It’s been 710 days since we walked out of The Force Awakens, dying to know what was next for Rey, Finn, Poe and the gang – and more importantly, what Luke Skywalker was doing holed up on some island planet.
Now, in just 17 and a bit days we’ll find out where the Star Wars saga is headed next: who lives, who dies, who turns to the light or dark side and what happens in the ongoing conflict between the Resistance and the sinister First Order. But wouldn’t you like to have an element of surprise when you settle down for Star Wars: The Last Jedi and those words start scrolling through space?
Mark Hamill certainly would, as he recently Tweeted the following:
The #WaitForVIII is nearly over! Let me take this opportunity to personally ask you to keep all that happens in #TheLastJedi a secret for as long as is humanly possible. Thanking you ALL in advance, ❤️- mh #LooseLipsSinkStarships pic.twitter.com/LAkhSMVI0N
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) November 24, 2017
Naturally, fans immediately leapt upon this as proof that something so gobsmackingly shocking happens in The Last Jedi that people simply won’t be able to resist spoiling it for everyone. Given the film’s apparent structural resemblance to The Empire Strikes Back, it’s tempting to think that there’s a “No. I am your father” moment somewhere, but Hamill doesn’t want us to think that at all. Just that he’s desperate for people experience the pic free of preconceptions.
When your "huge reveal" is just hoping the audience won't divulge any spoilers until everyone sees it. #TheWaitingIsNowBarelyBearable https://t.co/Q4g8aLinJ6
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) November 25, 2017
Hamill has every reason to be excited, and by all accounts, he gives an outstanding performance as an aged Luke in the film, with those who’ve seen it whispering of awards season success. It must be a real vindication for him, too, as he was once considered the weak link in the classic Star Wars cast.
Personally, I’ve always liked the way he progresses from aw-shucks farmboy naivety to Jedi enlightenment, peppered with moments of real frustration and anger with himself and others. Obviously, everyone knows what happens at the end of Return of the Jedi now, but at the time I think people might really have thought that the character’s attraction to the dark side would turn him to the Emperor’s cause.
We’ll find out for sure what’s going on with Luke very, very soon, as Star Wars: The Last Jedi is nearly here.
