Mark Hamill on LEGO ‘Star Wars’ and the Future of Play
The ‘Star Wars’ legend discusses LEGO SMART Play, generational fandom, and stepping into his new J.E.D.I. role.
Mark Hamill will forever be synonymous with the Jedi, having brought Luke Skywalker to life across generations of Star Wars. Now, he’s stepping into a new role, this time with LEGO as the brand’s newly appointed Junior Executive Director of Information (J.E.D.I.).
The title arrives as LEGO rolls out its SMART Play initiative, a new platform centered around interactive building through its sensor-driven SMART Brick. Debuting with LEGO Star Wars sets, the technology introduces sound, motion, and responsiveness into the building experience — bridging physical play with modern interactivity.
We caught up with Hamill via LEGO’s fan hotline to discuss the evolution of play, the enduring appeal of Star Wars, and what it means to engage a new generation of builders.
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LEGO has a strong sense of humor. How did you approach stepping into this J.E.D.I. role?
Mark Hamill: Obviously LEGO has a sense of humor — they gave me a title like Junior Executive Director of Information! The brand is all about fun, and it’s great to be part of something loved by kids worldwide.
As a parent, you look for ways to connect with your children. My kids are grown now, but my granddaughter loves LEGO, and it’s the kind of activity that really sparks creativity. The only limit is your imagination.
You’ve seen Star Wars evolve across generations, and now LEGO has too with SMART Play. How does something like SMART Play change the way people connect with Star Wars?
SMART Play is amazing. The sounds the sets make, from the lasers to chatter, are incredible. When I first got LEGO in the ‘80s, it was just a box of bricks. Technology keeps evolving, and they’ve really embraced that here.
“The only limit is your imagination.”
What impact does building something physical like LEGO have in today’s digital world?
It’s important to find a way to get kids off their phones and back into the real world. This is the perfect way to do that, where you’re interacting with your child and doing something that makes them forget about being online. LEGO preserves the past, but in a very futuristic way.
What does it mean to see Star Wars and LEGO shared across generations?
It’s special when you find something the whole family can enjoy. I remember watching things with my kids that I never would have otherwise, (coughs) American Idol, just because they loved it. When you find something that you can all enjoy together as a family, it’s priceless.
Lego
Lego
Did working with the SMART Play sets bring back memories of your early Star Wars days?
I saw all of the movies, but I didn’t watch them again. When they re-released the films for the 20th anniversary in 1997, all three of my kids exclaimed, “We have to go see them!” I told them, “You guys watch the movies on an endless loop already.” Nathan would watch one, rewind the tape, and start it again. It got to the point where his younger brother came to me and pleaded, “I can’t stand it anymore. It’s the fifth time today he’s watched Empire Strikes Back.” They appeal to every generation, and I’m so grateful for that.
We had never seen the movies on a big screen with great sound, so that was very exciting. After the re-watch, I was reminded how well-crafted and clever they are. I don’t go back and watch anything I work on, outside of screenings or premieres. There are still movies I’ve done that I haven’t seen. I won’t mention any names, (coughs) The Guyver.
“LEGO preserves the past, but in a very futuristic way.”
We’ve seen LEGO produce around 70 unique Luke Skywalker minifigure designs to date. What was it like first seeing Luke Skywalker as a minifigure?
I always appreciated that LEGO was the one to finally get my hair color right. When I was first an action figure, I had lemon yellow hair. I always thought that it was odd since my hair is brown. I suppose it did get a little blonde in Tunisia, since we were out in the sun every day for a few weeks. But when I first saw LEGO, I was happy they got so many things right.
If Luke Skywalker had access to LEGO, what do you think he’d enjoy building?
He would probably build his home on Tatooine, since he misses his aunt and uncle. Another that stands out is the Emperor’s Throne Room, as it was such a climactic location for the series.
