The 'Last Jedi' Didn’t Show It — But Hamill’s Luke Had a Devastating Family Story
The actor had his own vision for the Jedi legend.
Eight years after its release, The Last Jedi remains one of the most divisive chapters in the Star Wars saga. And now, Mark Hamill has revealed the personal backstory he envisioned for Luke Skywalker — a version far more tragic than what made it to screen.
The missing backstory
During a recent chat on Bullseye with Jesse Thorn, Hamill revealed that he wasn’t sold on Rian Johnson’s explanation that Luke simply gave up after his Jedi Temple was destroyed. Instead, he pitched a much heavier story: Luke falls in love, has a child — but tragedy strikes when the toddler accidentally kills themselves with a lightsaber. The grief-stricken wife then takes her own life.
"I hear these horrible stories about children who find unattended guns and wind up dead. That resonated with me so deeply…"
Hamill said the idea was too dark to fit into the movie’s narrative, but it gave him a personal justification for Luke’s exile that he felt was missing.
Respect despite disagreement
Despite his different vision, Hamill emphasized his respect for Johnson, saying:
"I’m going to do everything within my power to make your screenplay work as best as I can," Hamill said, clarifying that his creative disagreements never translated into personal animosity. In fact, he’s been quick to shut down rumours suggesting he disliked Rian Johnson — nothing, he insists, could be further from the truth.
