Source: Entertainment Weekly | Posted By: Dan Geer
Two days later, fans are still pinching themselves over the news that George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Walt Disney Company for $4.5 Billion, and that Star Wars: Episodes VII, VIII, and IX are now in the works. Even Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, was surprised by the news, according to an interview conducted by Josh Rottenberg of EW.
However, while Hamill did not know about the Disney deal with Lucasfilm until two days ago like everyone else, both he and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) have known of George Lucas’ decision to shepherd the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy since this past summer during Star Wars Celebration VI.
What does this mean? Could they reprise their classic Star Wars roles in the new films? Hit the jump to see what Hamill had to say!
Regarding George Lucas briefing Hamill and Fisher on the new films:
“He did tell us last summer about wanting to go on and do [Episodes] VII, VIII, and IX, and that [newly appointed Lucasfilm president] Kathleen Kennedy would be doing them… Yeah, last August, he asked Carrie and I to have lunch with him and we did. I thought he was going to talk about either his retirement or the Star Wars TV series that I’ve heard about — which I don’t think we were going to be involved in anyway, because that takes place between the prequels and the ones we were in and, if Luke were in them, he’d be anywhere from a toddler to a teenager so they’d get an age-appropriate actor — or the 3-D releases. So when he said, ‘We decided we’re going to do Episodes VII, VIII, and IX,’ I was just gobsmacked. What? Are you nuts?! [Laughs] I can see both sides of it. Because in a way, there was a beginning, a middle, and an end and we all lived happily ever after and that’s the way it should be — and it’s great that people have fond memories, if they do have fond memories. But on the other hand, there’s this ravenous desire on the part of the true believers to have more and more and more material. It’s one of those things: people either just don’t care for it or are passionate about it. I guess that defines what cult movies are all about. We’ll see.”
When asked if Lucas shared any details on the plot of the films, or if either of them would reprise their roles:
“Well, no [he did not tell us], he was just talking about writers and the fact that he wouldn’t be directing. I guess he wanted us to know before everybody else knew. He said, ‘Now you can’t tell anybody!’ [Laughs] Even now I’m nervous about saying anything. I just don’t know!”
Some have speculated that Hamill cannot return for the new trilogy, based on recent comments Lucas biographer Dale Pollock made regarding the new films. While researching his unauthorized Lucas biography, Skywalking: The Life and Films Of George Lucas, Pollock was allowed to read the outlines for the stories that Lucas had originally written for twelve (yes, TWELVE) Star Wars films, which make the character of Luke Skywalker only 30-40 years old during the time of Episodes VII-IX. With Hamill now in his early 60s, this would indeed make it difficult for him to pull off the role, and they would be forced to recast.
However, who is to say that Lucas hasn’t re-written said outlines for Episodes VII-IX to take place 30 years after the originals, placing Skywalker in his 50s or 60s? We do know that Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, and Lucas are bringing in writers to flesh out the story for these films, so who knows where it all could go? Anything is possible here.
In addition, doesn’t it seem strange that Lucas made no comment at this secret meeting about them returning? It’s almost as if Hamill simply cannot reveal anything about it just yet. Of course, this is mere speculation.
Mark Hamill absolutely owns the role of Luke Skywalker, and it would seem awfully silly to recast the role. I think the writers will do whatever they have to do to make Hamill age-appropriate for the role if the character is to return. The idea of Mark Hamill returning as an older Luke Skywalker is just too good to pass up. Just imagine Hamill playing a grey-haired, possibly bearded Luke Skywalker, once again donning the Jedi robe, making an entrance in the new films. Audiences would go completely nuts. That moment alone would be worth reworking the story a bit to make it happen.
But, unfortunately, nothing is confirmed as of right now, so we can only continue to speculate until casting news is confirmed.
Head on over to Entertainment Weekly for the full article!
