Shiny: 10 Firefly Facts Every Browncoat Should Know

Attention, all you Browncoats out there! Are you ready to dive deep into the 'verse and explore some fun and fascinating trivia about Joss Whedon's short-lived but beloved sci-fi western, Firefly, and its cinematic follow-up, Serenity? Well, strap in and hold on tight, because we're about to embark on a thrilling adventure that's sure to tickle your geeky fancy. With a slew of surprising cast gags, ingenious costume repurposing, and even the influence of that little-known galaxy far, far away, these 10 lesser-known facts will have you saying, "Gorram, I never knew that!" in no time flat.

So, whether you're a die-hard fan who's seen every episode more times than Jayne's worn that cunning hat, or a newcomer to the 'verse just itching to learn more about the ragtag crew of Serenity, we've got you covered. We promise these shiny tidbits will make your heart soar like a leaf on the wind (too soon?), and rekindle your love for Firefly and Serenity in ways you never imagined possible. So, come aboard Serenity and let's take a trip through the stars together, but always remember: no power in the 'verse can stop us from loving Firefly.

01
Firefly in Space

via u/kirbyfood, SWANNY-117

Astronaut Steven Ray Swanson, a huge fan of the show, brought DVD copies of Firefly and Serenity to the International Space Station in 2007, making them a permanent part of the station's library.
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02
Oh Summer!

via 20th Century Fox Television

Whenever a cast member flubbed their lines, they'd yell Summer Glau's name as an inside joke after Glau forgot her lines in the episode "Objects In Space."
03
Costume Recycling

via Therefore I Geek

The Alliance officers' and soldiers' uniforms were repurposed from the 1997 film Starship Troopers and were used again in the sequel.
04
The Anglo-Sino Alliance

via Alex Welens

The full name of "The Alliance" was "The Anglo-Sino Alliance", symbolizing the merger of the American and Chinese governments and corporate superpowers, with a flag blending the American and Chinese national flags.
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05
Fox's Episode Shuffle

via Mr. Movie

Fox aired "The Train Job" as Firefly's first episode instead of the two-hour pilot due to its action-packed content. The network continued to air episodes out of order, leaving the pilot for the finale.
06
Zac Efron's Debut

via 20th Century Fox Television

A 13-year-old Zac Efron played Young Simon in a flashback in the episode "Safe," marking his acting debut.
07
Alien Connection

via 20th Century Fox Television

In the pilot episode's Battle of Serenity Valley, Captain Malcolm Reynolds uses a cannon featuring a Weyland-Yutani logo from the Alien film franchise (Whedon wrote Alien: Resurrection in 1997).
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08
Han Solo Tribute

via 20th Century Fox Television

Nathan Fillion, a Han Solo fan, had a 12-inch replica of Han Solo in Carbonite made by the prop department, which can be spotted in various scenes.
09
Expanding the Crew

via 20th Century Fox Television

Whedon initially envisioned a crew of five for Serenity but expanded the cast to nine during development and casting.
10
Star Wars Influence

via GWC

Whedon drew inspiration from Star Wars, with Captain Malcolm Reynolds resembling Han Solo and Serenity influenced by the Millennium Falcon. Some Star Wars spacecrafts even make cameo appearances in the show.