Interesting peculiarities
Every actor has their share of casting horror stories. Hamill’s might not be the worst of them, but there were a number of interesting peculiarities. There’s some serious dramatic irony in how the actor had no clue it was George Lucas — the man who wielded his fate — sitting across from him. But despite not being told anything about the movie or role, Hamill managed to nab the part. Although one can’t help but wonder what might’ve happened had Brian De Palma nabbed the actor for “Carrie” before Lucas could reel him in with the script.
What’s doubly ironic is the same reason he thought he’d lost the lead to Harrison Ford is the same reason he got it. Anyone who’s seen the audition tape will note just how much Ford exudes the cool air of Han Solo — and that Hamill was just as eager, awkward, and boyishly charming as teenage Luke. Even his reaction to the script mirrors his character’s awe over the galaxy that lies beyond his desert planet horizons. If Hamill’s mind was blown, then so was Luke’s.
Mark Hamill Didn’t Know He Was Auditioning For Star Wars The First Time
By Steven Ward/May 10, 2022 10:24 am EST
Mark Hamill has been the source of many a delightful “Star Wars” anecdote. He’s been dropping little tidbits in interviews for years. Like the time Harrison Ford vented anger on his character’s beloved starship the Millennium Falcon. But the actor’s often hilarious and enlightening tales about working behind the scenes on the saga aren’t just relegated to when they were filming it. Hamill has been more than candid about the events leading up to snagging the coveted role of Luke Skywalker (originally “Luke Starkiller” in the script), even giving the internet a reaction video of his audition to play the starry-eyed farmboy from Tatooine.
But that wasn’t the first time Hamill opened up about the emotional roller coaster that would be his journey in to score the part. Only a few years before, he went on record to confirm a rather shocking fact about his audition for “Star Wars.” Namely that — at first — the actor had no idea what film he was auditioning for, or the part, let alone what joining the cast would do for his career or that he’d be returning to the galaxy far, far away a number of times over the next four decades.
But that wasn’t the first time Hamill opened up about the emotional roller coaster that would be his journey in to score the part. Only a few years before, he went on record to confirm a rather shocking fact about his audition for “Star Wars.” Namely that — at first — the actor had no idea what film he was auditioning for, or the part, let alone what joining the cast would do for his career or that he’d be returning to the galaxy far, far away a number of times over the next four decades.
Star Wars or Carrie?
United Artists
Interesting peculiarities
Every actor has their share of casting horror stories. Hamill’s might not be the worst of them, but there were a number of interesting peculiarities. There’s some serious dramatic irony in how the actor had no clue it was George Lucas — the man who wielded his fate — sitting across from him. But despite not being told anything about the movie or role, Hamill managed to nab the part. Although one can’t help but wonder what might’ve happened had Brian De Palma nabbed the actor for “Carrie” before Lucas could reel him in with the script.
What’s doubly ironic is the same reason he thought he’d lost the lead to Harrison Ford is the same reason he got it. Anyone who’s seen the audition tape will note just how much Ford exudes the cool air of Han Solo — and that Hamill was just as eager, awkward, and boyishly charming as teenage Luke. Even his reaction to the script mirrors his character’s awe over the galaxy that lies beyond his desert planet horizons. If Hamill’s mind was blown, then so was Luke’s.
What’s doubly ironic is the same reason he thought he’d lost the lead to Harrison Ford is the same reason he got it. Anyone who’s seen the audition tape will note just how much Ford exudes the cool air of Han Solo — and that Hamill was just as eager, awkward, and boyishly charming as teenage Luke. Even his reaction to the script mirrors his character’s awe over the galaxy that lies beyond his desert planet horizons. If Hamill’s mind was blown, then so was Luke’s.
