STAR WARS: THE FORBIDDEN OBJECTS YOU’LL NEVER SEE ON SCREEN
In a galaxy far, far away, some of the most mundane objects are strictly forbidden: mirrors, knives, wheels, and even paper. Discover the fascinating behind-the-scenes rules that make the Star Wars universe feel truly alien, as revealed by the creative minds behind the franchise.
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Quick Takeaways:
- Mirrors, traditional knives, and other everyday items are strictly off-limits in the Star Wars galaxy.
- Lucasfilm enforces these rules to preserve the franchise’s distinct, otherworldly aesthetic.
- Exceptions to these prohibitions are rare and carefully considered.
- Pablo Hidalgo helps maintain Star Wars’ continuity by overseeing these creative restrictions.
Everyday Objects You’ll Never See in Star Wars
When picturing the Star Wars universe, your mind might conjure up images of lightsabers, starships, and galactic battles. But behind the scenes, some everyday objects are intentionally excluded to maintain the franchise’s unique aesthetic. Tony Gilroy, creator of Andor and director of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, shared insights into Lucasfilm’s strict guidelines, including a list of items explicitly banned from appearing on screen.
No Mirrors Allowed
One of the most fascinating bans in the Star Wars galaxy is the absence of mirrors. Tony Gilroy revealed that Lucasfilm prohibits the use of traditional mirrors, which means characters have to see their reflections in unconventional ways or simply learn how to groom themselves without one.
There is, however, an exception to this rule: in Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, Rey encounters infinite reflections of herself during a Jedi training sequence. Since these reflections occur naturally and aren’t from a physical mirror, they adhere to Lucasfilm’s specific rules.
The Mysterious Lack of Knives
Traditional knives are another banned object in Star Wars. Although various cutting tools and weapons exist, a humble kitchen knife or pocketknife won’t be seen on screen in this galaxy far, far away.
This prohibition extends to other common objects as well. Paper, wheels, and hinges are all no-go items in the Star Wars universe. The lack of wheels is especially strict, with one rare exception: D-0, the tiny droid from Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker, features a single “squeaky wheel.” It’s also worth noting that R2-D2’s movement, though it looks wheel-like, is actually on tracks, preserving the rule.
Maintaining the Star Wars Aesthetic
The omission of these mundane items isn’t random. It’s part of the meticulous worldbuilding that makes the Star Wars galaxy feel so distinctively otherworldly. By taking seemingly ordinary objects out of the equation, Star Wars creators are forced to craft alien solutions that fit the universe’s unique vibe.
Pablo Hidalgo, one of Lucasfilm’s lore experts, plays a pivotal role in upholding these standards. His deep knowledge of Star Wars’ sprawling lore ensures that new entries into the franchise remain consistent with the rules established throughout its history.
Creativity in Restriction
By banning commonplace items like mirrors, knives, and wheels, Star Wars fosters innovation. Creators must invent new ways for characters to interact with their surroundings, leading to creative worldbuilding and unforgettable visuals. This attention to detail has played a significant role in keeping Star Wars fresh, immersive, and beloved by audiences for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are certain objects forbidden in Star Wars movies?
Some objects are forbidden in Star Wars movies due to creative choices by the filmmakers to maintain the unique aesthetic of the galaxy far, far away. These restrictions help preserve an otherworldly feel and avoid similarities to real-world items.
What are the five objects Star Wars movies are forbidden from showing?
The five objects Star Wars movies avoid showing often include items distinctly associated with our modern world, such as wheeled vehicles, modern books or paper, traditional glasses for drinking, zippers, and contemporary firearms. These choices enhance the immersion into the Star Wars universe.
Why don’t Star Wars movies show wheeled vehicles?
Wheeled vehicles are avoided in Star Wars to highlight futuristic or alien forms of transportation, like speeders, walkers, and spaceships. This decision keeps the visual design distinct from reality.
Do Star Wars characters ever read books or use paper?
No, physical books and paper are generally absent from Star Wars movies. Information in the galaxy is usually portrayed through holograms or digital devices, reinforcing the advanced technology theme.
Why are modern firearms forbidden in Star Wars movies?
Modern firearms are replaced with blasters and other fantastical weapons in Star Wars to ensure the universe feels futuristic and separate from real-world warfare. Realistic guns would break the immersion of the sci-fi setting.
Are traditional zippers not allowed in Star Wars costume designs?
Yes, traditional zippers are avoided in Star Wars costumes to give the clothing a timeless, handcrafted appearance. This design choice supports the series’ goal of creating a unique and immersive universe.
What drinks do Star Wars characters use instead of glasses?
Star Wars characters often drink from creatively designed cups, mugs, or alien-inspired vessels instead of traditional modern glasses. These props are designed to align with the exotic and otherworldly themes of the universe.
Filipino Translation:
Kapag iniisip mo ang Star Wars universe, ang naiisip mo siguro ay lightsabers, starships, at mga epic na laban, pero meron ding mga everyday objects na bawal talaga. Ayon kay Tony Gilroy, creator ng series na “Andor” at director ng “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” meron daw ilang bagay na hindi mo makikita sa Star Wars galaxy. Na-share ni Gilroy na nung ginagawa nila ang “Rogue One,” nakatanggap siya ng notes mula sa Lucasfilm tungkol sa mga bagay na hindi puwedeng ipakita sa screen.
Isa sa mga pinaka-interesting na bawal ay ang mirrors. Sabi ni Gilroy, sa Star Wars universe, mga characters daw “have to catch your reflection on something else, or simply learn from an early age how to groom yourself without one.” Pero merong exception sa “Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi,” kasi doon nakita ni Rey ang infinite reflections niya during Jedi training. Pero kasi natural ‘yung reflections na ‘yun, hindi yung typical na nakasabit na salamin, kaya okay ‘yun based sa rules ng universe nila.
Isa pang hindi pwede ay ang knife. Kahit na may mga iba’t ibang cutting tools, hindi mo daw makikita ang traditional knives sa Star Wars galaxy. Kasama na rin dito ang ibang everyday objects tulad ng papel, gulong, at hinges. Yung bawal sa gulong sobrang striktong rule yan, pero nagkaroon ng exception kay D-0 sa “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” na may “squeaky wheel.” At just to clarify, si R2-D2, contrary sa iniisip ng iba, hindi gumagalaw gamit ang wheels, kundi tracks.
Yung mga ganitong omissions, nakakadagdag sa unique na aesthetic ng Star Wars universe, kaya ito nararamdaman na parang ibang mundo talaga. Sobrang focused sila sa mga bagay na pwede at hindi pwede, na overseen ni Pablo Hidalgo. Siya yung may trabaho na tandaan ang lahat ng nangyari sa Star Wars universe to make sure na consistent lahat.
Dahil bawal ang mga karaniwang bagay na ‘to, napu-push ang creators na mag-isip ng creative solutions kung paano mag-iinteract ang characters sa environment nila. Resulta? Mas innovative ‘yung mga napo-produce nila, kaya mas alien yung vibe ng Star Wars galaxy. Sa mga maliliit na detalyeng ganito, na-maintain yung sense of wonder at ibang dimension na nakakakuha ng attention ng fans for decades.
Star Wars Movies Are Secretly Forbidden From Showing These Five Objects was first published here.
