 (@talesddc) January 5, 2019
Wedgie Antilles jokes start in 3...2...1...
— The Amandalorian (@JeansandaTShirt) January 5, 2019
"I used to bullseye womprats in my Superman underoos back home."
— AJediRises (@thewarinourstar) January 5, 2019
I hate to say it but Porkins dying in hot pants just makes him even more of a hero.
— Sephirothwolf (@Sephirothwolf) January 5, 2019
— Danny Quimby 🎸🎤🎶 (@DannyQuimby) January 5, 2019
I find their lack of costume disturbing...
— Scott Cooper (@scotty8692) January 5, 2019
But the news definitely made some fans view the classic 1977 film in a new hope -- er, new light. "You're ruining my childhood memories!" wrote one Twitter user.
You're ruining my childhood memories!
— Gian J. Quasar (@GqGian) January 5, 2019
@HamillHimself 😳😱🤭 pic.twitter.com/ltNqEXRRPI
— Penny (@Penny_Bklyn) January 5, 2019
Damn it ..#ScarredForLife
— Rob Kelly (@ImRobKelly) January 5, 2019
Shorts or no shorts, Hamill will return in some fashion in Star Wars: Episode IX, due out in December.
