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We don’t know how much Mark Hamill was paid for his 30 second cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but some reports indicate that it was as high as $3 million. That’s quite a big paycheck, especially when you compare it to what Hamill earned on Star Wars: A New Hope. In fact, Hamill’s pay was so low on the project that he complained to his agent. Luckily, the agent talked some sense into the young actor and the rest was history. 

Speaking to a crowd at Fan Expo Chicago, Hamill reminisced about what Star Wars has meant to him.

“I’ve said this many times, if it weren’t for the fans, I wouldn’t be here. You have been so loyal and so committed. Not just the ones I was in. The prequels, the sequels, Rogue One, and all the animated shows, Clone Wars….this thing has become something.”

“I was there at the humble beginning,” Hamill continued. “Remember, George [Lucas] called this the most expensive low budget movie ever made, because every penny had to show up on the screen. The only actors they had to pay real salaries to were Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing, because they were established actors.”

“We all made it for a thousand a week, that’s my memory. I remember complaining to my agent. I said, ‘Man, I’m making ten grand on prime time tv shows.’ She said, ‘Hey, get a grip. It’s George Lucas, It’s Sir Alec Guinness, and it’s a feature film.’”

“The truth of it is, I’ve never been motivated by money. I’ve always been motivated by the character and property. I remember watching What We Do in the Shadows and saying, ‘I would pay to be on that show.’ And I had so much fun doing it.” 

I think we all owe Hamill’s agent our gratitude. If they hadn’t put things in perspective, who knows what would’ve happened. Would Hamill have walked away from Star Wars? It’s wild to think, but one Hollywood agent may changed the course of the Star Wars saga, and possibly saved the entire franchise 

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