Mark Hamill Shares His Initial Reaction to Star Wars: “Is This Sort of Like a Parody?”

Mark Hamill’s Surprising Reaction to the Original Star Wars Script

Mark Hamill recently shared his initial impressions of the Star Wars script penned by George Lucas. Interestingly, the original film was considered a significant risk for Fox at the time of production. Hamill described Lucas’s narrative as a fairy tale masquerading as science fiction, which was difficult for many to grasp.

A Gamble with George Lucas’ Vision

During an appearance on the iHeart podcast, Hamill recounted his bewilderment upon reading the audition script. The confusion was profound enough that he turned to his fellow actor Harrison Ford, questioning the seriousness of the project.

“I read the one scene and you couldn’t make heads or tails out of it. I said to Harrison, who I tested with, ‘You were in American Graffiti. 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.’ There’s no help at all. I asked George,
‘Is this sort of like a parody? Is it like a send-up?‘

‘Well, let’s just do it and we’ll talk about it later,’ which translates to let’s just do it and we’ll never talk about it.”

How Mark Hamill Became a Star Wars Advocate

Despite his initial reservations, Hamill would eventually emerge as a staunch supporter of the franchise. As he continued his conversations with the production team, he became increasingly convinced that Star Wars was destined to captivate audiences. One of his key insights was the relatable nature of the story, which resonated with him personally. Furthermore, he noted that the film had a modest budget, allowing it to be profitable even without blockbuster success in 1977.

Little did Hamill anticipate that he would embody the role of Luke Skywalker for nearly five decades, appearing in films, television shows, and even voicing the character in LEGO specials. Far from being a parody, Star Wars redefined the science fiction and fantasy genres, setting a new standard for storytelling.

Understanding the Legacy of Star Wars

The Unmatched Influence of Star Wars

The legacy of Star Wars is profound; it’s a cultural touchstone unlike any other. The film shattered conventional storytelling norms and innovated within its genre, reshaping the landscape of science fiction and fantasy storytelling.

This brings to mind an intriguing question: what contemporary film could be dubbed the Star Wars of today? Is there a modern movie so unconventional that it may redefine cinema in unexpected ways? Only time will reveal the answer, but Hamill’s initial reaction to Star Wars serves as a reminder that even the most groundbreaking works can take their creators by surprise.

Source: iHeart

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