Peter Cushing’s Unseen Struggle in “Star Wars: A New Hope”
In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Peter Cushing’s portrayal of Grand Moff Tarkin left an indelible mark as the villainous figure responsible for the destruction of Princess Leia’s home planet, Alderaan. However, behind the scenes, Cushing’s on-screen intimidation contrasted with a less imposing reality as the actor faced a peculiar challenge related to his footwear.
Throughout the film, eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that the filmmakers predominantly shot Cushing’s character, Grand Moff Tarkin, from the waist up. This deliberate framing aimed to conceal the actor’s size 12 feet, as the ill-fitting boots provided were painful to wear. With no time to acquire new footwear, Cushing resorted to wearing slippers during filming, a practical solution to a behind-the-scenes dilemma that remained hidden from audiences’ view.
