Star Wars: 20 Things You Didn't Know About The Empire Strikes Back

17. Alec Guinness Was Paid Millions In Royalties For His Cameo

Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader
Lucasfilm

Much has been written about the enormous riches Alec Guinness earned - and his estate continues to earn, even - for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars.

And so when Guinness was approached to reprise the role for a brief cameo in The Empire Strikes Back, Guinness decided to drive a hard bargain, now being fully aware of the series' popularity.

And so, despite being on set for less than five hours on a single day, Guinness negotiated to receive 0.25% of the film's box office gross, which going by the film's $550.9 million box office gross amounts to a windfall of over $1 million for a day's work. Incredible.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.