Mark Hamill, the actor who played Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” movies, said he was initially suspicious about J.J. Abrams being chosen as director of the newest installment of the science fiction franchise.
"I was a little suspicious because he was a 'Star Trek' guy," Hamill told the crowd at Saturday's
Star Wars Celebration, according to The Associated Press, quickly adding that he likes “Star Trek," but "it just seems odd."
The 63-year-old actor said he was surprised when creator George Lucas first told him of plans for a new Star Wars trilogy.
"It's not like a choice. It's like I was drafted," Hamill said. “Could you imagine if for some reason I said 'I don't think I want to do it?' I would have all of you surrounding my house like villagers, angry villagers with lightsabers instead of torches."
Hamill’s appearance over the weekend was part of a four-day fan expo at the
Anaheim Convention Center, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Hamill described how Abrams ultimately won him over.
“This film is the first ‘Star Wars’ film that is actually in the hands of someone who grew out of fandom,” he said. “He feels the way you feel, in terms of wanting practical sets, real sets.”
He also described what it was like working with the director.
“He’s a personable guy,” Hamill said. “He’s really easy to talk to. He’s very inclusive in listening to your ideas instead of being adamant that it has to be ‘this way.’ He’s lovable. What can I say? I like that he’s diminutive. The bully side of me was eager to get him into a headlock and give him noogies.”
The actor said he was worried about accidentally leaking something before "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" premieres Dec. 18.
“I don’t even know if I’m allowed to tell people I’m in the movie,” he joked.
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