Star Wars: 10 Secrets Of The Millennium Falcon You Need To Know

2. The Final Design Was Inspired By George Lucas' Hamburger

Millennium Falcon Star Wars
Lucasfilm

The Falcon's original design was actually quite different, with a far more conventional, elongated appearance, until George Lucas realised that it bore too much of a resemblance to the Eagle Tranporter ships from the sci-fi series Space: 1999.

And so Lucas ditched this design for the Falcon, using it instead as inspiration for Leia's ship the Tantive IV, while giving special effects technician and future filmmaker Joe Johnston just four weeks to re-design the vessel.

But the ship's eccentric final design was actually the result of a brainstorm moment while George Lucas was chowing down on a hamburger, where he realised that the half-eaten meat patty would give the Falcon a totally distinctive look.

The cockpit, meanwhile, was allegedly inspired by the olive next to the burger on his plate. And so, if you ever wondered why the sheer sight of the Falcon was enough to leave you salivating, now you know why.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.