will probably better known as
Luke Skywalker and mark as
always, is so kind of join us.
He joins us now, mark, I have to
ask, you know, how does a jedi
become the English voice of air
raid alerts in Ukraine? And what
does it mean to you on a
personal level to know that as
your voice that's telling people
to take cover and when it's safe
to come out. Well, I was
contacted last September. 22 by
president zelensky. And
obviously I'm not used to being
contacted by world leaders. But
we had a virtual meeting with
him. He asked me to become an
ambassador to the army of drones
for the united 24. Endeavor to
raise funds. And of course, I
agreed immediately, and since
then I've been educated on
what's going on, and, uh it's
just tough. I mean, it's really
tough because when you think
about the suffering. The lack of
food. The bombing of civilian
targets. Schools playgrounds,
it's really tough, and I was
able to zoom last week with the
actual drone operators. The men
and women who who operate these
drones and boy, it puts a human
face on it. All of these
soldiers were young enough to be
my children. So I mean, like I
say, I wouldn't follow this
story anyway. But to be involved
personally is, uh, it's humbling
, and I feel a real sense of
responsibility to do whatever
they asked me to do, and I
appreciate CNN for letting me
come on and talk about it. Well,
we appreciate you so much mark,
and it's always great to see you
and for the folks at home who
don't know this or aren't up to
speed on it. You're an
ambassador for you. This Ukraine
24 drone nation campaign it's a
fundraiser to buy Ukraine 10
reconnaissance drones. They're
pretty pricey about $150,000
each how is this effort going?
As far as you know, on your end?
Pretty well. I mean, we we've
raised 600,000 us on a goal of
1.5. So we're almost halfway
there. I know they've per
purchased. And we're working to
raise money for 10 rq 35 hydrant
reconnaissance drones, and as
I'm told, these are vital. I
mean, the army is familiar with
them. They're easy to operate.
They can transmit video in real
time travel up to 25,
kilometers, the eyes in the sky
to protect the population and
write a you can't win the war
without drones. No, that's
right. Um. It's like I say, I
mean, when they asked me to do
the recordings those warnings
again. I was really thinking of
the gravity of it all, because,
you know I'm a voice over artist
. I do cartoons and, you know,
I'm in the escapism business. So
to be in this harsh reality is,
is, uh, not something I take
lightly, and they did. We did
five different recordings from
missile attacks. Shelling street
fighting radiation, radiation,
chemical threats, so you know,
and it's hard. I don't really
like to overuse. The star wars
connection, but people really
respond to it. There's clearly a
evil empire, and there's clearly
a resistance to this hostile
invasion. So, uh, ah! I don't
think it's uh I think it's
rather appropriate that they
make that analogy. Right tell
you presidents presidents.
Alinsky was the first one to
refer to Russia as an evil
empire in that in that call I
had with him, so he started it.
He started. That's right. But
you know, I mean, but it it goes
to the enduring legacy of star
wars bargain. I know it's not
something you want to talk about
in every conversation, but it
must be so satisfying to know
that halfway around the world.
Folks who don't speak English as
their first language, but
probably have a good
understanding of English and a
good understanding of star wars.
When they hear mark Hamill's
voice they know take cover. It's
just extraordinary. It's
extraordinary is the word and
I've never taken it for granted
because wherever I go since
since the when they first came
out. People relate to it to the
point where they relate stories
about how it's been woven into
the fabric of their everyday
life. I got through my mother's
illness or I met my future wife
at the screening, you know, and,
uh whenever I go out in public,
that's what I hear. And of
course, you know, I never really
expected to be remembered for
anything. I was just trying to
make a living. But to have been
able to, uh be involved with
something that has resonated so
deeply with people all around
the world, is, uh, I'm truly
grateful for that. Yeah well and
it means so much. I'm sure to
the Ukrainian people that you're
doing this and it means a lot to
Americans. You know, you see the
blue and yellow flags on
people's homes and on their cars
all around this people have just
become so invested in what's
taking place in Ukraine and your
star wars connection. To be able
to make a difference is so
important and on on the star
wars thing. I know I feel bad
doing this to you. But as a as a
fan. I have I feel like I have
to. I have a duty to the viewers
out there to ask you at least
one star wars question and that
is, you know, we saw Luke
Skywalker's character appear in
the mandalorian. I hate to give
the spoiler if you haven't
caught up with the mandalorian
by now, you're at the very end
of that second season. Are there
any plans? Any possible plans of
seeing Luke Skywalker emerged as
its own TV show. Ah forgive me
for putting you on the spot
about that. But I just think it
would be an amazing idea. And
what do you think about these
star wars TV shows. Well, the
answer to your question. I
haven't heard anything along
those lines. I was contacted by
John fabbro and Dave filoni. And
they told me their idea for the
mandalorian and what I thought
was, uh, attractive about it was
it's back to Luke that the
audience were deprived because
when returned the jedi ended you
didn't see him again for 30
years, and he was quite a
different character. By the time
you something, so you never saw
him at his the peak of his
powers when he was still a
jelly. So um, you never say
never, but listen, I have to
tell you why I did I when I was
given such definitive closure in
the sequels. I thought I'd
better take a step back and it's
a whole new era. It's a you
know, I wasn't planning to
really dive in, but I wanted to
do my homework. For mandalorian
, and I wanted to do my homework
for book of both with that. So
my family I binge watched those
and I have to tell you the form
is really perfect because by
being a episodic ah approach. It
doesn't have to be the gigantic
spectacle films are. So you can
tell much more personal stories
. Uh my on a much more modest
scale, so I think they're doing
a great job. I mean, it's in
very good hands. Yeah when I saw
and er and I just was blown away
about how inspiring it was. It
was just sort of unexpected.
This emotional connection you I
felt with the characters in that
series, but market is so great
to see you. And you know for
your efforts in Ukraine or go to
another star wars impersonation
probably won't be as good as my
yoda. But I will just say
impressive. Most impressive. I
hope that that rings a bell. I'm
sorry. Listen no very bad.
Dorothy Ader. You're yoda was
great. Uh and the fact that you
were just a little kid when
these movies came out, we got
you at the right time. Accost
you really? Did you totally do.
You won't. The force is strong
and has a bond that will not be
broken, but mark really what you
do for the folks in Ukraine,
people of Ukraine. It is just
amazing and thank you so much as
always taking the time to speak
with us. It's great to see you
the great mark Hamill. We
appreciate so much. Thank you so
much, and thank you, everyone
who's donated or considered, uh
, donating go to united 24.
Alright we will. We will.
Thanks, Marc. Great to see you
appreciate it so much. All
right. Good to see you again
again. Here's how you can use
the force to help Ukraine. Just
go to the website you 24 dot gov