“Easter eggs” are inside jokes or references for fans added to movies. (Learn about some famous Star Wars references in other films.)
In that spirit of fun, guests at the Denver Art Museum don’t have to wait till Easter to hunt for "Easter eggs" in the exhibition Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume. (Get tickets. Time slots are selling out quickly.) We have hidden several inside jokes and authentic props from the Star Wars films throughout the exhibition. Try to find (in order of appearance):
- Watto’s chance cubes. In Star Wars™: The Phantom Menace, the junk dealer makes a bet against Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, with these dice, that ultimately set young Anakin Skywalker free from Watto’s enslavement.
- Dianoga trading card. One of the most intense scenes from Star Wars™: A New Hope has our heroes trapped in a garbage compactor on the Death Star. As the walls close in, Luke Skywalker is attacked by the tentacled dianoga—or “trash squid.”
- E.T. Pay close attention when you watch The Phantom Menace. You’ll glimpse E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (the lovable alien from the eponymous 1982 movie), and two of his friends, in the Star Wars Galactic Senate. In honor of that "Easter egg" we snuck a little E.T. toy into our exhibition.
- Princess Leia’s digital watch. We didn’t realize, until we explored the archives at Skywalker Ranch, that Leia wore a watch. The proto-Apple watch is a fun and rarely seen artifact.
- Ewok on a glider. The too-cute (but fierce!) creatures from the planet Endor help the rebels fight against the Imperial troops in Star Wars™: Return of the Jedi. The film’s creative team made several small models to mock up the battle, including an adorable little Ewok flying on a glider.
- Star Wars universe materials. Look for a list of them on certain labels. (Hint: who wears Govath-wool boots?)
- Endor puppet’s tiny poncho and paper pattern. To create the effects of the speeder-bike chase during the battle of Endor, George Lucas’s team outfitted Luke and Leia puppets with miniature versions of the characters’ camouflage ponchos.
- Emperor Palpatine’s fingernails. After he is mutilated by Jedi Mace Windu’s force lightning in Star Wars™: Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine is not a pretty sight. The physical decay goes all the way down to his fingernails, which were too disgusting not to include in the exhibition.
- Yoda’s purse and pouch. The wisest Jedi accessorized, just like everyone else. Look for his extra pouch and purse as you contemplate his sage advice.