10 Facts About the <br />'Star Wars' Universe <br />for May the 4th .<br />'Star Wars' Day is upon us. To celebrate, here are <br />10 facts you may not have known about the franchise.<br />1. Orson Welles was almost <br />Darth Vader, but George Lucas thought <br />his voice would be too recognizable.<br />2. Robert Englund, AKA Freddy Krueger, encouraged Mark Hamill to audition for the role of Luke Skywalker.<br />3. Irvin Kershner initially passed on directing <br />'The Empire Strikes Back' before being convinced <br />by George Lucas to take it on.<br />4. George Lucas originally wanted Jim Henson <br />to voice Yoda, but he was too busy.<br />5. Yoda's first name was "Buffy," <br />then "Minch Yoda," and finally <br />just shortened to Yoda.<br />6. George Lucas refused 20th Century Fox's request of naming 'Return of the Jedi' to 'Revenge of the Jedi' because Jedi's don't seek revenge.<br />7. It took up to seven puppeteers <br />to operate Jabba the Hutt.<br />8. Benicio Del Toro was supposed to play Darth Maul but dropped out after most of his lines were cut.<br />9. 'Revenge of the Sith' was the first <br />non-PG-rated 'Star Wars' film, and <br />was rated PG-13 instead.<br />10. Natalie Portman says 'Star Wars' almost <br />ruined her career, but it was saved by late <br />director Mike Nichols vouching for her
