Mark Hamill nearly turned latest role because of gun violence: ‘It’s one of the worst aspects of American life’
Star Wars legend explains why he nearly rejected job offer
- Mark Hamill, the 73-year-old actor known for Star Wars, initially hesitated to accept his role in the dystopian thriller The Long Walk due to his strong opposition to gun violence.
- Hamill is a vocal critic of gun violence in the US, citing statistics that show a decrease in shootings during the Clinton-era assault weapon ban and an increase after its lapse under George W. Bush.
- He expressed his belief that gun violence is “out of control” in America, stating that “no other country has the tragedies that we have.”
- Director Francis Lawrence convinced Hamill to take the part by explaining that the film, an adaptation of Stephen King's novel, focuses on the characters' relationships rather than explicit violence.
- The Long Walk portrays a brutal walking contest in a dystopian America where young men are killed if they fail to maintain a certain speed, and is currently in cinemas.