“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has hammered home this is a franchise for a new generation. John Boyega and Daisy Ridley have carried the brunt of the promotional work, giving out interviews and photoshoots in rapid succession (that must surely leave them exhausted). The theme is clear: the original cast members are passing the metaphorical torch – and in the case of lightsabers, a literal torch – to those who will keep fighting the good fight against Space Nazis™.
One person who HASN”T been doing press? The mysteriously missing Mark Hamill. Despite his key status within the Star Wars universe, no one has seen hide nor hair of Luke Skywalker in the trailer or merchandising. For all we know, he”s turned to the Dark Side or has taken up moisture farming in his old age. While Hamill is still mum on the details, the actor finally broke his silence in an interview with Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine.
In their upcoming “Star Wars Spectacular” December issue FM Editor David Weiner discussed a variety of topics, including the inexorable march of time, with Hamill.
“Intellectually, I know I”m the same age as Alec Guinness. Emotionally, I”m thinking, “Are you kidding me?!? I still like The Three Stooges and the Rolling Stones. How could I be old?”
But that feeling of the world moving on whether you like it or not matches up with the themes being presented within “The Force Awakens.” The sides change names, but the fight for control of the galaxy wages on. Hamill was happy to come back and be a part of that progress.
“It is about setting up the next generation of heroes and villains, but the fact that half a dozen cast members from the originals can be there to place it in some sort of context, to be there for the historical side of things, I think it”s wonderful. … Young people can see the progression of the characters. I”m old enough to be Luke”s grandfather now, and that”s a healthy, natural thing for people to see.”
The characters aren”t the only things that have changed in the last three decades. The type of story Star Wars is telling has adapted as well.
“I think [THE FORCE AWAKENS] could be every bit as exciting for the audience, [but] it”s not going to be like it was then, when we”re rattling around in the Death Star, and exchanging quips, and jockeying for the affections of the princess. It”s going to be age appropriate. The story has moved on, and our purpose in the story is different than it was then […] The new storyline, the new characters, and especially the actors that they chose to play them, are thrilling beyond words.”
You can read the interview in its entirety when Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine becomes available December 8.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” takes over the world December 18.