In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Mark Hamill shared a few thoughts on the STAR WARS franchise, including why he felt like he had to say yes to J.J. Abrams' STAR WARS: EPISODE VII, seeing the original cast members again, and how he's preparing for the new film.
Mark Hamill on joining STAR WARS: EPISODE VII:
Look, I’m aware that a lot of people don’t care one way or another, but for the UPFs – the ultra passionate fans – they would come after me like the angry townspeople with torches in the old Frankenstein pictures. I would have a lot to answer for if I didn’t at least try to make the effort. It’s not like I had a choice. I feel like I was called up for service by the Selective Service.
On STAR WARS spoilers:
This is a whole different world … The first one, no one cared. The second one there was a lot of interest, but it was before the Internet. … I tell people we’re not trying to annoy you or tease you or play some massive games. Basically what the goal is to keep the surprises for the movie instead of spoiling them on the Internet.
On reuniting with the original cast members:
I hadn’t seen Tony Daniels or Carrie [Fisher] or Harrison [Ford] or Peter Mayhew in ages. … It was wonderful to see them again, because I didn’t expect to. Again, this is all so unexpected. It’s like getting out that pair of pants you haven’t worn in five years and finding a 20-dollar bill in the pocket. Oh, this is nice.
On STAR WARS fandom:
I haven’t seen those movies since they were in movie theaters. I don’t watch them on home theater or DVD. There are people who are far more expert in it than I am. They know more, way more, about them than I do, and they care more. You don’t have to love them, but I am surprised sometimes at how vehemently they get if they’re not satisfied, which is scary. I have this feeling that no matter what we do there’s going to be a faction that really is disappointed. You just can’t live up to that. Any kind of reunion type endeavor, whatever it is … you can never go home again.
On preparing for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII:
I’ve altered my diet. I’ve started working out. There’s that. But on the film itself: I toured the departments, I’ve looked at wardrobe, and I saw the creature shop. I went around and met all the cast people, saw the technicians working on some new things.
It looks like the changes Mark Hamill made to his diet are working. Hamill will be appearing at Disney World's Star Wars Weekend (June 6-8), and Disney has released a promo image for the event of the actor wielding a lightsaber with Mickey Mouse. He's definitely lost some weight, and the image is also the best look yet at how Mark Hamill might look in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII. Two words: Jedi beard!
STAR WARS: EPISODE VII will be in theaters on December 18, 2015.
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