Mark Hamill Reveals Two Deleted Star Wars Scenes He Misses Most
The Luke Skywalker actor opens up about specific moments from the original trilogy that hit the cutting room floor, explaining how they would have changed his character's journey.
For anyone who grew up watching science fiction films, chances are you can recite Star Wars scenes from memory. From Vader's ship attack on Princess Leia to the final medal ceremony where everyone chuckles at Chewbacca's roar. Mark Hamill appeared in nearly every frame as Luke Skywalker, but that doesn't mean he's completely satisfied with the legendary film.
Watching Star Wars today as an adult and movie enthusiast, you can truly grasp what a cinematic achievement it represents. George Lucas created visual effects that remain stunning nearly five decades later. Every character was cast flawlessly and became instantly recognizable, from Skywalker to Han Solo to Chewie to R2D2. Had any of them been different, it wouldn't have felt right.
Revolutionary Filmmaking Techniques
The movie techniques were groundbreaking. Lucas drew clear inspiration from World War II combat sequences, Kurosawa's signature screen transitions and sweeping landscapes, epic tales like The Lord of the Rings combined with Flash Gordon adventure. Then John Williams, fresh off his Jaws success, delivered a musical score for the ages.
Hamill excelled as the film's protagonist in his first major role, one he found difficult to escape later in his career. But does that matter when you've portrayed a character destined for cinema immortality, watched by countless future generations? He made Luke Skywalker his own.
Missing Scenes from the Trilogy
He returned for two more films: The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi three years after that. Now in his 70s, Hamill still faces constant questions about the movies and Skywalker. During a recent appearance on the Russo brothers' film podcast, he discussed his director's choices and scenes he wished had survived the final edit.
In Return of the Jedi, Skywalker was supposed to be shown building his new green lightsaber inside a cave before heading out to rescue Solo from Jabba the Hutt. That entire sequence got removed. While Hamill understood Lucas's decision, he still regrets another moment from the 1977 original being eliminated. This scene sounded incredibly compelling and showed Skywalker gazing up from the desert to witness the space battle between Vader's forces and the rebels, then rushing off to inform his friends about what he'd observed.
Character Development Through Deleted Content
Hamill explained: "There are a couple of things that are good for the character. Number one, he is ridiculed roundly by his peers. So he's not particularly cool or popular. In the final assault on the Death Star, we're getting picked off left and right... But the thing that motivates me to turn off the targeting device and rely completely on the Force is the death of fellow rebel pilot Biggs Darklighter. It was later that they decided to dub in Obi-Wan's voice saying, 'Luke, use the Force', and that's when he decides."
Hamill returned to the Star Wars universe for The Last Jedi decades later. The 2017 film earned critical praise but received mixed reactions from devoted fans.