It was one of the biggest TV moments of last year and definitely a moment that Star Wars fans will never forget. Luke Skywalker’s mind-blowing cameo at the end of The Mandalorian season two surprised us all – not least Mark Hamill himself, who assumed he would never play the legendary Jedi Master again after The Rise of Skywalker concluded the Skywalker saga.
Hamill opened up about his shock return during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Hamill explained that it was as unexpected for him as it was the fans, as he was “stunned” when Mandalorian EPs Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni first got in contact with him about a potential comeback. Here’s what the Star Wars icon told Fallon:
“Talk about unexpected,” Hamill said. “I had finished playing that part, I never expected to do it again and I thought if they ever tell stories of Luke in that period — post the originals and pre-sequels — they’d get an age-appropriate actor. So when Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni told me about what they wanted to do I was just stunned. One of the main things with The Mandalorian is that you are sworn to secrecy. I can’t talk about it with my family, even now!”
Hamill reprised his role as Luke in the final scenes of season 2’s eighth episode, when Master Skywalker rescued Din Djarin and his allies from Gideon’s Dark Troopers after being summoned by Grogu. While fans were overjoyed to see Luke, it was also heartbreaking when he took Grogu away from his bounty hunter dad in order to train him in the ways of the Force. The door is left open, then, for further appearances from Luke to come.
These comments from Hamill are just a flavor of the insight we’re about to get in a special episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, hitting Disney Plus next month, which will take a look behind the scenes of the season 2 finale, exploring exactly how Return of the Jedi era Luke was recreated, thanks to a blend of Hamill, stunt doubles and state-of-the-art de-aging tech. Don’t miss that when it premieres on August 25th.
As for The Mandalorian itself, unfortunately season three is going to take its sweet time in getting here as production is still yet to start. At least spinoff The Book of Boba Fett is coming this December.
