The Disney+ original series The Mandalorian concluded its second season run on Dec. 18 with a shocking cameo to many Star Wars fans. In the final moments of the season, television and Star Wars fans were treated with a cameo from the original film trilogy’s main protagonist, Luke Skywalker.
In the closing moments of the season two finale episode, “Chapter 16: The Rescue,” the Star Wars spin-off series featured the main protagonists Mando, the Child (or Grogu), and allies were backed into a corner by Dark Troopers. However, out of nowhere, an X-Wing fighter appeared and began to slash its way through to the group in a completed rescue attempt. Upon his arrival, the figure revealed himself as a figure resembling the appearance of Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker.
According to Indiewire, showrunner Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Swingers) revealed that Hamill had returned as the character in voiceover role as well as a physical role through de-aging VFX technology. Additionally, Favreau aimed to keep the shocking cameo a secret and was greatly satisfied that it remained a secret as “there are so many people involved with the process,” via Indiewire.
In addition to Hamill’s return, actor Max Lloyd Jones (War for the Planet of the Apes) was also credited as a Jedi Double for the role. His inclusion appears to take on Skywalker’s action scenes in which Hamill is unable to act in.
Currently, it is unknown when the third season of The Mandalorian will be released on the Disney+ streaming platform.