Beardwatch: Mark Hamill Shaves After Filming Star Wars: Episode VIII, Confirms He’ll Be Back For Episode IX.

Mark Hamill - Episode 7 beard

Mark Hamill has just released a video of himself shaving his contractually-obligated beard for Star Wars: Episode VIII. Normally, this would go under the Weekly Social Buzz article, but Hamill also released a tweet stating that he’ll be back for Episode IX.

 

 

 

 

So yeah. Spoiler alert: Luke Skywalker isn’t going to die in Episode VIII after he was barely in The Force Awakens and the bulk of the movie built up to how important his character would be for the remainder of the Sequel Trilogy. Shocker! (One does have to wonder if he’ll grow it back for the inevitable reshoots, or why he had to wait so long to shave after production wrapped on the movie, for that matter.)

 

Mark Hamill casually revealing that he’ll be back for Episode IX doesn’t come as a huge surprise if you remember that director Colin Trevorrow explicitly noted that his story involved both Luke and Leia interacting with one another and having a greater presence in the story than they did in The Force Awakens. It only makes sense that the focus would be on them, considering that they already pulled off a big raise-the-stakes-by-killing-a-classic-character moment in the first movie of the Sequel Trilogy. From the sound of things, it seems as though Episode VIII will be divided between two alternating narratives and Episode IX will be about bringing everyone together, similar to what happened with The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi. If that’s what they’re going for, then it only makes sense that they would keep Hamill and Carrie Fisher around for two more movies.

 

 

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Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

Grant Davis (Pomojema)

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

76 thoughts on “Beardwatch: Mark Hamill Shaves After Filming Star Wars: Episode VIII, Confirms He’ll Be Back For Episode IX.

  • August 30, 2016 at 10:52 pm
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    doesn’t *necessarily* mean he doesn’t die. Force Ghost Y’all.

    • August 30, 2016 at 11:24 pm
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      Exactly.

    • August 31, 2016 at 1:14 am
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      Which is why I brought up the Colin Trevorrow quote, which emphasizes that Luke and Leia have prominent roles in his movie.

      “Though he says he has yet to speak with original Star Wars stars Hamill and Carrie Fisher, Trevorrow wants their presence to be even greater in his film, revealing he can’t wait “to find new places that we can take those characters. They are icons, but they’re also people that have suffered tremendous loss and challenge over the course of all these films,” he told us.”

      Luke can’t do a damn thing for the overall plot if he’s a Force Ghost – all he’d be able to do is talk to two or three characters from beyond the grave. And considering that they already killed Han, I don’t think that they’ll do another “old guard” death in Episode VIII. With Episode IX, all bets are off.

      – Pomojema

  • August 30, 2016 at 10:52 pm
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    I’m kinda hoping for a clean shaven Luke in 9. He can be the hesitant Obi-wan mentor role in 8 and then he can shave his face and come back into the galatic scene to kick some ass in 9.

  • August 30, 2016 at 10:55 pm
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    Mark looks great with a beard, and I’ve always imagined Luke with a beard, so I am happy he kept it for VIII, especially knowing how much he dislikes it. Given the final notation, I expect he’ll be growing a bear for IX’s inevitable filming eventually. This doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll survive, but I cannot imagine LFL killing Luke after such an impactful reveal and hanging the fate of the universe on him.

    • August 30, 2016 at 11:34 pm
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      I can’t imagine TPTB will kill him off in Episode VIII either. Soonest he’ll die IMO would be Episode IX, and ideally not until X, or later. What form it will take Luke should be the one to start the rebuilding of the Jedi Order and be assisted by Rey, etc.

  • August 30, 2016 at 11:00 pm
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    Personally after seeing that recent interview and questions with Carrie Fisher (Wizard con or something), I think she will die in Ep 8. She said I was good in my “last” movie (wink wink). So maybe makes sense to send Luke off in Ep 9. Then they move on with the new characters after that. Big 3 gone ! Boom !

    • August 30, 2016 at 11:25 pm
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      I’m not sure, but i think Colin Trevor has confirmed Luke and Leia in IX. I would hate the idea of Leia’s death in VIII not because i like her character that much, but because it would mean that they can’t pull any big dramatic moment in the new trilogy without killing off OT characters, and that’s really cheap.

