Correct Answer: D) $95 million
Alec Guinness, already an established screen legend with over 50 films to his name, was initially offered $150,000 to play the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars in 1976. Though the amount, equivalent to about $762,000 today, was a respectable paycheck, Guinness wasn’t immediately convinced. He reportedly found the script for Star Wars to be “fairy tale rubbish,” and wasn’t entirely drawn to the space fantasy genre. However, director George Lucas pitched the role of Obi-Wan to him as a blend of the wizard Merlin and a Samurai warrior, which intrigued Guinness enough to negotiate a deal—one that would change his financial future in ways he likely never imagined.
Rather than just accepting the flat fee, Guinness made a shrewd business move that would ultimately earn him a fortune. He asked 20th Century Fox to double the initial offer, and more importantly, negotiated a 2% share of the film’s backend grosses. George Lucas, eager to have such a prestigious actor on board, sweetened the deal by adding another 0.25% as a goodwill gesture. While this might have seemed like a modest arrangement at the time, it turned out to be a masterstroke of foresight given the film’s unprecedented success.
When Star Wars was released on May 25, 1977, it exceeded all expectations, grossing over $300 million in its initial run. Guinness’ deal meant that he immediately earned more than $7 million from his percentage of the profits, which equates to about $33 million today. Considering that he appeared in the film for only around 20 minutes of screen time, this was an extraordinary sum. However, the actor’s earnings didn’t stop there. Over the years, as the film continued to generate revenue through re-releases, home video sales, and merchandise, Guinness’ backend deal kept bringing in money.
By the time of his death in 2000, it is estimated that Alec Guinness had earned a staggering $95 million from his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi. This enormous payday made Guinness one of the highest-paid actors from a single film role, especially considering his limited screen presence. Despite the fortune he amassed, Guinness remained somewhat ambivalent about his association with Star Wars. Though he appreciated the financial windfall, he often expressed frustration over being forever remembered as Obi-Wan rather than for his other acclaimed roles.
In the end, Alec Guinness’ decision to take a percentage of Star Wars‘ profits rather than settling for a standard salary was a remarkable move that paid off handsomely. It underscores the importance of savvy negotiation and foresight in Hollywood, especially in projects that, at first glance, may not seem like guaranteed hits. What started as a hesitant agreement to star in a “fairy tale” film turned into one of the most lucrative decisions of Guinness’ career.
