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Home , Mark Hamill, Starstruck (comics)

LEGENDARY AND VOICE ACTOR MARK HAMILL TALKS THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON

WRITTEN BY: CHARLOTTE FARRELL

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: JOHN WILSON/ (C) 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

I don’t get starstruck, but at 12:55 p.m., I felt a little nauseous. I had two laptops and two phones at the ready. In five minutes, I would hear a voice come over one of those phones, a voice that I grew up listening to through the speakers of my television. At 1 p.m., the phone buzzed and I jumped to answer. A few seconds later: “Hello, Charlotte!” That voice was none other than MARK HAMILL. , the , the , the list goes on. Whatever that voice means to you, it probably means a lot.

MARK HAMILL @HamillHimself 151

150 LOCALE MAGAZINE WHEN IT CAME TO TAKING TIME OUT OF HIS BUSY SCHEDULE FOR OUR INTERVIEW, IT WAS A NO- BRAINER. “WE HAD TO DO IT, BECAUSE IT’S ,” HE SAID. THE CITY HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HAMILL’S HEART. HIS FATHER WAS IN THE NAVY, SO MOVING FROM PLACE TO PLACE WAS THE NORM. BUT SAN DIEGO STUCK, AT LEAST FOR THE LONGEST AMOUNT OF TIME. “I WAS CONSTANTLY THE NEW KID,” HE REFLECTED.

Hamill was always clamoring for an autograph from the legend, be they interested in being in show devotees of his character on the screen or behind business, and from the the mic. “Comic-Con is a gigantic enterprise now! I summer of 1960 to the was so glad they were able to keep it in San Diego. summer of 1964, Hamill’s They deserve it! They started it!” But the itch to perform became scene wasn’t always the sold-out mega-event that stronger while in SD. “I was we know and love today. “I’ve seen it grow from a always putting on shows convention held in a basement of a hotel…[to] now, in the backyard...I did magic, I had puppets and I of course, it’s absolutely gigantic!” The Marvel and recruited other kids to come...I was that weird kid DC machines have been pumping out blockbusters that was annoying them with magic tricks…‘pick left and right, capitalizing on the untapped market Ha card any card’.” But duty called, and after four of comic book fandom. Hamill agreed, explaining years in the sunshine, the family packed up again that “a lot of that has to do with how comic books and moved across the country. “San Diego was the have become mainstream in entertainment with TV first place I really was sad to leave. It’s the first shows and movies...I’d never thought I would see place I felt like I could stay forever. It’s the perfect the day with several [comic book movies] every year. community...it was an idyllic sort of suburban life. I Right now it’s full speed ahead.” And at the moment, have so many great memories there.” And if he had Star Wars is at the helm. to pick a hometown? “It would be an easy pick. It Before we dive into Star Wars, it is important to would have to be San Diego.” touch on the side of Hamill’s career that has been And San Diego is proud of that. In fact, they named somewhat undercover but is still impressive and a street after him in Clairemont, and proclaimed noteworthy. As a voice actor, Hamill found comfort July 30 as National Mark Hamill Day. “It’s in the freedom of using his voice to bring life to overwhelming...when I first heard about it on animation. “I really enjoyed doing voiceover because I thought someone was pranking me,” said Hamill. it’s not as high profile. WithStar Wars, it’s almost “They had to go to every house in Clairemont to too high profile for comfort...there's worldwide get a thumbs up or a thumbs down. And the fact interest. The great thing about animation is that that they were in support of it was really moving. It they cast with their ears, not their eyes. You get to meant a lot to me.” It was an honorary naming, of play a lot of characters that you never get to play if course, but all the same, to live on that street would it were on camera.” One of his most iconic voices lies be something to brag about. “I wish someone would behind the evil mastermind in the , address it to Mark Hamill Drive and see if it gets the Joker. “I’m usually happy doing whatever it is there,” he said with a laugh. I’m doing, but little did I know that the Joker would have such an impact. All of a sudden, I was hot in San Diego is also home to Comic-Con, where Mark voiceover,” he exclaimed. “The Joker is 180 degrees has found himself many times, surrounded by fans

152 LOCALE MAGAZINE LOCALE MAGAZINE 153 “WE HAD A PRINCESS“ AND A SPACE PIRATE, AND A WIZARD AND A FARM BOY...ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME IN TERMS OF STORYTELLING.”