      • August 30, 2016 at 11:36 pm
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        I kind of agree with that. I mean I expect at least one of them will die by the end of the ST (though I would love to be wrong about that). Both would be pushing it a little. Hopefully TPTB allow Luke to live long enough to get the Jedi Order going again.

      • August 30, 2016 at 11:45 pm
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        Maybe they’ll pull a Bonnie and Clyde (brother and sister version) in IX where they both go off the side of a cliff in a Landspeeder 🙂 Now that would be epic…………well sort of. 🙂

        • August 31, 2016 at 1:17 am
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          You’re thinking of Thelma & Louise. Bonnie & Clyde got turned into Swiss cheese by machine gun fire.

          – Pomojema

          • August 31, 2016 at 5:36 am
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            Mmmm, Swiss cheese….

      • August 31, 2016 at 9:49 am
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        Agreed. Plus it would be really corny if they killed one of the big three in each movie. Waste of nostalgia dollars. Harrison made sense to kill off since it was unlikely they could get him back for 3 full movies without dumping insane amounts of cash. But Carrie and mark? I can’t see them ever turning down a Star Wars film- they seem to love it and it’s certainly good work for them. Plus as AMAZING as daisy is- it will be 15+ years before we can have any nostalgia for her. They need to save at least one of the big 3 to leave the door open for future trilogies.

        • August 31, 2016 at 12:38 pm
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          I think it would be wise to conclude the story of all the Original Big Tree in the sequel trilogy. In episode IX, I should like Luke and Leia to — well, maybe not DIE in the quite ordinary sense, but rather somehow “ascend into the Force” together. Something to the effect of “we entered this world from the same womb, and we step out of this world together”. Giving up their corporeal existence should be some sort of sacrifice that turns the tide in the final battle.

          If they are ever doing a second Sequel Trilogy and Mark Hamill is still able and willing to participate, Luke can deliver cryptic wisdom as a Force ghost.

  • August 30, 2016 at 11:48 pm
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    he can still be a force ghost! Gosh!

    • August 31, 2016 at 1:09 am
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      Colin Trevorrow’s statement is the strongest argument against that. How could Luke be heavily involved in Episode IX if his role is reduced to having him be a space ghost cheerleader?

      – Pomojema

      • August 31, 2016 at 6:04 am
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        Lots of cheer time?

  • August 30, 2016 at 11:48 pm
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    As if there was any doubt he’d return (alive) in IX.

  • August 31, 2016 at 12:07 am
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    RIP hobo Luke.

  • August 31, 2016 at 12:08 am
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    Re: “Spoiler alert”

    Hint – it’s NOT an *alert* when you’ve already provided the spoiler in the title & in the article BEFORE you warn with an *alert*.

    Just say’n…

    • August 31, 2016 at 1:07 am
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      I was being sardonic. The “Shocker!” thing was meant to cement that.

      – Pomojema

  • August 31, 2016 at 1:00 am
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    He could still die although I hope not! Jedis (and Sith who turn at the last moment) have a tendency to come back as force ghosts.

    • August 31, 2016 at 1:14 am
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      Actually, there is a set of trials explored by Yoda that are required to pass. Qui Gon started these trials, but never finished them, thus he can only manifest his voice.

      • August 31, 2016 at 1:16 am
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        Worth noting is that Anakin Skywalker was able to become a Force Ghost for… Reasons that George Lucas told to Dave Filoni but that he’s not disclosing until the Lucasfilm Story Group explains them elsewhere. It’s not something that any Jedi can do.

        – Pomojema

        • August 31, 2016 at 3:25 am
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          I heard somewhere that as Vader was dying Yoda and Ob-Wan essentially “saved” his ghost though the force, which I have as my own personal explanation because the force is crazy magic.

          • August 31, 2016 at 3:13 pm
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            That’s what Lucas said, yes.

        • August 31, 2016 at 6:03 am
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          Anakin had so many mini-chlorines that he magically became a ghost. there’s your retcon.

          • August 31, 2016 at 8:28 am
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            No, the Force chose Anakin as the one to bring balance to the Force. As a “reward,” for lack of a better word, they chose him again to be one with the Force, as well as everyone else involved directly in the prophecy’s fulfillment. Qui Gon for being the first to identify Anikin, and Yoda/Kenobi for training him.

          • August 31, 2016 at 12:21 pm
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            We know the Emperor had a ship full of Sith Artefacts (Lando comic). Perhaps Vader knew about this, or conducted his own research into ancient lore. Remember, the Jedi Temple is still a thing at the end of RotJ.

            So maybe Vader already had some knowledge, but he needed to redeem himself / bring balance to the force, to fulfill all requirements.

          • September 1, 2016 at 3:13 am
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            And you know this HOW?

          • August 31, 2016 at 10:02 am
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            Once there was a Jedi who had a lot of midichlorians..he had so many midichlorians that everybody died!
            The end

        • August 31, 2016 at 3:13 pm
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          Lucas said he became a Force Ghost b/c Obi-Wan and Yoda saved his spirit and brought him back when he died.

  • August 31, 2016 at 1:16 am
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    I think Disney knows that fan’s would riot if Luke was kept out of episode 7 just to kill him off in 8. I don’t see luke dying a violent death. I see him fading away like yoda in 9 or possibly he even makes it to the next trilogy to be the wise mentor who dies in episode X.

    • August 31, 2016 at 4:39 am
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      You mean Lucasfilm, they control the story. Disney people don’t sit around and micromanage.

      • August 31, 2016 at 6:03 am
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        Details, details.

      • August 31, 2016 at 10:10 am
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        I wouldn’t bet that they don’t have a presence in Lucasfilm. I mean wouldn’t you insist it if you purchased the property and wanted to see a return on the investment. You don’t just hand over the cash and not have a say……

        • August 31, 2016 at 3:12 pm
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          They don’t control story.

          • August 31, 2016 at 10:07 pm
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            Until its proven otherwise I’ll take that with a pinch of salt. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bothered either way, but to believe they have no input just because they said so appears a bit blinkered.

          • September 1, 2016 at 11:42 am
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            So……if Disney reads the draft for VIII and disapprove of a character being killed off they get no say? You’ve got to be kidding………they’ll get a say and thats controlling story.

          • September 1, 2016 at 2:59 pm
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            I am not kidding. Disney has Kathleen Kennedy in charge, the same way they do Kevin Feige for Marvel. They probably make suggestions, for sure, but they let story emanate from the Story Group. Literally all accounts have confirmed this. The only ones that contradict this are made up ones from internet commenters.

            So until I see proof otherwise, I choose to believe the people on the inside. Why would Disney treat it any different than they do Marvel or Pixar?

          • September 1, 2016 at 3:20 pm
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            I’m sure Disney have a say in Marvel and Pixar as well. You agree they make suggestions and yet refuse to acknowledge these ‘suggestions’ might influence the story. I’m sure Disney doesn’t micro-manage as you say, but simply by asking the general arc of the story and then making a suggestion is influence which is all I’m saying and so many people refuse to even believe there will be any influence at all.

          • September 1, 2016 at 3:39 pm
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            I’m sure they have a say as well, but not a large one like many people baselessly speculate.

            I never refused to acknowledge their suggestions might influence the story. The very fact that the parent company is making suggestions means it will have an influence. It goes without saying.

            Anyone who refuses to believe Disney has no influence is as foolish as the people who believe Disney is micromanaging every little detail.

    • August 31, 2016 at 1:33 am
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      He’ll be fine – he’s got Rey to protect him now.

    • August 31, 2016 at 1:39 am
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      try not to lose to an untrained noob this time, bud.

      • August 31, 2016 at 1:41 am
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        Blame the writers, unless they can come up with a really cool reason (whilst logical) that would explain my ability to beat her given the fact that this film takes places directly afterwards, then you’re just gonna have to deal, Dux. I have an eight pack btw.

        • August 31, 2016 at 1:58 am
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          an eight pack eh? i’m not sure roids are going to help you. 😉

      • August 31, 2016 at 6:02 am
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        *try not to get shot in the gut with an explosive bow-caster that mowed down multiple storm troopers*

        • August 31, 2016 at 6:05 am
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          People seem to completely brush past the fact that I was basically dying when I fought with Finn and Bae (You read that correctly).

          • August 31, 2016 at 6:59 am
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            they did nerf you pretty hard, but you also played with your food instead of finishing them off fast.

