George Lucas created the Star Wars franchise back in 1977, which primarily revolves around the conflict between the light and dark side of the Force. In the first film, Lucas introduced several fascinating sci-fi elements that have become ingrained in modern pop culture and remain relevant even today.
One of these elements is the iconic Jedi weapon known as the Lightsaber. However, Lucas initially had an entirely different name in mind for the weapon. Moreover, fans would certainly have been unhappy with the name and it is hard to think the Lightsaber would have achieved the same level of popularity with the original name. Here is what George Lucas originally wanted to call Lightsabers.
George Lucas Initially Had a Nightmarish Name For Lightsabers in Star Wars
When crafting 1977’s Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) George Lucas’ script underwent several revisions. Lucas fine-tuned several of the sci-fi elements through several re-writes, and some of these originally were given different names. For instance, the protagonist was to be named Luke Starkiller and the Force was referred to as the Force of the Others in the initial drafts.
Among these, Lucas had originally planned a different name for the plasma-based energy sword that the Jedi wield across the franchise. The weapon that we today know as the Lightsaber was referred to as the Lazer Sword in some of the earlier drafts of the movie.
Notably, Lucas had swapped the “s” is laser sword, for a “z” to give it a unique sound. However, this name thankfully never made it past the initial drafts, as fans almost certainly would have disliked it. Moreover, the name invokes the title of a raunchy comedy movie, with an intended double meaning.
“I saw your laser sword. Only Jedis carry that kind of weapon.”
Anakin Skywalker says to Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace, referring to the original name of the weapon. It was also reference again when Luke Skywalker speaks with Rey in The Last Jedi. Despite these instances, it was for the best that Lucas later settled on the name Lightsaber for the elegant weapon.
George Lucas Talks Creating Lightsabers as the Weapon of Jedi in Star Wars
During The Birth of the Lightsaber featurette, which was first released as a bonus feature with the Special Edition DVD of the first film, George Lucas opened up about the creation of the Lightsaber as a weapon wielded by the Jedi, who are portrayed as the peacekeepers in the galaxy.
“It was more a symbol of a simpler time of a time before the Empire had taken over a time when honor ruled so it was more of a symbol than it was an actual weapon in the movie.”
Lucas made the above statement explaining how the Jedi philosophy inspired the practical use of a weapon like the Lightsaber.
At the same time, the director noted that the weapon was inspired by the pirate and swashbuckling films of the ’40s, which influenced the film overall. As a result, given the symbolism behind the weapon, a name as simple as Lazer Sword wasn’t well-suited, which Lucas likely realized and changed it to the now famous Lightsaber.
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