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Cult Film Stardom pp 90–106Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

From Behind the Masks to Inside: Acting, Authenticity and the Star Wars Co-Stars

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Abstract

This chapter will address the relationship between marginal stardom and the blockbuster success of the Star Wars films. Rather than addressing the lead actors who attained star status with the original trilogy of films, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher or Mark Hamill, or established stars cast in the prequel trilogy, I will focus on those cult stars of the series valorized almost exclusively by fans. I will consider actors such as Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Dave Prowse (Darth Vader), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (R2-D2) and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett). Star Wars constitutes a character-oriented franchise with interlinked media or ancillary products based around pre-sold or familiar proprietary characters and not primarily sold on the basis of stars, contrary to many High Concept blockbusters (Scott, 2009). Within this context, these actors warrant broad awareness in relation to the characters they portray. However, beyond specialist fan conventions and publications, including those for sci-fi fans, wider recognition of these ‘stars’ is tied to these characters.

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Authors
  1. Jason Scott
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aberystwyth University, UK

    Kate Egan  & Sarah Thomas  & 

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© 2013 Jason Scott

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Scott, J. (2013). From Behind the Masks to Inside: Acting, Authenticity and the Star Wars Co-Stars. In: Egan, K., Thomas, S. (eds) Cult Film Stardom. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137291776_6

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