Prepare for a mind-bending revelation that will shake the foundations of the Star Wars galaxy. The iconic Jedi master, Yoda, was almost not the green sage we know and love. Archival sources and insider accounts reveal a shocking twist in his creation story.
Imagine Luke Skywalker's surprise if Yoda had greeted him with a different hue! According to the original screenplay of The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda was intended to be 'bluish'. This description, penned by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, paints a vivid picture of a small, ragged, and distinctly blue creature standing before Luke and R2-D2 on the swampy planet of Dagobah.
But here's where it gets controversial. Despite most elements of the screenplay making it to the final film, Yoda's color underwent a last-minute transformation. Early concept art from 1978 showcases Yoda in various colors, including blue and pink. Even more intriguing, a novelization of the movie released in 1980, the same year as the film, describes Yoda as 'blue-skinned', while comic book adaptations depict him as purple!
The mystery deepens as we delve into the reasons behind this change. Nick Maley, a special effects artist on the film, recalls that Yoda was already green when he joined the project. He speculates that the green color might have been chosen due to the classic association of green with aliens, particularly Martians. But why the initial blue or purple depictions? And why the sudden change?
The answer may be lost to history, as many key figures from that era are no longer with us. Stuart Freeborn, the makeup artist who created Yoda's iconic look, passed away in 2013. Freeborn is rumored to have based Yoda's face on his own, with additional inspiration drawn from Albert Einstein.
Yoda's species, home planet, and origins remain largely unknown, adding to the enigma. The recent popularity of Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, in The Mandalorian series has further fueled curiosity about this mysterious alien race.
And this is the part most fans miss: the decision to make Yoda green may have been a pivotal moment in shaping the Star Wars universe as we know it. What if Yoda had remained blue or purple? Would the impact of his wise words and powerful presence have been the same? These questions spark endless debates among fans, leaving us to wonder about the untold stories behind the scenes of this beloved franchise.
