TK-421/Legends

"TK-421, why aren't you at your post? TK-421, do you copy?"

- Imperial officer Pol Treidum

TK-421 was the designation of a stormtrooper stationed aboard the first Death Star.

Biography
After the Millennium Falcon was captured, he was ordered to stand guard in front of the freighter's boarding ramp, while a scanning crew attempted to determine if anyone was hiding aboard the Falcon.

Just seconds after the scanning crew had made their way up the boarding ramp, a loud thump was heard and someone (Later revealed to be Han Solo) called down to them, asking TK-421 and his fellow guard, TK-422, for help with a piece of equipment. The two stormtroopers made their way up the ramp to assist the then-unconscious technicians. Instead TK-421, along with TK-422, was shot by Han Solo and stripped of his armor (which was then donned by Luke Skywalker).

When a firefight broke out between the staff of Detention Block AA 23 and a Wookiee with two stormtroopers, a security team was dispatched to the hangar housing the recently captured freighter. TK-421 and his comrades were found aboard the Falcon, and brought to the sick bay in their various states of incapacitation by his fellow stormtroopers.

Behind the scenes
In the novelization of the movie, the trooper was referred to as THX-1138, a homage to George Lucas's first feature film. In the radio drama, he was referred to as TX-421.

In Star Wars 3: Death Star the character is referred to as TX-421 and as part of Scanning crew BT-445.

TK-421 was the only stormtrooper to receive a designation in any of the three original trilogy movies.

TK-421 has become an easter egg of sorts mentioned in various places such as the movie Boogie Nights.

TK-421 is a song by the American metal band Kilgore.

Boxes labeled "EXPORT: TK-421" appear in the video game Banjo-Tooie.

In the German synchronization of Episode IV, the trooper's serial number is TK-241 instead of TK-421.

In the video game Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, a homage to TK-421 is included. In the Cairn Installation stage, the player will eventually enter a control room marked by six trip-mines in the entryway. If he moves towards a static-filled screen, he can hear an English-accented Human speak: TK-664, what is your status? TK-664, report!

TK-421 is also the name of many clonetroopers and stormtroopers in LEGO Star Wars videos that have been posted on Youtube.

Additionally, in the game's multiplayer mode, the name "TK-421" is given to the stormtrooper model.

TK-XXXX is the designation given to stormtroopers in the 501st.

TK-421's utility belt contained a grappling hook used by Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa to cross a chasm on the Death Star in A New Hope. It appears to be the only such device carried by any of the stormtroopers throughout the trilogy. It is also possible this was an item aboard the Millennium Falcon that Luke thought to bring with him, stowing it in TK-421's belt.

Inputting TK421WHITE in the Star Wars The Force Unleashed video game cheat code menu unlocks a Stormtrooper costume.

There is a easter egg in the "Left 4 Dead" video game showing TK-421 on a license plate

In the video game "Fallout 2", the world map screen shows the Vault-Tec world maps logo with the number TK-421 next to it. Also, if you enter the city of New Reno while wearing Power Armor, porn stars will sometimes say "Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?" if you signed up in the Golden Globes studio.

In the TV cartoon series, "Legion of Super Heroes", in Season 1 Episode 7 Brainiac 5 says, "Computer, display video file TK-421."

In the movie Boogie Nights the character Buck tries unsuccessfully to sell the TK-421 stereo system.

In the television series 30 Rock, TK-421 is the name of a microwave that features prominently in Season 5 Episode 8 "College."

The name is now being used by ThinkGeek for their flip-out keyboard iPhone cases for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.

Appearances

 * Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
 * Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope junior novel
 * Star Wars radio drama
 * LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
 * Star Wars 3: Death Star
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast