Actor Mark Hamill seems to be ready to retire his character of Luke Skywalker.
The 71-year-old actor originated the role in the first “Star Wars” movie: 1977’s “A New Hope.” Although he reprised his role in the sequel trilogy, he indicated that he is ready to retire the character while promoting his new film “The Machine.”
‘Star Wars’ Actor Mark Hamill Is Ready To Retire Luke Skywalker: ‘I Had My Time’
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Mark Hamill told host Tracy Smith that although he is happy to see how much the character of Luke Skywalker has meant to fans, he never thought that he would be remembered for the role.
“I mean, the truth of the matter is, I never really expected to be remembered for anything,” Hamill said via People. “I just wanted to make a living doing what I liked. And I thought, ‘Well, it could be worse. I could be, like, known as being the best actor who ever played Adolf Hitler, you know?’ At least Luke is an admirable fellow!”
How could anyone possibly be bothered by my widely celebrated, perfectly executed Force-Kick?! https://t.co/8FdEHe6IUO
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) May 27, 2023
Although he is fond of saying “Never say never,” Hamill feels that the galaxy far, far away has gotten big enough that the franchise has moved on from his character.
“I just don’t see any reason to,” he said when asked if he would play the character of Luke Skywalker again. “Let me put it that way: I mean, they have so many stories to tell, they don’t need Luke anymore. I had my time, and that’s good. But that’s enough.”
In a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mark Hamill also discussed his future with the “Star Wars” franchise.
“When I read [Episode] VIII, I knew it was over,” Hamill said. “So I was relishing every moment, but also saying goodbye to all those people that I had associated with over the years. So I still miss them.”
Although there is going to be another movie set after 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” that features Daisy Ridley and her character Rey trying to restart the Jedi Order fifteen years after the fall of the First Order, it does not appear that Mark Hamill will reprise his character, even as a Force Ghost.
When asked if he would appear in the new film, he told the publication, “No, I don’t have any expectations of that happening.”
Mark Hamill isn’t the only actor who seems unlikely to make an appearance in the new “Star Wars” movie.
During an appearance at ICCCon Nashville, actor Ian McDiarmid was asked by Comicbook.com if Emperor Palpatine would make a return in the next film.
The 78-year-old Scottish actor replied, “I haven’t been approached.”
Will John Boyega Make An Appearance In The New ‘Star Wars’ Movie?
It is possible that actor John Boyega might make an appearance in the new “Star Wars” film. On The Hot Mic podcast, John Rocha claimed that “a couple of different sources” told him that “John Boyega will be coming back” for the new “Star Wars” film.
Despite being vocal about being unhappy with the way his character Finn was being treated in the sequel trilogy, in an August 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, “The Woman King” actor said that he is still a fan of the franchise. “People always get shocked! Industry issues have nothing to do with Star Wars and me being a fan of it,” he said. “I’ve been watching Obi-Wan, I’ve been watching The Mandalorian.”
“I’m still forever going to be a fan of this franchise. As far as Finn is concerned? I’m good on that,” he added, making it clear that he would support his costars if they ever chose to return to a galaxy far, far away.
“At this point, I’m cool off it. I’m good off it,” Boyega said in an August 2022 interview with SiriusXM’s Tell Me Everything With John Fugelsang when asked if he would play the character again. “I think Finn is at a good confirmation point where you can just enjoy him in other things, the games, the animation. But I feel like ‘[Episode] VII’ to ‘[Episode] IX’ was good for me.”