Mark Hamill Explains Why A New Hope Deleted Scene is Crucial to Luke's Character

Star Wars fans first met Luke Skywalker in A New Hope over 40 years ago. He was with his Uncle Owen, inspecting the droids that the Jawas brought to their homestead. Despite its acclaim and legacy, the film still had a few detractors, one of which was how Mark Hamill's character was supposed to be introduced.

While he doesn't hold ill will against the movie, Hamill thinks a deleted scene involving his character would have been essential in establishing Luke's motivations. The actor shared his insights on a recent episode of Russo Bros. Pizza Film School.

The deleted scene in question sees Luke witnessing the battle between Darth Vader's Star Destroyer and Princess Leia's ship. He then rushes to share the news with some of his friends at Tosche Station, with Luke ending up talking to his friend Biggs.

"There a couple of things that are good for the character," Hamill says. "Number one, he is ridiculed roundly by his peers. So he's not particularly cool or popular." Koo Stark is the only other female actor in the film, who calls Luke "Wormie," showing that Hamill's character is "not popular."

"And then I bump into Biggs Darklighter, played by Garrick Hagon, and I go 'Wow!' You can see we're good friends," he added. Biggs was dressed in an Imperial uniform, with Luke saying that he can't wait to "get off" the planet and join him. However, the former tells Luke that as soon as he gets the chance, he'll "jump ship and join the Rebels."

Hamill says the only reason he thinks it's interesting is that, for him, Luke doesn't have political persuasion. The character thinks it's "great" to be in the Empire, especially since it'll get him off the farm. "So he is completely pure in that he is not politically motivated in any way, shape, or form," the actor explained.

While Hamill understands why this scene was cut from A New Hope, he thinks Luke Skywalker being introduced in this way was more organic than what was presented in the final cut. in addition, this also helps provide extra context when the character takes part in the assault on the Death Star towards the end of the film.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is available on Disney+.

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