Star Wars: The Last Jedi brought Luke Skywalker’s story to a close perfectly, giving him a quiet, personal moment of becoming one with the Force while also allowing his Force Projection antics to put him in the middle of a wild, bombastic action scene. You couldn’t have asked for a more pitch-perfect end to the character. And yet, this is Star Wars, a franchise known for having apparently dead Jedi return as Force Ghosts to advise the living. So, with that in mind, could Luke return in the upcoming Episode IX?
Many Star Wars fans practically take it as a given that Hamill will play the character one last time from beyond the grave, probably reaching out to advise Daisy Ridley’s Rey during a particularly low point. But, according to the actor, there’s been no discussion between him and Episode IX writer/director J.J. Abrams about his return just yet. That doesn’t mean he won’t be in the film, though.
In fact, evidence only continues to mount and the latest piece is the below photo which Hamill shared on Twitter this week, which sees him rocking a new look. As you’ll notice, the actor’s done away with his beard, which we usually see him sport. Sure, that’s hardly confirmation that he’s gearing up for a return as a Force Ghost, but with Episode IX about to enter production any day now, the timing is pretty suspicious, wouldn’t you say?
Of course, Luke Skywalker’s ultimate fate rests in the hands of J.J. Abrams and screenwriter Chris Terrio (Justice League), but we can’t imagine Lucasfilm will want to bring the curtain down on its famed Skywalker Saga without some sort of cameo appearance from the legendary actor.
Either way, you can expect Star Wars: Episode IX to take flight on December 20th, 2019 – with or without Mark Hamill on board.
