Mark Hamill Defends Unexpectedly Controversial Star Wars Reunion Photo
37 minutes ago
Star Wars' Mark Hamill has not been quiet about wishing the new trilogy ending the Skywalker Saga included a reunion for his Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford's Han Solo, and Carrie Fisher's Princess/General Leia Organa. So it wasn't exactly surprising or controversial when he tweeted a fan-made image doctoring a shot from the first Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer, adding Han, Leia, and Luke next to Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian. Hamill tagged that reunion photo with #MissedOpportunities:
However, the first comment under his tweet had this message:
You know this image comes from one of the alt-right portion of the fan base, right? Bad look sir.
Mark Hamill returned to Twitter to share a new version of the reunion photo, this time adding his Joker. He explained and defended his original post, but lightened the mood with some of his trademark dad humor in honor of Avengers: Endgame weekend:
Saw a pic of me with Billy D, Carrison & Harrie. Posted it because
I miss them. Nothing more, nothing less. I love the new cast too & didn't mean to get everyone's knickers in a twist. Maybe I should've just posted a bunch of #Endgame spoilers instead. #RelaxAndHaveFunPeople ???? pic.twitter.com/WvutVuLau3
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 27, 2019
Billy Dee Williams appreciated the Luke/Leia/Han/Lando reunion photo, and replied to Mark Hamill's tweet with his own light humor:
You should be used to getting everyone’s knickers in a twist……part of your charm man!
Most of Mark Hamill's replies have been supportive, with fans saying there was no need for him to have to defend himself. They understood he was just re-expressing his sadness at the "missed opportunities" of the final trilogy never having a full OG reunion. However, some commenters argued the source of what you retweet does matter -- especially if you are as influential as Mark Hamill -- since it may come across as support for the account that made it. Many other famous names, especially political figures, have been called out for such things in the past.
Mark Hamill wasn't trying to endorse anything other than more wishful thinking for What Could Have Been. He's been on that track for a while, even if the Disney suits would probably rather he drop it. What if this is all a long con and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker does give us some kind of Luke/Leia/Han reunion after all? Based on his many posts on the subject, it doesn't seem like that's the case, but you never know.
Mark Hamill even revealed he pitched an idea to director J.J. Abrams for Episode VII: The Force Awakens, bringing Luke Skywalker back into the story a little bit earlier in the film so he could reunite with Leia and they could all be there for Han Solo's goodbye. Now the character of Han is gone, and Carrie Fisher is gone in real life. Leia is still returning through previously unused footage, but the original trilogy reunion ship seems to have sailed.
At least we have Lando back in the mix for Episode IX, and the trailer showed him having a blast back in the pilot's seat. Of course, we can't forget Chewbacca -- even if this fan image didn't add him to the reunion. Chewie didn't get Leia's hug in The Force Awakens and he didn't get a place in this reunion photo. The Wookiee deserves better.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker opens in theaters December 20. Here's what we know so far about the end of the saga.
Back to top