— —MARK HAMILL

removed from the icon of virtue that I was known interaction. “You establish a relationship with the for [as Luke Skywalker]. I loved it...you're liberated public, and it’s sort of a chat room, electronic fan to make outrageous choices you would probably not mail, an exchange of ideas and so-forth.” make if you were on camera,” and I could tell from But his love for the fans doesn’t stop him from his clarity that he was truly as big of a comic book joking around. He does voice the Joker, and has nerd as the rest of us. also donned the face of the Trickster, so don’t put Hamill’s relationship with his fans is something it past him to have a bit of fun, especially on social remarkable, too. From the die-hards to the newbies, media. “I’m always teasing the fans.” Hamill just each generation holds significance in Hamill’s eyes. can’t help himself. “Lucasfilm would rather me “The fans that were fans all those years ago are ignore these things but I just love it. I don’t call it parents themselves, and they are passing those trolling, [more like] I’m teasing them and having fun stories on to their children..that's so gratifying,” he with them.” One event in particular made headlines. expressed with true humility. “The world feels like Hamill decided to play a prank on his followers, they know me and that’s one of the most incredible posting on his Twitter that he would be releasing a things about being in my position. No matter sneak preview of the trailer, only to post a video of where you go, people share these stories, personal himself peeking out the door of his actual trailer. stories...[like] how the films got them through Some laughed, some not so much, but it didn't terrible times or illness, or how they met their wife matter. Hamill is a child at heart with a playful standing in line for the movie, and had twins named attitude when it comes to all the mayhem and hype Luke and Leia...it’s jaw-dropping,” said Hamill. And that surrounds him. the joy of meeting the fans never gets old. “Here I Now, back to Star Wars. At the tail end of our am, talking to you on the phone, and after this I’m interview, I told Hamill that we would finally be going to go swimming and take the dogs for a walk. addressing the subject I was sure he was tired of It’s a sort of mundane existence, but when you go talking about. But his response was just what I had to these conventions and you meet these fans face hoped it would be. “I never get tired of talking about to face...you can’t believe the passion they have and anything,” he declared. it’s palpable...they're just shaking with excitement.” And he genuinely is grateful. You can feel the honest I began with the fact that we need a Luke Skywalker gratitude through the speaker of my iPhone. right now. The film seems to have landed at the peak of tension between good and evil in the real Now, thanks to social media like Twitter and world. I asked Hamill what the biggest theme or Instagram, his following goes beyond just lovers of draw that he hopes fans and first-timers will take Star Wars. There is a whole new fanbase that he from the films, and how important this kind of is interacting with, and on a massive scale. When storyline is in light of what is happening currently. it came to promoting a film he had just starred in, He took a moment, then went on to describe how Sushi Girl, he had an “aha” moment. Compared to escapism is therapeutic. “When we’re having these the legwork involved in answering hand-written casual comments about World War III, I mean, it’s fan mail, these platforms offered instantaneous

154 LOCALE MAGAZINE LOCALE MAGAZINE 155 COMING SOON SO TECHY IT TAKES TWO ROOTS – Up next on – If Hamill could take one piece of – When asked who was worse, the – Hamill’s favorite Hamill’s schedule is technology from the films, it would Joker or , the answer planet in the Star “SAN DIEGO WAS THE utilizing his golden be hyperspace. He broke it down: was instantaneous. According to Wars Universe? voice once again “You can get from LA to London Hamill—and anyone else who is a fan Tatooine, “because “ for Star Citizen in a minute and a half. I love being of DC—the Joker is truly the worse there’s no place FIRST PLACE I REALLY WAS Squadron 42. places but I hate getting there. of the two. He is unpredictable, but like home” he said. These 12-14 hour flights are brutal!” also never boring! SAD TO LEAVE. IT’S THE FIRST PLACE I FELT LIKE I COULD STAY FOREVER.”

—MARK HAMILL

wallet, because you didn't know you had it! It's a wonderful surprise and an unexpected one, and the last five years of my career have been that for me.” I saw my first tarS Wars movie at age seven, and it has stuck with me since. As a tween, I followed his career behind the mic, but the geek in me will be just as elated to see him in the Dec. 15 release of The Last as I was to see him in the last few seconds of The Force Awakens back in 2015. And whatever happens to Luke Skywalker, I know Mark Hamill will be enjoying every minute doing what he loves; keeping hope alive in the hearts of his fans across the globe.

“YOU DON’T THINK OF“ YOURSELF. YOU THINK OF WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS FOR EVERYONE.”

—MARK HAMILL

absolutely terrifying! I think now more than ever, and she was one of the pioneers.” The “she” that people need some happy place to go to, whether it’s Hamill refers to is, of course, , whose Middle Earth or Hogwarts or The Land of Oz, there’s iconic character was played by the late Carrie some comfort in being able to go to a place that’s Fisher. When the news of Fisher’s passing broke, not related to the harsh realities of everyday life,” he the grief was worldwide. “We'll never stop missing said. The message of Star Wars has always been one her...even if you didn't meet her, the world feels they of hope and optimism, and the idea that one can do knew her. There’s no happy spin I can put on it… good solely for the purpose of doing good. “You don’t it’s just unthinkable...she is wonderful in this movie think of yourself. You think of what the right thing and in my mind I can't think of her in the past to do is for everyone. It’s an idealized sentiment, but tense,” he said as he cleared his throat. “Her spirit one that I believe in,” he added. will live forever.” The films are a modern fairytale. In the originals, As the healing continues, so grows the anticipation “We had a princess and a space pirate, and a wizard for the next installment. Hamill will find himself and a farm boy...all of those elements have stood once again at the center of it all, as both young and the test of time in terms of storytelling.” And even old fill the theaters to watch with bated breath to though having a female protagonist as the heroine find out what will happen to Luke Skywalker and in the recent films is long overdue, Hamill reminds the rest of the gang. Looking back on this revival of people that Princess Leia was no “shrinking violet.” the saga, Hamill isn’t taking one second for granted. THE NEXT GENERATION “She didn't need anyone to rescue her, in fact, she “It’s like when you find an old pair of pants that – A scene from Star Wars: took over the rescuing herself and started bossing you haven't worn in years, and when you reach in The Last Jedi, featuring actor Oscar Isaac as , us around! It was effortless feminism without hitting the pocket you find a $20 bill. Well, that $20 bill is out in theaters Dec. 15. you over the head. Actions speak louder than words, worth so much more than a $20 bill you have in your

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