Mark Hamill tells how Luke really felt about kissing his sister Leia
Introduction:
It’s a moment etched into the memories of Star Wars fans worldwide: that fateful kiss between Luke Skywalker and his twin sister, Princess Leia Organa. For years, the controversial scene has led to countless debates among fans. Recently, Mark Hamill—the actor who played Luke—finally weighed in on his character’s feelings during that iconic moment.
The Kiss:
In The Empire Strikes Back, the ill-fated kiss takes place just before the Battle of Hoth. Han Solo had just revealed his intentions to leave the Rebellion to pay off Jabba the Hutt. Jealous and upset, Luke confronts him. To make matters worse, Leia chooses that moment to show her affection to Luke by giving him a passionate kiss. What neither of them knew at the time was that they were siblings, something that would only be revealed later in Return of the Jedi.
Hamill’s Take on Luke’s Feelings:
During a fan event, Hamill was asked about how he believed Luke truly felt about kissing his sister Leia. Having had years to reflect on the matter, Hamill shared some insightful thoughts.
According to Hamill, Luke was rather naive and inexperienced when it came to romantic relationships. Raised by his aunt and uncle on the desert planet of Tatooine before being thrust into the heart of a galactic rebellion, he had little time for such subtleties. In this context, any attention from an attractive young woman like Leia would have been both confusing and exciting for him.
Hamill also mentioned that during filming, neither he nor Carrie Fisher – who portrayed Princess Leia – knew about their characters’ relationship as siblings. This allowed them to fully commit to playing out the emotions and reactions of their characters as they were written at the time.
Considering these factors, Hamill describes Luke’s reaction as one filled with pride and awkwardness. Luke was simultaneously thrilled by Leia’s affection, yet unsure how to handle it. The revelation of their true relationship in later episodes only adds complexity to these feelings.
Conclusion:
Mark Hamill’s take on the infamous kiss between Luke and Leia sheds light on his character’s thought process during the scene. While fans may continue to debate the appropriateness of the kiss, Hamill’s insight adds depth to the conversation. As Star Wars continues to expand and evolve, it’s refreshing to know that even after all these years, there are still new perspectives emerging on iconic moments in the saga.