Mark Hamill Rules Out Naked Force Ghost Return

For fans holding out hope for Mark Hamill's return as Luke Skywalker's Force ghost, the actor himself has put those hopes to rest. The iconic Star Wars legend has confirmed he won't reprise his role, suggesting it's time for the franchise to focus on fresh narratives rather than legacy characters.

During an interview with ComicBook.com promoting his new film The Life of Chuck, Hamill definitively dismissed rumors about appearing in the upcoming Rey-led New Jedi Order film. His reasoning? Luke symbolically left his Jedi robes behind in 2017's The Last Jedi, marking a clear endpoint for his character's journey.

"I remain endlessly grateful to George [Lucas] for including me in that original adventure," Hamill reflected. "Back then, George humorously called Star Wars 'the most expensive low-budget movie ever made.' None of us anticipated it would grow into this cultural phenomenon spanning generations."

"But here's the truth - I've had my moment in that galaxy far, far away. The franchise should boldly move forward with its new characters and stories. Besides," he added with trademark humor, "after disappearing without my robes in The Last Jedi, there's absolutely no way I'm making a spectral comeback in my birthday suit!"

While Hamill's Skywalker won't appear, Daisy Ridley's Rey will headline Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's directorial follow-up to the polarizing The Rise of Skywalker. Set about 15 years after the events of Episode IX, the film will chart Rey's efforts to revive the Jedi Order.

Details about New Jedi Order remain scarce, though Ridley teased its innovative direction in a January 2024 AlloCiné interview: "When I learned the story's direction, I knew immediately I wanted to return. It offers a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe while honoring its legacy."

Looking ahead, Lucasfilm's packed slate includes:

• The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
• Shawn Levy's Star Wars film starring Ryan Gosling (2027)

Star Wars' Expanding Galaxy

At 2023's Star Wars Celebration, Lucasfilm unveiled three ambitious film projects:

• Dave Filoni's New Republic-era film connecting various Disney+ series
• James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi exploring Force origins
• The aforementioned New Jedi Order

While Lucasfilm's plans often evolve, one thing remains certain: Luke Skywalker's story has reached its definitive conclusion, with Hamill gracefully passing the lightsaber to a new generation of Star Wars storytellers.