Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) wasn't always called that. Image source: Disney / Lucasfilms
You may already know this, but the galaxy's most famous Luke didn't always go by the last name “Skywalker.” In the original scripts he belonged to the martial-sounding clan of »Starkiller«.
Luke actor Mark Hamill is now chatting about the details in a podcast and revealing what the name change was all about from his point of view.
Mark Hamill on Luke Starkiller
Im Podcast Politickin’ Hamill talks about how he found out about the name change. For example, a scene has already been shot in which Luke introduced himself as Starkiller.
When I rescued the princess, she said, “Aren't you a little small for a stormtrooper?” I took off the helmet and replied, “I'm Luke Starkiller. I’m here to save you.”
After we filmed that, I got the shooting schedule and saw that the scene was included again. I asked, “What's this?” They said, “Oh, well, they changed your name.” I said, “To what?” And they said, “To Skywalker.” I said, “Skywalker? Oh my God.”
Hamill shared his experiences as Luke Skywalker with Cal Kestis's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor:
1:05
Mark Hamill trains Cal Kestis in the trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Hamill himself had already gotten used to the name Starkiller and was actually quite happy that it gave his character something “macho.” Because Luke was just a skinny farm boy.
According to him, however, those responsible at the time surveyed women between the ages of 18 and 35 and found that a name that included the word “killer” didn't sit well with them. George Lucas found him too aggressive for a character like Luke.
Also about the word Wars
The title – i.e. Wars – was discussed for a while in the focus groups around Lucas, but in the end it was decided to keep the title.
But the name Starkiller hasn't been completely eliminated from the Star Wars universe. Today he is mainly with Galen Mark (Sam Widower), a student of Darth Vader. He became Vader's right-hand man in the video game series The Force Unleashed and ultimately an important part of the Galactic Rebellion.
His story and demeanor make him a worthy successor to the Starkiller name. Although these games are considered part of Star Wars Legends and are therefore not part of the official canon, the name itself still exists there.
The so-called Starkiller Base was a mobile fortress of the First Order on the planet Ilum. This housed a powerful weapon that was able to wipe out entire star systems – the name “Starkiller” fits quite well.
