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Mark Hamill shares the first ever photo of Luke Skywalker

Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images

‘Star Wars’ legend Mark Hamill has shared what’s thought to be the first ever image of him as the iconic Luke Skywalker.

Hamill, who’s a keen user of social media (largely Instagram and Twitter), posted the photo of him on the Tunisian set of 1977’s ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ (as it became known).

Posting to his Instagram and Twitter accounts – both @hamillhimself – the actor described the image and how it was “perhaps” the first ever snap of him in character.

“Taken in Tunisia early morning Day #1 waiting for my 1st shot (emerging from home for robot auction)-Perhaps the very 1st #LukePic #SW” he captioned the post.

While conceivably there may have been wardrobe and concept artists who’d take photos of Hamill beforehand as fresh-faced Luke, there’s a strong chance this moment, as he awaited his first shot on day one, was probably it. After all, he should know.

It’s a great throwback to the beginning of his and co-stars Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, and the late Carrie Fisher’s journey that’d go on to shape their entire lives.

In the upcoming movie in the franchise, Rian Johnson’s ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi’, we look set to see Hamill reprise the estranged Jedi in all his glory, after getting a glimpse of Luke’s return right at the end of ‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens’.

Credit: Lucasfilm
Credit: Lucasfilm

Aside from a brief scene where he says nothing and simply gazes at Rey (Daisy Ridely) before the credits on JJ Abrams’ movie roll, we’ve heard nothing of the character since ‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’, released back in 1983.

Fans are confident that Hamill will garner far more screen time (which is sort of a given) but will elaborate on his mysterious backstory since ‘Jedi’. With ‘The Force Awakens’ setting up Luke’s intro back into the ‘Star Wars’ fold, it’ll be fascinating to see how the character will re-integrate into the universe alongside newest additions Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac.

Fortunately, there’s not a huge amount of time to wait with ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ in UK cinemas on 15 December.


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