Mark Hamill Explains Why He Believed Star Wars Would Succeed Despite Fox’s Doubts: “A Fairy Tale in Science Fiction Clothing”

Mark Hamill’s Early Confidence in Star Wars

Long before the general public and even the executives at 20th Century Fox recognized it, Mark Hamill had a strong sense that the original Star Wars film was destined for success. The film, helmed by the visionary George Lucas, marked a significant departure from his previous project, American Graffiti. With groundbreaking special effects and extensive location shoots, it was clear that not everyone shared Hamill’s optimism about the ambitious narrative.

In a recent episode of the Politickin’ podcast, Hamill recounted his initial reactions to the project. He vividly remembered a moment when Robert Watson, the production manager, inquired about Hamill’s thoughts on their ambitious undertaking. With confidence, Hamill replied, “I think we’re on a winner.”

“At that point, it was only seven and a half million. It later went up to just under nine. So I did the math and I said, ‘We’ll only have to make twenty-five to get our money back.’ And I thought this thing is so funny and whimsical. I said, ‘It’s not science fiction. It’s like a fairy tale. You’ve got a farm boy, you’ve got a pirate, you’ve got a princess, you got a wizard, it’s a fairy tale dressed up as science fiction.’ And I said, ‘And it’s effortlessly feminist. How about the princess? You know she’s not a damsel in distress, and she takes over her own rescue and grabs the gun from Luke and Han. You call this a rescue? Give me that gun.’

I said that kind of thing because women overall are not the biggest audience for science fiction. But I said, I just think it’s so different, I said, and when I was a kid, I was a Famous Monsters of Film Land kid. I loved all the black-and-white Universal horror films, and so this is right up my alley. I loved science fiction and fantasy, so I was predisposed to like it. And I know, I said, ‘Even if I wasn’t cast in the movie, I’d still love this movie no matter who played Luke.’”

Initial Doubts from 20th Century Fox

Interestingly, even the executives at Fox were skeptical, demonstrating a lack of confidence in the film’s potential by limiting its promotional efforts ahead of its May 1977 release. Hamill noted, “Not everybody felt that way. Like I say, even to the point where they were about to release it, Fox didn’t really believe in it, and we had no poster.” It’s clear that this initial doubt was misplaced, as the film ultimately became a monumental success.

Hamill’s Skepticism and Lucas’ Vision

Despite his enthusiastic outlook, Hamill also had initial reservations. Early on, he consulted with Harrison Ford, who had previously collaborated with Lucas on American Graffiti, questioning whether the script was intended as a satire. Hamill recounted, “I asked Ford: ‘You know George, is this like a comedy or a send-up, like a spoof or… it just can’t be serious, right?’ He said, ‘Hey, you know whatever, let’s just get it done.’” Hamill also approached Lucas with similar inquiries about the film’s tone.

It’s essential to recognize that Lucas’ initial vision for Star Wars was astonishingly more eccentric and less polished than the final product. Without the collaborative efforts of writers, the cast, and an editorial team, it’s hard to imagine that Star Wars would have reached the monumental status it enjoys today.

Legacy of Star Wars: Proving Mark Hamill Right

Little did anyone—Hamill included—know how monumental the initial Star Wars film, later named A New Hope, would become. Upon its release, the film grossed over $300 million at the domestic box office, a staggering success compared to the $25 million Hamill estimated as the break-even point, equating to about $1.5 billion today.

The sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, is frequently hailed as one of the greatest sequels in cinematic history. However, the impact of Star Wars transcends mere films. What began as a whimsical fairy tale involving a farmer, a pirate, a princess, and an evil villain has evolved into a multi-billion dollar franchise that includes films, animated series, live-action shows, literature, comics, audio dramas, merchandise, and beyond.

While the franchise has faced its challenges over the years since the launch of A New Hope, the indelible mark it has left on cinema and the entertainment industry cannot be overstated. The original Star Wars film not only transformed Hollywood but also reshaped the landscape of popular culture.

Source: iHeart

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