Mark Hamill made quite a stir near the end of May, when the Luke Skywalker actor stated that he was done with Star Wars.
Said Hamill, "...But my deal is, I had my time. I’m appreciative of that, but I really think they should focus on the future and all the new characters.”
Now, in a new interview with Sunday Today, Hamill is providing a little more context.
"I don't want to make a big pronouncement like, 'This is my decision.' I'm just saying that it really felt like a conclusion. My character was given complete closure. I died, ironically, by overdosing on the force, I might point out."
"And once the Skywalker trilogy was over, it was a whole new era for them. George gave them this amazing canvas- the entire galaxy, they can do westerns, mysteries, comedies, whodunits, anything within that realm of the Star Wars. And they're doing so well. I love Rogue One, The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett. I just say, I had my time. I'm really appreciative, but I'm really looking forward to the future, for all these new projects."
"But I do know that when I mention anything about the space movies, it gets extra scrutiny, as opposed to me talking about anything else. And I said that, and then I saw headlines, 'Mark Hamill quit Star Wars.'"
"Let me just say, they haven't asked me. It's not like they said, 'Please come back. ' Come on, how much can you do with a Force Ghost? I'd like to see a movie set all in the Force Ghost realm, I can have conversations with Alec Guinness."
As Mark Hamill mentioned, Luke Skywalker meets his end in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. His death comes after performing an advanced Jedi technique known as Force projection, allowing him to create a realistic illusion of himself on the battlefield of Crait while his physical body remains on the remote island of Ahch-To.
This selfless act distracts Kylo Ren and the First Order long enough for Leia and the remaining Resistance members to escape. The immense effort ultimately costs Luke his life, and he fades peacefully into the Force.
Luke later returns in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker as a Force Ghost. He appears to Rey on Ahch-To at a moment when she’s lost faith and is ready to walk away from the fight. Offering guidance and encouragement, he helps her rediscover her purpose and passes on his old lightsaber, reigniting her determination to face the growing threat.