Key Takeaways:
– Carrie Fisher, revered for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, endured a challenging time while filming a scene with Jabba the Hutt.
– Jabba the Hutt was created by puppeteer Toby Philpott, using four tons of clay.
– Fisher was uncomfortable with an on-set costume and a scene that required her to be ‘grossly licked’ by Jabba.
– Fisher achieved her revenge by personally delivering Jabba’s final showdown where she strangles him.
– In her memoir ‘The Princess Diarist’, Fisher admitted an affair with co-star Harrison Ford during the filming of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’.
The Immortal Princess Leia’s Unforgettable Scene
As an integral part of the legendary Star Wars franchise, Carrie Fisher’s portrayal of Princess Leia was both iconic and unforgettable. Yet, as much as fans relish memories of her character, Fisher herself endured a particularly challenging time during the shooting of Return of the Jedi. Specifically, one particular scenes involving her interaction with Jabba the Hutt, crafted meticulously from four tons of clay by renowned puppeteer Toby Philpott, caused Fisher significant discomfort.
Inside the Challenging And Cringeworthy Scene
The scene in question portrays Leia in an attempt to free Hans Solo from the clutches of the inter-galactic gangster Jabba the Hutt. Adding to the actress’s distress, Fisher was required to don a snug-fitting metallic bikini, challenging to maneuver and wear. Furthermore, an uncomfortable moment emerged where Fisher had to endure the grotesque licking from Jabba, making it a particularly strenuous experience for the Hollywood star.
The puppet master controlling Jabba, Toby Philpott, acknowledged the discomforting episode in the book ‘Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: The Official Collector’s Edition’. Philpott admitted to, in essence, sticking the character’s “horrible, gloop-covered tongue right in Carrie Fisher’s ear.”
Fisher’s Sweet Revenge
Upon enduring weeks of arduous filming for these scenes, Fisher was offered the option of using a body double for the scene wherein Leia strangles Jabba. Nevertheless, the tenacious actress insisted on performing the scene herself, seeing it as an opportunity for payback for the grueling experiences she had been made to endure.
Carrie Fisher’s Memoirs Shed Light on Co-star Relationship
Adding another layer to Fisher’s Star Wars legacy, revelations came to light concerning her off-screen relationship with her co-star, Harrison Ford, renowned for his role as Hans Solo. The late actress laid bare the details of their affair in her memoir, ‘The Princess Diarist’, released in 2016.
Delicately reflecting on their relationship, Fisher confessed, “My affair with Harrison was a very long one-night stand. I was relieved when it ended. I didn’t approve of myself. Yes, I love him. I’ll always feel something for him.” Referring to Ford’s alleged faithfulness to his other partners, Fisher clarified that he was not a womanizer and that their relationship stemmed from personal loneliness.
These facts, along with the rest of the Star Wars epic, continue to enthrall fans of the franchise, which can be relived on Disney+.
