7 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Princess Leia
To celebrate Leia's return to the big screen in "The Force Awakens," here are seven interesting facts you might not know about the Princess of Alderaan -- and the actress who brought her to life.
1. There were a lot of potential Leias
Much like George Lucas considered many actors for the role of Han Solo, several dozen actresses tested for the part of Leia. Carrie Fisher claims Jodie Foster was an early front runner, and everyone from Glenn Close to Meryl Streep tried out for the part.
2. Fisher wasn’t a fan of Leia’s wardrobe
Princess Leia may have the biggest closet this side of Queen Amidala, but Fisher wasn’t fond of Leia’s many outfits. Even “A New Hope’s” simple white dress was a sticking point, as Fisher was barred from wearing a bra underneath the costume. She later said, “As we all know, there is no underwear in space.”
3. Sometimes Fisher performed her own stunts
Lucas didn’t yet have a bottomless well of money to work with when he was filming the original “Star Wars,” and certain cost-cutting measures had to be taken. One of those involved having Fisher and her co-star, Mark Hamill, perform their own stunts for that famous scene where Leia and Luke swing across the gap in the Death Star.
4. She had a height problem
For all that Leia complained about Luke being “a little short for a Stormtrooper,” Fisher’s small frame caused some problems on set. Due to her being a foot shorter than Harrison Ford, she had to stand on a box during some of their scenes together.
5. She never met Obi-Wan Kenobi
Leia’s “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope,” is one of the most iconic lines in the Star Wars saga, but the irony is that she alone never actually met the Jedi Master face-to-face. By the time she and her rescuers made it back to the Millennium Falcon, Obi-Wan was already locked in his final duel with Darth Vader.
6. But she did meet Darth Maul (sort of)
Leia did, however, encounter the ghost of Darth Maul. One issue of the Marvel comic “Star Wars: Shattered Empire” saw Leia travel to Naboo. When she passed through the hangar where Darth Maul once fought Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jin, she sensed a ghostly echo of the Sith warrior.
7. Leia and Han lost two children
Leia is described as being a weary and brokenhearted military leader in “The Force Awakens,” which is pretty much in line with her portrayal in the Expanded Universe novels. Leia and Han had three children (Jaina, Jacen and Anakin) in the EU, but both sons died separate, but equally tragic, deaths.
