Mark Hamill shares behind-the-scenes Return of the Jedi footage - ‘You can't fake great chemistry’

Virgin Radio

29 Mar 2022, 14:18

Actor Mark Hamill has paid tribute to his late Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher, and to Han Solo actor Harrison Ford, by sharing a throwback video clip of the trio on set.

The clip, which Hamill posted on Instagram and retweeted on Twitter, shows the three actors chatting between takes during the filming of 1983 Star Wars movie, Return of the Jedi. The first of two videos shows the Luke Skywalker actor and Carrie Fisher, who played his sister Princess Leia, chatting about a stunt that the former has to perform in a scene in which he fights the Rancor monster in Jabba the Hut’s palace. 

The second clip shows Hamill, Fisher, and Harrison Ford preparing for a scene on the Ewok planet of Endor. Ford’s character, Han Solo, has been tied up by the Ewoks, and the trio are working out the best way to deliver their lines as they try to get droid C3PO - who the Ewoks think is a God - to order Solo’s release. 

Speaking about his co-star Carrie Fisher, who sadly died at the age of 60 in 2016, Hamill wrote: “She could always make me laugh & did so on a daily basis.

Of Harrison Ford he said: "He could always take a good moment & make it even better.”

He added: “This clip reminds me of the special bond we shared. You can't fake great chemistry.”

Watch the clip below: 

Fans loved seeing the footage. One person wrote: “I love this so much. Such camaraderie is truly a gift, Mark.”

Writing about Carrie Fisher, a commenter added: “She left a great legacy. Very proud just to be a fan.”

The three actors worked together on the original Star Wars trilogy, starting with A New Hope in 1977. The sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, followed in 1980, before Return of the Jedi concluded the trilogy three years later. 

All three actors reprised their roles when the series was rebooted with episode VII, The Force Awakens in 2015.

The character of Luke Skywalker is set to be played by young actor Grant Feely in a new Star Wars spin-off series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, which stars Ewan McGregor. Mark Hamill has given his seal of approval to the youngster who is set to fill his shoes. You can read all about it here.