Mark Hamill discusses "bittersweet" goodbye to Star Wars

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Mark Hamill also spoke about why The Mandalorian is Star Wars going "back to basics"

(Image credit: Disney)

Mark Hamill has spoken about saying goodbye to Star Wars. 

The actor, who famously played Luke Skywalker through six major movies and a Christmas special, has confirmed that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be the last time he wields a lightsaber on the big screen. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Hamill confirmed as much, saying that Episode 9 was "bittersweet".

"I had a beginning, middle, and end," he said. "Those films gave me far more than I ever expected when we started out so it's never even occurred to me. My farewell was in Episode 9 and it was bittersweet. I love all those people and I certainly have affection for George and the character he created. I'm full of gratitude for what it has given me and my career but I don't want to be greedy. There are still so many more stories to tell and so many great actors to tell them, they don't need me."

"I think they have a wonderful advantage on The Mandalorian in that it's economical storytelling," he said. "They don't have the burden of delivering a gigantic special effects extravaganza like the films had to do. It sort of gets back to the basics of George envisioning it as a western in space. It has that tone of a Sergio Leone Western. I'm very impressed with it and to me, a very smart move on their part because you can't keep trying to top... It's like the superhero movies that have to deliver these gargantuan epics. And with The Mandalorian, they can concentrate more on the characters and the storytelling. I think it's excellent."

Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.