Margaret Atwood: ‘9/11 terrorists were inspired by Star Wars’

Before the hit TV show, the author’s dystopian novel was adapted into a play in Denmark.

Originally the theatrical performance included visual effects of famous landmarks exploding, including the World Trade Centre.

After 9/11 however the footage was removed, but the 78-year-old is adamant that the terrorists weren’t inspired by The Handmaiden’s Tale, but Star Wars.

Speaking with Variety, she said: “They didn’t get that idea from my opera, don’t worry. They got the idea from Star Wars.”

Asked if she really believed that was the case, Atwood appeared to start referencing the end of A New Hope.

She continued: “Remember the first one?

“Two guys fly a plane in the middle of something and blow that up?

“The only difference is, in Star Wars, they get away.”

She added: “Right after 9/11, they hired a bunch of Hollywood screenwriters to tell them how the story might go next.

“Sci-fi writers are very good at this stuff, anticipating future events.”

The scene Atwood seems to be referencing is when Luke Skywalker and other rebels attacked Darth Vader’s Death Star.

However Luke didn’t crash his X-Wing into it, but fired a proton torpedo into a weak spot that blew the whole thing up.

The second season of The Handmaid’s Tale season 2 airs on Channel 4 in the next couple of months.

While the US air date is April 25, a UK release is expect either around then or some time in May.