Star Wars has produced some of the most memorable quotes in cinematic history. From “May the force be with you” to “I am your father” – we know them all. There are some quotes, however, that can be used in a subtler way to amuse ourselves and to everyone else, well, they simply don’t have clue.
Below, we’ll take a look at ten of the most fun quotes I’ve genuinely used in my life. We’ve all surely used the immortal line – “I have a bad feeling about this” – so, we’ll be leavening that one out of here.
“Hello, what have we here?”
The famous line uttered by Lando Calrissian when he first lands eyes upon Princess Leia on Cloud City displays his charm and utter smoothness. I, however, am not smooth and wouldn’t dream of saying this to any woman. I’d probably receive a clout round the ear for it. I do say this line on a regular basis, though. It’s used when I see something Star Wars that I want to buy or a grail item I’ve been after for years. I’ve said these words countless times at Echo Base Events and recently used it in Smyths Toys when I saw they finally had some Star Wars Doorables – much to the confusion of a lady next to me. Finally, when the email came through a little while ago announcing the on-sale date for Celebration Japan tickets, again, I said five little words – much to the amusement of my girlfriend.
“This is no time for heroics.”
A frantic and ever-anxious C-3PO can be heard saying this at the start of the Battle of Endor. As Artoo whirls away to help Han and Leia at the Bunker down below, a reluctant 3PO follows in pursuit. I used this one some years back. A friend called me over one Saturday. This, he told me nonchalantly, was the plan: “It’s 9am now, we’ll load up the van with the kitchen units, drop them at the tip, then hoist the roof tiles on the roof and try and fit them before 12, then attack that the tree stump in the garden and finally do the guttering that leads to the bathroom round the back. I reckon we should be wrapped up by 3ish cause I’m watching the footie at 3.30.” I asked him if he really thought the two of us could haul roof tiles up and fit them, despite neither of us having any experience. He replied “yes.” I finished with: “This is no time for heroics.”
“This party’s over.”
Delivered by Samuel L. Jackson with that menacing and icy stare that means he’s not fussing around; Mace Windu delivers this line to Count Dooku before the climatic arena battle takes place. When I used this line it was like something out of The Inbetweeners and I was the only one laughing. It was 2010 and I was studying at the National Youth Theatre in London. On one of our rare nights off, I heard there was a Star Wars party taking place in one of the rooms. Rushing down the halls, I walked in to find that it was a Star Trek themed get-together instead. “This party’s over,” I quipped – to absolute deathly silence.
“Some things are stronger than blood.”
These words were said by Luke Skywalker to Rey during the events of The Rise of Skywalker. Luke knew of Rey’s parentage and attempts to quell her fears. It’s a well-written line (in stark contrast to the horrific “Somehow Palpatine returned”) and is wonderfully poetic and true to life for many of us. Changing gears just slightly, I was talking to an old friend about how she had never truly gotten on with her biological father but had found a bond of sorts with her neighbour as she had grown older. She came to see this neighbour as a fatherly figure and confessed that perhaps she loved him more than her real father. “Some things are stronger than blood.” It was true for Luke and Rey and true in the moment for my friend, too.
“There’s always a bigger fish.”
Delivered by Liam Neeson with the utmost seriousness, this line has taken on a life of its own over the years. Be sure to watch Carrie Fisher’s panel from Celebration Europe 3 in 2016 to see what I’m on about. I said this line many, many years ago when me and my mate were in the casino. I’m not much of a gambler but he was, and he was my ride home, so I was sort of stuck there. It was about 4am and my pal put down a tidy some of cash on the table. It drew a few looks as we were only youngers really at the time. Playing a hand next to him was an elderly gentleman who put down a four-figure sum of money on one turn of the card. He certainly wasn’t messing around. I leant into my mate’s ear and whispered, “There’s always a bigger fish.” Much to my surprise, a fellow next to me who clearly didn’t know I was quoting Qui-Gon Jinn for my own amusement nodded at me and said, “Wise words. Your friend should listen.” It’s easy to say that for the rest of the night I had a better time than anyone playing a hand at the table.
“Always thinking with your stomach.”
This brilliant line is uttered to Chewbacca after his quest for food entraps our heroes in a net on Endor. Now, I have a confession…I don’t really use this line, but this has been said about me ample of times. Who hasn’t thought with their stomach? The other Sunday, I woke up and one of the first things I asked my girlfriend was what our plans were for pudding in the evening? Cookie dough ice creamed, I hoped. She was amazed that I was thinking so far ahead and only a few days before had I shown her which were the best sweets and chocolates to put into popcorn whilst at the cinema. (Malteasers if you’re wondering, perfect to suck a little bit then crunch and munch.) Next, I wondered if two pieces of salmon would go with sweet potatoes and then if we had granola and yogurt for later in the week and you know what…yes, it turns out I am always thinking with my stomach.
“This is where the fun begins.”
Two icons utter this brilliant line, Han Solo and Anakin Skywalker. I say this about most things. Most recently I said it in much the way Han Solo would. I was preparing to go stage to perform my set. It was a high-profile night, but the MC and opening act (both high calibre and extremely talented) had both died horrible deaths in front of a crowd that really wanted to be anywhere else than watching comedy. After the interval and a few minutes from the MC, it was my turn to go up and make these people laugh for 20 minutes. I turned to the headliner and simply said with a wry smile, “This is where the fun begins.” It most definitely WAS NOT.
“Who’s scruffy lookin’?”
I say this when people haven’t even said a word to me, just shoot me a look. Anytime I’m meant to be getting dressed up for a fancy meal and I’m ready to leave with a rumpled shirt, messy hair and trainers that are about to fall apart – I get the look. The look to say; really? You’re going out like this. And I simply reply, knowing full well that I don’t look dapper, but it works for me, “Who’s scruffy looking?”
“Hey, it’s me.”
This line still makes me laugh every time I hear it. Only Han Solo could get away with it with that look that only Ford could give. The look that says – I don’t really know what I’m doing but I’m going to make it up and see where it goes and then probably make it up some more and get away with it. I’ve used this a couple of times but most notably is one that my parents still laugh about from time to time. One night, in the cold dead of January of 2017, I was reading Mike Myers’ biography and he talked about his time studying and performing at the legendary Second City Comedy Theatre Company in Toronto and Chicago. The likes of Bill Murray, Steve Carell and Tina Fey have trod the boards there. This seemed like a good idea. And so, with no knowledge of America or The Second City or anything really, the next night I came home and told my folks I was packing up my job and heading to Chicago to study at this world-renowned place and then I’d travel the US and perform my shows. After their natural concerns and many, many, many, expletives and questions about how I was going to do this, I simply replied; “Hey, it’s me.” It turns out there’s a bit of Han Solo in all of us.
“Hello there.”
Need I say more?
