Star Wars: JJ Abrams Wants Mark Hamill To Get An Oscar For Episode VIII

This year, the Star Wars universe will find itself expanded even further as Lucasfilm bring another trilogy installment to cinemas. Star Wars: The Last Jedi will act as the 8th piece of the Skywalker Saga, and fans are excited to see Mark Hamill take on a bigger role in the franchise following his brief appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With filming wrapped, fans are more anxious than ever to hear about the nit-pick details for the new Star Wars film, but details have remained scarce for now. However, JJ Abrams is already giving the feature some mighty praise thanks to Hamill. This weekend, it appears the Hollywood legend confessed he felt Hamill deserved an Oscar for his work on The Last Jedi. And, if you are a fan of the series, you’ll surely agree.

As reported by NY Daily News, Abrams gave a speech at the Oscar Wilde Awards not too long ago. It was there the executive producer has this to say about Hamill’s role in the new Star Wars flick:

“I think we are all going to be very upset if he does not win an Oscar, and no one more upset than Mark.”

Clearly, the bold statement has piqued even more interest in The Last Jedi. In the past, the Star Wars franchise has had experience with the Academy Awards but nominations for acting have been scarce. The original trilogy one various technical awards, but only one actor has been nominated for their work on the franchise. Alec Guinness was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work as Obi-Wan Kenobi, but the legend lost out on the award. Lobbying was done for Frank Oz to get a nomination in the same category as the actor brought Yoda to life in The Empire Strikes Back, but the campaign bared no fruit.

As for Hamill, the star has not been nominated for an Academy Award during his lengthy career. However, if Abrams is right, then the actor’s streak may be broken soon.

If fans are lucky, they will get just a taste of what Hamill has to bring to Star Wars: Episode VIII in April. Star Wars Celebration will be held this spring as usual, and rumors are circulating the event will premiere first footage from the much-awaited blockbuster.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi, from writer/director Rian Johnson, is in post-production now for a December 15, 2017 release. The film follows-up and continues the story of the next generation of the saga as Rey, Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren find their place in the galaxy and follow the legacy of Luke Skywalker, Leia, and Han Solo. Daisy Ridley returns to star as Rey, with other returning stars John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Peter Mayhew, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Lupita Nyong’o Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa. Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern join the cast in as-yet-unrevealed roles. Click the fire icons below to rate your anticipation of The Last Jedi.

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