Mark Hamill on Ryan Gosling's Star Wars: "They Don't Need My Advice!"

The original Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill, recently weighed in on Ryan Gosling taking the helm of the upcoming movie Star Wars: Starfighter, and he's not holding back... on his admiration!

TL;DR

Mark Hamill believes the new generation, including Ryan Gosling, doesn't need his advice for Star Wars: Starfighter.
Hamill, 74, praises Gosling's talent and is a "super fan," especially after his viral SNL "Beavis" sketch.
Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Gosling, is set to release on May 28, 2027, as a standalone adventure five years after Episode IX.

Luke Skywalker's Sage (But Silent) Wisdom for the Next Generation

Alright, Star Wars fans, gather 'round! The galaxy far, far away is constantly expanding, and with new stories come new heroes. But what does the OG hero, Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, think about all of it? Especially with someone as big as Ryan Gosling stepping into a leading role in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter?

Recently, at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival (where he, by the way, snagged a Lifetime Achievement Award on October 29, 2025!), Hamill was asked if he'd given any pointers to Gosling. His answer? Absolutely not, and for the best reason possible.

"No, none of those people need advice from me," Hamill, now 74, told PEOPLE. "They’re doing so well. I had my time. I’m going to ask for advice from them." How humble is that? It seems even Jedi Masters know when to pass the torch and let the new guard shine.

"I’ve been a fan of his and I became a super fan when he played Beavis on Saturday Night Live. ... No, none of those people need advice from me. They’re doing so well. I had my time. I’m going to ask for advice from them."

— Mark Hamill on Ryan Gosling (via PEOPLE)

Hamill wasn't just being polite; he's genuinely impressed with Gosling's chops. He specifically called out Gosling's hilarious turn as Beavis (yes, from Beavis and Butt-Head fame) on an April 2024 episode of SNL, hailing it as the "best live Beavis I've ever seen." So, while Gosling, 44, might be wielding a lightsaber (or maybe something else entirely!) in Starfighter, he's already won over one of the biggest legends in the game with his comedic timing.

Mark Hamill's Journey with the Force: Not a Retirement, But a New Chapter

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You might remember some headlines back in May where it seemed like Hamill was hinting he was done with Star Wars for good. He'd mentioned being "grateful to George [Lucas] for letting me be a part of that back in the day," and felt they "should focus on the future and all the new characters." This led to some panic among fans, wondering if Luke Skywalker was truly gone for good.

But fear not, younglings! Hamill quickly clarified those remarks. He pointed out, quite humorously, that it's less about him quitting and more about the franchise perhaps moving on without him. "I saw headlines: 'Mark Hamill quit Star Wars.' Well, let me say, they haven't asked me. It's not like they said, 'Please come back.' How much can you do with a Force Ghost?" he quipped, even pitching an idea for a movie "set all in the Force Ghost realm" where he could chat with Alec Guinness's Obi-Wan. We'd watch that in a heartbeat, wouldn't we?

Of course, Luke Skywalker did make a memorable (and highly anticipated) return in the sequel trilogy, first with a brief appearance in 2015's The Force Awakens, then a much larger role in 2017's The Last Jedi, where his character sadly met his end. He returned as a Force Ghost in The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. More recently, a younger, deepfake version of Luke appeared in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, with Hamill providing voice and performance-capture work. However, Hamill isn't keen on making that a regular gig, stating in 2023 that if those stories need to be told, "they could get an age-appropriate actor." It’s clear Hamill respects the legacy but also the natural progression of time and storytelling.

Gearing Up for Star Wars: Starfighter – A Fresh Jump into Hyperspace

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So, what exactly is this Star Wars: Starfighter movie that has Ryan Gosling at its core and Mark Hamill's full approval (even if he's not offering advice)? It sounds like a pretty exciting new direction for the saga!

Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on hits like Deadpool and Wolverine, this film was officially announced at a Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo back in April. Levy, 57, has made it clear that he's aiming for something truly fresh. He described it as "not a prequel, not a sequel, just gives us the Star Wars DNA that we love but with an adventure that’s all new." This is a big deal for fans who are always looking for new corners of the galaxy to explore without constantly revisiting old ground.

Starfighter is set to take place approximately five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker (or, as Levy put it, "after the Battle of Exegol, after Episode 9"). This means it's charting new territory post-Skywalker saga, focusing on "new characters" and a "new period of time." Levy even emphasized, "I don’t want to do a Star Wars movie that is redundant to others, nor am I interested in doing one that has to serve another movie." This commitment to a standalone adventure is music to many fans' ears, promising a story that can breathe and develop on its own merits.

Meet the Crew of the Next Big Star Wars Adventure

While details about individual characters are still mostly under wraps, we do know a few more names joining Ryan Gosling in this new chapter. Levy shared a first-look image on Instagram back on September 17, featuring Gosling and child actor Flynn Gray on set "somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea."

The impressive cast list also reportedly includes:

Amy Adams
Aaron Pierre
Simon Bird
Jamael Westman
Daniel Ings
Mia Goth (reportedly playing a villain)
Matt Smith (reportedly playing a villain)

With filming already underway in the UK and such a talented ensemble, Star Wars: Starfighter is shaping up to be a highly anticipated addition to the canon. And you won't have to wait too long to see it on the big screen! Mark your calendars for its theatrical release.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Star Wars Beyond the Skywalker Saga

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The shift towards new stories and characters isn't just a vision for Starfighter; it seems to be Lucasfilm's broader strategy. President Kathleen Kennedy made significant remarks in 2022, reflecting on the "big mistake" of recasting Harrison Ford for Solo: A Star Wars Story. She stated, "Now it does seem so abundantly clear that we can’t do that," suggesting that recasting iconic, original trilogy characters like Luke Skywalker is off the table moving forward. This is a crucial point for fans, as it means new stories will genuinely be new, rather than relying on nostalgia to replace beloved figures.

Beyond Starfighter, the upcoming Star Wars slate is certainly diverse. We know there are plans to continue exploring the sequel trilogy's Rey, as well as the fan-favorite duo Din Djarin and Grogu from The Mandalorian. Plus, director James Mangold (of Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny fame) is working on a movie set a mind-boggling 25,000 years before A New Hope, delving into the very origins of the Jedi. Talk about expanding the timeline!

This commitment to fresh narratives, new characters, and diverse time periods is exactly what many fans have been craving. It allows the franchise to evolve while still honoring the spirit of George Lucas's original vision. And with living legends like Mark Hamill giving their blessing to the new talent, it feels like the Force is indeed strong with these upcoming projects.

So, get ready! May 28, 2027, will be here before you know it, bringing a brand new adventure led by Ryan Gosling and a cast ready to make their own mark on the galaxy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Star Wars: Starfighter

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When is Star Wars: Starfighter being released? The movie is expected to hit theaters on May 28, 2027. Who is directing Star Wars: Starfighter? Shawn Levy, known for films like Free Guy and Deadpool & Wolverine, is directing the film. What is the plot or setting of Star Wars: Starfighter? The film is described as a standalone adventure with new characters, set approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. It is neither a prequel nor a direct sequel to existing movies. Will Mark Hamill or other original cast members appear in Star Wars: Starfighter? Based on Mark Hamill's recent comments, he does not expect to appear and has indicated his time as Luke Skywalker (especially physical appearances) has concluded. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has also suggested recasting iconic original trilogy characters is off the table.