Mark Hamill Signs Autographs, Pulls Pints at Irish Pub

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: a Jedi walks into a bar…

Mark Hamill, star of the Star Wars franchise as Luke Skywalker, is doing some early shooting for the next chapter, Star Wars: Episode VIII in Skellig Michael, Ireland. The start of principal photography isn’t until early 2016, but Lucasfilm confirmed they’re shooting some early scenes now (as opposed to doing very late reshoots for The Force Awakens). While there, Hamill stopped in Bridge Bar in Portmagee, Ireland, and rather than just having a pint, pulled a few himself, serving customers, taking pictures, and signing autographs.

The actor tweeted that “Ireland is simply heaven on earth!” and that “people here treat you like family” when others posted pictures and videos of him throughout the evening.

While it’s fun to see Hamill just hanging out, being a man of the people, it’s also interesting to talk about just what could be getting shot. Hamill shooting something several months early for Episode VIII could have further implications. There are rumors that an after-credits scene will air with The Force Awakens, after all, and a little extra tease with Luke Skywalker would sure fit the bill as something to keep people excited for the next year and a half until the following episode’s scheduled debut. Or maybe he just needs to film something early because of another commitment. Either way, good to see he’s enjoying (and helping others enjoy) the Guinness.