Hollywood Flashback: Alec Guinness Struck Gold With ‘Star Wars’ 45 Years Ago
www.hollywoodreporter.com
The O.G. Obi-Wan, already an accomplished actor, soared to a new stratosphere — and made bank — when the George Lucas film became a global sensation.
  • Grimy@lemmy.world
    55·
    22 days ago

    The film opened May 25, 1977, and Guinness’ stunned response to its reception was captured in his diary. On May 27: “Splendid news of reaction to Star Wars continues to come in.” On June 3: “Am pinning my hopes on Star Wars percentage which could bring me £100,000 or more if it does Jaws business, as predicted.”

    The film exceeded Jaws‘ business, grossing over $300 million in its initial release — earning Guinness more than $7 million immediately ($33 million today) and an estimated $95 million by the time of his death in 2000 at 86. Despite that unheard-of salary for what amounted to 20 minutes of screen time, Guinness was reluctant to come back for a sequel.

    Over lunch at Morton’s in 1979, Lucas asked him if he would consider returning for “a couple of days” of work on Star Wars II — later known as The Empire Strikes Back. One week later, Guinness wrote in his diary, “I said yes to a day’s work on Star Wars II … It’s dull rubbishy stuff but, seeing what I owe to George Lucas, I finally hadn’t had the heart to refuse.”

    • WhyIHateTheInternet@lemmy.world
      21·
      22 days ago

      It is dull work though. It’s not for everyone. I spent time as a double for an actor on a show for 8 months and it’s terribly boring stuff after the shiny wears off. Movie sets can be even more dull but I found it fun overall. Saw plenty of people walk off and say never again.

      • calliope
        12·
        22 days ago

        I also assume his part was mostly filmed somewhere in the hot desert as well, though it’s been a long time since I’ve seen A New Hope.

        I could see him thinking “do I have to go back to Tunisia?”

  • Optional@lemmy.world
    7·
    22 days ago

    20 minutes of screen time being Alec Guinness, acting a role. It’s that second part that gets all the money.