Actor Mark Hamill is best known for playing the role of Luke Skywalker in George Lucas’ original trilogy of Star Wars movies. Hamill later reprised his iconic role for the sequel trilogy produced under Disney and also appeared in some of the spin-off television shows, set after the events of the original trilogy.
However, in an old interview, Hamill detailed plans for future installments in the franchise. At the time, the actor revealed that there were plans for his character to appear in the third installment of the prequel trilogy. As a result, Hamill inadvertently revealed one abandoned plot point for the prequels years before they came to fruition. Here is what Hamill had to say about the prequels.
Mark Hamill Revealed Plot Ideas That Were Excluded From Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Mark Hamill played the role of Luke Skywalker for the entirety of the original trilogy of Star Wars movies. In an interview with BBC, conducted in 1980, Hamill was asked about plans for future installments in the franchise. At the time, the second installment, The Empire Strikes Back had been released in theaters.
We finish off the trilogy, and then we go back 20 years and do the story of young Darth Vader and the young Alec Guinness character. And in the third film… Luke is about five or six years old.
Hamill’s statement refers to The Return of the Jedi (referenced as The Revenge of the Jedi in the interview), and the prequel trilogy of movies that Lucas wouldn’t work on at least for the next sixteen years.
Nonetheless, the interview is of note, since Hamill was under the impression that a younger version of his character would appear in the final installment of the prequels, which turned out to be Revenge of the Sith. While Luke does appear in the movie, he is only a newborn baby. A young Luke Skywalker would later appear in the Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series.
Mark Hamill Defended the Star Wars Prequels Amidst Mixed Reception
Despite not appearing in the prequels, Mark Hamill has defended the movies directed by George Lucas. Upon their release, the prequels received mixed to negative reviews from critics and fans alike. However, Hamill seemed to have enjoyed the prequel era of the franchise.
I was impressed the prequels had their own identity. They were criticized because they were exposition-heavy and more cerebral and probably, like he said back in 1976, they weren’t as commercial.
Hamill made the above statement (via IndieWire), voicing his support for the prequels.
At the same time, the actor explained that the prequels were a darker story compared to the original trilogy. Furthermore, the movies were released in the age of social media, where everyone could voice their opinion, leading to very harsh reactions to the prequels. However, in recent years, the prequels have improved their reputation, and fans hold a fondness for them.
The Star Wars movies and spin-off TV shows are streaming on Disney+.
