Mark Hamill and Star Wars a New Hope

SUMMARY

  • Mark Hamill agreed Chewbacca deserved a medal, joining fans’ outrage over George Lucas’ controversial decision in A New Hope.
  • Rebel pilots got medals for heroic acts, but Chewy and co-pilots were unfairly overlooked despite their vital contributions.
  • Hamill’s humor and candor highlight his charm, championing Chewbacca’s heroism while laughing at his own Star Wars storylines.

Mark Hamill, the face of Star Wars’ iconic Luke Skywalker, once sided with fans over a major injustice in A New Hope. George Lucas made a decision so baffling that even Hamill couldn’t ignore it — and no, it wasn’t blowing up Alderaan. 

Mark Hamill receiving the Comic-Con Icon Award at the 2019 | Image by Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.Mark Hamill received the Comic-Con Icon Award at the 2019 | Image by Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

While Luke and Han Solo basked in glory, one character stood awkwardly, medal-free, as if saving the galaxy wasn’t worth a shiny trinket.

Mark Hamill speaks out: Chewbacca deserved a medal too

Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchiseChewbacca in the Star Wars franchise | Credits: Lucasfilm

Mark Hamill didn’t need the Force to see the injustice in A New Hope. He himself admitted it wasn’t fair, jokingly agreeing that the Wookie deserved his moment too. Throwing his support behind fans’ grievances, Hamill confessed,

That Han Solo is in danger, all those things… see? I said, even if you don’t plan to tell the audience, I have to know for myself. I made up a whole backstory of what happened between getting my medal and… yes, I agree, he should have gotten one too.

The logic? Pilots got the glory because they delivered the critical shots — Luke’s destroyed the Death Star, while Han’s saved Luke from Darth Vader. Co-pilots like Chewy? They were crucial, but apparently not “medal-worthy” by Rebel standards. Even the other Rebel pilots were overlooked, despite their heroics.

Mark Hamill talks about his disappointment

Hamill, always quick with a quip, reflected on the franchise’s storytelling quirks, adding that the Star Wars saga evolved far beyond Luke. Pointing to how Rey, Finn, and Poe carried the torch in the sequels, he continued,

But you’re right. I said, because if you don’t tell the audience, it’s not about me anymore. It’s really not my story. It’s the story of Rey and Finn and Poe and all of them, which is the way it should be.

Still, the actor was candid about creative choices, even poking fun at his epic cliffhanger entrance in The Force Awakens. He joked,

We can’t please everyone. The build-up and the end — John Williams’ music — you know, I thought it worked very well. In fact, I want to do movies now where I don’t do anything. I don’t talk, I get second billing, and I’m in the movie less than 30 seconds.

Less is more. And so, I’m reading, reading, reading… “Where is Luke?” Everybody’s talking about me. It’s the most elaborate entrance in the history of show business. And then it’s over.

Mark Hamill’s humor and honesty underscore why fans adore him. Whether championing Chewy’s overlooked heroism or laughing at his own storylines, Hamill remains a beacon of Jedi-level charm. As for that medal? Justice for Chewbacca still hangs in the air.

Chewie’s medal controversy: Fans divided over Rise of Skywalker snubs

LucasfilmChewbacca in the Star Wars franchise | Credits: Lucasfilm

Some Star Wars fans were left shaking their heads in The Rise of Skywalker, especially when it came to Chewbacca’s treatment. From the medal controversy to overlooked heroes like R2-D2 and C-3PO, it felt like the movie missed the mark in honoring true icons.

Ultimately, whether Chewy cared about a medal or not, fans continue to debate what The Rise of Skywalker got wrong. It’s clear: the galaxy deserves more respect for its unsung heroes, droids and Wookiees included. The saga might be over, but the fan frustrations will always linger.

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Mark Hamill

Written by Heena Singh

Articles Published: 756

Heena Singh is a writer at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.