Mark Hamill Talks Surprises and Returning To STAR WARS For EPISODE VII
Before he debuts at Disney World's Star Wars Weekends, original trilogy star Mark Hamill spoke of returning to the role of Luke Skywalker (which includes a work out!), catching up with old friends and keeping surprises for J.J. Abrams' new film.
Though most fans are excited by the group of fresh faces making their way into the Star Wars films, it's also exciting to see the original stars return. Ahead of his appearance at Disney World's Star Wars Weekends event, Mark Hamill spoke about his growing distance from the universe. "In my mind," he said, "there was a beginning, and a middle and an end for me and my association with George’s trilogy. It was firmly in the past. When the prequels came out, I watched from a distance, but I was totally fine." He is, however, making his way back for director J.J. Abrams' unsubtitled Episode VII. "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."
The new films gave him an opportunity to reconnect with past friends. "I hadn’t seen Tony Daniels or Carrie Fisher or Harrison Ford or Peter Mayhew in ages. I was wonderful to see them again, because I didn’t expect to." Hamill is preparing for the role, admitting that he has "altered [his] 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." Abrams' notorious secrecy is for the benefit of fans, Hamill says. "I tell people we’re not trying to annoy you or tease you or play some massive game. Basically what the goal is to keep the surprises for the movie instead of spoiling them on the Internet." Star Wars: Episode VII arrives on December 18, 2015.