Mark Hamill addresses rumors he quit the Star Wars franchise, reveals his future plans

May the force be with you.Mark Hamill is finally setting the record straight regarding recent rumors he “quit” the “Star Wars” franchise.The 73-year-old actor, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in six of the popular sci-fi films, opened up about his future in a galaxy far, far away during an episode of NBC News’ “Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist” set to air on June 15.“Well, let me say: they haven’t asked me,” Hamill told Geist, clarifying that he did not quit the iconic franchise.“It’s not like they said, ‘Please come back.’”“I don’t want to make a big PR pronouncement like ‘This is my decision,'” he added.

“I’m just saying that it really felt like a conclusion.My character was given complete closure.

I died, ironically by overdosing on the Force, I might point out.”Hamill’s character dies at the end of 2017’s “The Last Jedi.” But despite Skywalker’s death, Hamill reprised the role once more in 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” as a Force spirit.“The Rise of Skywalker” appeared to officially end the character arc that began when Hamill first portrayed Luke Skywalker in George Lucas’ first film in the franchise 42 years earlier in 1977.“Once the Skywalker trilogy was over, it was a whole new era for them,” Hamill explained to Geist.

“George gave them this amazing canvas, the entire galaxy.They can do Westerns, mysteries, comedies, whodunits, anything within that realm of ‘Star Wars.'”“And they’re doing so well,” he continued.

“I just think it’s time.I had my time.

I’m really appreciative, but I’m really looking to the future for all these new projects.”The rumors that Hamill quit the “Star Wars” franchise first started swirling last month when the actor also told ComicBook.com that he “had his time” with the sci-fi film series and that “they should focus on the future.”“I am so grateful to George for letting me be a part of that back in the day, the humble days whe...