In a resurfaced interview from the BBC show Blue Peter, Carrie Fisher shared a humorous behind-the-scenes anecdote about filming a particular scene in The Empire Strikes Back. Joined by Mark Hamill on the iconic children’s program, Fisher, holding a turtle, recounted her experience shooting in the carbon-freezing chamber, famously known as the scene where Han Solo is frozen in carbonite.
Amidst playful banter and petting animals on set, Fisher revealed that despite the scene’s name suggesting freezing temperatures, it was actually sweltering hot. “It says freezing but it was actually very hot. It was about a hundred degrees,” she explained. This revelation painted a comical picture of Leia enduring the heat while Solo was being “frozen.”
Adding to the humor, Fisher mentioned the challenges of filming with Chewbacca, played by Peter Mayhew, particularly during scenes where Leia embraces the Wookiee. After multiple takes in the scorching heat, Fisher joked, “After about two hours in a lot of heat like that, he doesn’t smell so nice.” The playful exchange highlighted the less glamorous aspects of filming iconic scenes in a galaxy far, far away.
The interview took a whimsical turn when Fisher and Hamill were presented with a concoction called “Star Wars Stew,” a kid-friendly recipe comprising sausages, baked beans, onions, tomatoes, sweet corn, chips, potatoes, and cheese. Despite the eclectic mix, both actors engaged in the feast, with Hamill even playfully offering some to the dog on set.
As the segment concluded, Chewbacca made a brief appearance alongside Darth Vader and the droids, prompting playful speculation from the hosts about the villain’s unexpected presence with the heroes. The absence of Han Solo, humorously attributed to his confinement in Jabba’s Palace, added to the whimsy of the moment.
Overall, the interview provided fans with a delightful glimpse into the off-screen camaraderie and lighthearted moments shared by the cast of Star Wars amidst the challenges of filming iconic scenes.
