This episode is, in ways large and small, an homage to the classic Godzilla movies. The creature and its name is the most obvious nod to the Japanese monster movie star. Smaller details include the names the painted designs on the helmets of the clone bomber pilots, Goji and Rod, that suggest the likenesses of Godzilla and Rodan.

When the Zillo beast first surfaces, it tramples a clone trooper who emits a peculiar scream. That scream is tradition of sorts in Star Wars -- a sound effect affectionately called "the Wilhelm." It's a decades-old audio recording of a very distinctive scream that has become a "pet sound effect" to many sound editors. It appears in dozens of movies, including all the Star Wars features.

The electro-proton bomb (called the ion bomb during production) is covered with Aurebesh lettering: official red print say such things as "Caution Ion Detonator" and "Code Switch Designator" while a hand-scrawled notation on the fin says "This is for you Dooku."