Mark Hamill has shared his dark pitch for a post Return Of The Jedi Luke Skywalker story in the Star Wars universe.
- READ MORE: ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ – Film Review
Hamill’s last outing as Sywalker came in Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi in 2017. Now, in a new interview on the Bullseye podcast, Hamill revealed that he pitched a story to writer/director Rian Johnson about Luke’s life since 1983’s Episode VI — Return of the Jedi and what happened to make him turn his back on being a jedi before Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015).
He said: “I thought, what could make someone give up a devotion to what is basically a religious entity, to give up being a Jedi. Well, the love of a woman,” Hamill explained. “So, he falls in love with a woman. He gives up being a Jedi.”
He then went on to explain that they have a family together before a dark twist occurs.
“They have a child together. At some point the child, as a toddler, picks up an unattended lightsaber, pushes the button, and is killed instantly. The wife is so full of grief, she kills herself.”
You can see the full interview here:
It comes as Hamill recently dismissed any hopes of Luke returning for another instalment in the franchise, after the character seemingly died during a pivotal moment in The Last Jedi.
“I am so grateful to George [Lucas] for letting me be a part of that back in the days, the humble days when George called Star Wars ‘the most expensive low-budget movie ever made,’” he told ComicBook.com recently. “We never expected it to become a permanent franchise and a part of pop culture like that. But my view is, I had my time. I’m appreciative of that, but I really think they should focus on the future and all the new characters.”
He also joked: “And by the way, when I disappeared in [The Last Jedi], I left my robes behind. And there’s no way I’m gonna appear as a naked Force ghost. I’m just letting you know that right now.”
Recently, Hamill revealed how former co-star Carrie Fisher helped him reconcile with his Star Wars fame.
The pair first appeared together in 1977’s Star Wars, later retitled Episode Four: A New Hope, with Hamill playing Luke Skywalker alongside Fisher’s Princess Leia. The original trilogy of movies would catapult both actors to superstardom, but Hamill initially felt overwhelmed by being associated with the character.
Speaking with NPR’s Fresh Air radio show, the actor recalled the moment Fisher confronted him about downplaying the films. “(Fisher) came to see a Broadway show of mine,” he said. “And in the playbill, in my bio, I listed all my theatre credits and at the end it said, ‘He’s also known for a series of popular space movies’.
“And she goes, ‘What’s the deal? How come you don’t mention Star Wars?’ And I said, ‘Well, I want to show that I have a resume that includes extensive theatre credits.’ And she said, ‘Hey, get over yourself. You’re Luke Skywalker. I’m Princess Leia. Embrace it’”.
The curt advice struck a chord with Hamill, who continued: “And I kind of saw what she meant, you know, because you say to yourself, ‘What territory do I occupy that no one else does?’ So, she was someone that sort of put it in perspective for me.”