The Last Jedi: Mark Hamill Reveals What Actually Killed Luke
When Luke Skywalker became one with the Force at the end of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, fans were left sobbing and sniffling, weeping and wondering whether they'd ever see the legendary Jedi on the silver screen again. Sadly, we know that Luke truly has passed — and now, thanks to actor Mark Hamill, we know what really killed him.
Taking to Twitter on Monday, October 22, Hamill shared two images from the comic book adaptation of The Last Jedi written by Gary Whitta — specifically the panels that illustrate Luke's death on the the island planet Ahch-To. Both the film and the comic adaptation depict Luke's passing as somewhat tranquil, but Hamill has a completely different idea of what went down.
The actor revealed that the Force actually killed Luke, likening him to a drug addict who relapsed after years of sobriety and ultimately overdosed.
"THE FORCE KILLED LUKE. You have to acknowledge the irony in his fate," Hamill captioned the two photos he posted on social media. "Almost like an addict that kicked his habit cold-turkey, remained clean for decades, only to re-use just once & then, tragically, overdoses. #SadSkywalker #ForceFatality #JediJunkie."
As those who have seen The Last Jedi will remember, Luke vanishes into thin air — leaving nothing but his cloak behind — after he reconnects with the Force and creates a projection of himself in an effort to protect his twin sister Leia (the late Carrie Fisher) and save the few surviving members of the Resistance from Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. Luke's act of bravery was successful, as he engages in an intense duel with Kylo in front of the abandoned Rebel Alliance base on the small, remote mineral planet of Crait. When Kylo swings his crossguard lightsaber at Luke, he realizes that he isn't battling a physical Jedi but rather, he's fighting against a Force projection. The camera then shifts to show Luke dying peacefully on Ahch-To, staring into the setting sun.
That's quite a stark contrast compared to Hamill's report of the circumstances surrounding Luke's death. On the surface, Luke's passing wasn't all sunshine and Alderaanian flame-lillies and goblets of blue alien milk, of course, but it did feel markedly serene — as if the scene was implying that Luke was passing from one realm to another, moving from completing a physical journey to embarking on a spiritual one. (Whitta's comic book even describes Luke as "stepping into a larger world" when he dies.) According to Hamill, however, there was turmoil and pain bubbling underneath, as Luke was unable to shield himself from the corruptive side of the Force. Hamill's take on Luke's death is interesting for sure, as it suggests that the Force is something addictive and lethal to even the strongest of minds.
Though he's gone from the land of the living, Hamill's Luke isn't entirely missing from the galaxy far, far away. The actor previously confirmed that Luke will appear in director J.J. Abrams' Episode IX, due out on December 21, 2019. Fans have theorized that he'll circle back either in flashback sequences or as a Force ghost — like Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi have all done in the past — to continue training Rey (Daisy Ridley) in the ways of the Force and perhaps teach her one final, infinitely valuable lesson. Some have even speculated that Luke will "return equally to torment Kylo Ren and to help guide Rey," which would, admittedly, be pretty hilarious to see.
But while Hamill clearly isn't shy about talking all things Star Wars after films have been in theaters for a while, he's not in the business of addressing theories ahead of a movie's release, so fans shouldn't hold their breath for him to confirm or deny any rumors. "I mention keeping my #StarWars opinions to myself & what happens? It triggers an avalanche of questions about the next one! All can is yes, I'm in it," Hamill tweeted in mid-October 2018. "Other than that, just consider it: EPISODE NEIN COMMENT."
Alright, point taken.
The manner in which Luke will return for Episode IX remains a total mystery, but there are two things of which we're absolutely certain: don't ask Mark Hamill about anything related to the upcoming Skywalker saga installment and don't even think about dabbling in using the Force. It's too dangerous, kids. You don't want to end up like Luke, do you? Didn't think so.