Do you know ... these fascinating facts about Star Wars?

Even the most dedicated Jedi might be surprised at what goes on in the Galactic Empire.

> Yoda was almost played by a monkey. According to the book The Making of Star Wars by J.W. Rinzler, George Lucas originally planned for Yoda to be played by an adorable monkey wearing a mask and carrying a cane.

> “I have a bad feeling about this” became a running gag for the franchise. The phrase “I have a bad feeling about this” or “I have a very bad feeling about this” is said in every Star Wars movie.

> There are no female fighter pilots in the original trilogy. Even though female fighter pilots were in the original screenplay, they were removed from the final cut.

> E.T. was in The Phantom Menace — sort of. The alien race of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial makes an appearance in Episode I: The Phantom Menace — officially connecting the worlds of Lucas and Spielberg sci-fi. A senator and his delegation from planet Brodo Asogi are present in the Grand Convocation Chamber when Queen Amidala calls for a vote of no confidence.

> The lightsaber noise comes from the familiar hum of an old television. The noise a lightsaber makes is created by combining the hum of an old television’s picture tube and the buzz of a film projector’s motor.

> You can use Star Wars collectible coins as real money. The tiny South Pacific island of Niue accepts limited edition Star Wars collectible coins as legal tender.