For many, Luke Skywalker is the most beloved Jedi in the Star Wars saga. Audiences began their journey in a galaxy far, far away with the character back in 1977. Then, Mark Hamill reprised his role for the sequel trilogy, with a brief appearance in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens in 2015 before playing a significant part in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi two years later.
Luckily for fans, that wouldn’t be the last time Hamill wore his Jedi robes and wielded his iconic green lightsaber. The character returned once again in the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian, taking Grogu from Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin in a climactic scene no Star Wars fan would ever forget. However, Hamill was digitally de-aged for the role, appearing as his younger self in the iconic cameo. This led many fans to believe it was all CGI and that the actor had no part to play in the epic return. However, Hamill took to Twitter to set the record straight, proving to audiences that he was quite involved in the Mandalorian scene. “This is for those who claimed the character was accomplished exclusively with CGI, without my participation. #BeenThere_DoneThat,” his post reads. In the photo, fans can see Hamill himself in the final scene, with the reveal of a lifetime.
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The behind-the-scene shot only adds to the legendary scene, which is undoubtedly a high point of The Mandalorian through two seasons so far. Star Wars has used the process several times in shows such as The Book of Boba Fett, but Skywalker’s initial return and entrance is a moment that will go down in history.
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Star Wars Uses Deep Fake Technology to Recreate Their Actors
Lucasfilm Ltd.
The use of deep fake technology is growing in Hollywood, as production crews can superimpose an actor’s face onto another body. Mark Hamill was nearly 70 years old when his Mandalorian scene was filmed, meaning a bit of makeup and digital effects wouldn’t produce the desired outcome for the shot.
During Disney’s Gallery: The Mandalorian, a 10-part documentary focused on the show, the team behind the series share how they recreated Luke Skywalker’s transformation. First, two actors played the part, with Hamill sharing his role alongside Max Lloyd-Jones. Together, they would alternate the same scenes while Lloyd-Jones mimicked Hamill’s mannerisms and acted as the physical body of a younger Luke. Then, de-aging effects and deep fake technology helped to impose images of a young Mark Hamill onto his more youthful body.
Recreating Luke Skywalker was no easy task; however, the end product was worth it. We may see more from the character, with a chance to return in the upcoming Ahsoka series starring Rosario Dawson. Additionally, fans can see the debut of The Mandalorian Season 3, arriving on Disney+ in 2023.
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