Mark Hamill has opened up about his interpretations and the backstory he created for Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” addressing his previous criticisms of Rian Johnson’s portrayal of the character. Hamill has always been candid about his discomfort with the depiction of Luke as a hermit who exiles himself, attributing this choice to feelings of guilt over the fall of Ben Solo to the Dark side.
In a recent interview on “Bullseye with Jesse Thorn,” while promoting his new film “The Life of Chuck,” Hamill reaffirmed his respect for Johnson as a director and acknowledged the movie’s quality. However, he expressed that the motivations behind Luke’s actions did not align with his own understanding of the character. As he explained, his vision for Luke was that even in the face of tragedy—such as witnessing the destruction of his Jedi temple by Ben—that Luke would remain resilient rather than retreat into despair.
Hamill went on to share a more personal and darker backstory he envisioned for Luke, revolving around love and loss. He imagined that Luke could have fallen in love, abandoned the Jedi path, and tragically lost a child to an accident involving a lightsaber, which would explain his deep grief and exile. This narrative, he believed, could justify Luke’s drastic change in behavior, connecting with real-life stories of loss and its profound impact on individuals.
Despite his creative differences with Johnson, Hamill affirmed his commitment to making the character’s journey work within the context of the film. He noted that some fans misconstrue his views to imply a dislike for Johnson, which he insists is not the case.
Looking ahead, the “Star Wars” universe continues to expand, with Rey’s story set to unfold in an upcoming sequel directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, where she will attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order. Additionally, new projects like “The Mandalorian” and Shawn Levy’s “Star Wars” movie featuring Ryan Gosling are expected by 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Hamill’s reflections on Luke Skywalker provide a glimpse into the complex relationship between actors and their beloved characters, highlighting both the creative liberties taken and the emotional depth that can be explored when developing a character’s backstory.