Star Wars 7 Mark Hamill makes a comeback in the trilogy's sequel, and fans are all excited at how the Luke Skywalker character plays out years after the events of "The Return of the Jedi."

Hamill became a pop culture icon primarily because of his role as Luke Skywalker, even though he never really took on different roles in the movies following the first Star Wars trilogy. Hamill remained busy behind the scenes, though, especially involved in the Star Wars franchise.

When the prequel trilogy came out, Hamill accepted his role in the saga and took things in stride. Now that Star Wars 7 is slated for a December 18, 2015 release date, Hamill comments in retrospect.

"In my mind, there was a beginning, and a middle and an end for me and my association with George's trilogy. It was firmly in the past. When the prequels came out, I watched from a distance, but I was totally fine... I've altered my diet. I've started working out.

There's that. But on the film itself: I toured the departments, I've looked at wardrobe, and I saw the creature shop. I went around and met all the cast people, saw the technicians working on some new things. I hadn't seen Tony Daniels or Carrie [Fisher] or Harrison [Ford] or Peter Mayhew in ages. ... It was wonderful to see them again, because I didn't expect to. Again, this is all so unexpected. It's like getting out that pair of pants you haven't worn in five years and finding a 20-dollar bill in the pocket. Oh, this is nice."

In Star Wars 7, Mark Hamill confessed hardcore fans of the saga as the primary reason for his role reprisal. "I'm aware that a lot of people don't care one way or another, but for the UPFs - the ultra passionate fans - they would come after me like the angry townspeople with torches in the old Frankenstein pictures." (flickeringmyth.com)

Sample a tease for the movie in this J.J. Abrams "Force for a Change" appeal:

Star Wars 7 Mark Hamill is expected to be an older, wiser Luke Skywalker, a la Obi Wan Kenobi.