Movies News

Mark Hamill Talks Star Wars Episodes VII, VIII and IX

By James Wray Sep 10, 2004, 12:28 GMT

Mark Hamill made a surprise guest appearance at the Star Wars Trilogy DVD junket. Talking mostly about his memories of making the trilogy and his current line of work, Hamill was asked if he would be interested in doing Episodes VII, VIII and IX should Lucas decide to make them. Hamill dodged in appropriately nostalgic fashion, but was pressed further below.“He talked about doing a VII, VIII, IX,” Hamill began. “You know when I first did this, it was four trilogies. 12 movies! And out on the desert, any time between setups… lots of free time. And George was talking about this whole thing. I said, ‘Why are you starting with IV, V and VI? It’s crazy.’ [Imitating Lucas grumble,] ‘It’s the most commercial section of the movie.’ He said the first trilogy’s darker, more serious. And the impression I got, he said, ‘Um, how’d you like to be in Episode IX?’ This is 1976. ‘When is that going to be?’ ‘2011.’I defy anyone to add 36 years to their lives and not be stunned. Even an eight year old is like, ‘No, I’ll never be 47.’ So I did the math and figured out how old I’d be. I said, ‘Well, what do you want me to do?’ He said, ‘You’ll just be like a cameo. You’ll be like Obi Wan handing the lightsaber down to the next new hope.’ And I’m thinking, ‘I love the guy. If he wanted me to do light yard work at his house, I’d be out clipping the hedges.’ So I went, ‘Sure.’ But I thought he just realized that he’s going to be doing it the rest of his life and he’d rather not do that.”Read the rest here.