Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens type Movie

Mark Hamill’s not at Comic-Con this weekend, but he still has some choice quotes for Star Wars fans around the world.

In an interview with the BBC in London on Thursday, Hamill—who played Luke Skywalker in the original series—spoke briefly about his role in the next installment of the franchise, pointing out that he’s really playing second fiddle to new actors. “It’s really about the new generation of characters,” Hamill said. “We’re just there to lend our support, and grow contractually obligated beards.”

Let’s take a quick break here and consider Hamill’s maybe-joke seriously. Stare at the above image of his beard for a while, and ponder the fact that someone may have told him to grow it. There could even be a legal document somewhere that determines exactly how long, how grey, and even how trimmed that beard can be.

Okay then. Hamill also commented on Harrison Ford’s recent injury on set. Even though he wasn’t there for the event, Hamill told the BBC that Han Solo is doing well now: “It’ll take more than that to stop Harrison Ford,” he said.

Hamill added that he was “astonished” to be back on the Star Wars set. “We had a beginning, a middle, and an end—I never thought we’d come back,” he said. The actor had high praise for that return, however, saying J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan had done a great job writing a script where “you immediately understand who these people are and relate to them.”

In other Star Wars news, the BBC also reported that the Irish island of Skellig Michael will be used as a location in the upcoming film. The isle is home to the remains of a Christian monastery that’s designated as a world heritage site.

We’re not saying there’s a connection, but Hamill’s beard definitely makes him look like an 8th century Irish monk.

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