A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford began filming George Lucas’ Star Wars saga in the late 70s.
Now as a testament to the role that made him famous, Hamill shared a throwback photo from his first day at work, wearing his Luke Skywalker garb in the Tunisian desert that served as the set for Tatooine.
“Taken in Tunisia early morning Day #1 waiting for my 1st shot (emerging from home for robot auction),” Hamill tweeted of principal photography, which kicked off on March 22, 1976. “Perhaps the very 1st.” Shown in the background are what appear to be Jawas.
Taken in Tunisia early morning Day #1 waiting for my 1st shot (emerging from home for robot auction)-Perhaps the very 1st #LukePic #SW pic.twitter.com/WMCGnWCotP
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) March 18, 2017
Hamill also had a funny response when one of his followers asked whether he’s squinting in the photo because he was tired or if he knew Star Wars was going to be big.
At that very moment, were you thinking "This is gonna be my big break" or "Crap, it's early, dusty and way too bright"?
— Gary Miereanu (@SuperPRGuy) March 18, 2017
Judging by my clueless expression, probably both. Crew was kind but thought #SW was "rubbish"-I kept telling them"We're on a winner!"#LOLuke https://t.co/S6mzZbWLvD
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) March 18, 2017
Star Wars, of course, defied all expectations to become the blockbuster franchise it is today, leaving behind relics like this photo: young, squinty-eyed Hamill, like Luke, standing on the cusp of the unknown, with no idea how enormous a universe he was about to step into.
Nearly 41 years after this snapshot was taken, Hamill is now preparing for his debut as an older Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi following an earlier cameo in The Force Awakens. He’ll appear alongside Fisher ( who filmed scenes as General Leia Organa before her death in December) , Ford, and newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac.