Though common knowledge to classic horror film fans, to others it may come as a surprise that David Prowse and Peter Cushing were in Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell together three years before Star Wars. Moreover, their pairing in that film is curiously similar to Lucas’ space opera. Cushing played Dr. Frankenstein and Prowse played the monster. It’s certainly possible that Lucas was, in some way, influenced by their appearance in what would be Hammer Films’ last Frankenstein film.