Does anyone know how close Robby came to getting the Luke Skywalker role? As I mentioned in another post, I think he and Mark Hamil have by far the best grasp of the role. Here Benson even keeps going when he flubs with the "Organa Minor" line. Now THAT's ACTING!
In the Star Wars auditions, Mark Hamill, makes it explosive, youthful and very strong and thereby manages to catch the audience with its energy. But Robby Benson achieves in his voice the gentle, the mystical, is more thoughtful, has more control in himself as an actor It expresses being much more stable for the scene.
No I don't believe they are. I got these off a VHS tape I got a long time ago (before DVDs of the movies existed) from a fellow fan online. No idea where he got his.
The funny thing is that the way Benson sounds nowadays, he would've made more of a fit for the role of Anakin Skywalker, or at least an older version of the character.
I cannot believe how he looks lie today, he's in his 50s and he ridiculously looks better now than when he was a kid. Long hair and the goatee also looks great on him. But he has a bad heart, don't know if he could do the many stunts and fights in STar Wars, then and especially now.
@MAYNOCK1974 I'll be damned. William Katt auditioned with Kurt Russell, so I thought I had that footage as part of my Kurt Russell video. But nope, I somehow managed to cut that part of Kurt's audition out! I uploaded his missing audition. Thanks!
I love Robby, but he sounded way too laid back for the role of Luke. His Luke would've been content on the farm, not joining the academy or being a pilot. Mark had so much energy as Luke, and it totally came through in his audition. He nailed it. I'm glad he got the role, and that Robby's happy doing what he does.
@@deb310red shrugs, but Luke didn't start off as a Jedi Knight He started off as a farm boy in New Hope and matured into a Jedi Knight in Return of the Jedi
Maybe if he got the part I would have watched STAR WARS over and over again. I only watched it once during my teenage years and never watched it again. I love Robby Benson :-)
+monica anastasiadis Back in the "old days" of the internet, sharing video online was impossible. VHS tape trading was a thing though and it became easier to hook up with like-minded fans in forums. An old Star Wars friend online sent me a copy of a bootleg VHS making the rounds at comic conventions (they were smaller back then) and these were on it.
1975. They already started shooting by March 1976. George Lucas and Brian De Palma were holding joint auditions for parts in Star Wars and Carrie respectively.
It's fascinating to compare the readings of Hamill and Benson. Ford is obviously taking his cue on how to play it from their performances. Luke Skywalker is young and naive and also a dreamer with a noble heart. Benson accentuates the young/naive angle while Hamill accentuates the young/noble angle. I've watched it several times and Benson is clearly playing it as a boy while Hamill played it as a young man. I think that that was the difference that landed Hamill the part.
As much as I love Robbie Benson, and I sure do; he blew this one. Too bad. I'd loved it if he had gotten to play Luke, but I have to say, Mark Hamill was perfect as Luke Skywalker.
Robby also became a voice actor. He was the voice of the Beast in Disney's Beauty and The Beast, JT Mars in Exo Squad, and Santa Claus in some animated Santa movie.
If you contrast the two auditions (this and Mark Hamills) Harrison Ford is much more softened up in the Hamill audition. Theres much more of a contrast here between them in terms of aggression, but I think Robby was a bit typecast at this point and Mark Hamill was pretty much an unknown at the time. Robby Benson would have made a better Luke, and would have likely been able to develop the character more as a more experienced actor.
This poor bastard had to quit acting and go into producing and directing because he has a congenital heart condition that no studio would insure.. he kept it a secret throughout his whole acting career, until someone exposed him,
Basically, Leia knew "the art of mind control" because she was supposed to be a Bene Gesserit. As the movie developed Lucas dropped most of the overtly fantastical things (with the exception of the Jedi and the Force, of course) and gave it the rough-edged, lived-in space western feel it's now famous for, but at this stage in development it was basically a Dune movie with a few names changed around to avoid getting sued.
@birthsqueeze2 agree 100% Robbie is an acomplished actor, director, he sings and he is a great Hubby and Daddy..I love em..maybe not right for this part but hey if he woulda got it..then maybe he would have been amazing in it, ppl can't imagine someone else playing a part that is NOW well known for the person who did it. Al Pacino sucked in his audition for Michael Corleone, and we all know how that worked out...c what I'm saying??? luv ya Robby...and Al "-)
@bakerandbaker1 stop being mean..Robby Benson made wonderful films, he is a great actor..."Harry and Son" comes to mind, beautiful, heart touching story, I believed Paul Newman and Robbie were father and son, that's how good they were!
Robby Benson. There's a name I've not heard in a looong time. A long time.
Does anyone know how close Robby came to getting the Luke Skywalker role? As I mentioned in another post, I think he and Mark Hamil have by far the best grasp of the role. Here Benson even keeps going when he flubs with the "Organa Minor" line. Now THAT's ACTING!
I love robbie benson in anything
You know, between almost being played by Beast and eventually played by the Joker, Luke really does have a dark side.
In the Star Wars auditions, Mark Hamill, makes it explosive, youthful and very strong and thereby manages to catch the audience with its energy. But Robby Benson achieves in his voice the gentle, the mystical, is more thoughtful, has more control in himself as an actor
It expresses being much more stable for the scene.
