Mark Hamill has praised Jon Favreau’s Star Wars vision for capturing the essence of the original creator, George Lucas. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hamill explained his return as Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian and highlighted how Favreau and Dave Filoni honor the spirit of the saga more faithfully than the Disney sequels.
Why Mark Hamill Returned to Play Luke Skywalker
Hamill revealed that his decision to return was driven by a desire to fill in the missing middle chapter of Luke’s journey. He described the character’s story as previously incomplete, lacking the depiction of Luke at his peak strength as a Master Jedi.
“The reason I did Mandalorian was that Luke had a beginning and an end. There was no middle. It was like making a trilogy about James Bond as a young boy… and then you jump to the end. You never got to see Luke as a Master Jedi at the peak of his powers.” —Mark Hamill, Actor
He further emphasized Luke’s idealism and courage in confronting challenges, making it meaningful to portray the character at a time when he is fully realized and powerful. This opportunity to revisit Luke’s prime was one Hamill found impossible to decline.
Hamill’s Admiration for Favreau and Filoni’s Approach
Mark Hamill openly acknowledged Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni for their deep understanding and authentic portrayal of Star Wars. He pointed out how their work aligns closely with George Lucas’s original narrative style, which he felt was lacking in some of the sequel films.
“I think Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, boy, do they get Star Wars. They get it. They’re speaking the same language that George did in a way that I questioned in the sequels.” —Mark Hamill, Actor
This praise underscores Hamill’s longstanding concerns with Disney’s sequel trilogy, where he found Luke’s depiction less consistent with the hopeful hero he originally portrayed. In contrast, The Mandalorian restores that heroic and idealistic vision.
Upcoming Release: The Mandalorian & Grogu
The Star Wars saga will continue with the upcoming movie The Mandalorian & Grogu, scheduled for release in theaters on May 22, 2026. This installment adds a new chapter to the beloved franchise and expands the story around key characters.
The film stars Pedro Pascal reprising his role as The Mandalorian, alongside Jeremy Allen White lending his voice to Rotta the Hutt. Sigourney Weaver and Jonny Coyne will also join the cast, with Coyne portraying an Imperial Warlord, adding a new layer of intrigue to the storyline.
