Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (TCF, 1977), Fred Roos Casting Notes and Profit Participation Records for the Origi...

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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (TCF, 1977), Fred Roos Casting Notes and Profit Participation Records for the Original Film. Before George Lucas was a household name, he was an independent filmmaker who relied on an extensive network of friends and mentors, including John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola, and Coppola's right-hand man, Fred Roos. After signing the contract to make his first studio film, American Graffiti, Lucas leaned heavily on Roos to help cast his coming-of-age story about growing up in Modesto, California, during the era of hot rods. Roos discovered a young carpenter named Harrison Ford to play cowboy-hat-wearing drag racer Bob Falfa in American Graffiti. Building on that success, Lucas turned to Roos again to help cast his space opera, tentatively titled The Star Wars. This vintage original lot includes Roos' original casting notes for Star Wars, including his list of actors to read with Carrie Fisher for the role of Luke Skywalker. These would-be Lukes included Gary Busey, Ed Begley Jr., Robby Benson, Chevy Chase, Robert Englund, David Hasselhoff, Nick Nolte, John Travolta, and James Woods. Lot also includes (1) 2-page photocopy of a memo written to George Lucas outlining Roos' casting opinions. He rejected Christopher Walken for Han Solo, describing him as "too cold, humorless and unappealing," while advocating for Ford: "we agree on what he is and what he can do." For Luke, he favored Robby Benson, calling him "warm, winning, naïve and appealing," though he also praised Mark Hamill as a "solid actor with a good personality and humor," with a "cute attractive look which seems to appeal to girls," and an "open, uncomplicated look" that "seems right for Luke." His top choice for Leia was Carrie Fisher, his "pick to click," who he said "will never bore you on screen" and is "warm and winning even when bossing people around." For his efforts on both films, Roos received a small, folded piece of 5" x 4" paper on Lucasfilm stationery with an American Graffiti sticker on the outside. Inside, handwritten in blue ink, are the words: "Lucasfilm is pleased to / give Fred Roos a new / 1974 BMW 3.0 / motorcar, plus ½ of 1% of / 'The Star Wars' / with grateful appreciation." Also included is a fully executed contract between "The Star Wars Corporation," Roos, and the law firm that drafted it. The contract states: "As additional consideration for casting services for the motion pictures American Graffiti and Star Wars, we hereby assign you the right to receive one-half of one percent (.5%) of the net profits," with a clause noting that no check would be issued if the total was less than "Ten Dollars," which is signed by Gary Kurtz (for the Star Wars Corporation) and Roos. The lot also includes 10+ accounting records and profit participation documents for Roos, spanning 1977 to 1990 demonstrating how much half of one per cent would end up totaling in the decade. One final document, entitled Star Wars II and handwritten by Roos, lists his casting ideas for a new character named "Landau," who is described as "like Maverick" (presumably James Garner's gambler character), with Billy Dee Williams unsurprisingly listed at the top. Altogether, this is a remarkable lot showcasing Roos' eye for talent, his crucial role in casting one of cinema's most iconic films, and the loyalty Lucas showed in rewarding a trusted collaborator early in his career. Items exhibit wear, age, creasing and fading. The poster is for reference only and is not included with this lot. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From the Estate of Fred Roos.

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