Magazine Highlights Mark Hamill's WC Deal (December 21, 2015)

[ChrisReid]

Between The Force Awakens, Squadron 42 and all of his voice acting endeavors, Mark Hamill's probably pretty well off these days, but did the original Star Wars make him rich? That's the question posed by the November 2001 issue of Empire magazine. His answer is that Star Wars paid well, but that he really struck gold with Wing Commander! The full article is actually a great read today, since it asks Mr. Hamill's thoughts about Star Wars not long after The Phantom Menace premiered. It's quite a contrast to today's Episode VII world!

Did Star Wars make you rich?

I said to my wife, Marilou, a while ago, "We should either think about adopting or providing money for needy children." Because we're so okay financially, and there's so much need in the world, especially for children. Star Wars provided the basis for that, but I also had a really good deal on Wing Commander. I said, "You know what, I'll take way less up front if I can have real points." So on Wing Commander I took a 50 per cent salary cut from what they offered me, but they gave me real points. And even they were surprised because we had a $12 million opening day. I thought, "Gee whizz, if I could have movies open like this, I'd actually have a career."

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Original update published on December 21, 2015

 

[Bandit LOAF]

Note that he is referring to his deal on Wing Commander III, not the Wing Commander movie (in which he cameo'd.) The article didn't seem to note the distinction well.

 

[Wedge009]

That's okay, I was thinking WC3 anyway. Does anyone know what he meant by 'real points'?

Thanks for sharing this. Interesting to hear his thoughts on The Phantom Menace, Mr Jackson's role in particular. I'm sure many of you knew of these anecdotes already but for some it's the first I've heard. I can just imagine Mark and Harrison hanging out like best friends off-set - Harrison going dead-pan the moment anyone else approaches is hilarious. (He really took a saw to the Falcon?)

Also: the idea of Darth Vader themed sex toys sounds creepy.

 

[Bandit LOAF]

Points are a percentage of a movie's profits, which studios can offer to attract talent to a project; sort of a 'if the movie is a hit, you could make a lot more money than just your salary!' offer.

We have the same concept in game development, but the term points is kinda Hollywood-specific. (You may have heard the phrase 'points on the back end.')

 

[Worf]

Not profits - revenue. Only a handful of movies have actually made a profit (usually accidentally).

Hollywood accounting makes it so every movie loses money in some form. So points are based on the actual revenue. Because if it was profits, it'll be $0. And yes, Hollywood is incredibly protective about their creative accounting methods. And yes, novice actors have been tripped over the points thing.

Even the new Star Wars film will probably suffer a huge multi-million dollar loss.