ANAHEIM, California—Mark Hamill knew he had to say yes when George Lucas told him about the plans for a new “Star Wars” trilogy.
“It’s like I was drafted,” Hamill told a massive crowd on Saturday night at the Star Wars Celebration of his decision to reprise his role as Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Caught off-guard
“Can you imagine if I said ‘I don’t think I want to do it?’ I would have all of you surrounding my house like angry villagers with lightsabers,” joked the 63-year-old “Star Wars” veteran.
Hamill admitted he was caught off-guard when Lucas invited him to lunch. When Hamill’s wife surmised that perhaps there was a new film in the works, Hamill laughed. Lucas had told him specifically that he was done with “Star Wars.
He assumed Lucas was going to announce a 3-D release or roll out another box set of the films.
Still, Hamill’s interest was piqued. He knew that meant it must be big.
When things started coming together, Hamill said he was cautiously optimistic about J.J. Abrams, the chosen director for “The Force Awakens.”
“I was a little suspicious because he was a ‘Star Trek’ guy,” said Hamill, laughing.
The actor quickly clarified that he likes “Star Trek.” “It just seems odd,” he said.
He went on to compliment Abrams for the latter’s inclusiveness. Abrams, Hamill noted, is also the first “Star Wars” director to be borne out of true fandom of the original films.
Practical effects
“He feels the way you feel in terms of wanting practical effects. Real sets,” he said.
Keeping in line with the secrecy surrounding “The Force Awakens,” which opens on Dec. 18, Hamill said he is always worried about leaking information. He claims he even learned the subtitle of the seventh film on the Internet.
“They’re so secretive these days,” said Hamill. “When we did the first one, no one cared.” AP