Mark Hamill left the "Star Wars" franchise in 1983 after the release of "Return of the Jedi." He believed his story was over, but a great force (namely Disney and J.J. Abrams) has pulled the 63-year-old actor back to that galaxy far, far away.
Hamill will reprise his role as Luke Skywalker for the new film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The movie, written and directed by Abrams, will also feature appearances from original "Star Wars" cast members Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford as well as Kenny Baker and Anthony Daniels, who voice the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO.
"I don't know that I'm even completely recovered from my state of shock," Hamill told Entertainment Weekly. "Part of the experience of ['Star Wars'] in my life was coming down from that, putting it behind me. We had a beginning, middle, and an end. And I certainly, in a million years, never expected to return. I thought, even if they do more trilogies, my story is over."
Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion and quickly started production on launching a third "Star Wars" trilogy. The previous trilogy told the story of Luke's father Anakin Skywalker and his turn to the Dark Side as he became the villain Darth Vader.
"George had told us the he wasn't going to do them many, many years ago - but times and circumstances change," Hamill said.
Audiences have not seen much of Hamill over the last 20 years, but they have heard his voice in many animated TV shows and video games. "The Force Awakens" trailer also showed no sign of Hamill's older Jedi character or the other "Star Wars" veterans, a conscious decision made by Abrams and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
"They showed us the footage, that's all their decision, and we'll just have to wait and see," Hamill said. "Of the people involved, I think these kids who are doing these new characters know it is in very good hands."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will premiere on Dec. 18, 2015.
