Star Wars: What Does Mark Hamill Shaving Mean For Luke Skywalker's Future?

Is the loss of a contractually obligated beard a hint of anything at all?

Mark Hamill Beard
LucasFilm

Mark Hamill took to Twitter over the weekend to announce that Star Wars Episode VIII wraps on July 22nd and to share a picture of him reading Darth Vader And Son - a kids book tied to the Star Wars universe. That image showed off a lot more than it was probably intended to as the book covering his face couldn't quite hide the fact that his contractually obligated beard is gone again.

So, what does that mean?

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There has been some chatter that Hamill finishing shooting this early (a full 18 days plus before principal photography ends) reflects either a more diminished role than first suspected, or a catastrophic end to the character. After all, it would be unlikely that Luke would simply pop off for a shave halfway through the plot.

There has to be a reason he's stopped filming already, surely?

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It's not necessarily that his character is killed off, obviously. The beard doesn't have to be worn between filming schedules, as he proved between The Force Awakens and Episode VIII, but it's hard not to fear the worst.

And what about reshoots? Is Hamill that confident that he won't be needed further that he's completely changed how he looks in the meantime?

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Perhaps it's just that the beard is a sign of his exile, and when he returns to Leia and his surviving friends, he comes back clean shaven as an indication that he is back from the wilderness. It might be a little rote, but it wouldn't be the biggest shock.

At this stage, fans are probably reading too much into the timing of him shaving his characteristic beard off. He was given an early finish from The Force Awakens too, and while he has more screen time here (let's hope), it isn't necessarily reflective of him leaving the plot early.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Episode VIII? Share your reactions below in the comments thread.

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