Mark Hamill Reacts In The Best Way To New Luke Skywalker Casting
Made famous by Mark Hamill, fans were first introduced to Luke Skywalker in 1977’s Star Wars.
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When Disney released the trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi a few weeks ago, the footage stirred the imagination of millions of Star Wars fans once more. While the clip didn’t offer up too many details about the plot, it did confirm the appearance of a young Luke Skywalker who, for obvious reasons, will not be portrayed by Mark Hamill. Instead, relative newcomer Grant Feely is set to take on the iconic character.
Having the weight of Luke Skywalker on his young shoulders might seem stressful, but it may help that the Creepshow star was given all the love by his predecessor. In a post on social media, Mark Hamill responded to Feely’s casting in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series in the best way. You can see the post from the original Star Wars actor below.
Made famous by Mark Hamill, fans were first introduced to Luke Skywalker in 1977’s Star Wars. He went on to reprise the role in two direct sequels, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy which began in 2015. Through the use of a body double and incredible de-aging visual effects, the 70-year-old stepped into Luke’s cloak once more during the season two finale of The Mandalorian. This was followed by the actor’s likeness being used again in The Book of Boba Fett.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Mark Hamill told Jimmy Fallon he never expected to play the iconic Jedi again. “Talk about unexpected. I had finished playing that part, and I never expected to do it again,” the star said via Variety. According to the actor, he figured if stories about Luke were ever told in that period, the filmmakers would get an age-appropriate actor. So when the series creator and producer (Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, respectively) told him what they wanted to do, he was completely stunned.
Although it might feel strange to see someone else play Luke Skywalker instead of Mark Hamill, it will be interesting to see Grant Feely’s take on the character. Set ten years after the events of Revenge of the Sith and before A New Hope, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series will consist of six-episodes. The story will follow self-exiled Jedi, Obi-Wan as he keeps a watchful eye over Luke Skywalker on Tatooine.
For now, Disney has managed to keep plot details firmly under wraps. But rumors about how much the story will connect with the prequel trilogy, which didn’t feature Mark Hamill, have been doing the rounds online. Along with characters like the Grand Inquisitor from Lucasfilm’s animated projects, the series is rumored to feature important live-action characters like Jimmy Smits’ Bail Organa and a young Princess Leia.
Directed by Deborah Chow from a script by Hossein Amini, Obi-Wan Kenobi will see Ewan McGregor reprise his role as the prequel trilogy’s Jedi Master for the Disney+ series. Hayden Christensen will also be returning as Anakin Skywalker, who is seduced by the Dark Side and becomes Darth Vader. The show will also star Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars, a moisture farmer on Tatooine and the uncle of Luke Skywalker as well as Bonnie Piesse as Beru Whitesun Lars, Owen’s wife, and Luke’s aunt. And Grant Feely is set to tackle the role made famous by Mark Hamill. The series is set for release on the Disney+ streaming service on May 25th.
