Mark Hamill set to retire Luke Skywalker for good: "I've had my time"

We knew this day would come. It looks as if Mark Hamill is ready to hang up his Jedi robes and lock his Lightsaber away. After several decades of playing the iconic Luke Skywalker, Hamill has confessed that it's time to step away from the role, saying, “I’ve had my time.”

Just a few weeks ago, ‘insiders’ claimed that Hamill would reprise his role as Luke Skywalker in the upcoming Rey film. Set 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the film will focus on Rey’s attempts to rebuild the Jedi order. The film is being written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight with Ms. Marvel’s Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy due to direct. What is now abundantly clear though is that we shouldn’t expect to see Luke turn up again.

Ahsoka is just around the corner. Take a look at the trailer below before the series premieres in August.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning (via IGN), Hamill reflected on his time in the franchise. He said, “I had my time, and that’s good. But that’s enough.” When pressed, he added, “Well, you never say never. I just don’t see any reason to. Let me put it that way: I mean, they have so many stories to tell, they don’t need Luke anymore.”

It’s true, as sad as it is to think of the future of the franchise without Luke. There are so many incredible characters in this universe. If you ask me, Andor is one of the greatest Star Wars projects in existence. Cassian wasn’t Rogue One’s lead, but it goes to show that plenty of secondary characters have great stories behind them.

I’m excited to see Rey stand on her own two feet, leading the rebuilt Jedi order instead of acting as Luke’s apprentice. It’ll be a much needed evolution for the character and I’m sure Daisy Ridley will be eager to sink her teeth into that aspect of the character. All we can say to Mark Hamill though is this: Thank you.