Mark Hamill Reconfirms He Will Appear in Star Wars: Episode 9

Mark Hamill has reconfirmed that he will be, as many suspected, returning to the role of Luke Skywalker in the currently untitled Star Wars: Episode IX.

Announced via his Twitter, Mark's reconfirmation follows an "avalanche of questions" about Episode IX in which, besides confirming that Luke will play some part in the next entry in the Skywalker saga, his response will be, firmly, "EPISODE NEIN COMMENT."

Hamill has portrayed Luke Skywalker since Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope in 1977, and with this and his confirmation it's poetic in a sense that he will be there as the Skywalker saga comes to an end.

Hamill's return was confirmed along with the news that the late Carrie Fisher, who has played Leia Organa since Episode IV, will also appear in Episode IX. Lucasfilm will be using unused footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens because, as Episode IX director J.J. Abrams put it, "Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us."

Mark Hamill shared his thoughts on her inclusion and said "it's bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable."

Hamill and Fisher will be joined some new and returning faces, including the beloved Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian. In addition, Doctor Who alum Matt Smith and LOST and Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan will also be joining the cast.

Star Wars: Episode IX is set to be released in theaters on December 20, 2019, and Mark Hamill recently spoke to IGN and discussed the "weirdly tragic trajectory of Luke Skywalker" and much more.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN and strongly believes that, as with Carrie Fisher, there is no way to find a conclusion to the Skywalker saga without Mark Hamill. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst.