Mark Hamill Is Selling Signed ‘Star Wars’ Posters for Ukraine
The love and generosity of Mark Hamill knows no bounds. Our very own Luke Skywalker is doing his bit to fight the evil Empire, as he announces his plans to raise money for Ukraine by selling signed Star Wars posters.
By his own admission, he doesn’t sell signed merchandise very often — this is the first time he’s done so in six years, back when The Last Jedi was coming out — but this is a special case, as he is one of a few celebrities to become an ambassador for Ukraine’s “Army of Drones”, stepping up when Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asked him to join the fight against the “empire of evil” last September.
Only a limited amount of posters will be sold, and while it’s yet to be determined exactly how they will be sold, Mark Hamill suggests that it will be via some kind of auction:
We decided to sign Star Wars posters, a limited amount. For real hardcore collectors — especially those that have disposable income — you can get way more money … than you would imagine.
Having hundreds and thousands of people enter [a competition or auction], that’s smart.
The money raised from these signed posters will specifically go to the Ukrainian fundraising platform United24, which was set up by Zelensky himself and has raised over €252 million so far. Mark Hamill stated that he is “thrilled” that the project has grown so much, describing it as a “massive, worldwide event.”
It’s been well documented that Ukraine’s drones are a key part of the country’s arsenal in its fight against Russia, and Hamill backs this up:
Drones are so vital in this conflict. They are the eyes in the sky. They protect the border, they monitor.
He went on to call Ukraine’s ongoing resistance to Russia’s invasion “nothing short of inspirational.” He added that Star Wars has taught him the importance of doing the “right thing for the good of everyone, rather than being all about self-interest,” which is arguably the most important lesson Star Wars has to teach people.
Hamill went out of his way to add that he means the comparison in the humblest way, not wishing to trivialize “the true horrors of what Ukrainians face” by comparing their very real war to our beloved space fantasy:
One is really a fairy tale for children, originally that’s what Star Wars was. And the reality, the stark reality of what’s going on in Ukraine, is harrowing.
Anything I can do, however small it is, is something I feel obligated to do.
In this long and unequal fight, Ukraine needs continuous additional support. That’s why I was honored President Zelenskyy asked me to become an ambassador for the Army of Drones. I know for certain that Ukrainians need drones to protect their land, their freedom and the values of the entire democratic world. Right now is the best time for everyone to come together and help Ukraine stand up in this war with the evil empire.
Zelensky used a Star Wars metaphor himself while thanking Hamill for his efforts:
The light will win over darkness. I believe in this, our people believe in this.
Thank you for taking on this difficult mission of being the first ambassador to help Ukraine raise funds for the Army of Drones to support our defenders. It is really important!
It’s heartwarming to know that our love for a fictional world can make a difference in the real one, as surely this fundraising effort will collect even more funds to aid the resistance.
Josh is a huge Star Wars fan, who has spent far too much time wondering if any Star Wars character could defeat Thanos with all the Infinity Stones.
