Mark Hamill reveals new Star Wars Force For Change charity drive

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Luke Skywalker is looking at you. And now, he’s talking to you, too.

In a new video for the Star Wars charity initiative Force For Change, Mark Hamill appears alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy to glower severely — just like Hamill did in The Force Awakens when he finally appeared onscreen and laid eyes on his father’s long-lost lightsaber.

“Oh, I’m sorry … I have dialogue?” he says.

During the making of the previous movie, fans donated more than $10 million to UNICEF through the Force For Change program and were offered a chance to win various prizes: such as a background role in Maz Kanata’s tavern, an early screening for friends, or tickets to the film’s Los Angeles premiere.

With director Rian Johnson currently at work on Episode VIII, Lucasfilm is relaunching the drive in support of UNICEF Kid Power, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish. Fans will be able to donate through CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange.

The first leg of the drive starts Tuesday and will continue until the world’s unofficial Star Wars holiday on May 4 (“May the Fourth be with you”). Kennedy says Force For Change will match the donations of Star Wars fans to these four charities up to $1,000,000.

Star Wars fans are some of the most generous, thoughtful, and sympathetic people I have ever met,” Kennedy says. “I am so proud of the charitable work they have done over the years and hope this month-long donation-matching campaign will go some way to express our sincere thanks for their tireless efforts.”

The first prize being offered is a chance to visit Ireland and tour Skellig Michael, the island featured in the final scene of The Force Awakens, where Daisy Ridley’s Rey finally locates Hamill as the exiled Jedi Luke Skywalker.

The sharp cluster of rocks, rising 715 feet above the sea on Ireland’s southern coast, is not just the home of a fictional Jedi temple – those ruins in the film are actually the remains of a small monastery that was occupied for between 400 and 600 years until the 12th century. Travel to the island is strictly limited, due to its archaeological significance, as well as to protect native seabirds who call the island home.

Fans will get one entry to win the raffle for every $10 donated.

Also for the first week’s challenge, spanning April 5-11, the first 20 fans to raise at least $500 will win a Blu-ray of The Force Awakens that was autographed by the cast.

Each week will bring new prizes, and Kennedy and Hamill say fans should check back to CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange for updates.

For more Star Wars news, follow @Breznican.

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