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Carl Weathers once shared an entertaining anecdote that sheds light on Mark Hamill’s perspective on the potential success of “Star Wars.” During an interview on Sirius XM Radio’s The Dean Obeidallah Show in 2017, Weathers recounted a memorable encounter with Hamill on the set of a television show they both appeared in.
Weathers, known for his role in Rocky, revealed that he and Hamill crossed paths while filming an episode of the Streets of San Francisco in 1977. In the episode, titled “Innocent No More,” Weathers portrayed a cop who arrests Hamill’s character. Before shooting, Hamill approached Weathers, recognizing him from Rocky, and engaged in conversation.
According to Weathers, Hamill showered him with compliments about his role in Rocky and the film’s success. However, Hamill didn’t stop there. He confided in Weathers, saying, “I just made a little movie, finished it this year, and I think it’s gonna be as big as Rocky.” Weathers initially found Hamill’s confidence amusing, reminiscent of his own ambitious predictions about Rocky’s success compared to Jaws.
While it may seem unlikely that Hamill would express such confidence about Star Wars, considering the iconic film’s eventual monumental success, Weathers surmised that Hamill’s playful nature and optimistic outlook may have influenced his remarks. Perhaps Hamill was simply expressing his hopes and aspirations for the film, rather than a concrete belief in its inevitable triumph.
Ultimately, Star Wars surpassed even the lofty expectations Hamill may have harbored, becoming a cultural phenomenon and spawning a massive franchise. Weathers himself later joined the Star Wars universe with a role in The Mandalorian, further intertwining their respective legacies. As for Hamill, while he hasn’t yet ventured into the world of Rocky, his enduring charm and talent continue to captivate audiences across galaxies far, far away.