Mark Hamill
clearly has a certain sense of ownership over the character of
Luke Skywalker and has no hesitation about voicing his ideas about how he thinks
Skywalker should be used in the new trilogy. Case in point, a few months ago in a
Vanity Fair article, Hamill spoke about how he disagreed with
Luke's characterization in
The Last Jedi, which apparently landed the actor in hot water with the powers-that-be.
Hamill's exact quote to director Rian Johnson was, "
I pretty much fundamentally disagree with every choice you’ve made for this character." While online discussion focused on this particular portion of his statement, Hamill quickly added the following, "
Now, having said that, I have gotten it off my chest, and my job now is to take what you’ve created and do my best to realize your vision."
Hamill's frankness apparently didn't sit well with Lucasfilm and Disney. However, he recently explained to
Variety that he simply should have articulated his thoughts more carefully as it wasn't meant to be taken as a diss.
"
I got into trouble because… I was quoted as saying to Rian that I fundamentally disagree with everything you decided about Luke, and it was inartfully [sic] phrased. What I was, was surprised at how he saw Luke. And it took me a while to get around to his way of thinking, but once I was there it was a thrilling experience. I hope it will be for the audience too."
Hamill usually thinks
Luke will behave in a traditionally heroic manner and that he wouldn't hesitate to swoop in and save those in need. The fact that Hamill initially disagreed with Luke's characterization in
The Last Jedi is quite telling.
It's likely that Hamill and Johnson don't see eye-to-eye on the reason behind
Luke abandoning his friends and hiding out on
Ahch-To following the attack on his Jedi school by the
Knights of Ren. Is Luke self-imposed exile on
Ahch-To specific to the fact that the planet is home to the first
Jedi Temple? Or is he simply looking to hide in a place that's been uninhabited for hundreds of years?
We'll find out when
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15, 2017.