Mark Hamill has explained why the cut introduction to Luke in Star Wars: A New Hope is important for his character.
A New Hope is iconic, as is Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, but the character almost had a very different introduction on screen as many die-hard fans know.
There was a cut scene that introduced Luke with his friend Biggs Darklighter – who is in the Imperial Academy but is looking to join the Rebellion. The scene might not seem that important but Hamill has explained why he thinks it is.
Speaking to the Russo Brothers’ on Russo Bros. Pizza Film School, he said:
“There a couple of things that are good for the character. No. 1, he is ridiculed roundly by his peers. So he’s not particularly cool or popular. Koo Stark is the only other female in the movie… she calls me ‘Wormie’… So I am not popular.
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“Then I bump into Biggs Darklighter, played by Garrick Hagon, and I go ‘Wow!’ You can see we’re old friends… He’s dressed in an Imperial uniform and I’m going, ‘Wow! That’s so great! I can’t wait until I can get off the dump of a planet and join with you.’
“And he takes me outside and says, ‘Luke, I gotta let you know, as soon as I get the chance, I am going to jump ship and join the Rebels.’
“The only reason that is interesting to me is that Luke has no political persuasion. He thinks it’s great he is in the Empire! Luke wants to be in the Empire if it will get him off the farm! So he is completely pure in that he is not politically motivated in any way, shape or form.”
The scene does go a long way to show how innocent Luke is and cut off from the larger events of the galaxy. And, like, Hamill says, that he is far from a traditional hero.
Do you think it should have remained in the movie? Let us know in the comments below and on social media @flickeringmyth…
