Have you ever wondered who’s the real force behind the success of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope? Yes, we’re talking about Alec Guinness, the man who made Obi-Wan Kenobi unforgettable. But did you know his influence goes beyond just acting? Let’s take a deeper look.
The Man Behind the Character
Alec Guinness, born in 1914, was no stranger to the world of acting. By the time George Lucas came knocking with his 1977 film, Guinness was already a big deal. But turning sci-fi scripts into blockbuster realities wasn’t really his thing, or so he thought.
Guinness and the Star Wars Script
Despite his doubts, Guinness took the plunge and poured himself into the script. He didn’t just memorize lines, he saw spaces for changes. He fine-tuned dialogues and even threw in a few plot twists. In short, Guinness wasn’t just acting in Star Wars, he was helping mold it.
Plot Tweaks and Their Effects
During an interview on the Parkinson show back in 1977, Guinness shared his concerns about the script. He felt the original dialogues were too plain. And the biggest shocker – it was Guinness who came up with the idea to kill off Obi-Wan Kenobi before the end of the movie! This single change kick-started Luke Skywalker’s character development and shaped the Star Wars story as we know it.
Lucas Thanks Guinness
Appreciative of Guinness’ hard work and brilliant suggestions, Lucas proposed sharing a slice of the film’s earnings with him. A contract was soon drawn up, promising Guinness a cool 2% of the film’s box office revenue.
The Guinness-Lucas Deal
And then, just before Star Wars hit the screens, Lucas realized how much Guinness’ contributions had enhanced the film. As a result, he added another 0.5% to Guinness’ share, bringing it to a total of 2.5%.
The Rise of Star Wars
When Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope hit the theatres in 1977, it was an immediate hit. It scooped up $775 million worldwide, making it the highest-earning film of the year. It laid the foundation for a franchise worth billions and forever changed pop culture. Guinness, with his reshaping of the script, had given a solid hand in the film’s triumph.
While the film has been enthralling fans for over four decades now, maintaining a 8.6/10 rating on IMBD and a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it owes a huge part of its success to Alec Guinness’ creative mind. If you’re keen to relive the magic, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope is available on Disney+ for your viewing delight. No matter when you watch the movie, you’ll find Alec Guinness’ influence still alive and kicking in the Star Wars universe.
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