Robby Benson is a good actor but Mark Hamill was meant to be Luke Skywalker.
Robby Benson as Luke is freaking hilarious. His breathy little voice
Both the test reads and the eventual dialogue/script changes are really interesting.
@JeffTheFutureJaros He provided the voice of the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
If not Mark Hamill, Robby Benson would have been great as Luke Skywalker.
Not based on this audition.
I agree. He would have been great as Luke.
this part would have been perfect for him, had Princess Leah been a blind ice skater.
And blonde...
I get it, Lynn Holly Johnson as Princess Leia.
I see what you did there. Boy, I'm old.
Robby Benson was great in the '70s.
It's the guy who voiced the Beast in "Beauty and the Beast"!! :D
i only saw Ice Castles and of course Beauty and the Beast... but I just coudn't picture anyone else playing Luke Skywalker.
No I don't believe they are. I got these off a VHS tape I got a long time ago (before DVDs of the movies existed) from a fellow fan online. No idea where he got his.
The funny thing is that the way Benson sounds nowadays, he would've made more of a fit for the role of Anakin Skywalker, or at least an older version of the character.
I cannot believe how he looks lie today, he's in his 50s and he ridiculously looks better now than when he was a kid. Long hair and the goatee also looks great on him. But he has a bad heart, don't know if he could do the many stunts and fights in STar Wars, then and especially now.
+nenabunena True, but at least voice-wise, it would fit.
This is so awesome.
It's the "Beast," himself! ;)
You mean Ben's father.
If robbie benson was in starwars, I might watch them more often.
There's actually some chemistry happening with Benson. He probably didn't want to do the movie because he had more TV to do.
Maybe Mark Hamill is a better fit for the role. But Robby Benson is so adorable in this video. He is such a baby.
@dukeofcrydee Yeah, you're right, he was only considered. He's auditioning for Luke Skywalker here, obviously...
@MAYNOCK1974 I'll be damned. William Katt auditioned with Kurt Russell, so I thought I had that footage as part of my Kurt Russell video. But nope, I somehow managed to cut that part of Kurt's audition out! I uploaded his missing audition. Thanks!
I would have loved seeing Robby as Luke. I love both Robby & Mark but those eyes get me all the time. Love his voice, too. 💜
Terri Nunn was runner up to Carrie, and ended up as lead singer for the group Berlin.
I have a small part of the audition of Mark Hamill on of of the special edition VHS-tapes from about 1997 or 98 or so.
He's great!
Robbie Benson sounds like he's talking about the weather during a calm sunny day.
Harrison Ford totally nailed Hans Solo--he sounds just like him!
Lol
Hahaha
I love Robby, but he sounded way too laid back for the role of Luke. His Luke would've been content on the farm, not joining the academy or being a pilot. Mark had so much energy as Luke, and it totally came through in his audition. He nailed it. I'm glad he got the role, and that Robby's happy doing what he does.
Robby's a good actor but seems too young. Seems more like a high school football star more than a Jedi knight.
Bobby would of been a Great Anakin his voice sounds similar to Hayden Christensen
@@deb310red shrugs, but Luke didn't start off as a Jedi Knight
He started off as a farm boy in New Hope and matured into a Jedi Knight in Return of the Jedi
I was thinking the same thing. I couldn't imagine him leaving the farm.
So close yet so far!
Wow! I didn't know this!
Don't get me wrong, I like Mark Hamill as an actor but I wish Robby Benson got the role of Luke Skywalker.
Robby may not have made it as Luke but he went on to do A LOT of voice acting, including Prince Alexander in King's Quest 6 and Prince Valiant.
Ironic since Hamill himself made his mark in Hollywood as a voice actor following Star Wars.
Maybe if he got the part I would have watched STAR WARS over and over again. I only watched it once during my teenage years and never watched it again. I love Robby Benson :-)
He should have got it.
You should re watch Star Wars, I think you would enjoy it now, it's a movie that has aged very well
At 3:19 did he do a good job?
how do you get stuff like this!?
+monica anastasiadis Back in the "old days" of the internet, sharing video online was impossible. VHS tape trading was a thing though and it became easier to hook up with like-minded fans in forums. An old Star Wars friend online sent me a copy of a bootleg VHS making the rounds at comic conventions (they were smaller back then) and these were on it.
thx bill
The audition occurred in 1976.
1975. They already started shooting by March 1976. George Lucas and Brian De Palma were holding joint auditions for parts in Star Wars and Carrie respectively.
Whoa, never knew Robbie-aww-shucks-Benson went out for this.
It's fascinating to compare the readings of Hamill and Benson.
Ford is obviously taking his cue on how to play it from their performances.
Luke Skywalker is young and naive and also a dreamer with a noble heart. Benson accentuates the young/naive angle while Hamill accentuates the young/noble angle.
I've watched it several times and Benson is clearly playing it as a boy while Hamill played it as a young man. I think that that was the difference that landed Hamill the part.
What character(?) does he plays at in the movies? or did he get kicked out?
