Mark Hamill explains why Luke's scrapped original introduction in Star Wars is so important. In 1977, George Lucas debuted the first film in the Skywalker saga, establishing the space opera that countless fans now love. The film introduced three main players, smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), princess and resistance fighter Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and unassuming farm boy Luke (Hamill). It turns out, all three of them will play a pivotal role in the eventual defeat of the Galactic Empire by Return of the Jedi.
While Han and Leia were both set on their chosen paths, Luke was stuck in Tatooine where he helps his aunt and uncle run their moisture farm. He's presented as a loner, whose only hope is to leave the desert planet, however, as fans know, his original Star Wars debut scene was left on the editing room floor. It features him reuniting with his friend Biggs Darklighter (Garrick Hagon), who's in the Imperial Academy but is looking to join the Rebellion. Hamill says that he would've wanted this particular moment to be in the movie.
Explaining the importance of the deleted sequence while appearing on the Russo Brothers' Russo Bros. Pizza Film School, Hamill says that keeping his intended introduction in Star Wars would've better established how unaware Luke is with what's really happening between the Resistance and the Empire. The actor specifically cites that it's important to show that he doesn't have any political inclinations; he just wants to leave Tatooine for a different life. Hamill's full quote from the interview can be read below:
"There a couple of things that are good for the character. No. 1, he is ridiculed roundly by his peers. So he's not particularly cool or popular. Koo Stark is the only other female in the movie... she calls me 'Wormie'... So I am not popular.
Then I bump into Biggs Darklighter, played by Garrick Hagon, and I go 'Wow!' You can see we're old friends... He's dressed in an Imperial uniform and I'm going, 'Wow! That's so great! I can't wait until I can get off the dump of a planet and join with you.'
And he takes me outside and says, 'Luke, I gotta let you know, as soon as I get the chance, I am going to jump ship and join the Rebels.'
The only reason that is interesting to me is that Luke has no political persuasion. He thinks it's great he is in the Empire! Luke wants to be in the Empire if it will get him off the farm! So he is completely pure in that he is not politically motivated in any way, shape or form."
Hamill isn't one to shy away from voicing his opinions about Star Wars. He's talked about the missed opportunity to reunite Luke, Leia, and Han in the sequel trilogy. He also said that he still doesn't understand Luke's choices in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The actor recently opened up about the divisive state of the Star Wars fan community, as well. Some fans agree with his takes, while others don't; it's difficult to argue with his reasoning wanting to keep said deleted scenes in Star Wars. It would've given fans a better insight at the kind of life Luke has had in Tatooine up until the point and would've made a great starting point to his journey in becoming the face of the Rebellion. Fortunately, the scene can now be watched on Disney+.
Now knowing Luke's overall arc, including the character's deleted introduction may not be a big of a deal for some fans. However, with the film now easily accessible via Disney+, there's a lot of people whose first exposure to Star Wars would be via the streaming service that could benefit from the additional scenes. Meanwhile, those who are looking to rewatch the film can do so and have a different experience with the deleted sequences now included.
Source: Russo Bros. Pizza Film School