Mark Hamill Is No Longer Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars'

When Star Wars hit theaters in 1977, Mark Hamill became an instant icon. As Luke Skywalker, he was the hopeful farm boy turned Jedi Knight whose journey shaped the heart of George Lucas’s faraway galaxy.

But nearly 50 years later, as the franchise continues to grow across new stories, timelines, and formats, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Mark Hamill is no longer Luke Skywalker — at least, not in the way fans once knew him.

Star Wars has never been shy about recasting its key players. Ewan McGregor stepped into the boots of Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was played by Alec Guinness in the original trilogy, while Hayden Christensen took over as Anakin Skywalker, and Alden Ehrenreich took on a younger Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), the galaxy has shown it’s willing to evolve its characters with new faces.

Even more recently, Andor Season 2 saw Jimmy Smits replaced by Benjamin Bratt as Bail Organa — proof that even beloved legacy characters aren’t untouchable.

Related: ‘Star Wars’ Finally Kills off Luke Skywalker Forever

Luke himself has already begun the transition. After a surprise return in The Mandalorian Season 2 and The Book of Boba Fett (2021), the character was portrayed using Deepfake technology and de-aging techniques, with Hamill’s performance digitally re-created through voice synthesis and body doubles.

While it was a technical marvel, it also marked a turning point: a version of Luke that no longer relied on Hamill being physically present — at least not entirely.

Looking ahead, it’s only a matter of time before the character is fully recast in live action. The storylines will demand it. Whether it’s an upcoming television series like Ahsoka Season 2 or one of the films currently in development such as The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), Daisy Ridley’s untitled Rey Skywalker film, or Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling, Luke could make an appearance.

He may even be recast in animation at some point in the future (although Hamill continues to lend his voice in projects such as LEGO Star Wars), perhaps in one of the Tales spin-offs or an animated series set between Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983) and Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015). So far, in animation, Luke has only appeared in Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017).

Either way, the iconic Jedi Knight will continue to be part of Star Wars, with or without Mark Hamill.

Hamill himself has previously said he doesn’t expect to return to the role — at least not in any confirmed projects — and Lucasfilm hasn’t announced any plans to bring him back, either.

That doesn’t mean his legacy is being erased, though. It means that, like all enduring characters, Luke will evolve beyond a single performer. Batman has done it. James Bond has done it. And in a saga as sprawling as Star Wars, Luke will eventually do it, too.

Of course, Mark Hamill will always be the original. But for Luke Skywalker to live on, the torch — or lightsaber — has to be passed.

Would you be happy to see a new actor take on the iconic role of Luke Skywalker? Let us know in the comments down below!