Hey, he did a good job! Much better than most of the other dweebs who auditioned.
As much as I love Robbie Benson, and I sure do; he blew this one. Too bad. I'd loved it if he had gotten to play Luke, but I have to say, Mark Hamill was perfect as Luke Skywalker.
I'm glad he wasn't casted he was awesome in ice castles. He suited that part better anyway.
Good choice in the end
I wish Robby Benson was cast as Luke Skywalker.
It was his birthday!
This farmer would have been happy where he was with his [SPOILERS] "aunt" & "uncle".
This is awesome. If Prince Alexander/Beast had gotten the role, it'd be even MORE epic.
You mean Adam( Ben's father)
where did you get all these auditions from? it's not on any of the star wars dvd's right?
holy crap i didnt know that robby benson was also going to play luke skywalker :O awesome!
Robby also became a voice actor. He was the voice of the Beast in Disney's Beauty and
The Beast, JT Mars in Exo Squad, and Santa
Claus in some animated Santa movie.
Oh my god!!
@WanagiAkicita oh yeah..he was sooooo gorgeous..still is! love ya Robby xo xo
was harrison ford reading with him?
He was famously known for the voice of the Beast / the Prince in disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
You mean Prince Adam, father of Prince Benjamin or Ben for short.
If you contrast the two auditions (this and Mark Hamills) Harrison Ford is much more softened up in the Hamill audition. Theres much more of a contrast here between them in terms of aggression, but I think Robby was a bit typecast at this point and Mark Hamill was pretty much an unknown at the time. Robby Benson would have made a better Luke, and would have likely been able to develop the character more as a more experienced actor.
This poor bastard had to quit acting and go into producing and directing because he has a congenital heart condition that no studio would insure.. he kept it a secret throughout his whole acting career, until someone exposed him,
Never heard that. What a shame because he's a good actor.
Basically, Leia knew "the art of mind control" because she was supposed to be a Bene Gesserit. As the movie developed Lucas dropped most of the overtly fantastical things (with the exception of the Jedi and the Force, of course) and gave it the rough-edged, lived-in space western feel it's now famous for, but at this stage in development it was basically a Dune movie with a few names changed around to avoid getting sued.
Compare this to Mark Hamill's audition - Mark was so much more comfortable in the role from day 1.
Tommorrow im going to upload a other version ! check it out
is he reading with Harrison Ford?
i'm glad mark got the part but robby would have been a great alternative, just a very different performance.
LMAO... One on One's Robby Benson going for the role of Luke Skywalker.. thank god he didn't get that role.. can't picture him downing Vader in Ep 6
I did'nt know Robby Benson auditoned for the role Luke Skywalker.
he sounds like he's doped up... like woooooooow man
too sweet to be Skywalker
harrison ford!
@jflash214 Hell yeah! :D
robby benson looks more like anakin's son than mark hamill does since the new trilogy now lol
@birthsqueeze2 agree 100% Robbie is an acomplished actor, director, he sings and he is a great Hubby and Daddy..I love em..maybe not right for this part but hey if he woulda got it..then maybe he would have been amazing in it, ppl can't imagine someone else playing a part that is NOW well known for the person who did it. Al Pacino sucked in his audition for Michael Corleone, and we all know how that worked out...c what I'm saying??? luv ya Robby...and Al "-)
@bakerandbaker1 stop being mean..Robby Benson made wonderful films, he is a great actor..."Harry and Son" comes to mind, beautiful, heart touching story, I believed Paul Newman and Robbie were father and son, that's how good they were!
whats organa major?
William Katt was great in Big Wednesday.
Benson was more teeny bopper I see
Almost shows emotion at 5:27
It's a shame theatre doesn't pay as well as Hollywood...
Robby Benson rulez foolz.
I LOVE Robby Benson but thank God he didn't get the part :-))
Robby Benson, all credit to you and your talent but this audition is a pain to watch and listen.
I agree... I mean Robby is cool... too cool I cant see him handling that "I am your father" scene... not sure that would work...
had Mark not auditioned, Bobby would've won the part (most likely)
Simmons. Wow he looks like he's auditioning for the Brady Bunch
He should've done the beast voice.
Benson's too dreamy in the part.
You thought so too, huh?
@@robadams2140 I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Robby would’ve been perfect as Luke. Especially in Return of the Jedi.
@skinwalkerxxx I did hear Luke was suppose to be a chick at first.
There's always ice castle's!!
Gosh, he was cute. He would've made a pretty good Luke.
harisson at the left hehe
"Belle..."
he's nervous, keeps moving, his hands, his head, his shoulders, he's uncomfortable
@jeep1999mp
Ode To Billy Joe and One On One.
Simmons linked me
Does anyone else think he sounds like George McFly in some parts of this?
Not at all
@LukeSkywalker1138 You're right! He DOES look like JB... what a strange world O_o
He would've been a great Luke Skywalker if Kristy McNichol was Princess Leia
I can see Robbie being the offspring of James Franco...there's a similarity there
He would have made a great Luke as well.
Simmons, first.
His to good!
@auntjojo1980 Yeah, just not right.