Mark Hamill, who played the lead role of Luke Skywalker in numerous Star Wars films, revealed in a recent interview when he finally realized that the original film was going to be a hit.
This past Sunday, CBS Sunday Mornings aired an interview with Mark Hamill where he discussed Star Wars, among other things. Perhaps the funniest memory he shared was how Harrison Ford was extremely unhelpful during Hamill’s original audition for Luke Skywalker, though this might be partially because Ford was just helping George Lucas during readings without realizing he would be offered the part of Han Solo.
Of course, Hamill was also offered the part for Skywalker but, understandably, no one knew how much of an impact the movie would have on audiences worldwide.
While filming, numerous actors thought the movie was just bizarre. “I didn’t think it would be any good,” said Kenny Baker who played R2-D2. Even Harrison Ford admitted, “It was very weird.”
There were strange costumes, odd dialogue, and obviously no one was able to grasp how the special effects would bring so much of it to life. In regards to predicting its success, the Force wasn’t strong with anyone. Hamill told interviewer Tracy Smith that he and his co-stars — Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher — didn’t even realize how big it would be until long after filming.
“We started the publicity tour and it was Carrie, Harrison, and me,” Hamill explained to Smith. “When we landed in Chicago, I looked out and I saw there were crowds outside. I say, ‘Hey, you guys, there must be somebody famous on this plane.’”
Hamill humorously continued the story, saying, “We’re looking around for like some superstar athlete or whatever.”
Eventually, the three soon-to-be movie stars noticed something that made them realize the crowds were actually there for them.
“They’re dressed like us!” Hamill said with as much surprise as he likely felt when it happened. “There was no merchandising at the time, so they had made homemade lightsabers and all these things.”
How did the trio feel about the fact that fans were already flocking to see the film dressed up like their characters? Hamill simply remarked, “We sort of looked at each other and said, ‘Wow!’”
From that point on, Star Wars became more than just a movie. It became a phenomenon, set new standards for blockbuster films, and redefined “fandom.”
It also launched the careers of Hamill, Ford, and Fisher into a new stratosphere — as well as some guy named George Lucas.