While Bill Murray in the role of Han Solo makes for a fun what-if scenario, it’s probably for the best that he never got the part. Not only did Harrison Ford give us an unmatched performance, but the immense fame and pressure of being associated with the “Star Wars” franchise may have made it difficult for Murray to obtain the many fan-favorite roles we know him for today. But even Murray wasn’t immune to the impact that the original “Star Wars” had on pop culture, which was reflected in a memorable skit during the early years of “Saturday Night Live.”
In a Season 3 episode of “SNL” that aired in 1978, Murray returned to his recurring role as Nick the Lounge Singer, a spirited entertainer often performing in rundown locations. This instance sees Nick sing and joke around with a cozy crowd in a ski lounge, with appearances by other “SNL” favorites, such as John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. To close out his performance, Nick belts out a song to the tune of the iconic “Star Wars” theme with lyrics describing elements from the film such as the cantina scene and Darth Vader.
Nearly 40 years later, Oscar Isaac, who portrayed pilot Poe Dameron in Disney’s “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, performed his own rendition of Murray’s song. With a far more subdued vibe and lyrics incorporating characters from the then-upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” it perfectly compliments the bombastic energy of Murray’s take. Murray may have never stepped foot on a “Star Wars” set, but he’s nevertheless succeeded at leaving his own mark on the franchise.
