Actor Mark Hamill, who is famous for playing Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker and giving voice to the Joker, expressed how he still doesn’t understand the choices Rian Johnson and Disney made surrounding Luke Skywalker’s character in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Hamill was questioned by an inquiring fan who wanted to know why Luke gave up after his failure with Kylo Ren.
@HamillHimself @rianjohnson Why did Luke give up in the Last Jedi? What other events made Luke give up? From what we know Luke made one mistake and he gave up. That doesn't really make sense. Could you please help me understand.
— Cameron White (@_CrazyCam_) August 29, 2018
Hamill would reply stating, “When I understand, I’ll let you know.”
When I understand, I'll let you know.
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 29, 2018
Hamill hasn’t been shy about expressing his concerns over the way Rian Johnson and Disney handled Luke Skywalker.
In an interview with IGN back in June, Hamill openly questioned how his character in The Last Jedi came to be after his heroism in Return of the Jedi.
“There’s just such a huge gap between Return of the Jedi and Force Awakens – I had to really contemplate that. I said ‘hey, how did I go from being the most optimistic, positive character to this cranky, suicidal man who wants people to get off his island?”
In the same interview, he would even question Johnson’s knowledge and understanding of the Jedi:
“It was a radical change, but I think sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone is a good thing […] Although a part of me said to Rian, ‘but you know, a Jedi would never give up’. My concept of the character was that even if I chose the New Hitler thinking he was the New Hope, yeah I’d feel terrible, but I wouldn’t secret myself on an island and then turn off the Force.”
Hamill is expected to return for the ninth installment of the core Star Wars movies, which will be directed by The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams.
Hamill will be joined by other Star Wars veterans Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels. Carrie Fisher will return as Leia Organa using “previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
It’s unclear what capacity Hamill will play in Episode IX. It’s more than likely he might return as a Force Ghost to help aid Rey and the Rebels in their fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order, much like Obi Wan Kenobi did for him.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Abrams tries to course correct Luke’s character and puts him on a path to redeem Kylo Ren much like he redeemed his father, Darth Vader.
Do you plan on seeing Star Wars Episode IX?