Star Wars: The Last Jedi -- JJ Abrams Praises Mark Hamill's Performance

Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker character was only briefly seen in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In this year's The Last Jedi, he is believed to have a larger role. Now, The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams has spoken up to praise Hamill's performance in the new film.

Abrams, who is a producer on The Last Jedi and presumably has seen an early cut, told the New York Daily News (via AV Club) that Hamill is so good in The Last Jedi that he should be in the mix for an Oscar. "I think we are all going to be very upset if he does not win an Oscar, and no one more upset than Mark," Abrams said.

Abrams went on to say about Hamill, "He is hysterically funny. He has done comedy. He is an amazing guy--he can do anything."

Hamill has never been nominated for an Academy Award. However, he did present the sound editing award at the Academy Awards in 1978, alongside C-3PO and R2-D2.

According to The Last Jedi writer-director Rian Johnson, Skywalker's relationship with Rey (Daisy Ridley) in the new film will be a major point of focus. The movie's title might be in reference to Skywalker, who has been referred to as "the last Jedi" in multiple Star Wars films.

The Last Jedi opens in December. No trailers have been released yet, but that could happen at the Star Wars Celebration event in April, as Lucasfilm has teased some "surprises" for the show.

It also stars Laura Dern, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis. Carrie Fisher filmed her Leia scenes for the movie before she passed away in December.