Mark Hamill is making his return as Luke Skywalker in the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but there's been plenty of speculation about just how the character will come back. This image, published by Star Wars Episode 7 News, is our first look at the character.
Here we go.
Luke Skywalker In #ForceAwakens pic.twitter.com/KMRuRr2jFw
— Ali Aksöz (@AliAksoz) August 13, 2015
This isn't a publicity still, and it definitely looks like it wasn't meant to have been taken or published, so keep that in mind. This could be an early version of the character's look, or an outfit from a single scene.
Lucasfilm has showed some of the original Star Wars cast members as they'll appear, in costume, in The Force Awakens' trailers and that behind-the-scenes Comic-Con video — but not Hamill as Luke.
There was always some speculation that Luke was the character with the robotic hand in the second trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and keep in mind you don't see his hands or arms at all in this shot. In fact, you see no skin outside of his face. It's great to see this hint at what the character may look like, but so much is obscured it's nearly impossible to tell how he'll appear in the film. It's certainly a contrast from how Luke Skywalker last appeared in Return of the Jedi, decked out in all black.
That being said, holy shit. Luke Skywalker grew into quite the imposing Jedi Master!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released on Dec. 18 of this year.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser