The Star Wars Film That Nearly Killed Mark Hamill (Literally)

Around the time “The Last Jedi” hit theaters, Mark Hamill shared his experience of navigating the challenging terrain of Skelling Michael with SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar+). Reflecting on the rigorous climb, he mentioned, “They had this big mountain climber guide behind me to catch me in case I stumbled and fell. If I fall off the cliff and die, the insurance would go crazy — let’s face it, I’m an investment!”

Back in the 1970s, Hamill faced concerns over a car accident that could potentially derail his burgeoning career just before the release of “A New Hope.” Luckily, Luke Skywalker became his most iconic role, but an unfortunate slip on Skelling Michael might have changed everything. It’s clear that Hamill’s guide was crucial in ensuring his safety during the shoot.

While filming the sequels proved to be physically demanding for Hamill, it was no easier for another star from the original trilogy. Harrison Ford, while preparing for “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens,” experienced a near-fatal accident involving the Millennium Falcon.

Ford was standing next to the famed spaceship when its door suddenly came down on his hip, causing severe injuries. The incident resulted in multiple fractures to his left leg and a dislocated ankle. To make matters worse, the crew wasn’t even in the middle of a scene; the door simply dropped unexpectedly.

Director J.J. Abrams also suffered an injury during this mishap. In his attempt to lift the heavy door off of Ford, Abrams hurt his back, adding another layer of difficulty to the already unfortunate situation. Both these incidents serve as stark reminders of the critical importance of maintaining set safety, even when the cameras aren’t rolling.