Mark Hamill in talks for 'Star Wars: Episode VII' role

2/24/13 2:25pm

As the Star Wars rumors come flooding in, a lot of fans wonder what an entry in the series would be like without a Skywalker present. In hopes to bringing the franchise back to its roots, we may not have to wonder much longer.

It's still up in the air what the story in Star Wars: Episode VII will be about or which characters it will even focus on. Will it borrow at all from the novels or be its own thing with whole new characters? If the latest words from Mark Hamill are any indication, we may see Luke back in action in a role very reminiscent to Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy.

Mark Hamill spoke with ETOnline.com in regards to potentially appearing in the new trilogy. He starts off by saying, "They're talking to us." This would be in reference to himself as well as fellow Star Wars co-stars Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

"George Lucas wanted to know whether we’d be interested. He did say that if we didn’t want to do it, they wouldn’t cast another actor in our parts. They would write us out. I can tell you right away that we haven’t signed any contracts. We’re in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were postponed on their end, not mine. They’re more busy than I am."

Thankfully, Lucas has the good sense not to recast these characters. It would only make sense considering the look of Luke, Han, and Leia are so iconic and connected to their respective actors.

(from left to right) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, and Harrison Ford as Han Solo

Although Hamill claims to know nothing about the working script, he gives his own two cents on what he'd like to see.

"I said to George that I wanted to go back to the way it was, in the sense that ours was much more carefree and lighthearted and humorous, in my opinion anyway."

In other words, let's try and recreate the magic from the original trilogy and step away from long political scenes and Jar Jar Binks (ugh). It's good to hear Mark speak rather openly about it and much nicer than I would have.

He continues with what kind of role Luke could be playing in the new movies.

"I’m assuming, because I haven’t talked to the writers, that these movies would be about our offspring and my character would be sort of in the Obi-Wan range as an influential character. When I found out, while making the original trilogy, that ultimate good news/bad news joke with the good news is there’s a real attractive, hot girl in the universe and the bad news is she’s your sister, I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to wind up like Sir Alec Guinness. I’m going to be a lonely old hermit living out in some kind of desert igloo with a couple of robots.’"

"A friend in me you have!"

That doesn't sound so bad! Well... the lonely old hermit thing sucks for Luke but the direction of the story is something I could get behind. It makes sense bring aboard younger actors to drive the story but having Mark and the gang there to "pass the torch" sort to speak would do well for the old school fans. It can then follow along a similar type of story arc in which everyone can appreciate.

Mark gives one more interesting note on his opinion of using CGI over props.

"I hope they find the right balance of CGI with practical effects. I love props, I love models, miniatures, matte paintings. I’m sort of old school. I think if you go too far in the direction of CGI, it winds up looking like just a giant video game, and that’s unfortunate."

Hey, Lucasfilm! Listen to this man! He knows how this should be done! Hell, I'm ready to write "Hamill" on the director's chair right now at this point.

"Step aside, Georgie boy!"

Let us know what you think of what Mark Hamill had to say in the comments below!

» Source: http://ultramegadeathray.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/mark-hamill-in-talks-for-star-wars-episode-vii-role/
» Tagged In: #community showcase, #g1news, #lucasfilm, #luke skywalker, #Mark Hamill, #star wars, #ultra mega death ray

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g1 DISCUSSIONS

orocket333

February 25, 2013 - 7:48pm

I did the math, and at his current age, Mark Hamill would be about the same age as luke was around 40-50 ABY. after 44 ABY there is a HUGE gap in lore where there is nothing written for over 60 years. I would love for them to fill in some story there.

MagnumMagnus

February 25, 2013 - 11:29am

If he starts laughing like the Joker in the film, I'm gonna lose my shit.

logicallydashing

February 26, 2013 - 7:13pm

You won't be alone there.

ThePortlandian

February 25, 2013 - 10:58am

Yuuzhan Vong perhaps? Mara Jade, Kyle Katarn maybe. One can hope right?

JxL

February 25, 2013 - 8:48am

Looking at that picture of Lucas and Hamill above I wonder can Lucas be any more full of himself?

DarthStuticus

February 25, 2013 - 7:35am

Some of you guys seem to be under the misconception that the new movies will even take into account that any of the EU books even exists. I agree that it would be nice if they did, but I think we are going to have to contend with two Star Wars timelines now. Not sure how I feel about that.

ThePortlandian

February 25, 2013 - 10:59am

Or just Canon and Books, which is how I have had to feel about things since the Mandalorians were butchered by Lucasfilm.

Evil Ivan

February 24, 2013 - 10:31pm

As I recall, George Lucas had intended for others to direct the films in the prequel trilogy, but everyone he approached declined and insisted that he be the one to direct.

The fans didn't seem to have any concerns about Lucas directing Episodes I-III until after The Phantom Menace premiered. I find the argument that higher expectations were warranted due to Lucas having directed A New Hope questionable; the magic of the original Star Wars was pretty much an accident and The Empire Strikes Back, which most fans consider the best Star Wars movie, was not directed by Lucas.

Broadband internet wasn't as widespread in 1999. I guess it was a combo of lack of information and fan deification of George Lucas that set so many people up for disappointment?

EpicJason1999

February 24, 2013 - 8:46pm

smartest actor in Hollywood.

EpicJason1999

February 24, 2013 - 8:44pm

I completely agree with Mark Hamill on this entire topic. I think it's a damn good thing that this actor knows what will make the series be good again and that he is as old school as I am. fortunately , Luke Skywalker isnt so lonely since he did in fact have a wife and a son. Mara Jade Skywalker & Ben Skywalker. Han & Leia also had 3 kids in the story. so as far as that goes , Luke did get lucky and he himself trained his son as a young Jedi. the expanded universe after Part 6 told a lot of really well made and unique stories. hell , I think it would be interesting if they went with some aspects of the Dark Empire story with the cloned Emperor & the World Devastators. which in my opinion are vastly superior and far more effective than the Death Star. a blog I intend to do in detail this week here at Screwattack. I also agree on his statement on CGI. it looks so fake that it either looks rubber bandish or it looks like a cartoon. I am more on the side of practical effects because it's living art. and just like what Rob Bottin said about The Thing , is that true art takes no short cuts. Practical Effects holds more weight than CGI because it makes people ask the question "how did they do that?" , when CGI is painfully obvious. I agree , bring back the Practical and drop the CGI like a bad habit. and unlike Mr Lucas , I am putting my faith in the man who knows the true power and the magic of the original Star Wars Trilogy , NOT the shameful re-re-re-re-updated special editions. thank you so very much for posting this. and may the force be with you.

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logicallydashing

g1 Since: Version 5 (2011)

My name is David and I've been a gamer since playing the Commodore 64 as a kid. I went to school for game design and currently maintain a blog that covers all aspects of "geek media" called UltraMegaDeathRay.com. Check us out!