Mark Hamill Clears the Air: No Bad Blood with 'Last Jedi' Director!
Mark Hamill, the iconic Luke Skywalker, is setting the record straight. Despite past disagreements about the direction of his character in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Hamill insists there's no animosity between him and director Rian Johnson.
Hamill Praises Rian Johnson's Talent
In a recent appearance on the “Bullseye with Jesse Thorn” podcast, promoting his new film “The Life of Chuck,” Hamill addressed the controversy surrounding Luke Skywalker's portrayal in the divisive film. He emphasized his respect for Johnson, calling him “one of the most gifted directors I’ve ever worked with.”
“He’s amiable, he’s fun on set, he’s smart. He made a great movie,” Hamill stated, highlighting Johnson's skill and creativity. He specifically praised the staging of the standoff between Luke and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), noting the subtle foreshadowing that revealed Luke's presence wasn't real.
Addressing Past Criticisms
Hamill has previously expressed his dissatisfaction with Luke Skywalker's motivations for exiling himself and becoming a recluse. He felt that the character's descent into a “suicidal hermit” was inconsistent with the optimistic Jedi Knight fans knew and loved. However, he now acknowledges that publicly voicing these concerns might have colored perceptions unfairly.
“And the fact that I went public with my dissatisfaction with the motivation for Luke becoming a suicidal hermit might have colored things in a way that, maybe I should have kept that to myself,” Hamill admitted.
Hamill's 'Darker' Backstory for Luke
Hamill even developed his own “much, much darker” head canon to explain Luke's transformation. This backstory, which he never fully revealed, helped him reconcile his personal vision of the character with the one presented in The Last Jedi. While he may have disagreed with some creative choices, Hamill's recent comments make it clear that he respects Rian Johnson's talent and vision as a filmmaker. The force is strong with this friendship!