Do you know Ku Stark? If so, congratulations, you are a Star Wars specialist or photography enthusiast! Otherwise, you will discover a hidden story from Star Wars.
Because Coo Stark was approached to play Princess Leia before ending up with a much more minimal role that was ultimately cut during editing!
Coo Stark is an American actor and photographer who, in 1975, at the age of 19, made several R-rated films, including Henry Herbert’s Emily’s Awakening and Cruel Passion, adapted from the Marquis de Sade.
Legend has it that Lucasfilm didn’t dare cast her as Princess Leia, especially because of her past in the aforementioned films. However, she would remain a “backup” for the role of the princess if Carrie Fisher turned down the role.
Nevertheless, Fisher became the immortal princess, and the casting gave Co Stark another role, that of Cami Marstrap, Luke Skywalker’s friend. But his scene, although filmed, ended up on the editing bench: cut! This is the first scene of this video:
We see Luke arrive in Anchorhead and find his best friend Bigs Darklighter (played by Garrick Haggon) returning from the academy. The scene takes place in Tosh Station, a repair shop located on Tatooine. The two men greet each other and Luke says that there is a space battle going on.
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Coo Stark (and Mark Hamill in the background)
Just then, Cam appears (hence, Coo Stark), stealing his binoculars to observe the battle (shown off-camera), which is now anything but a peaceful encounter.
Luka is laughed at, but he defends himself:There was a shooting earlier!Biggs replies that the Rebellion is far from isolated to Tatooine, and Cam mocks him by calling him a “Worm”.
The scene is featured in the novel accompanying the 1977 film, as well as in a shortened version of the comic book, as the writers worked from the original script before cutting it down.
Since the sequence does not further the story and “only” allows us to meet Luke’s friends and understand the sense of isolation of the inhabitants of Tatooine, we understand that George Lucas found it useful to cut it. It has been found in the bonuses of various editions of A New Hope since 1997.
- Star Wars toilet paper, puke bag… whenever George Lucas did anything with manufactured products
Coo Stark went on to pursue an acting career, most notably as Miss Rose in the 90s TV series Cluedo, but she has mainly devoted herself to photography from the 80s to the present day.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