          • August 31, 2016 at 9:53 am
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            Yes..and I am also reading it in your voice, which is making this very entertaining.

          • August 31, 2016 at 2:33 pm
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            what does Bae mean? I don’t know the word but I’m glad I read it correctly as Bae instead of Rey.

          • September 1, 2016 at 4:05 am
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            It’s an American slang term maning “valuable, loved, or prized” or “someone you’re close to”

            “My bae just died. I now have crippling depression.”

        • August 31, 2016 at 7:02 am
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          that was some impressive pain tolerance on his part.

          • August 31, 2016 at 7:06 am
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            I agree. Good that we’re on the same page.

    • August 31, 2016 at 6:02 am
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      I love that shot. The contrast between the orange and blue is just great.

  • August 31, 2016 at 2:13 am
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    Why are the comments closed for the Natalie Portman article?

    • August 31, 2016 at 3:27 am
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      Yeah that’s weird. I didn’t even notice anything too crazy about the article that would have potentially sparked controversy in a chat section.

    • August 31, 2016 at 8:24 am
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      Take a wild guess.

      • August 31, 2016 at 10:05 am
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        Because the moderators closed the comments section?

  • August 31, 2016 at 2:16 am
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    Cool. Master Jefi Luke sky walker can never die!

    • August 31, 2016 at 2:37 pm
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      agreed

  • August 31, 2016 at 4:14 am
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    of course they wouldn’t kill luke off after one film.. can’t wait for 8!!!

  • August 31, 2016 at 6:00 am
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    Force Ghosts

    • August 31, 2016 at 11:11 am
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      The sole fact that he did that comment… worries me.

  • August 31, 2016 at 11:49 am
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    The problem I have with these movies is that they aren’t out yet

  • August 31, 2016 at 12:27 pm
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    Some characters are meant to be ‘immortal’, as in, we’ll never see them die onscreen.
    So even if the episodes further down the line beyond IX perhaps won’t feature Luke & Leia, we know they are somewhere. That way their fate will be kept in our imagination.

  • August 31, 2016 at 2:13 pm
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    Dead in VIII, ghost in IX.

    • August 31, 2016 at 5:26 pm
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      geez, the death of Han Solo has made us all cynical about the futures of the Skywalker twins in the sequels

      • August 31, 2016 at 6:54 pm
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        He needs to step aside, so that Rey can surpass him. Otherwise, he will dominate the story (which is why he had such a small part part in TFA).

        • August 31, 2016 at 8:39 pm
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          But now that Rey is established, it’s okay if he is in it. We know and love the new people now.

  • August 31, 2016 at 3:50 pm
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    So we now have confimation that Luke will survive Episode VIII. Does that leave Leia as a potential alternate casualty ? Or will both Jedi twins survive the entire sequel trilogy ?

  • August 31, 2016 at 5:18 pm
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    Just because Luke is in IX doesn’t mean he’ll necessarily be alive. Also Trevorrow’s statement that they’ll “have more interaction than the did in TFA” doesn’t necessarily mean much considering how much interaction we got from them in TFA in the first place (none). Still looking forward to seeing what happens. This is one thing that I’d like to say we’ll probably as a community be able to understand hopefully fully once we get to see VIII.

  • August 31, 2016 at 8:40 pm
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    Luke will probably die within the first minute of 8. Right after Rey is holding out the lightsaber and the movie starts she spins around and decapitates him, revealing herself to be an undercover Sith working for Snoke to find Luke. The rest of the movie is a sibling rivalry between her and Kylo battling for the spot of the apprentice. She kills Kylo at the end and becomes there main villain in number 9… Luke is then a force ghost that mentors Leia to become a real Jedi to fight Rey in the ultimate girl on girl fight. That’s my theory and I’m 90% confident it’s true because I made it up.

    • August 31, 2016 at 11:05 pm
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      That would be amazingly funny, Like Game of Thrones.
      I´d love to see the maniacs crying for years, like they do on the midclhrians and Jar jar. But will not happen because would not profit.

  • September 1, 2016 at 2:42 pm
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    If they do reshoots/pick ups sometime in the spring or summer next year, he will have had time to grow it back. They did some pick-ups with TFA in the summer before it’s release last year.

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