Mark Hamill Shares His Theory of Why He Was Never Asked To Host Saturday Night Live

Mark Hamill has done many things in his career, but he has never had the opportunity to present Saturday Night Live. Despite his Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher having stepped up to host the show, Hamill was never asked during his Star Wars heyday and has not been approached to do it since, just like another Star Wars icon Harrison Ford. However while speaking to Esquire, Hamill revealed why he believes he was never invited to join the comedy cast. He said:

“Well, let me tell you about SNL. Carrie [Fisher] did it back in the day with the original cast. I was over the moon because it was my favorite show, Carrie was great on it, and it made me really want to do it.But it’s not one of those things where your agent calls and says, ‘Hey, book my client.’ They pretty much pick who they want and you go from there. I was asked to host Fridays, which was ABC’s answer to SNL. And I think—I’m not sure, again, I’m just speculating—but I have a feeling that that might have been a factor in not being thought favorably of by Lorne Michaels.It’s one of those things where if they asked me, you’d have to do it. You accept the challenge. But the fact that they don’t ask me is fine, because I’m perfectly happy to be in the audience and not have the pressure of being on live television like that.”

Related: Mark Hamill Supports Recasting of Luke Skywalker, But Doesn’t Feel Star Wars Needs Young Luke Stories

Mark Hamill Could Still Host SNL, But Doesn’t Need To.

While there is no doubt that Mark Hamill could still receive a call to host SNL in the future, the actor doesn’t seem to be too bothered whether it happens or not. He is obviously not the only big celebrity who has not stepped up to host the long-running series, which is currently on hiatus due to the writer’s strike. Once the series does return, there will be a whole new roster of guests required to host, and who knows, Hamill may surprise everyone by being one of them.

However, Mark Hamill has plenty of things to keep himself busy right now. He is currently appearing in Bert Kreischer’s mob movie The Machine, is reprising his role as the voice of Skeletor in Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe Revolutions and has signed on to star with Tom Hiddleston in Stephen King movie The Life of Chuck from Mike Flanagan. Then of course there is always a chance of him returning in some capacity as Luke Skywalker in an upcoming Star Wars movie.

As if that was not enough for Hamill fans to be getting with, then there is always his frequent postings on Twitter to keep up with, and the actor’s other appearances at conventions and Star Wars events. With all of this going on, if SNLdoes come calling, they are perhaps going to have to wait until a space can be found in Hamill’s schedule to accommodate an appearance.