Before Lucasfilm failed to encapsulate their magic with 2019’s The Rise of the Skywalker, 2015’s The Force Awakens was able to do justice to the IP and became one of the highest-grossing Star Wars films. But apart from the illustrious cast that the film comprised, the cherry on the top was Bill Hader’s cameo alongside Ben Schwartz, who voiced the character of BB-8 (or Beebee-Ate).
Although at first glance, it seemed that the voice of the popular droid maybe computer modulated, however, it was later revealed in the credits it was the joint work of Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz. Even though the former SNL star enjoyed his time working on the voice, he is no longer interested in signing merchandise for fans after a disappointing experience.
Bill Hader revealed his reasoning behind not signing Star Wars merchandise
Alongside the immense craze for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the droid for the new generation, BB-8, also garnered immense popularity among fans and merchandise sales were over the roof. And initially, Bill Hader enjoyed signing off these merchandise for fans but one incident changed his viewpoint regarding the practice. The actor recalled that after making his way out of the Inside Out premiere to the after-party, one experience with an autograph seeker made him give up signing merchandise. He explained the situation by stating,
“I used to sign stuff, and then one time I saw somebody and they had their kid come up to me to sign a BB-8 thing and it was three in the morning. I was leaving the Inside Out premiere and then we went to an after-party thing and it was super late and this guy kept his kid up all night. [He was like], ‘Go over there so he’ll sign it so I can sell it online.’”
But even though the actor is no longer into signing merchandise, he still sure adores the character of the droid that he was able to play and commended the director for the opportunity.
Bill Hader was thankful for the opportunity to star in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Being a huge Star Wars fan himself, voicing the character of BB-8 in one of the most successful entries of the franchise was a golden moment for Bill Hader. The actor further went on to commend the director of the movie, J.J. Abrams for the opportunity and expressed his happiness by stating,
“I mean, that’s the weird thing. It was just J.J. Abrams being a nice guy. It was like something you would do for someone who won a contest. But it’s pretty cool seeing your name in blue at the end.”
It wasn’t the only time when Bill Hader decided to lend a cameo in successful projects as recently the actor made a scene-stealing appearance in Ari Aster’s acclaimed Beau is Afraid.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
