Why Mark Hamill Wasn’t in Mel Brook’s ‘Spaceballs’
The best parody movies do a great job of mimicking other films. Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs got the look and feel of a Star Wars movie right, but Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill is nowhere to be seen. During an interview, Hamill explained why he didn’t appear in Brook’s space opera.
Mark Hamill wanted to be in Mel Brook’s ‘Spaceballs’
Hamill has played some iconic roles, such as The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series and Chucky in the remake of Child’s Play. However, he will always be associated with Star Wars first and foremost. He also appeared in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, a film that alludes to Star Wars in its title. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was directed by Kevin Smith, who has referenced Hamill’s signature franchise in his work on several occasions.
During a 2019 interview with Empire, he was asked why he appeared in Smith’s film. “Listen, I turned down so many things that play on this very same thing,” he said. “But this very same thing. But this is special. The only time I would’ve considered it before was when Mel Brooks did Spaceballs.”
Mel Brooks didn’t ask Mark Hamill to appear in his movie
Hamill said he didn’t appear in Spaceballs because Brooks never offered him a role in the film. “He didn’t ask me to do anything, but I thought, ‘If he asks me, I probably will,'” Hamill said. “Just because I love Mel Brooks so much. But he didn’t ask me, so that wasn’t a problem.
“But by avoiding all those kind of derivative send-ups, I was being careful so that when I did do it, it would be more meaningful,” he added. “And this was the one, because it was Kevin. He has such a great affection for Star Wars.”
While Spaceballs spoofs several Star Wars characters, including C-3PO, Chewbacca, and Jabba the Hutt. it doesn’t really spoof Luke in any meaningful way. The film’s protagonist, Lone Starr, is based on Han Solo, and any similarities between him and Luke are minor. Perhaps Hamill would have felt a little out of pace in Spaceballs for that reason.
How ‘Spaceballs’ failed and succeded
Spaceballs was not a tremendous hit when it was released. According to Box Office Mojo, the film earned around $6 million during its opening weekend and around $38 million worldwide. That was not impressive for a major studio movie released in the 1980s.
However, Spaceballs had the last laugh. Today, it is widely considered one of the best, if not the best, satire of Star Wars. It’s not as critically revered as The Producers or Blazing Saddles, but it might be Brooks’ most popular film.
The film inspired a sequel called Spaceballs: The Animated Series. Another sequel would make sense right about now, considering that several Star Wars films and television series have come out since the premiere of Spaceballs. Perhaps another Spaceballs film would be able to deftly mock the way that George Lucas’ sci-fi saga has regurgitated itself over and over during the past few decades.
Spaceballs is pitch-perfect even if Hamill didn’t get the chance to land a role in it.
