Mark Hamill admits he 'downplayed' his iconic role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars after being snubbed from high calibre films
The actor, 73, is known for his famous role as Luke Skywalker in the legendary film series, but in a new interview has shared how his assocation with the franchise led him to be snubbed from some high calibre roles.
Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, Mark shared that he used to try and gloss over his role in the original trilogy while carving out a career away from Star Wars in the 1990s.
He famously starred alongside Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in George Lucas' original trilogy from 1977 to 1983.
Mark shared that he tried to audition for a leading role in the film adaptation of Amadeus, after success playing the part on stage, but was bluntly told by director Milos Forman: 'Oh no no, the Luke Skywalker is not to be being the Mozart.'
He then began to minimise mention of his Star Wars work in his Broadway credits, before his co-star Carrie issued some stern words of advice, telling him: 'Get over yourself. You're Luke Skywalker. I'm Princess Leia. Embrace it.'
Mark said: 'It wasn't me that was the big star, it was the vehicle that is. Harrison is a wonderful actor.
'When I tested with him and we didn't have the whole [Star Wrs] script, I just figured he was the leading man and I was the annoying sidekick.
'People would say, ''Oh, you know Harrison got nominated for an Oscar for…'' whatever it was. I told them, ''He deserves it.'' In other words, I can't do what he does and nor would I try.'
Mark added that he's content now to be known as 'a working stiff,' noting: 'As a kid I'd see these character actors on The Twilight Zone and The Dick Van Dyke Show and I filed that away. ''I love that guy. He's always good. He shows up all the time in all these different things. What's his name?'' It's me!'
This summer, Mark is set to star in two Stephen King adaptations, feelgood apocalyptic film The Life Of Chuck, and harrowing dystopian horror The Long Walk.
Hamill starred as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy; which also included 1980's Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.
He then reprised the role again in 2015's the Force Awakens.
In the 2017 film The Last Jedi, Skywalker dies at the end, melding with The Force. He put on the mantel for what appeared to be the final time in 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, as Luke's spirit.
Hamill previously said completing the Skywalker trilogy allowed for other adventures under the Star Wars umbrella.
'It was a whole new era for them,' the action star explained on Sunday Today.
'George (Lucas) gave them this amazing canvas, the entire galaxy. They can do westerns, mysteries, comedies, whodunits, anything within that realm of Star Wars,' he said.
'And they're doing so well' he added. 'I love Rogue One, Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett.'
Hamill made brief appearances in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett as Luke with the help of de-aging and motion capture effects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mariah Carey reveals what she really thinks about the Grammys after being snubbed for years
has blasted the Grammys after being snubbed out of nominations for years. The 56-year-old singer has won only five Grammy Awards during the course of her successful career thus far - with her last nomination occurring 16 years earlier. The Always Be My Baby hitmaker appeared on Pitchfork's Over/Under YouTube series where celebrities weigh in on pop culture symbols including Labubus, Crocs, and Christmas. When the topic of the biggest award show in music came up, Mariah pulled no punches as she said: 'Ha, I think the Grammys are overrated.' Mariah went on to clarify that she meant that both the award show and the award itself were overrated. She didn't fully turn into her bitterness as she added: 'But we love everybody.' Last October, the Fantasy songstress opened up about the topic during the latest episode of the Las Culturistas podcast. At one point, hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers expressed that she doesn't 'have enough' Grammy wins, per Entertainment Weekly. Carey agreed and said in response, 'They scaaaaammed me. They toy with me.' Mariah has garnered a whopping 34 Grammy nominations - with her first win taking place in 1991 for Best New Artist and Best Pop Female Vocal Performance for Vision Of Love. In 2006, her album Emancipation Of Mimi won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The same year, she also won Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the track, We Belong Together. Her last Grammy nomination was in 2009 for Best Gospel Performance for the song titled, I Understood, which also featured Kim Burrell, Rance Allen and Bebe Winans. Mariah has sold around 220 million records across the globe, and notably landed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart 19 times as a solo artist. She has garnered a list of other accolades over the years, such as winning 10 American Music Awards and 20 Billboard Music Awards. Aside from the Las Culturistas podcast, Carey has previously let her feelings be known about her few Grammy wins. In February 2024, the star was honored with the Recording Academy's Global Impact Award at the 2024 Black Music Collective event. Upon taking to the stage, she seemingly threw shade at the Grammys, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'Is this a real Grammy? I haven't seen one in soooooo long,' Mariah humorously said to the crowd. 'It's weird. I don't know. We'll figure out what this is later.'
Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Find out why Reese Witherspoon jumped off a 35ft rocky cliff during her seaside vacation
Reese Witherspoon may have conquered Hollywood as an Oscar winner, versatile actress and a producer, but she still has a few fears she is trying to overcome. The multi-hyphenate, 49, shared her latest challenge in a video on social media while enjoying a vacation with her youngest son, Tennessee, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Jim Toth, at a seaside location. 'Everyone's been saying that people jump off this rock here,' she said over the video showing herself at the edge of the 35ft cliff deciding whether to take a leap of faith. The Morning Show star showcased her fit form in a black maillot swimsuit. Her long blond hair lay about her shoulders as she looked over the edge to the blue ocean waters below. 'I don't know, it looks pretty high,' she said, as the camera panned across several chaise lounges placed along the sandy shore. The clip then showed the Wild star leaping from the high rock and falling straight into the water below. A yelp can be heard as she plummeted toward the sea The video cut to the suntanned star as she and her son sat at a table on the patio of the resort where they were staying. 'We're trying to decide if we should jump off that rock,' she explained wrinkling her nose at the idea. The video then showed the Wild star leaping from the high rock and falling straight into the water below. A yelp can be heard as she plummeted toward the sea. 'Here's what happens when fear.... meets follow-through... because life's too short to stay on the edge,' she wrote across the clip, which was also shared in her Instagram Stories. 'You won't always feel ready but jump anyway. The rest will come on the way down', she captioned next to the clip. Lots of fans expressed their admiration for Witherspoon's bravery. 'Bravo!! Yes to this,' exclaimed Tracee Ellis Ross. 10/10!!! So so so proud of you! That's easily 10 meters omg' shared professional diver Molly Carlson. 'This is so impressive,' stated actress Olivia Munn. The video cut to the suntanned star as she and her son sat at a table on the patio of the resort where they were staying. 'We're trying to decide if we should jump off that rock,' she explained wrinkling her nose at the idea Witherspoon shared an inspirational message across the video. 'Here's what happens when fear... meets follow-though... because life is too short to stay on the edge' she wrote Others were concerned the video might inspire others to try the same feat, perhaps is less safe conditions. 'First of all, congratulations on overcoming your fear. However, I find it highly questionable to show a video like this, as there will now be thousands of imitators who might jump off cliffs where the water is too shallow or who completely overestimate their abilities,' wrote one worried watcher. 'Would not recommend! My dad did this in Costa Rica and is now paralyzed from the chest down,' cautioned another. 'I'm cheering you on from the sidelines!! but i prefer to stay dry and alive!' wrote actress Marlene Martinez.
Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Livvy Dunne stuns fans as she strips completely naked for bathtub photoshoot inside the Rose Bowl
No shoes, no shirt, no clothes at all for Livvy Dunne, as the social-media sensation barred everything by stripping completely naked for a bubble bath photoshoot inside the Rose Bowl. Dunne's latest photo-op took place inside the white porcelain tub, situated at one of the end zone of one of the most iconic sports venues in America. The former LSU gymnast has bubbles covering a lot of her body, with her bare shoulders and face in plain view, with a yellow rubber ducky not too far away. Dunne is also seen wearing sparkly diamond earrings, not typical of someone trying to get clean in a tub. Not another human being can been seen in the stands or on the green turf behind her, as her two snaps in Pasadena, California were accompanied by an advertisement for Fanatics Sportsbook. 'It's not everyday you sit in a bubble bath on the 50yd line explaining sports betting,' Dunne said in the comments of her video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fanatics Sportsbook (@fanaticssportsbook) Dunne's ad might be a fun nod to one of the weirdest requests she has received from a fan - sending them the water she bathed in. Dunne also mentions to 'burst your bubble' in the advertisement, with her unclothed body sure to attract attention. 'Let's go!!!' Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin said in the comments. Dunne also posted photos of actress Margot Robbie to her Instagram story, showing her scenes from the movie 'The Big Short' where the Oscar-nominated A-lister got into a bathtub. The fellow blonde may have served as an inspiration for Dunne's bubble-bath photoshoot. In recent weeks, Dunne has spent time in the Hamptons and on Lake Oconee in Georgia. For the second straight year, Dunne also accompanied boyfriend Paul Skenes to the MLB All-Star Game, watching the Pittsburgh Pirates star throw alongside the best in baseball.
