Trivia about Howard the Duck. * Phoebe Cates and Tori Amos auditioned for the part of Beverly Switzler, eventually played by Lea Thompson. * Jay Leno was up the role of Phil Blumburtt. * Howard landed on Earth on 8 September. It was on that date in 1966 that "Star Trek" (1966) premiered on NBC. * The ultra light aircraft used in the movie was a Quicksilver MX. * Executive producer George Lucas spent $2 million on Howard's duck suit, and eight different actors worked inside the costume. According to the 2009 DVD release, a child actor was intended to be the "main" Howard, but didn't work out; another actor, Ed Gale ended up performing the lion's share of the major scenes as Howard and as such earned himself a credit at the start of the film. * Shortly after the movie w